Nothing quite like those violent old E.C. comics that everyone got so upset about, eh?
(As mentioned previously, feeling a bit deranged, so just nod and follow along)
While working in a semi-zombie state, i prepped a comic that we already ran last weekend. However, since i was feeling bad about not cleaning up the quiz images, i spent some time de-aging the comic. Not a full restoration job (for example, i didn't fix the colouring to the right of the first panel), but much cleaner than the previous version, so here it is again -
A plus side to the semi-mindless state of things this weekend - rather than sinking into depression i've been getting a bunch of tedious no-brain work done on that project i mentioned a week or two back. I expect we'll be talking about it more right soon.
page art by Ellis Holly Chambers for All Top Comics #1, Hi-Ho Comics #2, Jack-In-The-Box Comics #1, and Zoo Funnies #s 4 & 8 (1945, 1946)
It's strange how Ellis often drew castles in the background even though the stories weren't fantasy. I wonder why was that? It's really interesting how he drew in an animated style even though he wasn't an animator. Even when he was in a hurry or intoxicated or both you can tell he really knew how to draw. I really wonder HOW he learned to draw in an animated cartoon style as I believe it wasn't as documented back then. However he did, I love that style and his dopey take on it. Anyways, a nice batch of good 'ol Ellis Chambers funny animal comics where everyone is trying to kill each other. Good post.
ReplyDeleteGiven how he worked, i wonder if maybe he started drawing the castles without thinking about what world he was rendering at the time. Probably just liked drawing them?
ReplyDeleteI really wish we knew more about the man. I love his work. But i'm twisted that way.
I wonder what is the whole "I'm a tiger lily-zow!" thing. Wouldn't be surprised if good ol' madman Ellis took inspiration from things he saw when he was, well... doped up. I suspect he probably did more than just marijuana and heroin. A million questions run through my mind about him. A wacky drug addict drawing funny animal comics and smoking so much weed the room is foggy is just... wow.
ReplyDeleteWhat caused him to be so much into drugs? Was he just like that or did something bad happen to him? It's kind of creepy when you think about it, he could've been hurt very badly by someone or something and the drawing and drugs may have been therapeutic for him. It's hard to tell if he was benign or malicious or both but whichever he was I feel a little bad for him as whether he just liked drugs or was treating trauma clearly he had to have stopped and thought about why he'd cut himself with a razor blade to put in heroin. Talk about a based on a true story psychological horror movie waiting to happen. I can imagine a movie scene where he's sitting there smiling, looking at the razor, puts it on his arm, camera is now a shot of his apartment, loud scream.
Based on Howie's account he comes across as confident but just... somewhere else. I mean he pays Howie very well but then cuts open his arm with a shaving blade to put in heroin? If Ellis survived I wonder what became of him? Did he kick his habits and start a brand new life? So many questions about this man. If he drew a more realistic style he'd be less interesting because the juxtaposition of his cartoon style. Some of his comics have cute-looking character designs and happy scenery, some of them are underground, some of them are surreal, and some of them are just violent. His works alone point to a deep character who can be many things. And they're funny animal comics published mostly in hacky magazines filled with animators doing work on the side for crying out loud. There's a story worthy of a big-budget movie adaption in this, the problem is barely anything is known about him, but his comics seem to tell a fascinating story on their own.
It's just his works, the one account we have of him... it's fascinating. Even if we find out his whole life story his comics may be even more interesting because the psychology of them. I personally would love to buy a big comic book volume with his comics restored and in the beginning the story of his life, Fantagraphics style. Of course however we don't know the story of his life, and perhaps never will, but a deluxe volume of his comics would be a classic. Hi Ho Comics #1 and Cosmo Cat alone would be a great bookshelf addition. Just don't market it towards children.
I'm not dead, Nick - just cut off. Only online for about 20 minutes a couple times a week. That makes tending to the blog(s) impossible currently, and prevents a proper answer to your note.
ReplyDeleteI'll return when i can.