Flex Mentallo

Well, here is a weekend treat I hope you will all enjoy. The book here has been on my bookshelf for many years, and was published by Studio Vista in 1975. I'm going to show a selection of truly wonderful images by book illustrators obscure and well known alike. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have over the years! Feel free to add in more images if you have them! Okay, time to get the popcorn out!

Lost worlds anyone? The first is by Vic Prezio, but I would love to know who the cover artist is for the second cover!

I don't who the cover artist is but I applaud his creativity. I love that cover. Yes, I thought you might like that one! And well spotted AJD (how's the Wings collection coming along?) Here is another in a similar vein...

..and the covers to those two issues are pretty good as well:

Yes, all of the interiors I've shown are by Pratt. I wanted to show how his style evolved. The use of spot blacks is perfectly suited to the medium. In some panels thre are virtually no lines at all, just openings and enclosures of black and white... Anyway, I've come across a couple more by him:

Get the camera ready!

They typically turn up on vg condition with rusty staples - especially the earlier ones. A few years ago some of the early Air Ace were discovered in a shop that had been closed up for many years that were in near perfect condition. They were rather expensive on Ebay UK. However, these are eclipsed by another title, Commando, which is still in print many thousands of issues later. Early issues go for hundreds of pounds regardless of condition. They are no better or worse than the titles I have posted. But while I didnt mind paying as much a s £20 for an Air Ace in as-new condition, I would not pay £1000 for Commando #1! From the internet - issues #1 and #2: and a linky: http://cloud-109.blogspot.com/2010/04/achtung-commando.html

Hugo Pratt

Thanks for the additional scans. I'm very impressed with the quality of the artwork in these books. Are they collected by many people? It's hard to say. Certainly when I was a lad they were as strongly collected as Superman. more Hugo Pratt coming up.

Finally got photobucket back:

By chance I was watching this spanish movie last night only to realise that it is inspired by Lovecraft. Suitably creepy atmosphere...

I've always liked that cover but never knew the artist. What else did he do Alan, do you know?

Nice to see them again, thanks for posting them Jeff! I believe I will miss this one...

Hugo Pratt Check these issues. War Picture Library WPL 25 - The Iron Fist WPL 40 - Pathfinder WPL 50 - The Crimson Sea WPL 58 - Up the Marines! WPL 62 - Strongpoint WPL 91 - The Bayonet Jungle WPL 92 - Dark Judgment WPL 133 - The Big Arena Battle Picture Library BPL 62 - Night of the Devil War at Sea Picture Library WSPL 34 - Battle Stations Thrilller Picture Library TPL 297 - Battler Britton and the Wagons of Gold Fast work BZ! I was just about to say that I had tracked down the 8 WPL issues! May also have the War at Sea issue. I will dig them out tomorrow...

I will try to find some Pratt but with 300 plus issues it may be like looking for the proverbial needle! meanwhile, a couple of early covers by the wonderfully named Septimus Scott!

Correct. Virtually every type of WW2 plane was featured on thes covers, however exotic - Nighthawks, Mosquitoes, Dorniers, Swordfish, Flying Tigers...

Dont have this anymore but The Silver-plated Luger was my most-fondly remembered individual story- everyone who owned the silver luger was fated to die!

Kennedy again:

Ian Kennedy: