EC Original Art Exhibit at San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum 0

[jpepx78]

SF Cartoon Art Museum  https://www.cartoonart.org/

Someone asked about comic stores to visit in the San Francisco area and I mentioned he could visit the SF Cartoon Art Museum if he had time. When I checked the website, I found there was an exhibit of EC horror comics original art that was ending on March 1st 2020. It was a rare chance to view EC original art up close so I made an effort to visit the museum on the last day before the exhibit ended. I’m glad I got to see the EC art before it was gone and I know some EC fanatics would be interested in this exhibit.

I had visited the museum many years ago when it was located in downtown but I had not visited this new location near Fisherman’s Wharf. This new location has a main gallery, 2 side rooms, a small bookstore and is much smaller than the downtown location. One side room is a library of old and new comic related books that one can read but not check out. I apologize for a few blurry photos since the glare from the lighting and glass made it difficult to get good shots for a few pieces.

Walking in was the new exhibit of original art from the graphic memoir “They Called Us Enemy” based on actor/author/activist George Takei’s childhood when he was imprisoned in an American concentration during WW2. On one wall visitors were asked to put their family names on tags (just like in WW2) on the wall if their family were interned during the war.

In the back I was excited to see a couple of WW2 DC original art covers. After looking closely at the description I was disappointed to find they were only digital reproductions.

The “Pre-code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics” exhibit was in the next room and most of the art was from the collection of Eric Roberts and a few pieces were from John Butler. On one wall was a collection of EC Comics inspired masks created by Trick or Treat Studios.

It’s rare for me to see so much EC original art in one place and even rarer to see 3 complete stories together. I took shots of all the description boards as I went around the room. Here are some splash pages and a cover by Graham Ingels and Wally Wood.

Here is a complete story by Al Feldstein.

Here is the infamous complete story “Foul Play” by Jack Davis.

Here is a complete story by Graham Ingels.

On one wall were 2 mock-up newsstands full of EC comics (covers only).

More splash pages and covers by Ingels and Davis.

I admired all the art especially the fine draftmanship by Davis and fine detailed linework by Ingels.
You can tell the quality of the artwork was so much better than most of the other comics at that time.
There were only about 10 people there and after 90 minutes, I was the only person left. Only 2 people looked at the EC exhibit while I was there. As I was leaving, I looked at the Batman exhibit where they had movie costumes and props from Bronze Armory Studios,

 

 

[KirbyJack]

It would be fantastic to see the Foul Play art in person! Envious!

[Robot Man]

Thanks for posting this. Would be amazing to see. Boy, Eric Roberts knew which stories to buy. “Foul Play” and “Horror We How’s Bayou” are two of EC’s best horror yarns. They were probably amazing up close. 

The EC newsstand made my mouth water...

[Bronty]

17 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

Thanks for posting this. Would be amazing to see. Boy, Eric Roberts knew which stories to buy. “Foul Play” and “Horror We How’s Bayou” are two of EC’s best horror yarns. They were probably amazing up close. 

The EC newsstand made my mouth water...

He's got great taste for sure.    OK the money helps but I love the stuff he goes after including the stuff that isn't as expensive (Groo, Cherry, etc).   You get the sense that he knows his comics.    

Edited March 3, 2020 by Bronty

[Robot Man]

Yes, he does. But the money helps a LOT!

[Bronty]

5 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

Yes, he does. But the money helps a LOT!

Yes, but given the money, I really like what he's done with it.    I see plenty of expensive collections that don't interest me.   

Edited March 3, 2020 by Bronty

[Primetime]

Thanks for sharing Jeff. 

[fifties]

6 hours ago, Robot Man said:

 

The EC newsstand made my mouth water...

Or as the EC Ghoul Lunatics would say, "fasten your drool cups"...

[Mmehdy]

Reflection of Death...amazing...thanks for pics

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

I love the Cartoon Art Museum! I used to visit in their old location on Mission and hopefully the new location in the more touristy waterfront is driving more visitation. Too bad they couldn't set up next to the Disney Family museum. That's the best exhibit I've ever heard of there; too bad I didn't see it. This summer I ended up in Manchester New Hampshire and when walking around realized that we were right outside Dean Kamen's shop. Kamen who invented the Segway is the son of Jack Kamen! Tried to talk my way into a tour but no luck!!