Buddy Saunders of Lone Star Comics in
Dean Mullaney has my undying gratitude for collecting Scorchy Smith, a book I will read and visually devour the moment I have my hands on it! If I were allowed to buy just one collection this year from the entire spectrum of what's available, Scorchy Smith and the Art of Noel Sickles would be that book--and I can tell you, there have been some impressive contenders this year! Solid story-telling combined with simply incredible art plus insights into the man behind it all--I can't wait! Just as novels were first serialized in the 19th century, then later published under hardcover, Scorchy Smith, although first serialized as a daily comic strip, nonetheless represents one of the first (and best) graphic novels ever published.
Noel Sickles mastery of simple black and white is so compelling that one is left wondering if color is necessary in comics. And the answer is that, in the hands of a master, it isn't. Anyone who appreciates the best in comics will want Scorchy Smith and the Art of Noel Sickles. Moreover, any artist, from the beginner all the way to the likes of Jim Steranko, who wrote the book's introduction, can never stop learning from Sickles' body of brilliant work.
How lucky we comic fans are to have books like this come our way!
The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
