|
(Note, the image above is
rather large so that you can see
details. Give it several seconds to load
the 2MG file. Then click the pop-up.)
WILL EISNER (1917-2005) • Original art: Page 7
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. This
climactic final page to “The Election of Mr. Bowser”
in 1947 is a great example of Eisner’s magnificent
art, with his heavy brush of the era and delicate
feathering employed on a multitude of characters,
including The
Spirit, Commissioner Dolan, Officer Klink, Ebony,
and guest characters Bonehead and
Mr. Bowser.
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.
|
