(Note,
the
image
above is rather large so that you
can see details. Give it several seconds
to load the file. Then click the
pop-up.)
WILL EISNER (1917-2005) •
Original Spirit Art
April 10, 1949. “Splash” PAGE 1 from “Introducing
Lovely Looie”
A heavyweight Spirit splash page! Will
Eisner flexes his creative muscles on this outstanding
splash page. Eisner uses the Spirit logo as a signature
element in this inventive page, with the story’s title
character Louis struggling to hoist it up, ultimately collapsing
under its mighty weight.
“Introducing Lovely Looie,” satirizes the rise of
theatrical wrestling, taking a not-so-veiled jab at the
era’s superstar Gorgeous George. Dolan stands in for
Eisner himself, expressing disgust at how modern
wrestling’s tawdry theatrics denigrate the true sport. He
gets more than he bargains for when he squares off against
the brawny brute in a benefit match (with a little help
from the Spirit)!
In addition to the playful logo use, this page is novel
for the expressive anatomy. Eisner conveys the nuanced
details of a muscular body in motion, gracefully conveying
movement, strain, and effort. In 1988, Eisner recalled,
“Sometimes I felt like a ball in a pinball machine trying
to come up with a new story every week, but this one
turned out well. I was doing more and more satire as I
went along, it seems to me. This story is kind of in a Mad
vein, although it wasn’t there for me to use as an
influence.” As prices for Eisner splash pages at auction
continue to climb, and the Eisner family is down to a
literal handful of splash pages, this playful example is a
true gem from one of the high-watermark Spirit stories of
1949 and a wonderful centerpiece for the discerning
collector!
Medium/Size/Condition: Brush, pen, and
ink on Bristol board measuring 16 3/8 x 23 inches (42 x 58
cm). Some White-out . Yellowed title mechanical at very
top, otherwise excellent condition.
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.
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. |
