Sunday, August 12, 2012

REMEMBERING KUBERT

Incredibly sorry to hear that Joe Kubert has died.  His work on 60’s strips like Hawkman and Sgt. Rock imprinted on my psyche at an early age.  (It may surprise some of you to know that I was obsessed with war comics as a kid; none moreso than Rock.


Kubert was a giant of our industry, a singular talent up there on the mountaintop with masters like Gil Kane, Will Eisner and Jack Kirby.  His art was dynamic, powerful and, most of all, rich with humanity and emotional impact.  Like Kirby, he was one of comics’ greatest cover artists (check out this amazing cover gallery over at Comic Book Resources).  Like Eisner, Kubert got better with time and age (one look at his recent graphic novel,
Yossel, more than proves that point):  his work achieved an elegance and simplicity that made storytelling seem effortless, easy.

    
I never met Joe Kubert—but when someone whose work you love passes, it feels deeply personal...and I guess it is, because you have met them, in the deeps of your soul, through that work.

My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Kubert's family and friends.
 


12 comments:

  1. On a more "positive side", my copy of "Mercy" arrived today and despite the fact I ordered BD from Amazon, it is already in Brazil. I know of that because Amazon gives the tracking tool to their customers. So, I am constantly checking it. I saw your post here, your preface to the French Edition, where you mentioned Ray Bradbury was an hero and as someone who could write fantasy without relying on monsters or ghosts, just by looking the beauty of reality. This pretty much sums up why I like Bradburies stories and perhaps you are, on an unique way, one of his greatest followers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To even be mentioned in the same breath as Ray Bradbury is an honor, Daniel...so thank you!

      Hope you enjoy MERCY. It's a project I'd love to see back in print one of these days. The rights have returned to us, it's just a question of finding someone to publish this offbeat tale.

      Delete
  2. Fax from Sarajevo might have been the first Joe Kubert comic I read. I still love that book. It's a pretty underrated classic. Yossel is another exceptional piece of work. Just on Saturday, I was reading Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place for the first time.

    Rest in power, Joe Kubert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I grew up with the classic Kubert of the 60's, Dru: nobody drew a better Hawkman or a more gut-wrenching war comic. The amazing thing is that he just kept going, improving, growing—as those projects you mention prove. A great talent and a great inspiration.

      Delete
  3. I am shocked. It seems that all my longtime favorites are departing one after another this past year. Joe Kubert seemed so full of vitality, the thought of him passing just seems alien to me. Much like with Bradbury, this will take some time ot process> (Hell, it still hasn't really sunk in that Ray is gone!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With someone like Bradbury, it's hard to believe he's gone because his work vibrates in my cells and echoes through my consciousness...and will always. He had, and still has, such a profound impact on me.

      And Kubert? One look at a 60's SGT. ROCK cover and I'm eight years old again...which means Joe K alive and well and drawing some of the most dynamic comics ever.

      Delete
  4. I'm not real familiar with Joe's work, but I grew up loving the Kubert Brothers. I think one of the greatest things you could ever say about someone is that they not only used their talent but SHARED it. He left quite a legacy through his sons and his school. Much like Lee, or Kirby, or Ditko, we'll all be seeing works that were directly or indirectly influenced by him for years to come.

    --David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, David—along with his amazing body of work, Kubert left a massive legacy as a teacher and a source of inspiration not just to his two talented sons but to generations of artists. And that influence will indeed echo on for years to come.

      Delete
  5. Here's a question I can think of. We all know that Batman hates guns, but what do you think is his view on the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway and New Zealand where most police officers do not carry guns?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It depends on the portrayal, Nelson. The grim and gritty Batman would probably think they're fools; the more genial BRAVE AND THE BOLD Batman would, I think, heartily approve.

      Delete