Books with a strong Original Artwork content

[Terry Doyle]

Here's a recently-published collection of the complete HEROS THE SPARTAN strips by British great, Frank Bellamy (he never saw print in the USA, so this is probably unfamiliar territory for most of you).

 

The strip debuted in Eagle magazine in 1962 and ran throughout the 1960s as a weekly two-page episode (Eagle was an anthology title). The Sword and Sorcery storylines are not unlike those of a certain barbarian named Conan (it's likely that Barry Smith would have been aware of Heros at the time).

 

This is a hefty book, containing lengthy introductions and essays on Bellamy's work by a number of professionals in the comic-book industry. The introductory essays contain a healthy sprinkling of original artworks from a wealth of Bellamy's British strips. Some of the originals used resided in my own collection at one time or other and I receive an acknowledgement for my contributions to the book . . .

 

[Terry Doyle]

 

Excerpts from some of the professionals' essays . . .

 

"And now, half a century later, Heros continues to make his presence felt, in my mind and in my art. Bellamy cast a long shadow, and while I have worked hard to escape such shadows cast by other artists whose work had greatly influence me, I often find myself trying to find a way deeper into the influences of Bellamy."

 

John Byrne

 

"I first read Heros the Spartan at the highly impressionable age of 14 and it grabbed me from the start. Here was my favourite strip-illustrator, Frank Bellamy, let loose on weekly double-page, full-colour spreads, depicting tall tales of lost legions, barbarian tribes, swamp monsters, mad Druids and myriad other mysteries that lay on the cusp of ancient history and superstition."

Dave Gibbons

 

"I can't wait to see the complete strip! I hope you'll join me in enjoying some of the most beautiful comics ever committed to paper."

Walter Simonson

[Terry Doyle]

[Terry Doyle]

[Terry Doyle]

 

Originals from Bellamy's 1950s strip, The Happy Warrior.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Bellamy originals from The Shepherd King and Marco Polo.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Originals from Bellamy's stint on Dan Dare (when he took over from Frank Hampson for a year).

[Terry Doyle]

 

Original from Fraser of Africa, together with two African-themed illustrations.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Original Heros the Spartan artwork.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Original artwork extracts from Heros the Spartan.

[Terry Doyle]

 

The first Heros strip!

[Terry Doyle]

 

Printed episode from the first Heros story.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Award-winning battle scene spread . . .

[Terry Doyle]

[Terry Doyle]

 

Scott Dunbier owns (or, at least used to) the original artwork to this magnificent spread.

[Terry Doyle]

[Terry Doyle]

 

Printed page, along with the (slightly faded) original artwork that I'm delighted to be the owner of.

[Terry Doyle]

[Terry Doyle]

 

Last of my current uploading. Back soon-ish with another book worthy of further exploration . . .

[Terry Doyle]

Link to my Frank Bellamy Gallery on CAF:

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/galleryroom.asp?gsub=97180

 

My Heros the Spartan original's in there, where it can be seen in full glory!