Today we have two stories from the inkwell of Gene Fawcett. This first Supermouse story, "Cousin Weakmouse" is typical of the artist's exuberant, angular style. I love Fawcett's inking! Both stories are from Supermouse No. 45, Fall 1958
This second Fawcett story features Custer Cat - another forgotten character in the army of comic book funny animals that never found a proper home in our hall of memory.
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This guy's brushwork is great. He doesn't fight the brush; he just let's it do what it wants to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother great artist that I've never known about! Invigorating AND inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Agreed! This is some of the finest funny animal illustration linework I've ever seen-- great stuff Mykal!
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys! The reaction to Fawcett is always so strong (I posted his work once before). I guess I'll go ahead and post the rest of this comic since since it seems to make folks so happy. I am a big fan of his work myself, so it's win-win!
ReplyDeleteThe way the line-weight changes~ so smoothly~! This inking style reminds me a bit of that comic strip 'TIGER' (whatever became of that Kid ?)
ReplyDeleteI liked the art better in the 1st story~ more detail~ but the 2nd story tickled my funny bone with a sorta Tom Sawyer feel to it. Thanx for sharing~!
Lysdexicuss: That smooth line weight thing gets me too. More Fawett to come.
ReplyDeleteI swear that his line work looks like it was done with a really flexible Fountain Pen or dip pen. I'm probably wrong, but it looks like an old Waterman Artist's nib or #52 nib. Regardless,...it's BEAUTIFUL! I loved the Custer Story and art! Makes me wonder why these characters never took off! Better than some of the stuff out there today!!!
ReplyDeleteTodd: I can see what you mean about a flexible nib - the way the line sweeps quickly to thick does kind of look nib. I agree 100% that this is far better than most of what's out there today.
ReplyDeleteI was going to point out what terrific brushwork Fawcett had, but then I read all the other comments and figured I'd just join in and agree. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteGary: More on the way!!
ReplyDeleteA late comment I know, but this guy deserves all the praisess as possible. So WOW! (There, I said it!)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm with Todd Dolce': I don't think it's a brushwork, but pen.
I guess Fawcett had the last word on this, though!!
Gabe: I tend agree with nib over brush in this case, too, which makes the artwork even more interesting to me. Something in the angularity of the work - the rapid thin to very thick - I can almost feel the artist's hand pressing down on that flexible nib, spreading them just right.
ReplyDeleteVirtually noting exists on Fawcette of any detail, so I guess we'll never know for sure (crap – I just noticed I have been misspelling Fawcette’s name throughout these comments. I had when I do that. The name has an “e” on the end). I completely agree with your WOW assessment, Gabe!
Gene Fawcett was a Legend, His Drawing Angular style is Actually The Drawing style of Al eugster's 50s Amateur UPA Style Noveltoons (News Hound, Sir Irving and Jeames and my once favorite of those, Jolly the Clown to name a few) done the real way and in it's only form ever IMHO!, The Drawings are Abouslutley Gorgeous and stupendous, a real treasure.
ReplyDeleteBig Apple.
And Also Comparing to Those Noveltoon shorts is the Linework. The thick and thin Linework in those UPA styled Noveltoons are of the exact same even width and in that case it destroys the form of the models in those shorts. Here in this gene fawcett cartoon the bold thick and thin linework is much more natural and varied and doesn't destroy the form of the characters.
ReplyDeleteAnd i Think gene fawcett is also the guy who did those awesome eye candy supermouse covers that makes Milt stein Sloppy by comparision. No Offense or hard feelings to those who are fans of stein and yes i will agree in it's own sole right that Milton stein's art is great.
Big Apple
Big Apple: Thanks for the comments! I love Fawcett, too. I have some more in the hopper, so stay tuned. I love his line work. It is like no one else.
ReplyDeleteAnd this was also the title that Mighty Mouse would be named till Paul Terry made him MIGHTY.
ReplyDeleteSteve Carras