Well it seems everyone around is doing these things. I started on this one the other day, actually a week or so ago, but finished it the other night ....and on a lunch time break, I thought I would go ahead and post it. I could of filled up many more of these things. But I tried to stick to the raw beginnings of all my influences. I could have put more illustrators in there like Greg Manchess and all, but knowledge of those guys came later. I focused on the stuff of kids and my youth a bit. Also many of these have double or triple meanings. Like the Sgt. Fury #13 is for Captain America, Jack Kirby, and all the great Marvel comics of the silver age, it also represents the odd DC stories I loved like Challengers of the Unknown and just comics in general.
The same way with Milton Caniff. I admired the man, and his works. So look, or think about double meanings for alot of these images.
Very impressive map!
ReplyDeleteI see why you are SO GOOD at what you do. I understand most of the references, and I will get the rest upon looking at it some more.
Interesting idea, not that I know all the references either. For example the plane next to the Superman photo, but what a neat reference, action shot. I'd never heard of this before.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys,
ReplyDeleteThat is a p38 lightning...WW2 twin boom fighter, the highest scoring ace of WW2 used this fighter to down 33 japanese fighters.
If anyone wants to know any meanings or has trouble with images, just let me know.
tom
p38, I see, I bet that was a monster aircraft in WWII, which makes me remember those CAF Shows in Midland--I saw one of those F-117 stealth fighter "fly overs" at one that was unannounced in the promos, now that was amazing...
ReplyDeleteLike you said, I'm sure your influence map has multiple meanings, on different levels.
Perhaps you'd like to keep them personal, I know most of them, though some I don't. Like for example, the first one, could be Frazetta, Al Williamson, or just stand for pulps, adventure, fantasy illustrators and book covers and interior artwork--many meanings.
Going from left to right though, I don't recognize the 3rd one next to Burroughs, and I'm not totally sure about the 6th one with RKO Radio, but I suspect old time radio shows ie. The Shadow, Superman, etc.
The other unknown slots for me would be: #7, and #18 looks to be some movie startlet, but I'm not sure who. Perhaps Fay Wray from King Kong but I can't tell.
I'd also guess that #32 stands less for Space Ghost, probably more for Alex Toth, and maybe just clean line work in drawing.
#34 looks to be real life heroes and adventurers (in general), specifically, I can't say (but I'd guess a test pilot), and the last panel #35, I'd have to guess experimental aircraft and rockets that brought us into modern times and the space race.
Hey, I sure don't mind talking about any of these for sure.
ReplyDeleteI actually appreciate it alot.
That first on is Mark Schultz, what a fantastic guy, and a fantastic illustrator and writer/creator. Currently doing the scripts for Prince Valiant in the papers.
That top row would then be Schultz, Milton Caniff (Steve Canyon, Terry and the Pirates), Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon, X9, Jungle Jim strip creator) in his Marine uniform during WW2.
RKO radio pictures I am a fan of because they produced some great pictures, King Kong among them. Also became associated with Howard Hughes.
# 7 next to the RKO title card is Richard Webb, 50's TV Captain Midnight. One of my many kid heroes, I loved that show and was a Secret Squadron member. And still drink my Ovaltine. ha. He as a person was a personal hero of mine too. Along with the parts he played.
The Movie starlet is Jean Harlow. She had such a short career but a great one. Also she was supposed to be in King Kong, but legal issues at the studios let Fay Wray into the roll.
The Space Ghost one is indeed for Toth, animation, clean line work, design and all things associated with that hero animation of the 60's.
The test pilot is the one and only Chuck Yeager, WW2 fighter pilot and the first person to break the sound barrier. I always wanted to fly and he is one of the best pilots ever.
That last one is a Von Braun shuttle design. Those ships from the 50's had great designs, and indeed as you said, launched a kids imagination into space. I was a huge fan of the space race doing the 50-60's.
And again thanks for asking.
Tom, I had no idea Mark Schultz was writing Prince Valiant in the newspaper strips. We actually get that strip here in the paper, but didn't in West Texas. The art and story are still well written. I enjoy the new character (to me) of the cave man. Many of the comic creator that I kept up with like Schultz have fallen out of the comic realm, and I wondered where they went.
ReplyDeleteCapt. Midnight, I never knew. I don't know if that's because he was never broadcast in the area I was in as a kid or whatever. I've never seen the serials or found the DVDs, so I don't know what I've missed though it seems you have fond memories.
It's good to have influences and heroes. I'm sure as an artist, if one were to ever get a mental block or need inspiration, they are the well to draw from. Thanks for sharing.