Part Two

Don Heck

Years before Marvel Comics as we know it today exploded onto the scene (thankyou God) Don Heck worked for them in their previous incarnation, Atlas Comics, doing the usual Western, War and Crime material he’d worked on so well before. He also drew some terrific 4 or 5 page sting in the tail Twilight Zone type stories featuring werewolves, giant robots and enormous city wrecking monsters with unlikely names. All drawn with his usual style and grace, of course.

Exhibit B

Beautiful pages from Atlas’ Tales of Suspense #8. Great atmosphere and use of lighting and shadow on the large panel on the first page shown, and the second panel on the third one of the house and grounds in shadow is so simple and effective in setting the scene and atmosphere.

I think the one thing that shines on through these pages from Atlas’ Tales of Suspense issues 8, 24, 26 and 38 is Don Heck’s fine draughtsmanship. His storytelling is fine, of course, the pages are full of interesting perspectives and angles, but everything is just so beautifully drawn, and with such a delicacy of touch. In short, he’s an excellent comic book artist. Are you listening, you 70’s teenage Marvelite ingrates (shakes fist in blind rage ) ?!