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WILL
EISNER
(1917-2005)
• Original page 2 to “Election of Mr.
Bowser” (November 9, 1947)
Nearly
all Spirit fans agree that Will Eisner’s
art during the comic’s 12-year run as a newspaper
insert peaked in the late
‘40s. Not that he became a less-talented artist in the
1950s; he simply had
less time to devote to the strip starting around 1950
and he increasing had to
rely on assistants of varying talents to keep the
stories on schedule. Even
though the leads character is absent, this 2nd
page from “The
Election of Mr. Bowser” in 1947 is a great example of
Eisner’s magnificent art
and storytelling technique, starting with the wordless
upper tier. The close-up
of Ward Healy in the 2nd tier displays
Eisner’s masterful brush
technique: The “feathering” on Healy’s face, hat,
shirt, tie, and hand are the
sure strokes of a genius cartoonist. If this panel
were blown up to billboard
size, it would still be strikingly beautiful.
Medium/Size/Condition:
Drawn with brush, pen and ink on Bristol board
measuring 15 inches wide x 22 inches high. Eisner
placed white tape at the very
top and bottom of the page, presumably to cover the
typical rubber cement
stains of the title and page number placed there in
1947. Minor use of
White-out. Otherwise excellent condition.
Footnote:
The thug who has just arranged the
“suicide” if Mayor Blast, is seen humming this tune in
the first panel of the 2nd
tier: “Oh evv’y little bug got a honey to hug but me”
is a ditty originally
written by Will Eisner and set to music by his friend
Bill Harr. An attractive
and extremely rare music sheet was published in the
late ‘40s by Robbins Music,
but “Ev’ry Little Bug” was not recorded until
1987 as a 33 rpm “picture
disc” produced by the Ordinary Record Co. (a
division of Kitchen Sink
Press), featuring new art by Will Eisner, and
various interpretations of
the song by John “Chris” Christensen and his
Beat Brothers cohorts. We
still have a handful of these rarities in Steve
Krupp’s deepest catacombs
(along with the “Omaha” picture disc; if you are
interested in either, contact
us.
Provenance:
The Will Eisner estate is exclusively represented by
the Denis
Kitchen Art Agency, an affiliate of Steve Krupp’s
Curio Shoppe and Gallery.
This drawing is warranted to be an authentic original
created by Will Eisner,
and sold on behalf of his estate. Note: Image is
© Will Eisner Studios, Inc.
Reproduction for commercial purposes requires
permission. (Displaying the art
on comic art fan sites does not constitute commercial
use.)
Further reference: Much
other Eisner art, plus out-of-print graphic
novels, Spirit comic books and magazines,
signed serigraphs,
his Famous
Cartoonist Button, and numerous other
Eisner-related items are
accessible from our sister store Steve
Krupp’s
Curio Shoppe. Just type his name (or The
Spirit) into our search
bar. |