I've mentioned a number of times the magical combination of Jack Kirby's artwork and Wallace Wood's inks. Kirby, of course, was no slouch on his own without Wood's help' Here, though, we have a couple of panels from their late period teaming on SANDMAN in 1974 that demonstrate just how much of an impact Wood could have on the King's pencils. Kirby's looks just fine and a finisher like Mike Royer or most of Jack's other later inkers would undoubtedly faithfully ink every jagged little line and shadow but Wally (no doubt with assistance) smooths the sharpness all around and adds blacks that frame the face as well as accentuate the lightning effect. Kirby's dotted eyes become much more realistic and the mask looks more fabric than metal.
I really liked seeing this. It's often hard to tell where the penciller leaves off and the inker begins -- especially with someone like Kirby, who's so specific in his shadowing and linework. But this illustrates (um, pardon the pun) so clearly what Wood brought to their collaborations. I love Kirby, and always will, but I find the Wood-inked panel just so much nicer looking.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for posting this. Very insightful.
I think it is overall a big improvement, but it did loose abit of energy. He soom more like he hasnt started blowing on it yet in the finished version.
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