John Severin: Two-Fisted Comic Book Artist

by Greg Biga, Jon B. Cooke

The spirited biography of one of the most prolific creators in the history of American comics! From a start in 1947 at the Simon & Kirby shop, he co-created the legendary Western strip American Eagle, and became an EC Comics mainstay, working with Harvey Kurtzman on MAD and Two-Fisted Tales. In addition to a 40+ year association with Cracked magazine, his pivotal Marvel Comics work included an extended run inking Herb Trimpe on The Hulk, and teaming with sister Marie Severin to create the definitive comics version of King Kull. Throughout a storied career, he freelanced for virtually every major publisher, and remained a workhorse up ’til his final Dark Horse mini-series at age 89. Included in this volume is a special "American Eagle" section, an eye-popping art gallery, and extensive personal photos and artifacts (including WWII "Victory Mail" cartoons and handmade greeting cards for his family). Also featured are commentary from over 25 peers gathered just for this book, including Neal Adams, Richard Corben, John Byrne, Russ Heath, Walter Simonson, and many others. Written by Greg Biga and multiple Eisner Award-winner Jon B. Cooke, with an introduction by Howard Chaykin, foreword by Mort Todd, and afterword by Chuck Dixon, this profusely illustrated book celebrates the centennial of the two-fisted artist's birth!

Genres: Comics

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title indicates, this is a chronicle of Jovial John Severin: birth, death, and everything in between.

Like a lot of guys my age, I first stumbled on John Severin in Cracked. It wasn't until decades later that I saw his EC stuff and learned of his vast output over the years. Anyway, the book starts with John Severin's birth and is loaded with photos and art, from John's early stuff printed in Hobo Times all the way to his final professional jobs in his 80s.

Every time I run across some Severin work I haven't seen before, my esteem for the man grows. After reading this, I have Severin esteem leaking out of every orifice. The war comics, the westerns, Kull, Cracked, the man could draw anything and seemed like a good guy to boot.

My favorite piece of art in this is probably the restored American Eagle stuff but it's all great work. I might have to break down soon and get that Blazing Combat hardcover since Severin has a few stories in it.

I'm not sure what else to say. The name on the cover is John Severin and that's what you're getting. Four out of five stars.

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Severin isn't the flashiest of the EC artists but his work on the war books is beautiful. This book is a very personal collection of artifacts from his life and career and appropriately also from the career of his sister Marie, perhaps the most under-appreciated of the Marvel Silver Age artists. Only two story reprints (from his Prize Comics strip American Eagle) provide a rather sparse sample of his immense body of work, but the focus here is on ephemera and biography. Recommended to anyone with an interest in one of the more quietly talented artists of the EC and Marvel ages.

[Greg Shantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth it for the American Eagle strips alone.

[Greg L Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

First (and excellent) comprehensive overview of John Severin's career. (Long overdue.) Plenty of great examples of Severin's art and storytelling.