EXCLUSIVE: The late artist is the subject of a forthcoming book from TwoMorrows…
I’ve been reading some late ’60s Batman comics lately, which means I’ve been getting an eyeful of Irv Novick’s start on the Caped Crusader.
Novick, who died in 2004 at the age of 88, has long been one of my favorites on Batman, though he’s typically been overshadowed by Bronze Age powerhouses like Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers and Jim Aparo.
So I was pretty pleased when I got wind that just like with Rogers (click here), Novick will be getting an illustrated history from TwoMorrows.
The title and release date haven’t been set yet, but co-writer Dewey Cassell — paired with collaborator John Coates — can provide a glimpse of what’s to come:
Batman #339. Inks by Steve Mitchell
“John and I are working on a definitive book about comic artist Irv Novick,” Cassell explained. “The biography spans Novick’s entire 50-plus year career, providing insight into the artist who defined Batman for a generation of fans, showing there was much more to the man, from creating the original patriotic hero in comics, the Shield, to his seminal work on DC’s line of war comics, to his long tenure drawing Batman and the Flash, as well as his less well known work for advertising, pulps and Boys’ Life, and his connection to pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
“Included in the book are lengthy interviews with the artist and his son, remembrances from numerous peers, and lots of amazing examples of his tremendous body of artwork,” he added.
The Flash #215. Inks by Frank McLaughlin or Dick Giordano.
This is one of the many reasons I dig TwoMorrows’ books. (Click here for how you can support the publisher during the pandemic.) Company chief John Morrow recognizes that not every artist is Jack Kirby or Neal Adams and that workhorses like Novick deserve their days in the sun too.
Now if only we can get that Aparo bio that never was.
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MORE
— 13 BATMAN SPLASH PAGES: An IRV NOVICK Birthday Celebration. Click here.
— MARSHALL ROGERS Illustrated Biography In the Works. Click here.
June 11, 2020
This is SO bought. Novick is definitely an underrated artist, especially in regards to Batman and the Flash. Seminal influence on my childhood!
January 2, 2022
My dad was Harvey Biern, who wrote the storylines for several of Novick’s Fran Frazer comics.
June 11, 2020
Thank you so much. My first ever comic I bought was an Irv Novick Flash, so he will always be my Flash artist. His Batman is not shabby, either!
June 11, 2020
One of my favorite artist of the day for sure. Will need to place my Amazon order! I second the motion to also do Aparo too.
June 11, 2020
This is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the legendary Mr. Novick.
June 11, 2020
Irv Novick… Ripped Off by Roy Lichtenstein with no credit or compensation.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deconstructing-roy-lichtenstein/47747267/
June 12, 2020
Irv will always me my favorite Flash artist. I remember being SO disappointed when he left the title. And I can’t recommend TwoMorrows mags enough–I’ve never been disappointed with one.
June 12, 2020
His drawings about people reflect healthy, stylized humans (without exagging proportions in heroes)
November 7, 2020
The Aparo book is still being worked on. I believe it was discussed in the TwoMorrows Comic-Con panel, and it got a mention in their recent 25th Anniversary book.