JOHN ROMITA SR. 1930-2023
COMIC BOOKS AND COVER ART
In a landmark moment for Castle Fine Art’s involvement with the art of Marvel, we are proud to present a deeply personal collection of Marvel Superhero unique graphics, hand-signed by iconic comic book artist and art director, John Romita Sr. These graphics all have a deep-rooted connection with John. John played an integral role in creating this artwork working incredibly closely with a chosen few Marvel creatives to paint, ink or draw these iconic comic book covers, to bring them together under his creative direction. This commemorative collection of selected covers were hand signed due to his direct artistic involvement. This means that these unique graphics establish a real link between John and his collectors. As well as being a highly-regarded artist, Romita was also the art director of Marvel studios for many years and co-created some of the biggest-selling and best- known comic covers of all time. Born in Brooklyn in 1930, John gained a grounding in art when he studied at the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan. He entered the comic book industry commenced in the 1950s when he collaborated with
publishers like Hillman Periodicals and later Atlas Comics, the precursor to Marvel Comics, which is when he first met the legendary Stan Lee. After a stint in the Army, Romita’s comics career really took off. He worked on new Captain America stories; moved briefly to DC Comics but returned to Marvel in 1965 where he worked on some of the most iconic superheroes ever. In 1966, he took over the lead artist role on The Amazing Spider-Man from the iconic co- creator of Spider-Man, Steve Ditko. Romita and Stan Lee reinvented Spidey, and the pair added characters to the series like Peter Parker’s love interest Mary Jane Watson and villains Rhino, The Shocker and Kingpin. Romita also co-created the Punisher and Wolverine during his legendary career, in which he also served as a mentor for many other Marvel artists. John Romita Sr. sadly passed away in New York on June 12, 2023, aged 93, but his influence lives on in the incredible illustrations he created and which we are honoured to share with collectors in these unique graphics, signed by the legendary, visionary artist.
Flying in the face of the universally accepted maxim that warns us not to “judge a book by its cover” the cover of a comic is considered the most significant artwork within the book. A cover, much like a comic strip itself, tells a story, and sets the scene of imminent action and adventure. Like a movie director, the artist manipulates the viewer’s experience via his or her own vision and interpretation. The cover of a comic is considered the most significant artwork within the book. It is both a statement and an advertisement that will make the reader pick the comic up and buy it. Well executed, it can entirely transform the viewer’s understanding of a character and plot. The artist's use of composition, lighting and colour can help focus a reader’s attention on the important features on the cover.
However, as any Marvel aficionado will know, cover art can be as much a tool of misdirection as a glimpse into the ensuing narrative within. Whether the cover seemingly shows one or more of our heroes on the brink of death, or indeed the comic world as we know it coming to an apocalyptic end, the chances are that the inner pages will right the wrongs shown on the cover, and good will once again triumph over evil. Therein lies the delicacy of touch needed by the revered Marvel cover artists; the balance of messaging for the reader must be enticing yet elusive, with just enough of the plot played out on the cover to be not just a head-turner, but a page-turner also; new mythology for the twenty-first century.
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