The Original Art of Basil Wolverton: From the Collection of Glenn Bray [Hardcover]

Glenn Bray (Author), Doug Harvey (Author), Basil Wolverton (Drawings)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Wolverton was perhaps the most distinctively eccentric artist ever to work in mainstream comic books. The obsessive detail of his singular approach—loopy, broadly exaggerated figures given realism and weight through the use of heavy stippling—led LIFE magazine to dub it the “spaghetti-and-meatballs school of design.” Although zany humor strips like Powerhouse Pepper are his best-known stuff, his lesser-known, serious efforts, such as the superhero-science fiction hybrid Spacehawk, possess a primitive, elemental dynamism. Wolverton achieved a career breakthrough in 1946 by winning a contest to depict the world’s ugliest woman for the Li’l Abner newspaper strip, which led to similar commissions for MAD and other publications. In the 1950s, he produced characteristically idiosyncratic biblical illustrations, including a chilling interpretation of the Revelation. This lavish mounting of Wolverton’s decidedly lowbrow art accompanies an exhibition drawn from the collections of Glenn Bray, who befriended the artist late in his life. It emphasizes individual illustrations at the expense of his comic-strip work; may a volume focusing on that other aspect of his career soon follow. --Gordon Flagg

Product Details

• Hardcover: 271 pages
• Publisher: Last Gasp & Grand Central Press (October 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867196874
• ISBN-13: 978-0867196870
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wolverton forever! Thanks to Glenn Bray!, November 3, 2007

By 

Stephen W. Blickenstaff "www.stephenblickenst... (Frederick, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Original Art of Basil Wolverton: From the Collection of Glenn Bray (Hardcover)

Thanks to Glenn Bray for putting out this monster of a collection of Basil Wolverton's work.
This volume is filled with previously published and unpublished works.
I felt like I was four years old again looking at the sketches for the unused Topps "Make Your Own Name Stickers". That's how old I was when I first remember seeing Basil's amazing illustrations.
Wolverton is the reason I became an artist.
How nice that this book was released on my birthday!

-Stephen Blickenstaff

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an acquired taste, January 1, 2008

By 

James S. Hentschell (st. louis, mo) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Original Art of Basil Wolverton: From the Collection of Glenn Bray (Hardcover)

The visage of "Lena the Hyena" in Lil' Abner blew this seven year old away in 1946. Basil was a hero from that day forward. This book, The Original Art of Basil Wolverton, is a wonderful compilation of the bizarre art of Basil. Well organized, clearly annotated and crisply printed all help to pop Basil off the page. Many memories came flooding back and if you ever loved Lena, you will love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent collection of work, December 7, 2011

By 

Lawrence S. Cohen "Screaming Brandshee" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Original Art of Basil Wolverton: From the Collection of Glenn Bray (Hardcover)

Wolverton is an undersung genius. His spaghetti style and moon crater style are refreshing and evergreen. His line on the page is a seminal style that must have inspired the underground styles. Classic. And most enjoyable.