Today in Comics History, March 5: Happy birthday, Howard Pyle!

Born on this day in 1853: painter and author Howard Pyle (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Men of Iron, The Wonder Clock, The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (and three sequels), plus many more. He's characterized by his lush and realistic style that influenced N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, and others, and known as the Father of the Brandywine School of artistic style. You've probably read at least one of his books out of the library (and I hope you got the illustrated editions), but you've likely never seen what we're about to serve up to you on this here silver plate of a blog entry: Howard Pyle in the Comics! Here's a concise biography of him, tho' (of course) not actually drawn by Pyle.




from "Howard Pyle" in Real Life Comics #37 (Pines, January 1947), creators unknown



Speaking of Men of Iron (sit down, Tony Stark), this classic rip-roarin' tale of knights and chivalry and jousting and chickens (I presume there are chickens in it), has been adapted a a comic book, by — who else? — Classics Illustrated. Once again, the comic art doesn't hold a candle to Pyle (nobody's does!), but it's a solid adaptation and well worth it as an easy-reading version of the original.



from Classics Illustrated #88 (Gilberton, October 1951); cover: painting by Alex Blum; interior: script by John O'Rourke; pencils and inks by Lawrence Dresser, Gus Schrotter, and Harry Daugherty
And there's a dandy single-page quick bio of Pyle at the back of the comic! Very handy for cramming for your Monday morning pop quiz on Howard Pyle, as teachers are likely to spring.


from Classics Illustrated #88, creators unknown
Naturally, such a well-beloved painter would have a big influence on many later artists. Including comics illustrators! Here are some (check your choice) ▢ homages ▢ plagiarisms ▢ pastiches ▢ "in the styles of" comic books that took inspiration from Howard Pyle.

Left: An Attack on a Galleon (1905), by Howard Pyle
Right: cover of Piracy (1954 series) #3 (EC, February 1955), pencils and inks by Reed Crandall, colors by Marie Severin
(Click picture to Love Boat-size)

Left: Who Shall be Captain? (1911), by Howard Pyle
Center: cover of Piracy (1954 series) #2 (EC, December 1954), pencils and inks by Reed Crandall, colors by Marie Severin
Right: Marvel Classics Comics #15 [Treasure Island] (1976), pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dan Adkins (?) or Frank Giacoia (?), pencil and ink alterations by John Romita, Sr., letters by Gaspar Saladino (?)
(Click picture to 15,000-men-on-a-dead-man's-chest-size)
And of course, whoda thunk this evocative painting by Pyle:


Marooned (1909), by Howard Pyle
...could kick off and inspire a Wolverine comic book story?!?



from Wolverine: X-Isle #1 (Marvel, June 2003), script by Bruce Jones, pencils and inks by Jorge Lucas, colors by Oscar Carreno, letters by Dave Sharpe
Hey Logan! What would you do if you were castaway in a similar situation? What if...that actually happened? What then, huh?


Which of course means, on the final page of the issue:


The moral of that story is, don't go dissing Howard Pyle! Wolverine.

Happy birthday, Mr. Pyle!


from Real Life Comics #37