Frank Frazetta - Came the Dawn Illustration
Artist: Frank Frazetta (All)
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DescriptionYear: 1954Size: 11" x 18" I am reproducing the introduction to the Came the Dawn portfolio as the history of it is just too interesting. **QUOTE** William Gaines, noted publisher of EC comics and MAD magazine, asked Frank Frazetta to draw the story gCame For Dawnh for one of his PICTO-FICTION magazines in 1954. At this point in comic history, after Congressional meetings in which comic publishers were attacked for excessive violence and lurid stories, many publishers were forced to cancel their lines of comic books. Bill Gaines was forced to close down his legendary line-up of EC comics. He was left with only MAD magazine and a small backlog of unpublished art and stories, which were used in his PICTO-FICTION books. Unfortunately, even these magazines were forced to close and Frazetta never got a chance to finish the story and see it published. This was a great loss for fans of the comic medium and a loss for everyone who loves great artwork. Frazetta comments on this story: gI was trying something new in that story. I was using a lot of strong blacks. The story would have been filled with mood and atmosphere. I think it really would have been my best work if I had finished it.h Bill Gaines gave Frazetta the opportunity to get paid for the unfinished job and surrender the originals to Gaines, or too forgo getting paid and let Frazetta keep the originals. In typical fashion, Frank chose to keep the art. Money was never as important as his art. His plan was to someday finish the job. Alas, this was not to be. A number of years later, a visiting fan accidentally ripped the corners off several pages while pulling them down from the top of a metal cabinet. Those detached corners were lost and never restored to the art. Years later, Frank and I searched for all the pages to the story and found 20 half pages- the complete story in its unfinished state. After carefully looking at the state of the paper and the ink, Frank concluded that it would be impossible to finish the inking. The paper had gotten a little more porous over the years. The current inks would not blend with the older rendering. Frazetta was afraid that the art could get ruined. The decision was made to keep the pages together as is. Frazetta decided to sell the story in 1994. Unlike normal full-size EC comic pages, these pages were half-sized and designed for a one or two panel presentation. Each full page would then feature 4 separate illustrations. The pages were filled with grid lines to help the letterers insert dialogue in the panels. The buyer of the story decided to separate each page into discrete illustrations and sell them that way. Luckily for history, copies were made of all the art and this portfolio presents the complete art for the very first time. One can see the genius of Frazetta as he begins to give life and substance to this story. Each panel is a small revelation and a great insight into Frankfs visual thinking. This story has an interesting history. It first appeared in the EC comic ShockSuspense Stories #9 (1953), where it was drawn by the legendary Wally Wood, a workhorse for EC comics and probably their best artist. The story concerns a hunter who returns to his cabin and finds that a beautiful blonde has made herself home. She tells the story of losing her way in the woods and mistakes his cabin for her own. Both of them instantly fall in love. While she sleeps, the hunter hears a radio broadcast about an escaped homicidal female in the area, whose description fits that of the blonde in his cabin. He immediately throws her out and locks the door. She is confused and begs to be let in. Later, a scream is heard. He opens the door and finds that the blonde has been stabbed and killed by the escaped blonde inmate. A typical EC endingcthe story is basically an excuse for a lot of cheesecake shots. Passion is the dominant element. Wood does a fine job. Although Frazetta would never admit it, many fans assumed that he wanted to outdo Wally Woodfs interpretation and make the story more sexy, more erotic, more drenched in passion. Here is the perfect subject-matter for Frazetta. **END QUOTE** The inks on this are out of this world...... I just stare each time I walk past it. Also I think this is Frank's best work for a raccoon. Thats right. I own the greatest Frazetta raccoon : ) Social/Sharing |
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Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
If the girlfriend asks, you got this one for the cute squirrel.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Great woodland friends keeping this romance within an intimate circle. Frazetta's inks are bring a vitality to the emotions and the story unfolding.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
wow, stunning Frazetta illustration with that beyond top notch inking - and gorgeous presentation with the framing/matting as well. congrats!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Spectacular! No one can draw animals like Frazetta, and the humans in this image are perfect specimens. Love the pencils and inks
Malcolm Bourne
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/5/2025
This is beautiful brilliance!
(although I think you've forgotten Frank's heralded run drawing Rocket Raccoon in GOtG 😀)
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