But these early strips, “Flatfoot Burns,” six-page fillers which appeared in Police Comics, are the work of a 19-year-old artist looking to make a living in comics. Kurtzman was dismissive of this early work. As written in Kurtzman’s bio, Art of Harvey Kurtzman, Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle, Kurtzman is quoted as saying: “‘I never had a style so I had nothing to sell.’ In another interview Kurtzman referred to his pre-war output as ‘very crude, very ugly stuff.’ Nonetheless these give subtle hints of what is to come.”
When you look at these strips you will see panels here and there that are foreshadowing the future and his work on Mad and beyond. Mostly you are seeing a young cartoonist learning his way. These three stories are from Police Comics #24-26 inclusive (1943. When reference is made to “pre-war” in the biography I assume it means that period before Kurtzman entered the service.
The rubbery drawing style is already evident.
ReplyDeleteLet me re-phrase that a bit. You can tell he's moving toward that style.
ReplyDeleteI got your meaning, Kirk. HK's style was rubbery, and these are good early examples.
ReplyDeleteThe rubbery style itself appears in his army work in 1945. Unfortunately no one can tell me where he was between the summer of 1944 and february 1945. Great stuff! I missed the first one when I last looked at these...
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, I strongly disagree with the artist's assessment of his own work during this period. of his development. Certainly, his style became more unique and accomplished, but the relaxed, natural cartooning is in full evidence here. What incredible, easy confidence for such a young artist. Rubbery. I like that.
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