When I was reading GALAXY as a kid, I loved the covers and interior illustrations of Wally Wood. Later, I collected Wood’s comic book, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. I loved Wood’s artistic style and vision. Now, all the GALAXY artwork that Wally Wood drew has been collected in a wonderful volume by Roger Hill. This book includes nearly 200 covers and illustrations with Hill’s commentary. Wally Wood was an artist for Will Eisner’s The Spirit and MAD magazine. But I think some of Wally Wood’s finest artwork can be found between these two covers! If you love great SF illustrations, this new book is a must-buy!
There was a time when I’d have jumped on the chance to buy this book! Alas, I’m trying to downsize! Wood’s work was great no matter where it appeared, and I think his EC Comics stories were the best, but I’m not as familiar with this skiffy stuff! I met him briefly, by the way, at a NY comic con towards the end of his life! He looked pretty bad because he was sick by then!
Bob, I came to Wally Wood’s work through GALAXY. Then I discovered Wood’s work with comics. All first rate work!
Did you ever catch WITZEND, or the impressively expensive collection of that magazine a few years ago? And Bhob Stewart’s blog, which I tend to draw on for the Overlooked A/V lists, has an impressive amount of interesting material about Wood. Now both men are gone.
Todd, I’ll track down a copy of WITZEND and check out Bhob Stewart’s blog. Thanks for the tips!
Bit outside of my reach as I never read it – glad to see the art is getting its due though, thanks George.
Sergio, Wally Wood was a prolific artist. I admire his work. More and more of Wood’s artwork is being collected and made available in various volumes. I’m buying a lot of them.
I like his work very much and have a special fondness for his Tower comics DYNAMO and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS. It turns out the book is much more affordable than I thought it would be. Gotta start saving my pennies.
Jerry, WALLY WOOD: COMPLETE GALAXY ILLUSTRATIONS is a bargain for the price! I pick up empty Pepsi and Coke bottles and cans everywhere. That translates into plenty of books!
Definitely cool.
Jeff, Wally Wood was a fabulous artist and I’m delighted his artwork is being collected and made available.
I wish someone would do the same thing, but even more complete, with Frank Kelly Freas.
Rick, I totally agree. I loved those Freas covers on ASTOUNDING and on dozens of paperbacks.
I joined a Wood fan club just before he died. I was supposed to get an original piece of art but that didn’t happen. I do love his work, though.
Scott, WALLY WOOD: COMPLETE GALAXY ILLUSTRATION would delight you. I wish I had an original Wally Wood illustration!
When I’m back in Germany I’ll have to look again at my collection of EC comics – they’re in three books similar to the first MAD collections.
I was really surprised when I realised many years ago that MAD had come out of EC …
Those were the days!
Wolf, EC comics are pure gold over here. Collectors will pay Big Bucks for them.
I remember when you could pick up Witzend #1 for a few dollars! I hate to think what it would cost today!
Bob, WITZEND #1 would cost a mint today!
George, I have gone through a few issues of GALAXY online and generally liked the covers, though I didn’t know Wally Wood had illustrated them.
Prashant, two of my favorite SF artists painted covers for GALAXY: Wally Wood and EMSH.