4 Artist Every Comic Book or Science Fiction Fan Should Know

19 Dec, 2011Artists, Comics
4 Artist Every Comic Book or Science Fiction Fan Should Know

The modern entertainment world is fascinated by anything associated with pop culture. Every year countless new movies, plays and books are released that are based upon pop cultural subjects. Some of the most popular subjects in recent years have been comic books and science fiction characters and stories. While many individuals enjoy the stories told on the big screen, few if any are aware of the artists’ who were responsible for many of our society’s favorite characters and pop culture ideas. This brief article will discuss 4 artists who have majorly impacted the entertainment world but yet are still somewhat unknown to many.

Ask any young boy or girl who is their favorite comic book hero is today and you are bound to hear a certain characters name more than any other. That character is Batman. Batman has enthralled audiences with his high adventures and gripping origin story for decades. The distinct look of Batman was devised by a single man. Bob Kane is the man responsible for creating this iconic character and his origin mythos. The distinct costume and gadgets of Batman can all be attributed to this one great artist. Kane’s work helped to define the look and idea of the comic book hero. Kane worked during the time of the golden age of comics. It was during this time period that other artist devised many other memorable characters, such as Captain Marvel and Bullet man. Alongside with Bob Kane, and working for the same company, is Joe Shuster. The name, while maybe not familiar, the character he designed is possibly the most popular comic book hero of all time. Shuster was responsible for the design and feel for Superman. The distinctive cape and coloring, and the Superman costume can all be attributed to Shuster.

Moving forward a few years another artist comes to the scene, his contributions would span over 50 years and be the source for most of today’s popular comic book movie characters. Captain America, the Human Torch, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer and The Incredible Hulk to just name a few, where all drawn and designed by this singular man. Jack “King” Kirby was that man. Kirby along with Stan Lee and Joe Simon would create the Marvel comic book universe that is so loved today. His distinct and bold lines were revolutionary during their time. Even today, it is not rare to find modern comic book artist mimicking his style.

Finally, a artist who unfortunately has been forgotten by many outside of the science fiction world, but yet still impacts artist and pop culture today is Frank Kelly Freas. Chances are if an individual has a image in their mind of either Alfred E. Neumann , the spokesman for MAD magazine, or 1950′s science fiction art , that image is the result of Freas’s artwork . Freas would define and challenge the science fiction world’s illustrative ideas. Freas holds the distinction as the most awarded artist in science fiction history. Many of today’s science fiction movies and TV shows borrow heavily from his artistic designs and futuristic ideas.

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