62
Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt!
Russ Manning –– Pt. 2 By Michael T Gilbert It’s always fun to compare an artist’s early work, brimming with raw potential, with his later art. Amidst the awkward drawings and stylistic experiments, one often glimpses hints of future greatness. Such is the case with Russ Manning (19291981). Manning’s first published drawings appeared in a handful of science-fiction and fantasy fanzines between 1947 and 1951. Russ turned pro in 1952 when he began drawing “Brothers of the Spear,” a back-up strip in Dell’s Tarzan comic. His first installment appeared in Tarzan #39 (Dec. 1952), and he continued for an impressive 14-year run, ending in Tarzan #156 (Feb. 1966). Russ also drew “Tarzan” himself in 1952, for a never-published 3-D comic. The story appeared two years later in Western’s March of Comics #114. Manning also illustrated the Tarzan
Above left: Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction Vol. 1 #2, July 1948. Above right: Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction Vol. 1 #1, April 1948. Below: Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction Vol. 1 #1, April 1948.