Barry Windsor-Smith’s (BWS) first published work was in the pages of the UK comics "Terrific" and "Fantastic" published by Odhams Press, around 1967 when he was only 18 years old. These were full page pin-ups of Marvel characters called "Power House Pin-ups" and were drawn in his (very) early sub-Kirby style. Despite not being the most impressive pieces of art they must have shown enough promise as by 1969 the young Barry Smith (as he was then known) was given the job of drawing the cover and story for X-Men issue 53 which spawned further wok on other comics including Daredevil issues 50- 52 , Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D and Avengers issues 66 and 67.
Power House Pin-Up circa 1967/8 - One of Barry Smith's first ever published pieces.
Daredeil issue 52 by Barry Smith and Johnny Craig May 1969.
However, it wasn’t until BWS provided the art for a Sword and Sorcery strip called “Sword of the Sorcerers” (featuring the character “Starr the Slayer") in "Chamber of Darkness" issue 4 (above) that he was offered the job of pencilling Marvel's adaptation of Conan the Barbarian in October 1970 - the rest is of course comic book history. After his initial few issues on Conan his style radically morphed into the style he has become famous for. Some of my favourite BWS pages are shown below:
Conan the Barbarian issue 20 by Barry Smith and Dan Adkins - November 1972.
Savage Tales issue 4 by Barry Smith - February 1973.
Avengers issue 100, by Barry Smith - June 1972.
Machine Man 2020 - breakdowns by Herb Trimpe finshed art by Barry Smith - issue 2 Septemebr 1984
Marvel Premier issue 3 by Barry Smith and Dan Adkins - July 1972.
Iron Man issue 232 by Barry Smith and Bob Layton July 1988.
Marvel Fanfare issue 15 - by Barry Windsor Smith - July 1984 - A great fun story.
In the early 1990's BWS joined Valiant comics as the creative director and lead artist on the revival on the old Gold Key comic characters such as Solar Man of the Atom as well as creating original characters like Archer and Armstrong. - (Page above by Barry Windsor Smith from "Solar Man of the Atom" issue 3 from November 1991 )
In 1993 BWS created Rune along with Chris Ulm for Malibu Comics (one of the better "independent" comic book companies) - The character proved popular enough to gain a special edition (Conan vs Rune) in November 1995. The BWS illustrated editions of Rune are well worth seeking out and can be picked up for very little money.
Epic Illustrated issue 16 - February 1982. "The Beguiling" by BWS.
In 1996 Dark Horse Comics gave BWS a large format monthly comic book all to himslef. Each issue featured 3 BWS written and illustraed strips; The Paradox Man, Freebooters and the Young Gods (above) - although the book ony lasted for 9 issues it contained some lovely art.
Among comic book fans BWS will forever be associated with Conan the Barbarian, but his work on Weapon X (Wolverine) certainly comes a close second. The above splash page from "Marvel Comics Presents" issue 79 ( 1991) has become one of the most iconic pages in modern comics.
In other work BWS drew the fictitious comic strip "Manro" for the 1981 Oliver Stone film "The Hand". In the film Michael Cane played the part of an artist who wrote and drew the successful mewspaper comic strip "Manro" which BWS created - Scan taken from the Comic book art Auctions website.
I was probably about seven years old when I walked into my local newsagents in Cambuslang (near Glasgow) with my pocket money firmly he...
Following on from my last post featuring some of my favourite Marvel comic book covers from 1973, I thought I would show some of DC's ...
Nearly a half-century on I still consider 1973 to be the year that cemented my destiny in becoming a lifetime comic book fan. It was a yea...
Great overview of Smith's career. I joined comics at about the same time as Smith and was privy with many fans of the time to his rapid development. The energy was palpable in his work, even the early "Sub-Kirby" (love that term) material. I wish he'd done more with Doctor Strange in that Lovecraftian revival. The one item I might add is that he was tapped by Jim Shooter to be his "Jack Kirby" of sorts on the Valiant publishing effort during the "Hot Hot" 90's. Smith's work on Solar and other characters at the company is stellar (pun intended).
ReplyDeleteHi Rip, Thanks for the reminder I had taken a picture of a page from both "Solar Man of the Atom" issues 3 (and "Eternal Warrior" issue 4) with BWS art but forgot to add this. I have added the "Solar Man of the Atom" page now. I initially read his Dr Strange strips in the UK Avengers comic and loved them. When I eventually picked up a copy of the original "Marvel Premier" issues 3 & 4 they looked even better in colour.
DeleteIt's amazing to see how much he improved in what seems like a very short period. Not only were his early efforts 'sub-Kirby', they were also well below par when compared to just about any other artist at the time. Mighty oaks from little acorns springs to mind.
ReplyDeleteIt really was strange how BWS 's style changed so dramatically and so quickly - there must be a story there somewhere.
DeleteGreat article, McScotty. Seeing the Conan #20 splash page you included reminded me that that issue was the first Conan I picked up in a second-hand shop, and was so impressed by the artwork. His artwork was what got me into collecting Conan and the associted Marvel B&W's. It is fascinating to see how his artwork transformed in a very brief period of time. I have difficulty in seeing any kind of gradual transformation ; the style seems to change overnight. I suspect that artist Frank Quitely is influenced by Windsor-Smith's artwork from this period.
ReplyDeleteI do have that new books Monsters sitting on the shelf at home, ready to read ; you've given me the impetus to pick it up and read when I get home.
My first Conan the Barbarian comic was issue 26 by John Buscema so I just missed BWS's run on the comic by a couple of issue. I think the first BWS Conan art I saw (not including those great adverts he did for US Marvel) was in the UK weekly "Savage Sword of Conan" in 1975. But very soon after that I managed to pick up the US "Savage Tales" issue 4 b&w magazine with he BWS drawn "Dweller in the Dark" tale (that issue also had a great Neal Adams / Gil Kane Conan tale) - I certainly can see a BWS influence in Frank Quitely art as well (whether or not that is the case ). I haven't seen (and probably wont) purchase "Monster" baggsey as I am on a back issue spree at present but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on it once you read it (it has had some great reviews).
DeleteI preferred his art when it was inked by Sal Buscema in the early Conan issues.
ReplyDeleteI liked BWS Conan strips when Sal Buscema inked his work as well Colin, but for me his own "classical" style was my favourite.
DeleteSome great pieces shown. even though raw, there were two early issues that I enjoyed...DD#52 which you featured, and Avengers#66, inked by Syd Shores. The design of the graphics was stunning, and two seasoned pros managed to smooth out some of the rough edges to bring about two memorable comics.
ReplyDeleteI quite liked BWS first run on the Avenger in issue 66 although I felt his DD was too stylised for my liking (although I thought his Black Panther was pretty cool in that issue). He certainly benefitted with seasoned pros like Syd Shores and Sal Buscema (on his early Conan run) inking his work.
ReplyDelete