While we’re well aware this is a British comics website, we also know that many British comic creators are incfluenced by many things – not least of them the work of the late, great American artist Wallace ‘Wally’ Wood, whose influential art and inking has turned the head of many a young creator, and who as an artist often mentioned, along with Al Williamson, by Paul Neary back in my days at Marvel UK.
Wally Wood’s world famous art guide – “22 Panels That Always Work”
Wood’s “22 Panels That Always Work” was a guide pinned to my wall at Marvel, and used for inspiration for many down the years.
Now, US publisher IDW Limited announced the release of Woodwork: The Complete Work of Wallace Wood (1927-1981) in a deluxe, limited-edition format. The book features an exclusive cover and slipcase, a hardcover portfolio containing eight lithograph prints and a signed and numbered photograph taken by Wallace Wood’s longtime friend and personal photographer Gilbert Ortiz.
There’s a little touch of Wood inside each book, as they have been individually hand-stamped by Wood’s own Snorky stamp, loaned to IDW Limited by the Wood estate specifically for this release.
“Wallace Wood is an absolute icon, he’s one of the greatest talents in comic history,” says senior editor of special projects, Scott Dunbier. “This had to be a very special book to do justice to the subject. Editor/designer Frédéric Manzano has done an absolutely marvelous job.”
Limited to just 150 copies, this IDW Limited Black Label edition collects decades of work and hundreds of beautifully captured pieces of Wood’s art. From his days at EC to his self-published work to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, this is an insider’s view of the complete career of Wallace Wood. Housed in a custom slipcase and accompanied by a portfolio full of lithographs on high-quality 300-gsm paper, this book has been painstakingly designed to be the perfect showpiece for discerning collectors.
“EC was a magical place, and their head wizard was Wallace Wood,” said Jerry Bennington, IDW Limited director. “Whether drawing on his own, or inking someone’s work, Wood’s art was always distinct and ambitious. He was an amazing artist, and a character worth studying.”
Available now from IDW Limited.com, this deluxe hardcover is a piece of comic history.
More Wallace Wood
• Woodwork: The Complete Work of Wallace Wood – IDW
• The Art of Wally Wood tumblr
- About the Author
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics - Books, Comic Art, Creating Comics
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