Frank Frazetta: An Appreciation
Frank Frazetta ushered in a new era of cover painting with heavily muscled heroes and lush, voluptuous women, evolving the pulp magazine style for more contemporary audiences. His work proved influential to writers, artists, and musicians for decades.
Best known for his series of covers featuring Conan the Barbarian on the Lancer paperbacks of the 1960s, he went on to create moody and evocative paintings for the Warren Magazines.
A child of Brooklyn, his artistic talents were evident early and by age eight, he was sent to the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts. He was mentored by Italian painter Michael Falanga who died before he could send young Frazetta to perfect his craft in Europe.
As the school closed in 1944, Frazetta sought ways to earn a living and drifted into illustrating comic books with several memorable Buck Rogers covers for Famous Funnies. He also drew several Shining Knight stories for DC Comics and displayed range with numerous funny animal stories as well.
By the 1950s, Frazetta was lending his talents to EC Comics, where he, Al Williamson and Roy Krenkel formed a powerful triumvirate, capable of masterful science fiction or fantasy stories.
Frazetta was hired by Al Capp to assist him on the popular LiâÃÂÃÂl Abner comic strip and he went on to also work with Dan Barry on Flash Gordon. The artist harbored his desire for a feature of his own and sold the short-lived Johnny Comet to the syndicates.
It was during this productive period that Frazetta married Eleanor Kelly and they raised a family consisting of Frank Jr., Billy, Holly and Heidi.
By the 1960s, Frazetta was ready for other work and left Capp to join Harvey Kurtzman in producing the lushly colored Little Annie Fanny feature for Playboy, a long-running and popular assignment. He did other work including some nifty portraits for Mad Magazine which led to being offered one-sheet assignments beginning with Woody AllenâÃÂÃÂs WhatâÃÂÃÂs New
Pussycat?
He began booking cover assignments for multiple publishers and in addition to Conan, also lent his vision to Edgar Rice BurroughsâÃÂàcreations Tarzan, John Carter, and Pellucidar. His Warren covers during this period also included the memorable cover to Vampirella #1, based on Trina
RobbinsâÃÂàcostume design.
Frazetta continued to do commercial work through the 1970s; his next phase didnâÃÂÃÂt begin until the 1980s when he partnered with Ralph Bakshi for the fantasy animated feature Fire & Ice. The 1983 film had a strong visual sense, courtesy of Frazetta, but failed to find a box office audience.
Since then, Frazetta has licensed out his original characters, notably the Death Dealer to be used by others including comic book adaptations.
He and Elly gathered his original artwork and opened the Frazetta Museum in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania to showcase his work.
Frazetta suffered numerous physical ailments throughout the final two decades of his life, including an untreated thyroid conditionÃÂÃÂ Frazetta also endured several strokes robbing him of his ability to illustrate with his right hand, leading him to do work left-handed. His life was profiled in the engaging 2003 documentary
His final year was a stressful one as Ellie died July 17, 2009 and then family issues caused a rift as Frank Jr. attempted to steal 90 paintings from the museum in December. He was arrested and mediation in April led to a successful conclusion to the matter.
Frazetta, who had been suffering from dementia for some time, was taken to a hospital where he died from the final stroke.
Never one of my favourites, over all – i preferred Roy Krenkel’s work along the same lines, generally – but indubitably an Important Figure in the history of SF/fantasy art.
Another whose like we will probably not see again.
Never one of my favourites, over all – i preferred Roy Krenkel's work along the same lines, generally – but indubitably an Important Figure in the history of SF/fantasy art.Another whose like we will probably not see again.
IMHO,Frazetta stood head,shoulders,waist and knees above any other fantasy illustrator.Also,very recent video on his website denied any evidence of dementia.R.I.P.
Do you know the work of either RGK or of Al Williamson, Frazetta and RGK’s frequent collaborator?
And i have to say that, outside of his relatively narrowly-defined area of work, there were several artists i would have to rate as the equal or even superior of Frazetta – one of whom would be the late Frank Kelly Freas.
Whic is not intended to detract from Frazetta.
IMHO,Frazetta stood head,shoulders,waist and knees above any other fantasy illustrator.Also,very recent video on his website denied any evidence of dementia.R.I.P.
Do you know the work of either RGK or of Al Williamson, Frazetta and RGK's frequent collaborator?And i have to say that, outside of his relatively narrowly-defined area of work, there were several artists i would have to rate as the equal or even superior of Frazetta – one of whom would be the late Frank Kelly Freas.Whic is not intended to detract from Frazetta.
Agreed, Krenkel was better in some respects. Frank built on what he learned from Roy, just as Boris, Rowena Morrell and others learned from studying Frank. And we won’t see another like him again.
Absolutely.
Agreed, Krenkel was better in some respects. Frank built on what he learned from Roy, just as Boris, Rowena Morrell and others learned from studying Frank. And we won't see another like him again.
Absolutely.
Just my 2 cents friends….but I stand by ’em.Thank goodness we live in a world where tastes are divergent enough to afford all great artists their own devoted fanbase.
Just my 2 cents friends….but I stand by 'em.Thank goodness we live in a world where tastes are divergent enough to afford all great artists their own devoted fanbase.
The man just passed away, and left behind an incredible body of work that is undeniably stunning and timeless. A genius and pioneer in the medium without doubt. This is just MY opinion, but perhaps we could give him his day, instead of rambling about whether or not this artist or that artist is “better” than Frank. It would seem to me that there will be plenty of time for that. Rest in peace Frank, and thanks for the work you leave behind.
The man just passed away, and left behind an incredible body of work that is undeniably stunning and timeless. A genius and pioneer in the medium without doubt. This is just MY opinion, but perhaps we could give him his day, instead of rambling about whether or not this artist or that artist is "better" than Frank. It would seem to me that there will be plenty of time for that. Rest in peace Frank, and thanks for the work you leave behind.