Howland, Mark :: Bernie Wrightson

Wrightson's The Last Hunters

Artist: Bernie Wrightson (Penciller)

10 Comments - 447 Views - 5 Likes

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Published Splash

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Artwork Details

Title:	Wrightson's The Last Hunters
Artist:	Bernie Wrightson (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pencil
Art Type:	Prelim
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	447
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Comments:	10
Added to Site:	8/29/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

In 1971, entrepreneur and visionary Ron Barlow commissioned Bernie Wrightson to do the first ever, single-artist fanzine. The title of the book was Badtime Stories, and it was published by Graphic Masters.

This is an unused splash from the lead story, “The Last Hunters,” penciled, inked, and written by Wrightson. It’s an ecological sci-fi story about a dying planet with a twist ending when a creature destroys his creator(s). Sound familiar?

You can check out the published version below. In cases such as this, the question for me always is: why wasn’t this splash used? The only significant difference in layout between the published and unpublished versions is the number of “after men” depicted.

The inscription at the top left makes the story-behind-the-story even more interesting, however. I’m about 99.2% sure that the inscriber was Michael Kaluta, friend and fellow artist of Wrightson.

In any event, about five guys from the right, down low, I love the lone little face looking back at us. I also love the multiple lines the numerous spears make vs. the line of the single spear of the published version.

Thanks to Bruce Hershenson, another friend of Bernie’s, for the helpful information on this splash. Thanks also to Bechara of Nostalgic Investments.

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About the Owner

	Mark Howland Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	December 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	howmark
Website:	http://www.comicartfans.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Mark's Classifieds 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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Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 8/29/2024

So cool to see this alternate take. Congrats!~

David Kwock
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 8/29/2024

Always love seeing a piece done by Bernie! Great Pickup Mark major congrats!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/29/2024

The inscription is so awesome! His thoughts and anecdote can live on instead of being lost in time! The composition Wrightson came up with here showed the editors that they should just trust him going forward.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 8/29/2024

You get a sense looking at this at how talented BW was...like he just whipped this up! Love the notes, too. Congrats!

Brian Boggs
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 8/29/2024

Mind blowing. Love it.

artless artmore
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 8/30/2024

Superb! Love Wrightson's raw pencils, especially from this period...

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 8/31/2024

Beautiful pencil work from his pre-Swamp Thing period, and the inscription is just as good!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 9/5/2024

Wow! I love seeming prelims. Even for the scenes that weren't quite working yet. I can see why they changed it. But it's interesting to see what might have been. And to ask myself if this version scene would have changed my reaction to the story? Yeah, I think fewer survivors is better.

Mark Howland
Member Since 2004

Posted on 9/5/2024

Bill J wrote:

Thanks, Bill. And I agree with the value of fewer survivors, given the context of the story.

Michael Weigant
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 9/19/2024

A very beautiful and interesting piece of Wrightson history !

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