I am grateful for your body of work at DC Mark and for introducing me to so many amazing artists. I have become such a Cooke fan and wish we got more Parker from him. That said, I fling my head back hearing you wanted to make a best of Toth book. I wish one for the road would be reprinted and we would get this book. Your sense of style with Toth is a dream project. Especially kills me since some of his best art is left in the rough printing state of the time. I would love a Zoro hardbound black and white book of his. I hope we get more Toth books in the future. Thank you for this channel!
Another great episode, you returned with a banger. Mark Chiarello was a great guest, hopefully we will get a chance to listen to a follow up talk between you both in the near future.
I was lucky enough to exchange a couple of letters with Alex Toth around 2000 when I was researching the artist Emil Gershwin. He was extremely gracious and generous with his replies.
As a 10 year old in 1978, I was a dyed in the wool fan of Milton Caniff and William Overgard, so I had the artistic sensibilities that made me ripe for becoming an Alex Toth fan at a young age.
@@comixcrush Overgard was mentored by Caniff and ghosted for him, plus drew several of the Four Color Steve Csnyon comics. In 1954, likely because of his Caniff connection, Overgard replaced Pete Hoffman on the Steve Roper comic; in 1956, he and the writers Allen & John Saunders introduced Mike Nomad, a tough guy in the vein of Crane’s Captain Easy. As a kid, I fell in love with Overgard’s art, although by the 70s, his work wasn’t as slick as it had been in the 60s…and I didn’t see those strips until adulthood.
@@timothymarkin4481 Yeah, I discovered some of that in a quick search, but thanks for more details. I recall Mark Roper, but as you say, it would have been the '70s for me, too. Now, I wonder if there's been a Rudy collection...
I often wondered why there has not been a best of Alex Toth book. DC is sitting on several gold mines, and I do not understand how/why they are so unaware.
When Darwyn Cooke downplays Toth as a superhero artist, I think what you can say is, that Toth wouldn’t have portrayed a superhero comic in the form we think of as a superhero comic. It would look more like a noir comic with guys in costume. I think Frank Robbins, whose work I love, being from the Caniff school, was ill-suited for superheroes when he worked for Marvel. First, they got the worst inkers for him, and Robbins was trying to draw the stories in “the Marvel manner,” which didn’t work for his style. But when he did Batman, it was like a noir story with the Batman costume inserted. That’s what a Toth superhero comic would be. He wouldn’t even attempt to do a superhero story, trying to emulate Jack Kirby or Steranko. It would be in his style, and kids buying superhero comics, expecting Kirby-esque storytelling wouldn’t appreciate what Toth would bring to the table.
I think that's true, to a degree. Perhaps Darwyn thought that Toth approached heroes in too naturalistic a fashion? Certainly one could say that of his Atom/Flash comic - I think it looks great, but it's probably not what many would be looking for. His Eclipso comics are fun, but are overly drawn, and Eclipso looks really mean - fine with me, but... The Superman Annual doesn't seem noir-ish, tho, and Black Canary only fits that description in certain parts. His Fox stories are noir-ish in spots, but generally colorful, lighthearted fun, as is the Space Ghost comic he did. The Batman/Haunted Skies story supports your point, tho, in large part - we don't even see his face and bat-ears on the splash! All this said, I'm still left scratching my head on Mr. Cooke's take!
Far more than that, I'd wager. Sometimes Toth would bang out a full short story or a bevy of cartoon presentation pieces over a weekend. Kirby in the early Marvel days was laying out/penciling 10 pages a day. At times, Kirby's wife, Roz, would in the middle of the night find Jack at his drawing board, almost sleepdrawing, and have to guide him back to bed.
@@comixcrush 😂 @Kirby sleep drawing, but I believe it! I’m having a writing creative bloom myself and I can totally get Toth making those stories over the weekend. But that is really amazing about Kirby , that kind of passion! And omg at 8 pages a day in his prime
34:34 Nice Tribute from MC... AT's simplicity/technique was masterful!
I am grateful for your body of work at DC Mark and for introducing me to so many amazing artists. I have become such a Cooke fan and wish we got more Parker from him. That said, I fling my head back hearing you wanted to make a best of Toth book. I wish one for the road would be reprinted and we would get this book. Your sense of style with Toth is a dream project. Especially kills me since some of his best art is left in the rough printing state of the time. I would love a Zoro hardbound black and white book of his. I hope we get more Toth books in the future.
Thank you for this channel!
Another great episode, you returned with a banger. Mark Chiarello was a great guest, hopefully we will get a chance to listen to a follow up talk between you both in the near future.
I'd like that, in some fashion.
Once again, amazing discussion, this is so interesting, thanks for creating this content! I didn't know Mark Chiarello, he's an amazing artist!
I was lucky enough to exchange a couple of letters with Alex Toth around 2000 when I was researching the artist Emil Gershwin. He was extremely gracious and generous with his replies.
That's great, glad to hear. Did you get a Toth drawing, too?
@@comixcrush Yes, but sadly the letters have been misplaced :(
Glad to have you back up and running! Tim Sale would be some next hype if you can get him
Indeed, Sale is on my list
Great ep!
Thanks, Tim!
As a 10 year old in 1978, I was a dyed in the wool fan of Milton Caniff and William Overgard, so I had the artistic sensibilities that made me ripe for becoming an Alex Toth fan at a young age.
I know of Overgard, but am not that familiar - looks like I'd be a fan of his "Rudy." :D
@@comixcrush Overgard was mentored by Caniff and ghosted for him, plus drew several of the Four Color Steve Csnyon comics. In 1954, likely because of his Caniff connection, Overgard replaced Pete Hoffman on the Steve Roper comic; in 1956, he and the writers Allen & John Saunders introduced Mike Nomad, a tough guy in the vein of Crane’s Captain Easy. As a kid, I fell in love with Overgard’s art, although by the 70s, his work wasn’t as slick as it had been in the 60s…and I didn’t see those strips until adulthood.
@@timothymarkin4481 Yeah, I discovered some of that in a quick search, but thanks for more details. I recall Mark Roper, but as you say, it would have been the '70s for me, too. Now, I wonder if there's been a Rudy collection...
Hey Paul I really love ur interviews I was thinking u should have Jim rough and ed on separately for more content lol
I'd asked Jim early-ish on, and never heard back. And now, alas... : (
I often wondered why there has not been a best of Alex Toth book. DC is sitting on several gold mines, and I do not understand how/why they are so unaware.
It's sad, and less likely than ever to come to fruition, given DC's current state.
Muy bueno
❤
When Darwyn Cooke downplays Toth as a superhero artist, I think what you can say is, that Toth wouldn’t have portrayed a superhero comic in the form we think of as a superhero comic. It would look more like a noir comic with guys in costume. I think Frank Robbins, whose work I love, being from the Caniff school, was ill-suited for superheroes when he worked for Marvel. First, they got the worst inkers for him, and Robbins was trying to draw the stories in “the Marvel manner,” which didn’t work for his style. But when he did Batman, it was like a noir story with the Batman costume inserted. That’s what a Toth superhero comic would be. He wouldn’t even attempt to do a superhero story, trying to emulate Jack Kirby or Steranko. It would be in his style, and kids buying superhero comics, expecting Kirby-esque storytelling wouldn’t appreciate what Toth would bring to the table.
I think that's true, to a degree. Perhaps Darwyn thought that Toth approached heroes in too naturalistic a fashion? Certainly one could say that of his Atom/Flash comic - I think it looks great, but it's probably not what many would be looking for. His Eclipso comics are fun, but are overly drawn, and Eclipso looks really mean - fine with me, but... The Superman Annual doesn't seem noir-ish, tho, and Black Canary only fits that description in certain parts. His Fox stories are noir-ish in spots, but generally colorful, lighthearted fun, as is the Space Ghost comic he did. The Batman/Haunted Skies story supports your point, tho, in large part - we don't even see his face and bat-ears on the splash!
All this said, I'm still left scratching my head on Mr. Cooke's take!
he should release those illustrations he got from toth to the public in the form of a “Alex Toth Sketchbook"
Good idea.
Oooh Jeeez, never say a wrong word to Chiarello, never be human.
HA! He was joking. Pretty sure...
@@comixcrush Hope so, Still think I'd send a stunt double, if I ever had to meet him. :)
@@chuzzbot HAHAHA
these guys drew for 4hrs+ a day!
Far more than that, I'd wager. Sometimes Toth would bang out a full short story or a bevy of cartoon presentation pieces over a weekend. Kirby in the early Marvel days was laying out/penciling 10 pages a day. At times, Kirby's wife, Roz, would in the middle of the night find Jack at his drawing board, almost sleepdrawing, and have to guide him back to bed.
@@comixcrush 😂 @Kirby sleep drawing, but I believe it! I’m having a writing creative bloom myself and I can totally get Toth making those stories over the weekend. But that is really amazing about Kirby , that kind of passion! And omg at 8 pages a day in his prime
Toth Book Will sell..whats wrong with THE DC People!!!
Let's keep spreading the word, grow the channel and interest, and force the issue!