Perhaps the greatest tribute I can pay Roger Hill is that I didn't immediately draw a connection to the name when my pal, Timely/Atlas historian Michael J. Vassallo, announced the news of his passing on Facebook. This may sound like a back-handed compliment, but it's exactly the opposite. Although Hill's contributions to the world of comic book scholarship in general - and the EC comic book line in particular - spans six decades, I struggled for a few moments to recollect the exact nature of his studies. I suspect this was due to Hill's relentless love of the medium and the creative giants he celebrated, with the spotlight always placed directly on their contributions. From his earliest fanzine efforts to the latest book project, Hill's focus was always on the subjects he covered, and that passion translated to an almost subliminal response from like-minded fans and students of the medium. While an author's talents can be appreciated and recognized, they should never overshadow their subject matter. And Hill captured the essence of that sensibility in all his endeavors.
The debut issue of Squa Tront, the preeminent EC fanzine which began publication in 1967, included several illustrations by Roger Hill. His cover was inspired by the immensely talented Wally Wood, a favorite artist of Hill's, and one I'd place on a Mount Rushmore of comics creators.
While not a professional artist, strictly speaking, Hill's efforts had a distinctive quality and charm. Inside the first issue of Squa Tront he designed the table of contents logo and illustrated the acknowledgements page (where publisher Jerry Weist noted his contributions), as well as the back cover, channeling EC's master of the grotesque, "Ghastly" Ghaham Ingles .
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In addition to Hill's artwork, Squa Tront # 1 included an early example of his writing skills: an essay on the aforementioned Graham Ingles. He also supplied the title design.
From the beginning of his collecting days Hill was enamored by the EC comics of the 1950s. The combination of solid storytelling, exceptional artistic talent and editorial savvy was a winner. In addition, Publisher Bill Gains engaged fans in editorials and letters pages, displaying sardonic humor and showing respect for the intelligence of his readers, which helped infuse further interest. The quality of the material has enthused comic book aficionados for decades - and will surely continue into the future - as EC's line of horror, crime, science-fiction, war and humor* is preserved in a plethora of high quality formats.
*For those not in the know Mad started out as a standard comic, conceived by masterful editor-writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman, and was later transformed into a magazine. Running continuously until 2018, MAD has been relegated to a (mostly) reprint title sold in specialty shops, but it was EC's most successful (and influential) publication.
Squa Tront # 13, 2012.
Squa Tront # 14 (2022) (possibly the last issue - but don't count on it!)
Squa Tront continued sporadically for a staggering 55 years, from 1967-2022, with Roger Hill remaining a primary contributor. After overseeing four issues Jerry Weist passed on the editorial reigns to John Benson, and, In 2002, Fantagraphics took over the publishing end (ST # 10). Hill's last two pieces for the fanzine included a focus on Basil Wolverton, acclaimed for his bizarre renderings, most notably at Mad, and a deep dive into Charlton's Yellowjacket title. While EC comics was an ongoing study for Hill, to his credit his curiosity for other unexplored roads in the comic book firmament continued unabated.
(Special thanks to Dan Schlissel for the info on ST # 14. This one escaped my notice but its now on order!)
Hill also published his own EC fanzine, which debuted in 2004. Above is the current issue, released in November, 2023. A posthumous 6th edition has been announced for 2024. Jack Davis cover art.
Hill was involved in preserving comic book history on multiple levels: as writer, editor and researcher, with a specific skill-set for distinguishing artists' styles. In addition to Squa Tront and his own EC Fan-Addict fanzine, his articles and essays could be found in Comic Book Marketplace and Alter Ego.
And onward he soared. Some of his recent offerings included books on a quartet of astonishing craftsman, including the science fiction illustrations of Wally Wood; acclaimed Quality comics and Blackhawk artist Reed Crandall; a biography of the superbly talented Mac Raboy, and, debuting just a few months ago, his final published project, a study of the life and art of Matt Fox, whose quirky, bizarre and largely forgotten stylings appeared in horror-oriented pulp magazines such as Weird Tales. Fox's artwould later be found throughout the comics pages of Youthful and Atlas/Marvel, where, in the 1963-4 period he delineated the pencils of Larry Lieber in a detailed woodcut-style. Hill again delved into his subject matter with great alacrity and brought this obscure artist to life. I recently purchased the book and praised it on several Facebook pages. Hill was reportedly working on other book projects, so with any luck they may have reached completion and will see the light of day.
Wally Wood Galaxy Art and Beyond, 2016
Reed Crandall Illustrator of the Comics, 2017. Interior page.
Mac Raboy Master of the Comics, 2019.
Hill's book on Matt Fox was published only a few short months ago. I urge you to track it down. You won't be disappointed. All four of the above books were published by TwoMorrows and should be part of any fan's library.
I don't believe I ever met Roger Hill. I may have corresponded with him via email at some point or perhaps exchanged words on online forums, but I can't recall offhand. I hope he read my enthusiastic reviews of his Matt Fox Book. In the scheme of things, though, it's not important. Of paramount importance is the scholarship Roger Hill left behind. His writings add to the rich history of the medium and remind us that the focal point should always be about the material we are dissecting. That is what really counts.
The above You Tube video from several years ago spotlights several fans/historians discussing the importance of EC, including Roger Hill.
Roger Hill passed away on December 6, 2023. He was 75 years old.
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