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Hot Lead - Issue Two: The Art of the Western
The western in vintage paperback. 68 pages, full colour. "Art of the Western" special. Includes an interview with Tony Masero accompanied by original art, articles on western comic books, Charro! the movie tie-in, Euro Western series Ronco and the comic art of Frank Bellamy.
- GenresWesternsNonfiction
68 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2018
“Hot Lead” Issue two presents and is dedicated to 'The Western' in vintage paperback titled ‘The Art of the Western” edited by Justin Marriott and is a special edition of the magazine. This issue also intends to mix the familiar with the new.
The contents of this issue consist of beginning on page 06 is an article written by Paul Bishop where he examines a novel by Harry Whittington, the man who wrote the second Man From U.N.C.L.E. book, titled “Charro”. When all is said and done Whittington wrote over two hundred novels. Whittington began his career writing westerns. The article covers both the book and the movie, staring Elvis, and pays tribute to the books cover artist Ron Lesser.
Page 12 presents Steve Myall’s interview with artist Tony Masero the paperback cover artist from the 1960’s,1970’s and 1980’s then beginning on page 25 we are presented with an original art gallery of Tony Masero art.
Next beginning on page 32 is an article, with pictures, titled “Hombre in Suede Skin “about the famous British comic book artist Fran Bellamy. Bellamy was known for his work on ‘Dan Dare’ and the newspaper strip ‘Garth’, he also did Western book covers. There are many fine examples of his work exhibited of his work and a fine inclusive article.
Page 46 brings the reader an examination of the western scene in Germany authored by Andreas Decker titled “Once Upon A Time In Germany” mainly concerning “Ronco” and “Lobo” with fine examples of covers for these works.
Up next on page 60 is the article “Westerns in the Comics” an article by Paul Bishop who recounts his research of the development of the comic book western. Of course the article is filled with many reproductions of covers.
An overall fine collection of articles and fine examples of the associated art.
The contents of this issue consist of beginning on page 06 is an article written by Paul Bishop where he examines a novel by Harry Whittington, the man who wrote the second Man From U.N.C.L.E. book, titled “Charro”. When all is said and done Whittington wrote over two hundred novels. Whittington began his career writing westerns. The article covers both the book and the movie, staring Elvis, and pays tribute to the books cover artist Ron Lesser.
Page 12 presents Steve Myall’s interview with artist Tony Masero the paperback cover artist from the 1960’s,1970’s and 1980’s then beginning on page 25 we are presented with an original art gallery of Tony Masero art.
Next beginning on page 32 is an article, with pictures, titled “Hombre in Suede Skin “about the famous British comic book artist Fran Bellamy. Bellamy was known for his work on ‘Dan Dare’ and the newspaper strip ‘Garth’, he also did Western book covers. There are many fine examples of his work exhibited of his work and a fine inclusive article.
Page 46 brings the reader an examination of the western scene in Germany authored by Andreas Decker titled “Once Upon A Time In Germany” mainly concerning “Ronco” and “Lobo” with fine examples of covers for these works.
Up next on page 60 is the article “Westerns in the Comics” an article by Paul Bishop who recounts his research of the development of the comic book western. Of course the article is filled with many reproductions of covers.
An overall fine collection of articles and fine examples of the associated art.
July 1, 2018
Several interesting articles in this issue. Paul Bishop's take on Harry Whittington's novelization of the movie "Charro" is spot on. Whittington manages to translate the treatment for what would become a mediocre movie into a really superb novel. Amazing novelist. The interview with artist Tony Masero, and articles about British Western comics artist Frank Bellamy, and the German Western pulp and paperbacks of the '60s are insightful. I never realized that Westerns were so popular in Germany. Excellent production standards for this fanzine. The formatting and graphics are impressive. I'm looking forward to issue three.
July 22, 2019
The second issue of Hot Lead is a special edition, devoted to “the Art of the Western”. After reading issue #1 last year, I knew I had to read this one as well but alas, time gets away from us and it is only just now that I’ve gotten to it.
There are five articles within these pages:
As expected, I learned quite a lot from these articles. But it is the full color artwork that has me coming back for more. I like to spend time on each panel, studying them, appreciating what went in to each one and being thoroughly amazed at the quality that was so often developed in such rapid fashion to meet the demands.
Another fine product, leaving me biting at the bit to get to the next edition of Hot Lead.
There are five articles within these pages:
1) “Charro!” discusses how the artwork of the Harry Whittington novel leads one down a rabbit hole to the cover artist, the author, and to the movie starring Elvis Pressley
2) “Masero!” details lots of interesting information about one of the grand masters of 1970s-80s western novel art, Tony Masero, the man behind the iconic covers of Edge, Steele, and others
3) “Hombre in Suede Skin” – Britain’s Frank Bellamy and his many accomplishments in western comic strips are rounded up
4) “Once Upon a Time in Germany” recounts the history of the very popular westerns and their art in Germany from after WWII up through the 1980s
5) “Westerns in the Comics” wraps it all up with a fine summary of western comics action from Marvel to DC and points beyond.
As expected, I learned quite a lot from these articles. But it is the full color artwork that has me coming back for more. I like to spend time on each panel, studying them, appreciating what went in to each one and being thoroughly amazed at the quality that was so often developed in such rapid fashion to meet the demands.
Another fine product, leaving me biting at the bit to get to the next edition of Hot Lead.
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December 27, 2022A mixed bag. The articles about Frank Bellamy and Germany's "dime-novel" Westerns (the Heftroman) were interesting, but the piece on western comics disappointed me--way too cursory, with no mention in the text of Jonah Hex, Bat Lash, Scalphunter, Tex Willer, Blueberry, or a slew of other great Western comic-book characters. Nice prints of comic book covers, though.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews