Posted By Dan Greenfield on Feb 17, 2024 | 4 comments

A BIRTHDAY SALUTE to the late comics great…

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It’s the late Curt Swan’s birthday and this year, we’ve got a two-fer celebration, by Jim Beard and Chris Franklin. Both articles are quite distinct from one another but they dovetail in one area — characters drawn by Swan who are NOT Superman. Sure, Superman is central to both, but you get plenty of other heroes and villains, further proving Swan’s mastery (as if further proof were needed). Click here for Jim’s companion piece, 13 GREAT CHARACTERS CURT SWAN DREW THAT WEREN’T SUPERMAN. Dig it. — Dan

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By CHRIS FRANKLIN

Douglas Curtis “Curt” Swan (February 17, 1920 – June 17, 1996) is THE Superman artist. This is not a slight to co-creator Joe Shuster, and all the wonderful artists who followed him. But Curt Swan undoubtedly drew more stories featuring Superman and his supporting cast than any artist, estimated at well over 1,000 tales, from the late 1940s until his death in the mid-’90s. A half-century of work, almost exclusively for DC Comics, and primarily on Superman-related projects. He defined the look of those characters for the better part of the 20th century. He even managed to “meet” his long-time muse in the charming story, “I Flew with Superman” in Superman Annual #9 (1983).

It therefore makes perfect sense that publishers tapped Swan to draw projects featuring the Man of Steel outside of the comics format. Two of my personal favorites are books aimed at younger readers — Superman: A Pop-Up Book (1979), and How to Draw Super-Heroes (1983). So, to celebrate the date of Mr. Swan’s birth, lets take a look at the covers and 13 interior examples of the wonderfully realized artwork he created for these entry-level tomes featuring the Last Son of Krypton and his Super Friends.

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Superman: A Pop-Up Book (Random House, author unknown, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Bob Oksner, colors by Jerry Serpe)

I unfortunately didn’t own this particular book as a child, but I did pick it up before my children were born, and it was a hit with both of them. Swan (ably abetted by one of his best inkers, comics master Bob Oksner) once again illustrates Superman’s origin, but manages to make it seem fresh and exciting for the new eyes perhaps witnessing it for the first time. It’s a bit unfortunate that the book doesn’t spend much time in Smallville, as Swan seemed to capture the idyllic, simpler time of Clark’s youth with Ma and Pa Kent better than just about anyone. But clearly Swan was no slouch at portraying the power of the Man of Tomorrow in action either, as you can see below!

Fans of the classic Adventures of Superman TV series starring George Reeves, and Aurora Model Kits know this timeless move well!

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It would have been fun to have been a fly on the wall with Swan and whoever came up with the mechanics of the book. Seeing that classic blue and red rocket in action is a thrill. Yes, the canopy opens to reveal baby Kal-El, but it’s just about broken, and I didn’t want to risk it! Also, young Clark rocks a pre-Tom Welling red jacket, and finds a dog… that isn’t Krypto!

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On Earth-Pop-Up, the Daily Planet has a phone booth conveniently placed outside of Clark Kent’s office. I wonder if Clark pestered Perry White to get this installed there?

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This book was released the year following the blockbuster debut of Superman: The Movie starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Gene Hackman as his archenemy, Lex Luthor. So, it’s no surprise both Lois and Luthor appear here. But here Lex is depicted in his 1970s jumpsuit which Swan designed. Despite doing a fine job on the book otherwise, Jerry Serpe did color his pants incorrectly purple, though!

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Lex means business, planning to ventilate Lois Lane with a Tommy gun! Luckily bullets are less than flies to the Man of Tomorrow, as this fun bit shows. He then carts Lex off to prison again, but I’m sure he’s already got an escape planned!

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Who expected the Prankster to show up! Supes shows off his invulnerability and his Super Breath before Swan closes out the book with a great spread of the Metropolis Marvel in flight, alongside that immortal chant, first uttered on his radio show.

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How to Draw Super Heroes (Golden Books, author unknown, pencils by Curt Swan)

I was lucky enough to buy this book off the shelf at our local Howard’s department store in 1983. It was racked alongside Golden’s coloring book offerings, and the format is the same. Even though Swan isn’t credited, I instantly knew who drew this, even at age 8. It was fascinating to see not only Swan’s un-inked, incredibly rich and detailed pencils, but also his take on heroes other than Superman! Sure, I’d seen reprints of Swan’s work on World’s Finest with Batman and Robin, but his Wonder Woman was a rare sight this side of Hostess ads! As an aspiring artist, this was a game-changer, unlocking how to think about body construction and dynamic movement, even if the instructions left out about 150 important steps per drawing. Either way, 83 cents well-spent!

A head above

Of course, the book starts with Superman, whom Swan could probably draw blindfolded. Here we learn how Swan builds a solid structure and creates that quietly powerful face.

The Caped Crusader

Swan’s Batman is definitely still the Silver Age model he drew in World’s Finest, albeit with longer ears. This is no Dark Knight, but the classic Caped Crusader.

Batman’s classic Bronze Age whip

Swan had several chances to show he wasn’t just skilled at drawing convincing heroes and villains. He could also draw a pretty mean Batmobile, and since this model is one of my all-time favorites, I was glad to see it included.

The Teen Wonder

Swan’s Batman may have harkened back to the past, but he didn’t draw Robin as a Boy Wonder. He had filled in on New Teen Titans (and Batman Family) prior to this, so was well acquainted with the aged-up Teen Wonder. His Robin figures here evoke George Perez a bit, which is fitting as Perez was a huge admirer of Swan’s work. Dick Grayson looks his age, like a strong, athletic young man.

Robin’s ride

One of the hallmarks of Robin’s college years was his awesome Robin Cycle, so it was a treat for me to see it here. Swan does a great job with it, and it makes me want a Super Powers replica of it even more! Hey Todd McFarlane, are you listening?

The Amazing Amazon

As mentioned before, Swan didn’t get many chances to draw Wonder Woman, only drawing two issues of her solo title in the mid-’70s. It would have been interesting to see what he did with the character in a longer run if he’d had the chance.

In action!

Swan’s Wonder Woman here seems to presage a bit of George Perez’s later take, with curlier hair than most artists at the time were giving her. Also like Perez, Swan instills her with a confident grace that belies her mission of peace, and her lack of hesitance to fight for it.

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MORE

— 13 Great Characters CURT SWAN Drew That WEREN’T SUPERMAN. Click here.

— 13 COVERS: The SUPERMAN ANNUALS of CURT SWAN. Click here.

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Regular 13th Dimension contributor Chris Franklin is a graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and podcaster, who co-hosts and produces several shows on the Fire and Water Podcast Network, including JLUCast, and co-hosts Superman Movie Minute with Rob Kelly. He highly recommends you check out the fantastic book, Curt Swan: A Life in Comics, by Eddy Zeno.