JOHN SEVERIN TWO-FISTED COMIC BOOK ARTIST Signed

A spirited biography of one of the most prolific creators in the history of American comics! From a start in 1947 at the Simon & Kirby shop, John Severin co-created the legendary Western strip American Eagle, and became an EC Comics mainstay, working with Harvey Kurtzman on MAD and Two-Fisted Tales. In addition to a 40+ year association with Cracked magazine, his pivotal Marvel Comics work included an extended run on The Hulk, and teaming with sister Marie Severin to create the definitive comics version of King Kull. Throughout a storied career, he freelanced for virtually every major publisher, and remained a workhorse up until his final Dark Horse mini-series at age 89. And his work never suffered; unlike some artists who rested on their laurels and didn't keep up the quality, Severin's work was outstanding from his earliest to his final stories. Included in this volume is a special "American Eagle" section (which enjoyed an extended run in Prize Comics Western, a rare pro-Native American strip) which includes TWO complete stories. Plus an eye-popping art gallery, personal Christmas & holiday cards John created, and extensive personal photos and artifacts (including WWII "Victory Mail" cartoons and handmade greeting cards for his family). Also featured is commentary from over 25 peers gathered just for this book, including Neal Adams, Richard Corben, John Byrne, Russ Heath, Walter Simonson, and many others. Written by Greg Biga and multiple Eisner Award-winner Jon B. Cooke (editor of Comic Book Creator). Introduction by Howard Chaykin, foreword by Mort Todd, and afterword by Chuck Dixon, this profusely illustrated book celebrates the centennial of the two-fisted artist's birth! Personal Note: I'm a huge fan of Severin; I have loved his work since his earliest Marvel comics and EC. I own the original to a full page tribute on page 146, drawn by Marie Severin, celebrating all of John's many characters. We ran it as the cover for our Fall 2021 catalog when we first announced this. The long delay was because the publisher was not happy with the first printing, so it was rejected and this went back to press--that and the supply chain issues account for the wait. But it was well, well worth it. For our very special bookplate, editor Jon Cooke came up with a wonderful Cracked Magazine self-portrait I bet you've never before seen -- I haven't. We put this on one side of a special large-sized bookplate. On the reverse side (our first-ever two-sided bookplate), we reproduce nine of my favorite American Eagle covers (none of which duplicate ones in the book). -Bud