Al Williamson - Flash Gordon #1 cover
Artist: Al Williamson (All)
44 Comments - 8,554 Views - 29 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis 1966 cover is probably the crown jewel of my collection. I obtained it from Gray Morrow while he was still with us. It had been a gift to him by Al Williamson for Gray's having helped out by inking one page of Flash #1 and modelling for one of the characters -- Dr. Davro.A great plus to Williamson's work in the middle 1960's through the seventies was that in my opinion, he achieved his greatest balance as penciler and inker. He was the total artist. His layouts, always lovely, reached a pinnacle that would be difficult to top. His pencils were virtually flawless, and his inking, although lacking some of the sophistication and techniques that the next twenty-plus years would bring to him, was perfectly suited to his pencils. He knew how and when to use a thick line and when to use a thin one. His cross-hatching during this period was unparalleled amongst comic artists, either his contemporaries, or his artistic idols. One might say that Williamson's inking never achieved the liquid fluidity of Alex Raymond, but it was very much like the inking of another of his artistic heroes, Hal Foster. I have suggested elsewhere that one of the chief differences between Raymond's and Foster's approach to art is that Raymond attempted to give the ordinary mythic stature, whereas Foster attempted to give myths humanity. Interestingly, Williamson's approach is philosophically akin to Raymond's and this is seen in his penciling and in what he chooses to draw. But, as I see it, Williamson's inking overall is more like Foster's. There are some unique aspects of the physical artwork which Williamson created for Flash Gordon which may be of interest to those in our hobby. Although the artwork was drafted in 1966, the originals were not drawn "twice up" or what is increasingly being described in our hobby as "large art." The boards for the Flash Gordon pages were drawn at today's standard 11" x 17" size. Reed Crandall followed Williamson as the regular artist for the series after Williamson left for the syndicate job on Secret Agent X-9 (later Secret Agent Corrigan). Crandall's originals for the same series were drawn at the "twice up" ratio. You will note from the cover copy attached to this contribution that the art actually extends beyond the borders which were printed on the published version of the comic. There were red-penned border lines drawn into the art which have since been covered by white-out by either Williamson or Morrow, since they are the only two previous owners of the work. Another element which is unique to the cover of the Flash Gordon #1 cover is that the cover logo was drawn right onto the board by Williamson. Presumably that beautiful logo, with its distinctive "top-tail" for the "A" in Flash, which was the standard Flash Gordon logo for years afterwards, was created by Williamson himself, and the stats for future issues were made from the #1 logo. If it is true, this puts Williamson in the same category with another of his artistic heroes, J. Allen St. John, who created the later and most distinctive logo for Weird Tales, "the unique magazine" amongst the pulps." Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rob Pistella 
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
Posted on 1/21/2007
What an outstanding piece...great pick up, a KEEPER for sure!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
Posted on 6/11/2008
Jewel, I think, is a pretty good word to use here.
Ian Nichols
Member Since 2006
Posted on 1/28/2009
This is truly a beautiful piece by one of the best artists ever, and a great story to go along with it!
M Collector
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/14/2010
WOW WOW WOW. What an amazing work of art. The balance of the characters is really something. I'm new to the CAF and as I work my way around, I can say that this is one of my favorite things that I've found yet!
Gary Martin
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/1/2011
Holy jabber-jaw! What a spectacular cover! When I bought this comic (back in the 70's) I stared at this cover for hours, hoping Williamson's awesomeness would rub off on me. It didn't work.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 2/23/2011
I almost feel the need to apologize for somehow not having commented on this absolute beauty before now, Ray. Just an amazing piece of art.
Y M
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/31/2012
I've come back to your gallery at least 100 times to view this magnificent cover. There are no words...
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 2/2/2012
Y M wrote:
I've come back to your gallery at least 100 times to view this magnificent cover. There are no words...Thanks for the nice comment Yoram -- coming from someone who obviously has a deep love of Al's work!
Y M
Member Since 2003
Posted on 2/19/2019
Y M wrote:
I've come back to your gallery at least 100 times to view this magnificent cover. There are no words...It's been 7 years since I posted my praise for this cover, and I still think its the greatest piece of OA on CAF!
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 2/19/2019
Y M wrote:
It's been 7 years since I posted my praise for this cover, and I still think its the greatest piece of OA on CAF!
Very kind! I love it a great deal and it remains framed up on my wall in a place where I can easily see it every day.
Mario Giorno
Member Since 2009
Posted on 3/11/2013
This always feels like the true continuation of Raymond's legacy both in terms of the line art style and the Flash Gordon saga. It's a beautiful piece. Enjoy!
COMIC PARADISE
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/17/2013
if I ever wanted another al Williamson piece it would be something like your ray. congrats
Robert Altamura
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/1/2013
This would be the crown piece in many collections. Just great.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
Posted on 1/13/2015
Williamson at his finest! Love the composition & linework, and the damsel is gorgeous
George Hagenauer
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/3/2015
I still remember when this book came out - it changed my perception of comic books- I still have my copy! It is a shame he didn't do more Flash stories at this time (and that he comic bombed and was cancelled mainly due to botched circulation)
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 2/9/2016
James Halperin wrote:
An absolute masterpiece -- fantastic!Yes, it's really something special!
Jim Warden
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/7/2017
Congratulations on a magnificent and memorable cover! I was only three when this book was published, so I did not buy it off the stands, but when I became aware of Al Williamson's artwork in the 1980's, I hit the back issue bins at local conventions and bought his Flash Gordon issues and everything else of his that I could find. I was blown away by this issue and am in awe that you own the original artwork to the cover!
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/7/2017
Jim Warden wrote:
Congratulations on a magnificent and memorable cover! I was only three when this book was published, so I did not buy it off the stands, but when I became aware of Al Williamson's artwork in the 1980's, I hit the back issue bins at local conventions and bought his Flash Gordon issues and everything else of his that I could find. I was blown away by this issue and am in awe that you own the original artwork to the cover!Thanks for your kind words Jim!
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/7/2017
Jim Warden wrote:
Congratulations on a magnificent and memorable cover! I was only three when this book was published, so I did not buy it off the stands, but when I became aware of Al Williamson's artwork in the 1980's, I hit the back issue bins at local conventions and bought his Flash Gordon issues and everything else of his that I could find. I was blown away by this issue and am in awe that you own the original artwork to the cover!Thanks for your kind words Jim!
Y M
Member Since 2003
Posted on 3/17/2017
Hiya, Ray. Still coming back again and again to admire this piece, and in my opinion it's among the top three pen and ink pieces on CAF. Thanks for sharing!
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 3/17/2017
Y M wrote:
Hiya, Ray. Still coming back again and again to admire this piece, and in my opinion it's among the top three pen and ink pieces on CAF. Thanks for sharing!Hi Yoram. I still love looking at this piece on my wall every day! Thanks for your good words.
Imagine If
Member Since 2011
Posted on 12/6/2018
Such a wonderfully drawn and designed cover by one of the truly greats in the business! This is one of the few comics I have a distinct recollection of seeing for the first time at the newsstand.
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 2/5/2019
I really love this cover. Such a wonderfully fantastic piece of art. I may or maynot have drooled just a little bit.
Chris Puckelwartz
Member Since 2006
Posted on 9/21/2019
A magnificent example by one of the finest of the Fleagles! Congrats!!
Y M
Member Since 2003
Posted on 3/3/2023
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best of the best. Period.
Peter Roe
Member Since 2009
Posted on 5/20/2023
I won't tread familiar ground about the art. I also love your thoughts on the piece and the artist in your description. Nicely done!
Knave Musikspieler
Member Since 2009
Posted on 5/25/2023
I visit this image often. This time I thought I'd say, "Hello".
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 5/25/2023
Knave Musikspieler wrote:
I visit this image often. This time I thought I'd say, "Hello".
Greetings to you as well - it is indeed a wonderful image which I am delighted to see every day.
Tommy Kohlmaier
Member Since 2008
Posted on 10/4/2023
Comment #35: AAAAARGH ! Superb piece even compared to your many other astonishing pages !
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
Posted on 3/21/2024
Williamson captures Raymond's design and layout elements of the original Flash Gordon. Williamson's inking takes it to the Rip Kirby era with the inks. This is a more modernistic update. Gorgeous cover.
Ted Latner
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/21/2024
Wow -- this is so iconic! I was too young to have seen Al's Flash Gordon work in the 60's, but I was blown away when his Marvel series came out in the 90's and then I collected the back issues. Truly stunning!
Al Gordon
Member Since 2006
Posted on 3/21/2024
I remember when this hit the stands when i was 13. It was pretty danged awesome!
Is it my eyes or is the image slightly out-of-focus? Do you have a clearer and higher-res version?
Daniel Evan
Member Since 2018
Posted on 3/22/2024
Wonderful background. Al was a tremendous artist and person. Fantastic cover!
Mark Howland
Member Since 2004
Posted on 3/22/2024
Great back story, and really tight, action-packed piece!
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
Posted on 3/22/2024
Superb art work...he's def among the Artist Mt Rushmore Candidates...great piece Ray
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