Ron S :: EC - Covers

Two-Fisted Tales #20

Artist: Harvey Kurtzman (All)

29 Comments - 1,961 Views - 6 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Two-Fisted Tales #20
Artist:	Harvey Kurtzman (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,961
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Comments:	29
Added to Site:	2/23/2016
Comic Art Archive:

Description

I’ve written about Harvey Kurtzman (1924-1993) from time to time, but after a fairly lengthy search, I’ve finally been able to grab a representative piece from Harvey’s key time at EC. Most people know Harvey for his pioneering work writing and editing “Mad”, and I’m sure some of you know Harvey from his work, “Little Annie Fanny” from Playboy (because I know you weren’t just looking at the pictures).

At EC, Kurtzman started with horror, and quickly became a key editor. He gave the artists incredible freedom to draw in their own styles (versus a consistent “house” style). Although he worked on many titles, it was editing and writing the war titles (Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat) that became his true obsession. Unlike many comics out at the time, EC’s war titles were realistic morality tales and Kurtzman was obsessed with research and detail. At times, he spent hours in the library, ensuring that he captured the specifics that made the story more precise, and more authentic. He didn’t focus on any one war, rather the stories were about wars throughout all of time. It wasn’t uncommon to read about a Roman battle, followed by a story that took place during the civil war. But, while he let his artists draw in their own style, he prepared very precise and detailed layouts. And, there was no opportunity to stray. Not in his shop. These stories were his vision.

If you’re interested in Kurtzman, I highly recommend “The Art of Harvey Kurtzman” by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle.

He tried to personally draw at least one story in each issue of Two-Fisted Tales, and the covers for the first twelve issues. I was lucky enough to pick up the cover to Two-Fisted Tales #20.

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	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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David K
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/23/2016

Congrats Ron!!! Very cool cover!

Steve Kro
Member Since 2007

Posted on 2/23/2016

Two-Fisted GOLD!

Bill Ponseti
Member Since 2011

Posted on 2/23/2016

Wonderful and historic cover. Congrats!

Steven Ng
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/23/2016

Kurtzman's war comics are a high point of the form.

Steven biali001
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/23/2016

Classic Kurtzman cover!!

Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/23/2016

Spectacular. As someone who has also been searching for a Kurtzman for some time, I'd say you got a good one! Although I think Kurtzman's true stengths and genius were in panel design and storytelling and this can all be achieved in a single image like he did here.

Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/23/2016

Enemies infiltrating refugees? War certainly is hell past present or God help us future.These gritty combat yarns got it right and to own such a shining example created by a true master must be exhilarating.Great Ron! Just great!

Terry Doyle
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/24/2016

A great early one, congrats!

Jean Andre Macchini
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/24/2016

Outstanding piece !!! Congrats Ron !!

David Gee
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/24/2016

Another fantastic piece added to a beautiful collection ! Congrats !

Gene Park
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/24/2016

Great pick-up, Ron! I love how Kurtzman's art expresses so much without putting any extraneous lines to paper - lovely example!

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/24/2016

Love the composition of this cover - particularly the usage of the title banner to focus the reader on the main character and the dialogue. And, it also shields the viewer from the lurking assailant...which makes him a little more sinister. Typical Kurtzman - accomplishing a lot with simple and elegant lines. Great cover.

Joe Shaffer
Member Since 2010

Posted on 2/24/2016

Yes Sir, thats a keeper!

J M
Member Since 2010

Posted on 2/24/2016

Ron , you have a wonderful eye finding these gems , congrats

Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/24/2016

Incredible cover, Ron! Love the composition and perspective, classic Kurtzman and rare EC treasure. Congrats!

CHRIS OLIVERIA
Member Since 2011

Posted on 2/24/2016

Wow Ron! Another piece of comic history......congratulations on this find!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/24/2016

Yet another stellar addition to the Sonenthal Art Museum. I almost feel guilty about not having to pay to see your ever growing collection. Congratulations Ron!

Foggy Bottom
Member Since 2009
Forum Moderator

Posted on 2/24/2016

Baller.

DC's Showcase
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/24/2016

A totally frontline work of art! Kurtzman's a genius. Congrats Ron.

Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/24/2016

Amazing layout and design here--love that the guy with the knife is essentially hiding behind the log; that's something that few cover artists would think about today, using the logo in their storytelling.

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/24/2016

CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan F
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/24/2016

Beautiful!

John Livesay
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/24/2016

nice!

Terry Doyle
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/27/2016

As an afterthought, we're getting this type of thing now with ISIS terrorists heading into Europe.

Lenny Da Collector
Member Since 2005

Posted on 3/12/2016

Did I mention that among all of Harvey Kurtzman's works, the one that stuck out for me was his Two Fisted Tales? Also wanted to have a page from one of his war stories and now you got the cover!! Drool! Only you can land something like this Ron!

J L
Member Since 2005

Posted on 3/13/2016

I've really grown to appreciate Kurtzman's contribution to comics and this is wonderful. Congrats as always Ron!!!!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/26/2018

Holy Samoley! That is one awesome Kutzman cover! Fabulous!

Frédéric Manzano
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/4/2021

A Fantastic Cover signed to me by Havey at the 2nd EC comics convention in the early 80s.

Somethime you need to sale some pieces, that is life, a lovely cover.

Al Gordon
Member Since 2006

Posted on 10/4/2021

Amazing Composition. Harvy was just incredible.

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