R.I.P. - Frank Frazetta

Perhaps the single most consistent and pervasive influence in my desire to pursue an education and career as an illustrator. I can only think of one other professional with an equal influence in my life but the news of Mr. Frazetta's passing is humbling and heartbreaking.

Whether it was in advertisements in the back of Warren magazines of the 1970's or the covers of the Lancer Conan books, Frank Frazetta's awesome and awe-inspiring art was nearly everywhere during my childhood. Certainly the lavish paintings lured me into the fantasy worlds of both Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs, and from there my voracious appetite for the fantastical mined other depths. No matter what direction my tastes veer, it is always the artwork and legacy of Frazetta my mind travels back to.

Myself, and many others, owe a humbling debt to the mastery of this illustrator and artist. We continue to pay this debt by remembering his works and offering them the respect and reverence they deserve. 

He made it look easy. He made it look wild. He made it look damn good. And most of all, he made us look.

GLEEK!

Need I say more?

Fi Fie Fo Foom!

As utterly ridiculous as a giant, green outer-space dragon wearing purple boxer shorts is, Fin Fang Foom makes it work. Created in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Foom (as I like to call him) debuted in Strange Tales #89.

When Communist China threatens to invade his homeland, teenager Chan Liuchow takes matters into his own hands. Rousing the sleeping dragon from a thousand-year-old slumber, he lures the irritable creature to the Communist encampment to create mayhem and chaos as only a giant, purple-shorts-wearing dragon can. 
The character appeared off and on in Marvel comics for the next 35 or 40 years, most notably and memorably in Iron Man comics. 

Foom is experiencing a bit of a resurgence of late, appearing as a game boss in the Marvel Ultimate Alliance video game, an action figure and making several notable guest appearances throughout the Marvel universe of titles. He's even received a 21st century update courtesy of artist Adi Granov. 

It even turns out (through a bit of creative back-story) the big brute is an ancient alien from the planet Kakaranathara, which incidentally sounds like a sound-effect from a '60's comic book.
The Big Guy is goofy, yes. But I like him. He has character. 

Squirrel Girl

Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever been, a furry. End Disclaimer.
Now, what can be said for a hottie superhero chick with a serious overbite and furry tendencies?

Created by Steve Ditko (of Spider-Man fame) and Will Murray, Squirrel Girl debuted in Marvel Superheroes, volume 2 number 8 in January of 1992. With the ability to communicate and control squirrels telepathically, in addition to a fluffy prehensile tail, Squirrel Girl is a more formidable foe than would seem at first glance.
Dude, she whupped up on Doctor Doom!

Seriously, this is a lame, lame, lame, lame, lame character. Who happens to be somewhat hot. And, just idiotic enough to be comically silly and ridiculously entertaining, if that makes any sense.

Yes. Squirrel Girl you can run up my pants leg anytime.