There's more to it than just making "pretty pictures" - Part One

Drawing a character falling down can be a real challenge. Standing, running, even flying is easy, but a pratfall or a stumble is hard to show clearly in just one panel. So what do you do when a script calls for it? You might start by studying the work of a terrific "Archie" artist named Samm Schwartz.  This five-page story from 1977 has at least five separate examples of Jughead falling flat on the ground. It's also worth noting that Schwartz did his own inking and lettering. I like the way the sound effects are incorporated into the art, not just arbitrarily pasted over the figures. Like his contemporary, Harry Lucey, he was skilled at gestures and body language. The fretting victims in this story show their emotions in every movement. I especially like the motorist in the last panel on page three.

Plastic Man #1, page 1, 1988

I don't have a pencil scan for this one and... let's be honest, the layout is 99% Jack Cole's so I can't take credit for much here.  One thing that occurred to me when I drew those bottom panels; drawing a character falling down is hard to do.  Tomorrow I'll post a short story by an under appreciated artist who just might be the king of "falling down" art.  Stay tuned.

Alpha Flight #44 cover art: Dave Ross pencils

I noticed something funny about the pencils for this cover just the other day.  The guy in the diaper wasn't drawn by Dave Ross.  That's all John Romita!  Sometimes it takes me a while to notice this stuff.

Legends of the DC Universe #6, page 8

Once again, Dave Taylor layouts and my finishes.  This page was a bit more finished than some of the others but by now I was on a roll.  By the way, the Superman face in the last panel was swiped cold by another artist.  I don't think I would have noticed but the other artist's editor called me up to apologize so I compared the two.  Oh well, it happens...