DCM salutes LB Cole!

[Yoc]

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/images/DCM banner20-LB Cole.gif

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/images/forum message pictures/LB Cole picture by Jackie Estrada.jpg

LB Cole picture by Jackie Estrada

Hi Gang,
Welcome to the latest artist tribute banner - the fantastic world of L.B. Cole!

Leonard Brandt Cole (August 28, 1918–December 5, 1995) is wildly popular among comic collectors since the Gerber books.  Anything with a Cole cover commands top prices.
Cole's long career started out in advertising and the printing industry working up to art director at Consolidated Lithography by 1943.  This was after getting a degree in veterinary science (anatomy & physiology at the University of Berlin) in the 30s.  His background in printing helped him immensely when he came to comics.  He also had a very strong sense of design and marketing.  He knew he had to compete with the 100s of comics on the stand.  Over time Cole would go to a more basic colour palette with less clutter than a typical cover for the era. One could call him the anti-Schomburg!  He would frequently use black backgrounds and vivid primary colours.  He called it a 'poster effect' used to catch the public's eye.  A very good artist he could handle any genre and seemed to be in high demand.  During his career he is credited with over 1,500 covers by his own count!  Thankfully for us many of them are now in the public domain so you can enjoy them here on DCM!

In an interview with Comic Book Marketplace from 1995 he said he was working as early as 1939 doing freelance at the Ferstadt and Chesler shops.  His first signed work was in Ace Comics Super-Mystery Comics v3 #5 (Jul1943).  Known today for his covers he also created interior pages for Holyoke, Ajax, Farrel and Fawcett (you can see them on DCM!) He was then hired as art editor for Frank Temerson's Et-Es-Go/Continental Magazines (Cat-Man, Suspense, Terrific) in 1942 where he took over from artist Charles Quinlan.  Here he would oversee all their books, hiring artists and working on their covers in his own studio.  His wife Ellen was an editor and letter for the company as well.  Continental would also package comics for several other publishers including Narrative (Power Comics) and Aviation (Contact Comics) that Cole worked on.  Continental would be sold in 1946 to Holyoke.  Cole went back to freelance work on book covers for Thriller Books and Stork Novels.
He would move on eventually to buy Novelty's back catalogue with partner Jerry Kramer and start Star Publications in 1949.  It's here he would produce some of his best and most collectible covers.  Star has fallen into the public domain and as many as have been found are available for reading here on DCM.  Star was doing quite well even doing work outside of comics such as puzzle books and novels until the death of Kramer after which it was also sold to Holyoke Magazines.
After Star was sold he worked in magazine publishing with Cosmos, Rod & Gun and Alfred Hitchcock Magazine.  Eventually he would land with Dell Publications as an art director in the early 60s working mainly with their youth line like Classics Illustrated Junior.  From the mid-60s through the 70s, Cole also created instructional materials and audio-visuals for University Films.  The first time I personally discovered Cole was from his 1981 cover and feature inside of the 11th edition of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.  That book laid the seed of a lasting love for golden-age comics inside of me still going today.  After that Overstreet Cole started to sell cover recreations. In 1989+90, Ernie Gerber published his Photo Journal Guide To Comic Books which featured on its covers a number of Cole comics. Collecting Cole has become even more expensive since!  Cole would end his career doing medical art for anatomy books and continue his cover art commissions.

LB Cole received an Inkpot Award in 1981, and was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1999.

To see a full list of Cole's credits in chronological order you can use this GCD link -
http://www.comics.org/credit/name/L.%20B.%20Cole/sort/alpha/

To see many of his comic covers you can try this link -
http://monsterbrains.blogspot.ca/2010/10/leonard-brandt-cole-comic-covers.html

To get a look at his much lesser know novel covers try this - but fair warning, these are on the adult side of the ledger.   http://vintagesleaze.blogspot.ca/2012/10/l-b-cole-love-above-all-and-eyes-of-war.html#.VKTe5Mn7D1s

Very recently Fantagraphics have published the first retrospective art book of all of Cole's covers - "Black Light: The World of L.B. Cole”.  Several DCM members were among those that provided material needed to complete the book.  To get a look at it you can check out this link to see a preview PDF - http://www.fantagraphics.com/browse-shop/black-light-the-world-of-l-b-cole-pre-order--7.html?vmcchk=1

Congrats to Bill Schelly and Mike Catron for their hard work on the collection.

You can read a detailed review of the book here -
http://www.comicsreview.co.uk/nowreadthis/2014/12/19/black-light-the-world-of-l-b-cole/

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/images/forum message pictures/CBM 030-014 - COLE and Jack Grogan.jpg

Cole, Rae Herman (secretary and/or Managing Editor who later was part of Orbit and writer Jack Grogan from CBMarketplace #030 (1995).

[Yoc]

You can find the following LB Cole work on DCM at these links -

(Ace)
Super-Mystery v3 #5 [Jul 1943](Paul Revere Jr) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=12534&page=50&nav=top

Super-Mystery v3 #6 [Oct'43](The Sword) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=9206&page=29&nav=top

Super-Mystery v4 #1 [Jan'44](Hap Hazzard and The Sword: both inking Lou Ferstadt) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=8006&page=23&nav=top

Super-Mystery v4 #4 [Oct'44](The Sword - inking Lou Ferstadt) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=17452&page=30&nav=top

Four Favourites #11 [Aug'43](Magno, Captain Courageous) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19064&page=3&nav=top
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19064&page=45&nav=top

Four Favourites #12 [Nov'43](Captain Courageous) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19063&page=30&nav=top

Four Favourites #13 [Feb'44](his first cover) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19062&page=1&nav=top

All Romances #1 [Aug'49](1 story) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19459&page=3&nav=top

Glamorous Romances #43 [Nov'49](possible Cole in one story)- http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=21731&page=19&nav=top


(Temerson)
Suspense - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=560
#01 [Dec'43](The Cellini Dagger)
#02 [Feb'44](Jewel of Igoor)
#03 [Apr'44](Diamond Master)
#04 [Jun'44](cover)
#05 [Aug'44](cov, Buried Alive, Khaaron)
#06 [Oct'44](cov)
#07 [Dec'44](cov, MrNobody's Corner)
#08 [Jun'45](cov)
#09 [Aug'45](cov)
#10 [Win'45](cov, Mr. Nobody)
#11 [Jun'46](cov)
#12 [Sep'46](cov)

Terrific Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=561
#2 [Mar'44](Ingenuity Unlimited)
#3 [May'44](cov)
#5 [Sep'44](Boomerang and Diana)
#6 [Nov'44](cov)

Captain Aero Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=549
v4 #2 [Aug'44](Miss Victory)
v4 #3 [Oct'44](cov)
#21 [Dec'](cov)
#22 [Apr'45](cov)
#23 [Aug'45](cov)
#24 [Nov'45](cov)
#25 [Feb'46](cov)
#26 [Aug'46](cov, Miss Victory)

Cat-Man Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=551
v2 #12 [Jul'44](cov), v3 #2,
#28,#29,#30,#31,#32 [Aug'46](covers)

Power Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=558
#1 [Jun'45], 3, 4 [Sep'45](covers)


(Aviation Press)
Contact Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=552
#2 [Sep'44](cov, 2pgs)
#3 [Nov'44](cov, Black Venus)
#4 [Jan'45](cov, Black Venus)
#5 [Mar'45] to #12[Jul'46](covers)


(Rural Home)
Eagle Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=277
#1+#2 [1945](covers)

Mask Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=281
#1 [Feb'45](cov, Death of You)
#2 [Apr'45](cov)


(Orbit)
Taffy Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=798
#1,2 [1945](covers)


(Dell)
War Heroes #06 (Attack on Atau - inking Lou Ferstadt) -
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=8159&page=24&nav=top

(Spotlight) Tailspin Comics #1 [nov'44](cov) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=13676

(HC Blackerby) Bingo Comics #1 [1945](cov)


(Fox)
Krazy Life 1 [1945](possible cov)
Nuttylife 2 [1946](possible cov)


(Lev Gleason) Dime Comics #1 [1945](cov) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=1489


(Living Bible Corp) The Living Bible #1 [Fall'45], 2,3 [Spring'46](covers)


(Novack Pub) Great Comics #1 [1945](cov) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=7434


(Baily Pub) Toytown
#1 [1945](cov, Chap 1,2) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=18777
#2 [Jun'45](cov)


(Ajax) Capt. Flight - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=786
#7 [Mar'45](cov, Capt Flight)
#8 [May'45](cov)
#9 [Sep'45](cov)
#10 [Dec'45](cov)
#11 [Feb'47](cov)

Hi-Ho Comics #1 [1946](cov) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=11675


(Magazine Ent.)
The Killers #1 [1947](cov) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=9678

Manhunt #1 [Oct'47](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=18538&page=22&nav=top
Manhunt #2 [Nov'47](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=20489&page=10&nav=top
Manhunt #3 [Dec'47](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=14098&page=22&nav=top
Manhunt #4 [Jan'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=20568&page=22&nav=top
Manhunt #5 [Feb'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=15441&page=28&nav=top
Manhunt #6 [Mar'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=20486&page=10&nav=top
Manhunt #7 [Apr'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=15921&page=16&nav=top
Manhunt #8 [May'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=16646&page=16&nav=top
Manhunt #9 [Apr'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=19180&page=22&nav=top
Manhunt #11 [Jun'48](Red Fox) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=22469&page=16&nav=top

Northwest Mounties #1 [Oct'48](Northwest Mounties)

Trail Colt - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=95
#1 [Jul'49](Red Fox)
#2 [Dec'49](Red Fox)


(Novelty)
4Most - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=205
v6 #5 [Nov'47](cov)
v7 #2 [Mar'47](cov)
v7 #4 [Jul'47](cov)(ifc interview with Cole!, Dick Cole) - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=15223
v7 #6 [Nov'48](cov)
v8 #2 [Mar'49](cov, Toni Gayle)
v8 #3 [May'49](cov, Toni Gayle)
v8 #4 [Jul'49](Toni Gayle)
v8 #5 [Sep'49](cov, Toni Gayle)

Blue Bolt - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=206
v8 #7 [Dec'47](cov)
v9 #6,#9 [Nov'48](cov)

Criminals on the Run - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=207
v4 #1 [Aug'48],#2,#3,#4,#6,#7,8 [Apr'49](covers)

Dick Cole - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=208
v1 #1 [Dec'48],#3,#4 (covers)

Guns Against Gangsters - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=210
v1 #1 [Sep'48], #2,3,4,5,7 (covers), v2 #1 [Sep'49](covers)
v1 #6 (cov, Toni Gayle, Gregory Gayle)

Target Comics - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=204
v8 #10 [Dec'47]; v9 #1,#4,#6,#8,#10,#12; v10 #2,#3 [Jun'49](covers)

Young King Cole - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=212
v3 #7 [Feb'48],#10,#11 [Jun'48](covers)


(Essankay Pub.)
Law Against Crime #1 [Apr'48],2,3 [Aug'48](covers)
Smash Hit Sports Comics v2 #1 [Jan'49](cov, 2 stories)


(Star Publications) - 97 issues on DCM - http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?cid=367
Owned by Cole it ran from 1949 to 1955 and almost all feature his covers.  Some feature interior art as well which I'll list here -


(Gilberton) - Cole did a lot of work for Classic Illustrated but none of these are in the public domain so I wont be listing any of them.

I'm sure I've missed some - please feel free to add to the list if you know of any.

More artists will be getting their own salutes in the future.

Have a happy new-year gang!
-Yoc

[Bob Hughes]

I don't quite know what you did wrong on your GCDB search but Cole listings go back to 1943.
Try this:
http://www.comics.org/penciller/name/L.%20B.%20Cole/sort/chrono/

[Yoc]

As does my listing here Bob.
Check the Ace list - 1943.

[Bob Hughes]

Your list does, yes.  I was referring to the remark above that the GCD list only went back to 1947.

[Yoc]

Hi Bob,
Odd.  I used the GCD listings to compile mine.

[narfstar]

I got my copy of Black Light. Really nice. I expected the price to be $49.99 but it was only $39.99. The scans are beautiful. My favorite part was the last section with non-comic work, because I had not seen it before.

[Yoc]

Congrats Narf.
Yeah, I saw some of his novel covers on one of the above links.  Very saucy stuff.