Their latest isolated offering, a hardcover celebration of comic book artist matt baker, follows the expected pattern. Profiles in black cartooning comic book legal defense fund. Heres a list of 20 of the dopest black comics set to. Baker was inducted into the will eisner comic book hall of fame in 2009. Jan 14, 2016 matt baker is often considered the first known successful african american artist in the comic book industry. John publications utilized the first african american comic book artist in mainstream media, matt baker, who contributed to the ostensibly truecrime series authentic police cases, the light humor comic canteen kate, the romance books cinderella love and teen. Matt baker first black comic artist the museum of uncut funk. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known african american artist to find success in the comic book industry. Matt baker 1921 1959 golden age comic artist, specializing in good girl art for adventure and romance comics, but also involved with adventure and western titles. Feb 19, 2020 to recognize black history month, wlnd presents the story of matt baker, the first successful african american comic book artist. Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the detroit area, following in the footsteps of their fellow artist, rick buckler, who broke in first as a star artist and then slowly but surely brought his friends along, as well. Baker is considered to be the first african american artist to make it into mainstream comics and is particularly well known for his excellent good girl art. My hope is that this will be a good primer for your own first steps into the work of black comic artists. The 27 biggest milestones in black superhero history.
But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in the history of the medium it was his innate ability to draw gorgeous, exciting women and handsome, dynamic men in a fluid, graceful style. Among the most famous comic book artists to emerge during the latter half of the golden age of. If youre looking for more, check out black comics month and the blerdgurl, two curators of black comics content across the web. Back in the 1990s, sothebys held a breakthrough auction of comic book art. Whereas nature had bestowed an outstanding talent on matt, the rheumatic fever he suffered from as a child left him. Matt bakerclarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crimefighter phantom lady. He wasthe man who redesigned phantom lady into her best known incarnation during the golden age of comics. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry. But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in. Matt baker surrounded by his glamorous gals on the cover of. Many of you are likely familiar with the comic book art of matt baker, but for those of you who have not yet heard that name. He was the son of clarence and ethel baker, matt had two brothers, robert and john.
Jan 11, 2019 clarence matthew baker was a black comic book artist who died in 1959. Clarence matthew baker, born 10 december 1921, forsyth county, north carolina, died 11 august 1959. Comic strip book creators of african american heritage. Matt baker is widely considered the first prominent african american comic book artist of the golden age.
Matt baker, comic book artist fine art and antique appraiser. During his career he drew more than 1,000 pages of comics and over 200 covers. As part of their tribute to black history month the westland public library invited comic book enthusiast john lay to discuss the work of matt baker who. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful black comic. Matt baker was a prolific africanamerican comic book artist from the mid1940s to his death from heart disease in the late 1950s, when baker was only in his late. Matt baker, the first black comic book artist, was born on december 10, 1921, in forsyth county, north carolina. He attended the cooper union school of engineering, art, and. Hollingsworth may be the second most significant comic book creator of the golden age. Matt baker is recognized as the most known african american comic book artist during the golden age of american comics. Baker was an africanamerican comic book artist active from the mid1940s until his death in 1959. African american comic book artist among the most famous comic book artists to emerge during the latter half of the golden age of comic books was matt baker. Today the appraisal group celebrates the life and work of matt baker 19211959, the first africanamerican graphic artist to find success in the comic book industry.
One year after the event, missing astronaut david powell has resurfaced. Born clarence matthew baker on december 10, 1921 in north carolina. Born clarence matthew baker on december 10, 1921 in north carolina, he came of age in pittsburgh, pennsylvania. But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in the history of the medium.
Dec 10, 2014 matt baker, who was one of the very first african american comic artists and was the leading practitioner of good girl art in comics of the 1940s, was born on this day, december 10, 1921, 93 years ago he died august 11, 1959 at 38 years old. Clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early comics. To recognize black history month, wlnd presents the story of matt baker, the first successful african american comic book artist. Baker specialized in what has become known as good girl comic book art for such publishers as fox, fiction house and later developed a more sophisticated drawing style for st john, charlton, atlas and other publishers. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known africanamerican artist to find success in the comicbook industry. Heres a brief look at the man and his body of work. But by most accounts, he is considered the first successful black comic book artist, and perhaps the first altogether. Baker attended the cooper union school of engineering, art, and. In 1944, he got a job as a background artist with the s. Matt graduated from westinghouse high school in homewoodbrushton. Encyclopedia of black comics serves as a treasure map, and interested readers can follow the trails put forward by howard to seek out africanamerican workpast, present, and future. He drew a variety of different types of comics, including some superhero, sicfi, and horror issues, but his greatest renown is for his work on romance comics.
John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust 1950. One of the first african american comic book artists was raised in pittsburgh and made his mark during the 1940s and 50s with classic illustrations of female. Matt baker s rightful place in the annals of comic book history has been debated by followers of the genre. Matt baker comic book artists, african american artist. Matt baker clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, among many other characters.
In character, their books tend to be the last outpost of the old comic book fan syndrome. Theres a lot one could say about artist matt baker. This title features a wealth of essays, interviews with baker s friends, family, and coworkers, and a treasure trove of his finest artwork, including several complete stories. Baker was the first african american comic book artist. Matt baker, who was one of the very first african american comic artists and was the leading practitioner of good girl art in comics of the 1940s, was born on this day, december 10, 1921, 93 years ago he died august 11, 1959 at 38 years old. Keep your eye on these african comics 8 comments im starting a series here on theblerdgurl called africa rising and through it i am going to highlight several artists and comic book companies that are based in africa, artists that are telling stories about africa or feature african characters. Perhaps because he was one of the very few african americans working in the comic book industry at the time, he did not associate with a lot of his fellow comic book artists and comic book writers. Baker was an african american comic book artist active from the mid1940s until his death in 1959. Classic good girlshark cover by the first recognized african american comic book artist matt baker. Now, of course, this isnt every black comic book artist worth mentioningnot even close. Feb 17, 2016 now, of course, this isnt every black comic book artist worth mentioningnot even close.
Last year, i did a piece on matt baker, the best known african american comic book artist of the silver age. What it means to remember africanamerican artist matt baker. Though passing young, baker still left the comic community with countless classic covers that have just recently started to really appreciate. Clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist. Nov 01, 2018 clarence matthew baker, commonly known as matt baker, was one of the first successful black comic book artists.
Feb 20, 2019 as part of their tribute to black history month the westland public library invited comic book enthusiast john lay to discuss the work of matt baker who was a pioneer in his industry as he became. Baker is often considered to be the first african american comic book artist. But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in the history of the mediumit was his innate ability to draw gorgeous. His specialty was good girl art, a comics and cartooning subgenre.
Today the appraisal group celebrates the life and work of matt baker 19211959, the first african american graphic artist to find success in the comic book industry. Despite matt baker s importance in comic book history, very little is known about his personal life. Dec 28, 2015 classic good girlshark cover by the first recognized african american comic book artist matt baker. American art archives scans and text are ed material. The son of clarence and ethel baker, matt and his brothers robert and john. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful african american artist in the comic book industry clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. Matt baker s impact is still felt today despite his early death. Clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, among many other characters. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the. With dangerous new abilities and no memory of the man he once was. Baker is best remembered for the costumed crimefighter phantom lady and as the. During his career he drew more than 1,000 pages of comics and over read more clarence matthew baker 19211959.
Feb 06, 2016 was an african american comic book artist best known for his work on the marvel comics series luke cage, hero for hire, and jungle action feature, black panther, considered the first modern. In the early 1940s, matt baker became of one the earliest african american comic book artists. I am not sure what happened between issues 3 and 4 but the change in quality is astounding. Matt baker the art of glamour hc 2012 twomorrows comic books.
Matt baker the art of glamour hc 2012 twomorrows comic. Matt baker, one of the few africanamerican comic book artists of the golden age, revamped in more than one sense the newly acquired quality comics character phantom lady in 1947, creating one of the most memorable and controversial examples of superhero good girl art. Matt bakers rightful place in the annals of comic book history has been debated by followers of the genre. During his career he drew more than 1,000 pages of comics. Piedmontborn comic book pioneer matt baker news yesweekly. He is particularly well known for the good girl art of the early part of his career. He is most famous for his work on the phantom lady he did for fox feature syndicate. I thought that it would be a great time to take a quick look at some of the fine covers by comicdoms first african american artist of note. Skip to main content this banner text can have markup. John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust. He drew a variety of different types of comics, including some superhero, sicfi. The longrunning jack kirby collector is a defining project. Matt baker is an african american comic book artist whose pioneering work is mostly unknown today.
See more ideas about matt baker, african american artist and comics. Feb 26, 2016 clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist. Africanamerican artist to find success in the comicbook industry. He is best known for the costumed crime fighter phantom lady. Jul 12, 2019 oft en considered the first ever graphic novel or picture novel, as it was then called, it rhymes with lust features luscious art by matt baker, the first prominent african american creator in comics. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crime fighter phantom lady, among many other characters. Death of captain america ultimate collection tp, signed by ed brubaker. Matt baker was a prolific african american comic book artist from the mid1940s to his death from heart disease in the late 1950s, when baker was only in his late 30s. Clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. Baker was active as early as the 1930s and 1940s golden age of comic books. The 27 biggest milestones in black superhero history gamespot.
Matt baker comic book artist bio, facts, family famous. This process takes no more than a few hours and well send you an email once approved. African american comic book artist a shroud of thoughts. He matt had contracted rheumatic fever as a child, which had caused heart problems for him and classified him as draft exempt for world war ii. Jan 21, 2019 clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crime fighter phantom lady, among many other characters. He was active during the golden age of comics books, roughly the 1930s to 1950s. Born clarence matthew baker on december 10, 1921, and passing at the age of 37 in 1958.
Click for more information none of it is in the public domain. One of the newer comic book companies on the block, lion forge is in its infancy with catalyst prime, and noble is one of the leading titles. Black kudos matt baker clarence matthew baker december. It includes comics creators that can also be found in the parent category, or in diffusing subcategories of the parent. Baker is credited with all 7 of the seven seas covers. Aug 25, 2015 these is primarily the cover art work done by matt baker during his short, but distinguished career in comics. But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in the history of the. Matt baker is called the first known africanamerican artist to find success in the comic book industry, but that claim presents a lot of questions.
He is absolutely a pioneer in the comic industry, being the first known african american comic book. Encyclopedia of black comics is the ultimate resource. In the 1940s and 1950s, clarence matthew baker best known as matt baker was widely regarded as the master of the good girl style and is credited as the first successful black comic book artist in the comics industry. The son of clarence and ethel baker, matt and his brothers robert and john, moved with their parents to pittsburgh, pa.
Imagine dave stevens or adam hughes working in the 40s, drawing a new story every month, and youll have a good idea of matt. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early comics heroines such as the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, and romance comics. Clarence matthew baker was a black comic book artist who died in 1959. Matt baker was a prolific africanamerican comic book artist from the mid1940s to his death from heart disease in the late 1950s, when baker was only in his late 30s. Until you earn points all your submissions need to be vetted by other comic vine users. Clarence matthew baker worked during the goldenage, cocreator of the phantom lady at fox feature syndicate, he was noted for his good girl art and for being the artist on st. In celebration of black history month, cbldf has partnered with black nerd problems. He attended the cooper union school of engineering, art, and design in new york. In this series of works i attempt to reconcile the work and life of artist matt baker 19211959 with the sometimes deadly contemporary perception of black men as criminals and sexual aggressors. In the years hence, the genre has captured the imagination of collectors the world over.
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