Unseen Shadows

By James Steranko (Supergraphics Publication)
No ISBN

I apparently started something when I reviewed Chandler last week so I’m going to do another Steranko oddity in the vain hope that somehow he hears, and feels loved, encouraged or embarrassed enough to get some of his delayed and uncompleted graphic projects finally out into my greedy mitts, if not everybody’s.

I used to teach comic writing and publication courses and it absolutely appalled me that every term there would be a fresh intake of eager wannabes, and every term there were fewer students who had seen the remarkable achievements of Steranko.

I’m not honestly sure if Unseen Shadows actually qualifies as a book, but this slim package was self-published by the man himself in 1978, and features 50 pencil/concept sketches of The Shadow, pulp legend and prototype for every ‘Dark Avenger’ that has populated fiction and especially comics since his inception.

Steranko moved into paperback cover paintings in 1969, bringing the same innovative design and illustration flair to single illustrations that he brought to comic books. For these Pyramid Books covers he produced tonal pencil sketches rather than preliminary colour roughs and the conceptual information needs of a single image rather than a pictorial sequence lead to some of the most striking drawings of the artist’s distinguished and varied career.

Also included are brief text pieces from Steranko outlining the background and working practice of the project, and his methodology, plus an Afterword from the Shadow’s creator Walter Gibson.

Steranko still has a presence on the internet (which is probably your best and only hope of tracking down this wonderful, beautiful art-book – and it is absolutely worth the effort so to do) but such talent and ability should be a household name, which is swiftly being forgotten even in the small pool of comic fandom, and surely that’s not right…

© 1978 James Steranko. The Shadow is owned by Condé Nast Publications, Inc.