Illustrators # 51 (magazine review)

 

Like a lot of people, my first exposure to Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud (1938-2012) was in the magazine ‘Heavy Metal’. I thought his and fellow artist, Philippe Druillet, had a similarity in style and linework and I think I got them confused from time to time. Making sense of the stories more so when they were put together as they were spread across the issues. In many respects, ‘Heavy Metal’ and its French source, ‘Metal Hurlant’, was aimed at the adult reader. With this issue of ‘Illustrators’, editor Diego Cordoba interviews Giraud’s son, Raphaël, about preserving his father’s career in presentations across the globe. Lots of samples here. It was interesting to read Mobius’ first use of digital tablets. The first where nothing could be seen on the tablet but only on the computer screen. I’ve tried that and it is exhausting so not surprised when he switched to a Cintiq and could see what he was drawing. In many respects, his fine-line drawing was a perfect match before pressure nibs were developed. What follows is a number of artists influenced by Mobius which includes Brian Bolland and Dave Gibbons.

Geoff Hunt (1948- ) has a thing for maritime and managed to combined it with painting and made a very big career out of it. Strictly an oil painter who captures to motion of the waves and ships from various eras.

I’ve never come across Spanish comicbook artist Alfonso Font (1946- ) before but what a name for an artist. He inks fine-line but immense detail and some of his work has been translated in English as well as being coloured, although you might have a hunt on in the secondary market.

There is a retrospective of Jean-Léon Gérōme (1824-1904) who was both an artist and art teacher and, in his time, because of his nude work, was often thought to be a pornographer. Considering the riotous ways he taught art, I can see how his reputation grew. He also did a lot of historical pieces and probably one of the artists responsible for how we view the past. Certainly, Ridley Scott was influenced for his ‘Gladiator’ film. Not accept we artists as being ‘norma;’, it comes with the territory.

Cordoba has also managed to lay his hands on ‘Horatius-Hero Of Rome’, drawn by Arturo del Castillo for ‘Look And Learn’ back in 1972. Most of the pages are original, with the odd ones not, from the comicbook itself. This is the first time that they’ve been reprinted and an interesting demonstration of linework and how to set motion with it that still applies today.

Lastly, a look at the evolution of the shark cover for Peter Benchley’s ‘Jaws’ novel to film.  Originally by Paul Bacon which looked a little bland and improved by Roger Kastel to closer to what we all recognise in the movie poster. Design is everything.

If you like fine art, there’s plenty to appeal with this issue although I suspect the Mobius art will be its key seller.

GF Willmetts

August 2026

(pub: The Book Palace, 2026. 98 page illustrated squarebound magazine. Price: £22.00 (UK), $27.99 (US) via Bud Plant. ISBN: 978-1-913548-90-2. ISSN: 2052-6520)

check out website: www.bookpalace.com and www.illustratorsquarterly.com