Aviation Art of Russell Keaton HC Book

Aviation Art of Russell Keaton HC

Russell Keaton's high-flying career was cut tragically short when he died as a the result of a freak military accident at the age of 34 in 1945. He had ghosted the classic "Buck Rogers" Sundays (credited to Lt. Dick Calkins) and drawn the daily "Skyroads" strip, but he's best known for the strip he created himself, "Flyin' Jenny." What all these strips had in common was an aviation theme. Keaton, an artist and avid pilot, brought his two passions together in his comics. The Aviation Art of Russell Keaton is not simply a collection of Keaton's splendid daily and Sunday strips. Keaton's widow Virginia saved over 400 of her husband's business letters. His correspondence with fellow cartoonist Zack ("Smilin' Jack") Mosley, Dick Calkins, war hero and collaborator Frank Wead and the various syndicate editors and executives provide a unique and fascinating insight into the life of a cartoonist working during the Great Depression and the early '40s. Many of the letters are included here, along with photos, letterheads, ads, greeting cards and previously unpublished art. Altogether this material provides one of the most comprehensive overviews of any cartoonist and his times. And if you think this is all there is to Russell Keaton's career, just wait till you see the next Keaton book, long cloaked in mystery.

12.25" x 9.25", 240 pages. Kitchen Sink. Hard cover book.