Jungle Book from Marvel Fanfare 8 page 19 by Gil Kane & P.C.Russell
Artists: Gil Kane (Penciller) , P.C. Russell (Inker)
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DescriptionThis new purchase has me way too excited for me to sit on it too long :)My first published Gil Kane AND P.Craig Russell actually. This is a super rare page from the superb Jungle book adaptation they did that was published in Marvel Fanfare in 1983. There aren’t that many pages from that story floating around. Incidentally, I had reread the Marvel Fanfare segment during the Covid lockdown before following up with /in order to prepare reading P.C.Russell’s sublime “artist edition” compiling the work he did alone adapting the Jungle book stories. I love the Jungle Book(s). I have loved basically all adaptations I have seen or read since I was a child. I loved the Disney animated movie, the Kane and Russell’s adaptations and the books themselves. I was basically sold on it as soon as I heard the expression “Man’s cub” (or “Petit d’Homme” in French) which intrigued me a lot as a child and which I found is simply put to be pure genius on Kipling’s part. With this expression, he really set his writing at the level of/from the view of animals at a time when Ethology and Animal Behaviourism were in their infancy as sciences. So the fact that this expression was used (for the first time in the story context) on this page was a strong incentive for me to purchase it. This page also showcases the first true appearance of Mowgli within the continuity of the story as he appears as an adult on the title splash (for the credit only) and as a tiny cameo on the page before this one, seen from back. This page feels really important to me as it’s the meeting with Mowgli and his father (Rama) and mother (Raksha-and siblings) from the pack of wolves that are going to raise him. Allowing him to basically survive and live within the jungle where his fate would have been otherwise much grimmer. Kane’s art is exceptional here. From various interviews and testimonies, I got the impression that this great artist and impeccable storyteller, but also a very demanding one on himself and others, was pleased with his work on this adaptation. I love animals and Kane does a great job at drawing the wolves and differencing them from Tabaki the Jackal even in b&w (the length of their respective ears for one). The second panel perfectly conveys the sense of readiness the two tense animals adopts while expecting to face danger. The fourth panel in which an unafraid Mowgli touches father wolf is really touching. Innocence meeting wilderness. The father wolf ‘s face is priceless in showing his surprise. In the following one where he gently takes Mowgli in his maw to bring him home, you can perceive the delicacy he uses to do it. The last panel is fantastic as we find mother wolf boasting and being pleased with herself to welcome a man’s cub into her family. The sleeping Mowgli is super cute here as well. I guess we could say that those wolves were pretty liberal to adopt Mowgli instead of eating him :) And there is of course the important matters of P.C. Russell’s inks that really add something else to his line and give it more texture without being too heavy and letting it breathe. Again, it’s been said Kane was pleased with the combined result whereas he was often harsh regarding his inkers. For me, Kane has always been at his best inking himself. But from time to time, some “ heavy textures inkers” would bring something to his elegant line that elevated it. Russell was certainly one and I must confess I really liked when Sutton was inking him as well. From a preservation point of view, having Russell inking him is also a bonus as Kane often used markers on the page that would eventually suffer from aging. Lastly, I must note that the lettering is drawn on hand on the page itself. Not pasted, drawn. Sadly a lost art these days as in this particular case, it really adds some ornamental aspect to the page. I will add that even though it was published in 1983, Gil Kane stated in a 1986 interview that these pages were drawn 10 year before publication (due to copyright issues basically). Which make this a 1973 Gil Kane drawn page. Not too bad for a first Kane page. This page surfaced nearly simultaneously as the one before which was sold on Heritage auction. I much prefer this one for all the above points and because the previous one was basically a Shere Khan page where I found Kane was less at ease drawing him (than the wolves). I was checking every day if my page had sold as I was excited to see pop up for sale (I was not the only one considering how many views it received). But the asking price was quite high even higher than Heritage’s inflated one. Then when I was ready to buy it for a certain amount, another piece of strong interest popped up (you know how it is) and I waited to see if I could snatch it up. I couldn’t so I quickly worked a deal with the seller and bought this one for much less than the asked price. Delighted as you can (probably) tell to add this Kane gem Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Alex Johnson 
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
2 - Posted on 11/1/2020
A wonderful find and an even better Description. Thanks for sharing both. I wish everyone explained why they buy the way that you do.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
Alex Johnson wrote:
A wonderful find and an even better Description. Thanks for sharing both. I wish everyone explained why they buy the way that you do.
You and me both but thank you for the compliment. Truly.
It's the only way to do it for me and it's gratifying to know that some enjoy it.
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
That is gorgeous work from Kane. The emotion of the moment is conveyed so well, and the rendering is beautiful. And your write up is great, too. Thanks for sharing this. Big congrats!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
J H wrote:
That is gorgeous work from Kane. The emotion of the moment is conveyed so well, and the rendering is beautiful. And your write up is great, too. Thanks for sharing this. Big congrats!
Many thanks for the compliment and for reading it:)
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
This is a wonderful example of a fine, fine story. Congratulations on adding it to your collection!
kent mansley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
What a stunning page! A perfect example from this story! Huge congrats!
Jimmy Cawley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
when the poster's comments match the beauty of the art uploaded, its always a good day for us all. The owner and us fellow CAF'ers both.
F M
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/2/2020
Jimmy Cawley wrote:
when the poster's comments match the beauty of the art uploaded, its always a good day for us all. The owner and us fellow CAF'ers both.
Another fine compliment, many thanks :)
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 11/1/2020
This page has clearly ended up in the collection it was destined to reside in. So happy to see another collector with true appreciation of Kane's art--Kane and PCR were excited to work on these stories, and would both be happy to see this page end up with someone who found the subject matter to be just as meaningful.
F M
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/2/2020
Jeremy Radisich wrote:
This page has clearly ended up in the collection it was destined to reside in. So happy to see another collector with true appreciation of Kane's art--Kane and PCR were excited to work on these stories, and would both be happy to see this page end up with someone who found the subject matter to be just as meaningful.
Kane was indeed a masterful and demanding storyteller coupled with a true intellectual of the medium. I would recommend Fantagraphics' Sparring With Gil Kane released in 2018 and any other interview with Kane you can track actually. Many thanks for perceiving what the page means (to me).
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 11/2/2020
Let me add my voice to the resounding chorus of both "gorgeous page" and "wonderful write-up!" :)
Kane was such a master, and you're right - having a piece from this book is truly special. This PARTICULAR page is extra-wonderful for all the reasons you describe. I love the way Gil Kane draws any animal, and on this page he's laying the groundwork of Mowgli's familial association without any type of anthopomorphism or sacrificing the "wild" identity of the wolves. I absolutely LOVE that.
PCR's inking is, as always, so beautiful. It looks so good over Gil's pencils; you can tell this was a labor of love for them both, and this page is very lucky to have found a great, beloved place (much Like Mowgli himself :) ) in your superb collection. Sincere congrats, and thanks for not sitting on this one any longer! :)
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/3/2020
Jason Hussa wrote:
Let me add my voice to the resounding chorus of both "gorgeous page" and "wonderful write-up!" :)
Kane was such a master, and you're right - having a piece from this book is truly special. This PARTICULAR page is extra-wonderful for all the reasons you describe. I love the way Gil Kane draws any animal, and on this page he's laying the groundwork of Mowgli's familial association without any type of anthopomorphism or sacrificing the "wild" identity of the wolves. I absolutely LOVE that.
PCR's inking is, as always, so beautiful. It looks so good over Gil's pencils; you can tell this was a labor of love for them both, and this page is very lucky to have found a great, beloved place (much Like Mowgli himself :) ) in your superb collection. Sincere congrats, and thanks for not sitting on this one any longer! :)
Thank you for your nice comment, Jason.
I agree with you that with this strip, Kane geared away from the anthropomorphic solution, à la Disney (or more contemporary) Wendling. I believe it was a conscious choice (probably the only valid one) after the Disney movie happened only a few years ago this page was drawn according to Kane.
The animals within the strip really look and behave like animals under Kane’s pencil (I would add by way of his style though which was not ultra-realistic but the perfect dose of cartoony).
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 11/20/2020
Not hard to see or read what you like about this page but your description gives us so much more detail...and your excitement is evident. I never read these stories but do know the film (one of the best animated pieces ever, to this day) and of course Mr. Kane and Mr. Russell! Congrats, F!
Deene Kingston
Member Since 2023
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
A very lovely page of art from a timeless classic. I always did admire both these artists work growing up on their comics as a kid of the 70's. Kane specifically for his anatomy which I think in many ways was also reminiscent of Bridgeman who I'm certain he must have studied. And P Craig Russells Killraven. Those wonderful neo-classical figures of his dipped in liquid art nouveau. I know what you mean about the inking too. A fine pairing and there were some great collabs down the years. Buscema never looked greater when paired with Alcala for my money, or Bissette with Totleben and so on...
You're probably aware of this already but, just on the off-chance you may have missed it (?) and being a 'Jungle Book' fan I highly recommend Stuart Tresilians version of this book. A legendary illustrator from the 'golden age' of book illustration. Thanks for sharing this. A rare pleasure seeing this again and glad its got a good home.
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 8/9/2023
Fantastic Kane...congrats. Gil loved drawing animals, and his jungle scenes rocked.
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