Frank Frazetta, R.I.P.
Legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, he of many cherished paperback book cover paintings of my youth, has died.
Whether or not his art was “Art,” it was exciting and important to many, many of us, especially in our adolescence. The painting above gives you one sense of why.
May 10th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I knew Frank Frazetta had been ailing but this is still a bit of a shock. I grew up admiring his paperback covers, especially the ones for titles by Edger Rice Burroughs. I recently bought a book of reprints of Al Capp’s comic strip, Li’l Abner. It arrived with a paper band around it that said “Featuring the Art of FRANK FRAZETTA”. He assisted Capp from 1954 to 1962. And then there were Frazetta’s LP record jackets and magazine covers and a great anti-smoking ad. I’ve even passed my love of this art on to my son, who I know will be as saddened as I am.
May 11th, 2010 at 3:17 am
Frank Frazetta’s covers sold more bad books than Harlequin. And they were a vital part of my tawdry youth.