Yanko, Mark :: Wally Wood

Witzend #8 - The World of the Wizard King - pg. 4

Artist: Wally Wood (All)

6 Comments - 3,090 Views - 2 Likes

Witzend #8 - The World of the Wizard King - pg. 4 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Witzend #8 - The World of the Wizard King - pg. 4
Artist:	Wally Wood (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	3,090
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	2/19/2015
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Last year, Fantagraphics published its wonderful set of hardcover books which reprinted the run of Witzend in all its glory in a class package with excellent reproduction. I was happy to snag a copy before it quickly sold out. As with its Cannon volume, Fantagraphics' release was so beautifully designed and executed that it made me wish it was Gary Groth's company and not Vanguard that obtained the rights to reprint much of Wally Wood's artistic legacy in durable formats.

The World of the Wizard King was originally unveiled to the world as a "picto-fiction" in chapters in Witzend #4, 5, and 8, with typeset text and spot illustrations as seen here. The first installment appeared in 1968, and the last in 1971. From all accounts, this was Wood's most heartfelt project, and a story he'd been assembling in his mind throughout many permutations since childhood. The image of the flying boat that appears on this page, for example, was one that prefigured in some of his earliest youthful drawings.

Wood's (pen and brush?) work is delightfully sketchy here but fully rendered, and evocative of vintage story book illustration at its best. Everything is literally delineated and nothing is impressionistic, and the sense of unmediated personal fantasy that's communicated feels pure and strong and confident. In its own way and on its own terms, this is some of Wood's finest drawing.

This early version of the The Wizard King is so vividly and impressively realized that it makes the later graphic novels seem a bit like a dilution of the concept. That's certainly the case with the dismayingly disappointing second volume.

Witzend art seldom surfaces, particularly from Wally Wood's contributions. Thank you, Robert!

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About the Owner

	Mark Yanko
Joined:	August 2009
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Mark's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Chris K.
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 2/19/2015

A very pretty and interesting piece, Mark. Enjoyed seeing the actual physical construction of the page and learning a little more about Wally Wood. Great write-up.

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 2/19/2015

Fantastic!!! congratulations!

artless artmore
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 2/19/2015

Amazing artwork!

Lars Teglbjaerg
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 2/20/2015

A truly wonderful find. Congrats, Mark!

Dave H
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 3/28/2015

It's a terrific piece, and thank you for the info.

Bernard Voorzichtig
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 2/4/2018

Great illustrations !

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