Howard Chaykin - Sword of Sorcery 1 Page 14

Artists: Howard Chaykin (Penciller) , Neal Adams (Inker) , Alan Weiss (Inker) , Rick Bryant (Inker) , Dennis O’Neil (Writer)

12 Comments - 1,032 Views - 1 Like

Howard Chaykin - Sword of Sorcery 1 Page 14 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Howard Chaykin - Sword of Sorcery 1 Page 14
Artist:	Howard Chaykin (Penciller)
Artist:	Neal Adams (Inker)
Artist:	Alan Weiss (Inker)
Artist:	Rick Bryant (Inker)
Artist:	Dennis O’Neil (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,032
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	12
Added to Site:	6/15/2019
Comic Art Archive:	Sword of Sorcery Issue: 1 Page: 14 View

Description

I've already said it, some time ago, and I'll say it again now: I love Howard Chaykin's art, especially in his early days! While this is certainly not his earliest published work, this story marks the first time he was in command of his own strip, so it stands to me as a key turning point in his career!...

Around this time, late 1972, that is, DC Comics was trying hard to catch up with the Sword and Sorcery genre launched in the comics world with tremendous success by Marvel with their (still unbeaten to this day) adaptation of RE Howard's Conan the Barbarian.

After a 2-year rumination period, DC finally retaliated with 2 tryout anthology titles: "Weird Worlds" (focusing on the most fantasy-oriented series of ER Burroughs, namely John Carter and Pellucidar) and the very-creatively titled "Sword of Sorcery" chronicling the adventures of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.

Both titles were short-lived, which is a shame as they were graced with some of the best talents available, but which is why, I suspect, they are largely forgotten by now.

Case in point, then, the main story, adapted by Denny O'Neil sees a young and enthusiast Howard Chaykin immediately putting his mark in with a very distinctive style and a great flair for storytelling.

It also doesn't hurt that he is more than skillfully helped on the inking front by the infamous Crusty Bunkers, also in one of their first outings. Those with long memory will recognize the nickname for that loose gang of artists, revolving around Neal Adams, that weighed their talents in to complete a book in record time or, in that case, help a fellow young artist.

While generally difficult to identify for sure, we can be pretty sure that the Crusties on that story were Alan Weiss, Rick Bryant and Neal Adams himself (who named the culprits). An all-star team, if you ask me! The forefront figures, whether horse or warrior, do carry the unmistakable Adams touch, which adds considerably to the action and ambiance of this page!

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About the Owner

	Al Simpleton ( 1 )
Joined:	August 2013
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	FRANCE
On CAF:	Al's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Red Raven
Member Since 2012

Posted on 6/15/2019

Magic pièce dessinée et encrée par des grands maîtres - Félicitations Al !!!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 6/15/2019

Red Raven wrote:

Magic pièce dessinée et encrée par des grands maîtres - Félicitations Al !!!

Merci Adom ! On n'en fait plus des comme ça !

Nils E
Member Since 2014

Posted on 6/16/2019

There's nothing like bonding over a spot of inking ;-)

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 6/16/2019

Nils E wrote:

There's nothing like bonding over a spot of inking ;-)

Thanks Nils! Being a very poor artist myself, I do feel humble when meeting that kind of bonding and how much emotion it generates!

Rick W
Member Since 2017

Posted on 6/16/2019

Great S.O.S. page!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 6/16/2019

Rick W wrote:

Great S.O.S. page!

Thanks Rick, this was a short and sweet series!

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 6/19/2019

Nice!!!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 6/23/2019

frank x townsondecker wrote:

Nice!!!

Thanks Frank, as always...

Arrick Un Rama
Member Since 2020

Posted on 8/31/2023

Awesome. I read this over and over as a kid. I always wanted other comics to be this good. Awesome story and art.

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 9/1/2023

Arrick Un Rama wrote:

Awesome. I read this over and over as a kid. I always wanted other comics to be this good. Awesome story and art.

Thanks Arrik! I loved the fact this was testing material for so many great artists that emerged at that time... And I only regret this series didn't last longer!

Arrick Un Rama
Member Since 2020

Posted on 9/2/2023

Al Simpleton wrote:

Thanks Arrik! I loved the fact this was testing material for so many great artists that emerged at that time... And I only regret this series didn't last longer!

It got me started reading SF. Once I read the title page and saw it was based on a book, I got the book and started switching from comics to sf books. I have to admit to owning about 10 copies of each issue of Sword of Sorcery. I still buy it today when I see a set, lol.

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

Posted on 9/2/2023

Arrick Un Rama wrote:

That's quite a nice collection! I only have one copy of each issue, but still, it rates high on my list! I had already read some Fritz Leiber when this came out and was delighted to see Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser so well rendered... This was indeed a royal period for Fantasy! And it led me to Niven, Farmer and Vance a little later on...

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