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The EC Artists' Library #26
Atom Bomb and Other Stories
When artist Wallace Wood teamed up with writer/editor Harvey Kurtzman to create stories, the result was some of the best war stories ever put to paper. Together, Wood and Kurtzman delivered outstanding, deeply human battle tales from the Civil War to World War I to World War II to Korea. Atom Bomb And Other Stories collects all the combat tales Wood and Kurtzman did together for EC’s Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat, plus other war stories Wood did for EC writer/editor Al Feldstein. Wood and Kurtzman pulled no punches in depicting the utter folly, madness, and horror of war — especially in the title story, which depicts the bombing of Nagasaki from the viewpoint of the victims on the ground — a shockingly controversial point of view in 1953!
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Wallace Wood
754 books36 followersWallace Allan Wood was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, best known for his work in EC Comics and Mad. Although much of his early professional artwork is signed Wallace Wood, he became known as Wally Wood, a name he claimed to dislike. Within the comics community, he was also known as Woody, a name he sometimes used as a signature.
He was the first inductee into the comic book's Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, in 1989, and was inducted into the subequent Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame three years later.
In addition to Wood's hundreds of comic book pages, he illustrated for books and magazines while also working in a variety of other areas — advertising; packaging and product illustrations; gag cartoons; record album covers; posters; syndicated comic strips; and trading cards, including work on Topps' landmark Mars Attacks set.
For much of his adult life, Wood suffered from chronic, unexplainable headaches. In the 1970s, following bouts with alcoholism, Wood suffered from kidney failure. A stroke in 1978 caused a loss of vision in one eye. Faced with declining health and career prospects, he committed suicide by gunshot three years later.
Wood was married three times. His first marriage was to artist Tatjana Wood, who later did extensive work as a comic-book colorist.
EC editor Harvey Kurtzman, who had worked closely with Wood during the 1950s, once commented, "Wally had a tension in him, an intensity that he locked away in an internal steam boiler. I think it ate away his insides, and the work really used him up. I think he delivered some of the finest work that was ever drawn, and I think it's to his credit that he put so much intensity into his work at great sacrifice to himself".
EC publisher William Gaines once stated, "Wally may have been our most troubled artist... I'm not suggesting any connection, but he may have been our most brilliant".
He was the first inductee into the comic book's Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, in 1989, and was inducted into the subequent Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame three years later.
In addition to Wood's hundreds of comic book pages, he illustrated for books and magazines while also working in a variety of other areas — advertising; packaging and product illustrations; gag cartoons; record album covers; posters; syndicated comic strips; and trading cards, including work on Topps' landmark Mars Attacks set.
For much of his adult life, Wood suffered from chronic, unexplainable headaches. In the 1970s, following bouts with alcoholism, Wood suffered from kidney failure. A stroke in 1978 caused a loss of vision in one eye. Faced with declining health and career prospects, he committed suicide by gunshot three years later.
Wood was married three times. His first marriage was to artist Tatjana Wood, who later did extensive work as a comic-book colorist.
EC editor Harvey Kurtzman, who had worked closely with Wood during the 1950s, once commented, "Wally had a tension in him, an intensity that he locked away in an internal steam boiler. I think it ate away his insides, and the work really used him up. I think he delivered some of the finest work that was ever drawn, and I think it's to his credit that he put so much intensity into his work at great sacrifice to himself".
EC publisher William Gaines once stated, "Wally may have been our most troubled artist... I'm not suggesting any connection, but he may have been our most brilliant".
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 9, 2021
Atom Bomb and Other Stories collects 39 EC war stories illustrated by Wallace Wood.
I'm not a war comics guy but I do intent to read the entire Fantagraphics EC Library. With this volume, the only one eluding me is 50 Girls 50. Anyway, even though this is all war comics, it's a great read.
Harvey Kurtzman, Jerry De Fuccio, Carl Wessler, Archie Goodwin, and Wallace Wood himself serve up the stories. Far from glorifying the war, the stories with show the horror and futility of war. Wally Wood was in World War II so I have no doubt these stories were special to him.
As much as I love Wood on sci-fi, horror, or even Daredevil for Marvel, this is easily his best work. Stark blacks, authentic details, and cramming a George Perez level of characters into his battle scenes make Atom Bomb something to behold. I could normally give two shits about war comics but this book is something special.
Atom Bomb, the titular story, is one of the best but I wouldn't say there's a dud in the whole batch. Wood pulled out all the stops. There are even two stories from Warren in the 1970s that Wood did for Blazing Combat, a descendent of Frontline Combat.
Even for a guy who's not into war comics, I have to say Atom Bomb and Other Stories contains Wallace Wood's best work at EC. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I'm not a war comics guy but I do intent to read the entire Fantagraphics EC Library. With this volume, the only one eluding me is 50 Girls 50. Anyway, even though this is all war comics, it's a great read.
Harvey Kurtzman, Jerry De Fuccio, Carl Wessler, Archie Goodwin, and Wallace Wood himself serve up the stories. Far from glorifying the war, the stories with show the horror and futility of war. Wally Wood was in World War II so I have no doubt these stories were special to him.
As much as I love Wood on sci-fi, horror, or even Daredevil for Marvel, this is easily his best work. Stark blacks, authentic details, and cramming a George Perez level of characters into his battle scenes make Atom Bomb something to behold. I could normally give two shits about war comics but this book is something special.
Atom Bomb, the titular story, is one of the best but I wouldn't say there's a dud in the whole batch. Wood pulled out all the stops. There are even two stories from Warren in the 1970s that Wood did for Blazing Combat, a descendent of Frontline Combat.
Even for a guy who's not into war comics, I have to say Atom Bomb and Other Stories contains Wallace Wood's best work at EC. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
May 10, 2023
Wallace Wood, making good! The most consistent of his books in this series by far, thanks to the writing of Kurtzman, whose very well researched stories always pack a punch!
Kurtzman knew what to give Wood: larger scale epics, making full use of his panoramic abilities. Events like "Gettysberg", "Custer's Last Stand", "War of 1812", "Bunker Hill", and "Iwo Jima" all get the very cinematic treatment, as do portraits of "Ceasar", "Hannibal", and even "A Baby!". This last one is particularly heartbreaking, as is the devastating finale of the Korean Conflict issue, "Hungnam".
"Bug Out" gives a chilling picture of PTSD, "Desert Fox" gives and even more harrowing glimpse at the Holocaust, and "Atom Bomb" well, delivers. "Knights" is a very charming tale that almost reminds me of Monty Python, but really this is like a history book with freaking amazing illustrations. I myself was never much into war comics, but I love these, and everything else Kurtzman contributed to this genre which needs more voices like his. Two artists in top form. Golden.
Kurtzman knew what to give Wood: larger scale epics, making full use of his panoramic abilities. Events like "Gettysberg", "Custer's Last Stand", "War of 1812", "Bunker Hill", and "Iwo Jima" all get the very cinematic treatment, as do portraits of "Ceasar", "Hannibal", and even "A Baby!". This last one is particularly heartbreaking, as is the devastating finale of the Korean Conflict issue, "Hungnam".
"Bug Out" gives a chilling picture of PTSD, "Desert Fox" gives and even more harrowing glimpse at the Holocaust, and "Atom Bomb" well, delivers. "Knights" is a very charming tale that almost reminds me of Monty Python, but really this is like a history book with freaking amazing illustrations. I myself was never much into war comics, but I love these, and everything else Kurtzman contributed to this genre which needs more voices like his. Two artists in top form. Golden.
February 18, 2020
Harrowingly realistic at times and just brilliantly told and illustrated.
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March 1, 2024Great collection of Wally Wood's EC war stories from the early- to mid-50s, with two Warren stories from the 60s. Most come from Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat, neither of which I’d read anything from before.
Wood’s art is a wonder to look at. It holds up beautifully. There’s so much detail and nuance, and some panels are just stunning. Call me crazy in today’s world of perfectly colored comics, but most days I prefer black-and-white art like this. Color would soil Wood’s glorious inking. Which makes me disappointed that all those EC series reprint collections are recolored; thankfully these artist edition books are in stark black-and-white.
These stories, mostly written by Harvey Kurtzman, are well-told, humanistic, often harrowing, and the work of clear passion and research. These aren’t gung ho, patriotic tales of black-and-white morality that dumb down violence. They show the brutality of war but don’t glorify combat. In fact, most stories could be considered solidly anti-war, and they’re all the more powerful and memorable for being so.
The stories range from ancient times and the Middle Ages, to the Civil War, World War II and the Korean War (which was active when many of these comics were published). I didn’t think I’d be as into the pre-modern stories, but they were just as gripping as the modern ones. On the other hand, I didn’t like the five Aces High issues and two Blazing Combat (Warren) stories as much as those from Frontline be Two-Fisted. These ones are more standard, lacking the punch and power of the earlier ones. Wood’s art remains terrific though. It looks a little cleaner and more polished here.
My favorites stories in the book include “The Murmansk Run,” “Desert Fox,” “Choose Sides,” “Atom Bomb,” “Albatross,” and “Perimeter.”
If this is what all EC war comics are like, I’ve been missing out. These are better than EC’s horror comics for sure. Just fantastic.
Wood’s art is a wonder to look at. It holds up beautifully. There’s so much detail and nuance, and some panels are just stunning. Call me crazy in today’s world of perfectly colored comics, but most days I prefer black-and-white art like this. Color would soil Wood’s glorious inking. Which makes me disappointed that all those EC series reprint collections are recolored; thankfully these artist edition books are in stark black-and-white.
These stories, mostly written by Harvey Kurtzman, are well-told, humanistic, often harrowing, and the work of clear passion and research. These aren’t gung ho, patriotic tales of black-and-white morality that dumb down violence. They show the brutality of war but don’t glorify combat. In fact, most stories could be considered solidly anti-war, and they’re all the more powerful and memorable for being so.
The stories range from ancient times and the Middle Ages, to the Civil War, World War II and the Korean War (which was active when many of these comics were published). I didn’t think I’d be as into the pre-modern stories, but they were just as gripping as the modern ones. On the other hand, I didn’t like the five Aces High issues and two Blazing Combat (Warren) stories as much as those from Frontline be Two-Fisted. These ones are more standard, lacking the punch and power of the earlier ones. Wood’s art remains terrific though. It looks a little cleaner and more polished here.
My favorites stories in the book include “The Murmansk Run,” “Desert Fox,” “Choose Sides,” “Atom Bomb,” “Albatross,” and “Perimeter.”
If this is what all EC war comics are like, I’ve been missing out. These are better than EC’s horror comics for sure. Just fantastic.
November 19, 2020
I loved the art & history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews