His time was different. Born in 1915, Graham Ingels became a comic book artist in 1942 during their first surge in popularity. At sixteen, Ingels had already painted theatrical displays. At twenty, he was active as a freelance artist. After a discharge from the Navy, Ingels produced illustrations for pulp magazines for a year before becoming a comics editor.
His talent was different. It was EC publisher William Gaines and EC artist, writer and editor Al Feldstein who would bring Ingels fame as “Ghastly”. That was his trademark signature on covers and interior stories in EC’s Crime SuspenStories, The Haunt of Fear, The Vault of Horror and Tales from the Crypt. It was his incredible, unique talent that earned Ingels a fame that remains undiminished by time or his death.
Graham Ingels became the greatest horror artist in comic book history.
His scratchy, fine lines draped everything he drew in cobwebs, shadows and decadence. A subtle, physical deformity in almost every character, many of who were barely more than parchment flesh stretched over arthritic bone, made his readers’ skin crawl. His Victorian houses tottered on the verge of collapse, and even animals and vegetation smelled of Gothic decay.
He was the master of atmosphere, his settings alone producing more shudders than any gory movie.
Ingles work included: “Lost World”, “Sea Devil”, “Commando Ranger”, “Clipper Kirk”, “Suicide Smith”, Auro, Lord of Jupiter (Fiction House, 1942-’49); Heroic #39 (Eastern Color, 1946); covers,, Startling, “Lance Lewis”, “Tygra” (Pines, 1947); covers, “The Duke”, Trail Colt, U.S. Marshall (ME, 1048-’49); western, crime, love, horror, sf, New Directions titles (EC, 1948-’56); “Outlaws” (DS, 1948); Waterloo, Classics Illustrated Special Issues (Gilberton); Treasure Chest, western (Pflaum, 1957) and work at Fox Comics (1948).
The work of Graham Ingels is highly recommended.
Some older comics are expensive or difficult to locate. Price guides or comics dealers help. Comics shops, conventions, mail order companies and trade journals are good sources. Prices vary; shop around.
Review by Michael Vance
Oh my! What a splendid site, i have just happily wasted most of my Sunday spare time looking through these wonderful artworks...happily lapping up the rare examples and the most informative text you have.
ReplyDeleteI only wish there was more more more of it and that i had more more more eyes to enjoy it all.
Many thanks for a wonderful time.