Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Tag: King Kong

Gabriel Hardman — The True King Of The Monsters

Original Art and The Artists

King Kong, Commission, 2014

Godzilla got most of the attention in the last few posts. But Kong needs some love as well.

So here’s a terrific commission by Gabe Hardman to provide a solution.

Between American and international film releases and re-releases, there is a ton of great movie poster art out in the world. Much of it is quite striking, and my favorites always involve the penultimate scene of Kong fighting the “air force” on top the Empire State Building. (Spoiler alert: he loses and plummets to his death moments later.)

So this piece is a no-brainer for my collection. (Plus, my dad loved King Kong, and he would have seen its original release as an 11-year old, so there’s that reason to own it too.)

And even though Kong “died” in the original classic, he came back 30 years later to fight — and apparently defeat — Godzilla in the original match between those screen titans.

I wonder who wins this time around. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

It took more than 30 years for the original King Kong film to receive a comic adaptation, but it when it did, it was a glorious 64 pages for a quarter. Cover by the incredible George Wilson.
A few interior pages from the end of the Gold Key King Kong adaption , and Marvel’s classic parody cover that somehow manages to combine Kong, The Marvel Universe, and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.

Mark Nelson — Shades Of Godzilla

Original Art and The Artists

Godzilla #2, July 1988

Godzilla’s origin generally begins with atomic testing and radioactivity. (You can catch up on all the versions of his origin here.)

So maybe he is getting ready for a nice atomic snack on this great cover by Mark Nelson.

Nelson executed the art on Craftint specialty paper, which used a chemical process to add an amazing level of tone and depth to the art. Artists like Roy Crane, Wallace Wood and Howard Chaykin are among the many who used the paper regularly (and well) to enhance their storytelling.

The paper was readily available to artists in the mid to late 20th century and ultimately discontinued in 2009 with more commercial artists switching to digital.

I believe Kevin Eastman (TMNT) purchased a large supply when he heard the paper was being discontinued. But, like a fine vintage wine, sooner or later, the supply will run out.

A lost art — although you can replicate the effect in Photoshop, and other similar digital programs.

But, unfortunately, at that point, you don’t get a great piece of art to hold in your hands.

The original (1962) King Kong vs. Godzilla featured a somewhat sketchy version of Kong, especially noticeable in the marketing material, but as a kid, I ate it up anyway.

David Messina — Godzilla’s Kingdoms

Original Art and The Artists

Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters #9, November 2011

My pal David Messina delivers a terrific cover for one of IDW’s many Godzilla comic series from a few years back. I love the composition and scale here.

Godzilla returns (again) this coming week with the much-hyped Godzilla vs. Kong. In theaters or on HBO Max, as they say.

Godzilla has made a few returns to comics as well. Originally a somewhat goofy series at Marvel during the 70s, Dark Horse picked up the rights to the Big G in the 90s. Ultimately, we published quite a few issues at IDW, and the “modern” film version from Legendary has made it into their own sporadic comics line from time to time.

Meanwhile none of the pre-IDW series are available to purchase as collections (print or digital) because of… well, Toho. I tried to make progress there many times. Many, many times.

Trust me on this.