John Powers Severin - An Appreciaton

"I've always been interested in people's faces. I've tried to study the types you see in various occupations or in the differences that show up with racial groups. Yes, I reckon the face is the best way to show character, but there's plenty of other things that go along with it. The hands - for example -- the way a man uses his hands shows how his mind is really working.  You can control an expression on the face, but the hands give it away. Then there's the way a character is dressed or his way of posturing."    

John Severin interview with John Benson, Graphic Story Magazine # 13, spring 1971

Beginning in 1947, and only ending recently with his passing on Feb 12th, John Severin had been drawing comics, and drawing them with distinctive finesse, for over sixty years. Quite an accomplishment by any standard.

"Dien Bien Phu", Two Fisted Tales # 40, Jan 1955 

Severin was an artist who did not get a lot of attention, perhaps because he was not too involved or interested in super-heroes, prefering genres rooted in a realistic background: western, war, period pieces. Too, he spent many years working on humor strips for Cracked, and was never associated with a single character for long. Nevertheless, Severin was one of those artists, like Russ Heath and Joe Kubert, who turned out superior work year after year.

Kid Colt, Outlaw # 84, May 1959. Severin draws you  into the scene. Severin, along with Maneely and Heath, drew some of the very best covers for Atlas.





Caught # 4, Feb 1957. Severin contributed a  number of spectacular covers for Atlas crime titles, which deserve to be collected in a Masterworks edition (you listening, Cory??)


I probably first took notice of Severin's work when he took over the artistic chores from Dick Ayers on Sgt. Fury for three issues (#'s 44-46).   

Sgt. Fury # 45, Aug 1967. The expressions and body language on the characters say it all.

Severin continued on Sgt. Fury for a long run, inking Dick Ayers pencils, adding authenticity and detail. Severin's inks were exquisite on everyone, from Herb Trimpe and Ross Andru. Of special note is his collaboration with sister Marie on Kull.



Two-Gun Kid # 103, March 1972; Gil Kane pencils 



Captain Savage # 16, Sept 1969, Don Heck pencils. Possibly the only time Severin inked Heck.




I began to appreciate Severin even more when I discovered his earlier work, especially reprints of his EC war and humor stories for Mad. As I became interested in collecting pre-hero Marvel in the 1980s I bought many westerns at conventions, attracted by Severin's exceptional covers. All the while Severin continued to work for companies such as Warren, the short-lived Atlas/Seaboard line (in the magazine Thrilling Adventure Stories), and DC, on the Losers, Unknown Soldier and Enemy Ace to the recent Bat Lash. It was always worth checking out anything Severin drew, since the quality of his art continued to remain high.






Western Gunfighters # 9, May 1972. Severin produced many covers on Marvel's western reprints on the 1970s, well worth seeking out. Severin also drew the sidebar characters.



John Severin was a rare breed that turned in exceptional work day in and day out. Never flashy, his art had a quiet integrity which stands the test of time.