Howland, Mark :: Bernie Wrightson

Wrightson Creepy 75 Frontispiece

Artists: Bernie Wrightson (Penciller) , Bernie Wrightson (Inker)

11 Comments - 681 Views - 11 Likes

Wrightson Creepy 75 Frontispiece Comic Art

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Additional Images:

Creepy Back - I love how Wrightson spent more time with the hittee as opposed to the hitter.

Published Creepy 75 Frontispiece

Creepy Close-up

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Artwork Details

Title:	Wrightson Creepy 75 Frontispiece
Artist:	Bernie Wrightson (Penciller)
Artist:	Bernie Wrightson (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Prelim
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	681
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	11
Added to Site:	5/10/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

How cool is it to see an artist’s pencil and ink work in process? This illustration is so close to the published frontispiece from Warren’s Creepy Magazine #75 in 1975 and reprinted in Creepy Presents Bernie Wrightson in 2011 that I wonder why Wrightson abandoned it.

If you have a theory, lay it on me. (Perhaps because of a subsequent decision to use zipatone on Uncle Creepy’s tux?) In any event, Wrightson was a perfectionist, and who knows what little thing might have bothered his eye.

Should you wish to compare, check out the 1975 published frontispiece below. The noticeable differences between the two are essentially facial - the mole on Uncle Creepy’s nose, the makings of a smile, the appearance of a little less hair and rounder forehead, and his looking off to his left.

I actually prefer this partially-inked version where Wrightson invested considerable time in the textured, shaded linework of Uncle Creepy’s face and hair and where he chose to have the Uncle stare directly at the viewer. Although his expression in this image is less demented than the published one, it is more enigmatic. What the heck is Creepy thinking?

Creepy indeed. Thanks to Bechara of Nostalgic Investments!

P.S. I’ve decided that Wrightson enjoyed drawing buttons. Check out Creepy’s sleeve. Also check out a number of the Frankenstein plates.

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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 5/10/2023

Love seeing rare pieces like this. Thanks for sharing this treasure!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 5/11/2023

Very fun to see the inner workings in the mind of one of the best. Just the slightest change in appearance would prompt him to redo the piece.

Aaron N.
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 5/11/2023

Bernie abandoned a body of work that would make the career of anyone else... love this one!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 5/11/2023

Outstanding piece! So revealing for us all students of fine comic art!

Lee Benaka
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 5/12/2023

I definitely like the face better in your version than in the published piece. Can't wait to see this gem this summer!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 5/17/2023

Fantastic to see the original art in process. We sometimes forget in our pursuit of finished work how much thought and effort went into every piece before it was completed. This piece is fascinating because you see the pencils and then just a piece of it that was inked. Fun to compare it with the final published version. Thanks for sharing!

Earl Hamilton
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 5/20/2023

Magnificent example!

steve staszower
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 6/9/2023

I used to own this - happy to see it in your collection!

John C
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 6/28/2023

Buttons are like belts. You can never have enough.

Brett B
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 8/13/2023

Very cool piece and I agree...I like Uncle Creepy better on this prelim. He does love his buttons doesn't he!?!

David Kwock
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 8/20/2023

Awesome piece! Love how we can witness Bernie's pen and ink seperately on the same brilliant image.

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