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E DLS UNITED STATES
Member Since March 2005
780 Artworks | Watched by 301

The Road of Azrael composition sketches by Roy G Krenkel

Location: New Stuff
Artist: Roy G Krenkel (All)

103  Views  -  14  Comments  -  14  Likes

Additional Images

top sketch zoom

cover painting

Page 180
Artwork Details
Location: New Stuff
Title: The Road of Azrael composition sketches by Roy G Krenkel*
Artist:  Roy G Krenkel (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Prelim
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 103
Likes on CAF: 14
Comments: 14
Added to Site: 6/26/2026

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Description

While I still hope to own a Frazetta in my lifetime, I’m not going to hold my breath.  Especially when in any of the last dozen or so Frazetta auctions I’ve followed this past year, just the sales tax alone on any of them would have been a huge financial hurdle for me.  Ha!  In the meantime, it’s major collecting wins like this one that keep me going.

While he was known for being somewhat dismissive of his own work and achievement , Roy G Krenkel is a true legend and a Master of the art form.  Frazetta himself once called Krenkel “a truly conscientious artist who will not tolerate incompetence."  RGK did most of his comics work in the 1950s, with other comic greats like Wally Wood, Al Williamson, and Frazetta mostly during the pre-superhero age at Marvel and later at EC Comics.  But he was primarily known for his illustration work in science fiction/fantasy books and magazines.

One of those books was Robert E. Howard’s THE ROAD OF AZRAEL, published in 1979 by Donald Grant.  Along with a handful of small ink illustrations, Krenkel provided nine paintings for the book, including the cover.  Now I had no idea about any of this when I first saw this piece for sale.  All I knew was that I had wanted an RGK piece for a while, and as with my Frazetta quest, I was constantly losing out on pieces I was going after.  But not this time.

Since I did not own a copy of the book at the time (I have one now), and the auction did not list the piece as such, I had no idea that these were composition sketches for those paintings.  It was only after receiving the invoice for the piece that I learned what these sketches were done for.  So even before the artwork arrived, I went online and ordered a copy of the book.  Once I had it in hand, my first instinct was to try and match the three prelim sketches with any of the finished book paintings.  I couldn’t find anything that remotely matched the drawing of the lone warrior on the lower left.  But the charging steed on the lower right may have been an early iteration of the painting on page 180 (see Additional Images).

Of course the star of the show is that glorious sketch at the top with the column of horsemen coming over the rise and descending toward the city in the distance.  I of course recognized this drawing immediately as a variation of the eventual cover painting image (again, see Additional Images).  Now don’t get me wrong, I love the cover painting.  But there’s just something about the raw energy of that sketch that absolutely blows my mind.  Krenkel’s ability to form those amazing shapes and figures from all the seemingly frantic line markings is nothing short of genius.  Everything you need to know about why I’ve been wanting a Krenkel can be found in that phenomenal drawing.  You just know that you’re in the presence of a Master and there’s absolutely no denying it.

Anyway, my Frazetta quest continues.  In the meantime, I am more than content to be mesmerized by these three masterful sketches.  And when one considers the pricing discrepancies, I may very well just refocus my efforts.  Haha!

Thanks for looking.  And don’t be shy about going back for a second look.  Trust me, it’s worth it. 

 

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Comments on this Artwork

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Kavi H Member Since 2018
Posted On 6/26/2026

Sweet trifecta of Krenkel sketches, especially the top one as you pointed out. Great energy and example of what made him a special artist that so many others drew inspiration from. A RGK piece has been on my own wantlist for awhile as well but haven't been the best at keeping up the search and anytime I did search I didn't quite find one I connected with enough to want to purchase it but happy to be patient for the one that speaks to me down the line - fortunately on that front he was so prolific and the prices aren't unreasonable (for now at least, unlike Frazetta) as you mentioned.

E DLS Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 6/26/2026

Kavi H wrote:
" Sweet trifecta of Krenkel sketches, especially the top one as you pointed out. Great energy and example of what made him a special artist that so many others drew inspiration from. A RGK piece has been on my own wantlist for awhile as well but haven't been the best at keeping up the search and anytime I did search I didn't quite find one I connected with enough to want to purchase it but happy to be patient for the one that speaks to me down the line - fortunately on that front he was so prolific and the prices aren't unreasonable (for now at least, unlike Frazetta) as you mentioned. "

Wow, I think you just described my journey to this piece exactly.  I've been doing online searches for RGK art for quite a while now.  While (as you alluded to) these sketches are rather plentiful and readily available, many are quite loose and/or rough.  I knew I probably couldn't afford a painting or finished line drawing, but I still wanted something maybe a little tighter than what I had been finding on my searches.  So patience (and some luck) definitely played a part in getting here to this piece.  I hope you find one soon that is both affordable and makes you happy.  Thanks for the comment buddy!

Posted On 6/26/2026

very nice krenkel, your taste in art have  no bounds

E DLS Member Since 2005
Posted On 6/26/2026

thomas derrick aka #1marvelfan wrote:
" very nice krenkel, your taste in art have  no bounds "

Thanks buddy!  That actually means a lot.  I think in my 20's, 30's, and even 40's, I was stuck in a very specific range in terms of my taste in art.  As I look back on it now, yes, it was a bit narrow and restrictive.  But over the last 20 years (especially these last ten), it's gotten so much wider.  While I haven't blown the doors off completely, at least my eyes are open to so much more now.  I'm sure my collecting is all the better for it.  But it's probably not very good for my bank account.  Haha!  Thanks again for your very kind words.   

Chris K. Member Since 2008
Posted On 6/26/2026

These are beautiful and show just how skilled Krenkel was.

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
Posted On 6/26/2026

Who knew there was a 3rd Azrael?! Beautiful work by the way!

Rick W Member Since 2017
Posted On 6/26/2026

A Krenkel vision board to behold!

Jim Warden Member Since 2003
Posted On 6/26/2026

I've also been looking for a nice Krenkel piece and you certainly hit a home run with this one!  Your description pretty much sums up the artistic excellence of this piece, but I Iove that it also has a couple other things I am looking for when I obtain the "right" Krenkle for my collection.  In addition to a dynamic design, I definitely want a piece that has the cool "RGK" signature and I'd also like it to have some hand-written note/description of the piece included.  Yours certainly checks all of the boxes I am looking for; congratulations on another terrific addition to your amazing collection!

E DLS Member Since 2005
Posted On 6/26/2026

Jim Warden wrote:
" I've also been looking for a nice Krenkel piece and you certainly hit a home run with this one!  Your description pretty much sums up the artistic excellence of this piece, but I Iove that it also has a couple other things I am looking for when I obtain the "right" Krenkle for my collection.  In addition to a dynamic design, I definitely want a piece that has the cool "RGK" signature and I'd also like it to have some hand-written note/description of the piece included.  Yours certainly checks all of the boxes I am looking for; congratulations on another terrific addition to your amazing collection! "

Okay, confession time.  You can shoot me, but I actually did not know the piece was even signed.  Haha!  When you mentioned the trademark RGK signature, I was like, HUH?  So I went back to my full size scan and kept zooming around until I found the darn thing.  Haha!  So now that I know you've got the eagle eyes, maybe you can help me find Michael Golden's signature "G" on my Punisher piece.  LOL

artless artmore Member Since 2013
Posted On 6/27/2026

Stately and beautiful studies showing off RGK's linework and compositional skills.  The have such at atmospheric feel to them and look great together on the page.  His ink pieces always transport me back to my days shopping for used paperbacks in the 70s and early 80s (which I bought more for the cover art and spot illos TBH).  

Peter Sullivan Member Since 2006
Posted On 6/27/2026

Mister non shy at looking says thanks for sharing this. I love Roys work.

Comics Superworld Member Since 2007
Posted On 6/27/2026

These are especially nice Krenkel drawings!  The composition, light and shade, and feel of 'em is impressive.

Chris P. Member Since 2006
Posted On 6/27/2026

Terrific RGK studies.  He's criminally underrated, but that's fine by me as it means you can find them for prices that won't cause you take out a second mortgage like his contemporary Fritz! ;). 

I have an alternate cover to Road to Azrael whcih I'll get around to posting someday.  Thanks for sharing this one and congrats on a great addition to your collection.

E DLS Member Since 2005
Posted On 6/27/2026

Chris P. wrote:
" Terrific RGK studies.  He's criminally underrated, but that's fine by me as it means you can find them for prices that won't cause you take out a second mortgage like his contemporary Fritz! ;). 

I have an alternate cover to Road to Azrael whcih I'll get around to posting someday.  Thanks for sharing this one and congrats on a great addition to your collection. "

Agreed that Krenkel is vastly underrated and is often overshadowed by his same era peers.  Of course that argument would be easier to buy from you if you weren't sitting on an absolute treasure trove of RGK artwork.  Your magnificent and awe-inspiring collection is truly museum worthy.  Thank you for your kind words about the beginning of mine.

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