Jack Davis passed away on Wednesday and I’ve gotta say, of all the celebrity deaths this year this one has hit me the hardest. Davis was a pioneer, the leader in art of EC Comics, the company behind Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear, and Tales from the Crypt. That’s where I know him from best, although he was also an amazing artist for MAD Magazine. Think of the art in MAD, the caricatures, the goofy scenes packed to the brim with activity- yeah, that was Jack. I tried to draw this comic in his style as much as I could but that’s impossible. The man could distort and twist anatomy and make it work like no other. Seriously, his sense of motion and impact in his art has influenced me almost more than any other artist. I find myself making my drawings’ limbs bony with huge joints like Davis and not even realizing it. Seriously my go to cartoon style that isn’t roundabout is almost pure Davis. The guy was a chameleon, changing styles to fit the mood, and a master of framing a shot. Not only that, he had a tongue in cheek vibe to all of his work that sticks with me to this day. I can’t say enough good things about him and the impact he’s made on me and my work. I actually had the honor to hear him speak once. He was hilarious. 88 years old and cracking raunchy and clean one liners left and right that kept us in stitches. His work was so iconic and influential it brought about a ban on comics. Seriously, the Comics Authority Code came into being when Fredric Wertham, known for publishing the comic-book chastising “Seduction of the Innocent” and an early stand out in the field of “Cranial-Rectum Cohabitation”, caused a senate hearing calling for the banning of comics- with Davis’ hilariously over the top Tales from the Crypt art as the main piece. This man was incredible and I can’t thank him enough for his body of work. Thank you Mr. Davis. I hope you are resting soundly wherever you are. Or throwing pies in other people’s faces, which would honestly probably be more your speed.
Congratulations to my old but good friend Molly for tying the knot today! I’m so proud of you and happy for you finally learning to tie your shoelaces! Oh, and for getting married too. But mainly the shoe thing. I wish the both of you nothing but bliss peppered by occasional oddness just to keep things fresh.
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