“Frazetta: Painting with Fire” (2003) / Z-View

Frazetta: Painting with Fire (2003)

Director: Lance Laspina

Stars:  Frank Frazetta, Forrest J. Ackerman, John Buscema, Glenn Danzig, Kevin Eastman, Joe Jusko, Dave Stevens, Neal Adams, Al Williamson, Ralph Bakshi, Brom and Bo Derek.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Frank Frazetta was an art prodigy.  He began working professionally at the age of 16.  At first he was doing pencil “clean-ups” for other artists.  Before long he was drawing his own work. From 1952 to 1953, he drew Johnny Comet, the syndicated comic strip.  In 1954, Frazetta was hired by Al Capp to draw “L’il Abner”.  In 1961, Frazetta left Al Capp Studios to search for new opportunities.

Frazetta began to get work.  A painting he did of Ringo Starr for MAD magazine led to movie poster work.  Frazetta also began painting book covers.  His covers for the Conan the Barbarian novel series were groundbreaking.  Fans began buying books not for their stories, but because they had a Frazetta cover.  Frazetta’s art for Warren Publishing on magazines such as Creepy, Eerie, Blazing Combat, and Vampirella brought in more fans.  More book covers, movie posters and private commissions followed.

Later in life Frazetta had a series of strokes that left his right arm and hand paralyzed.  So Frazetta taught himself to draw and paint with his left.  Even with his left hand, Frazetta’s work was of professional quality.

Frazetta’s work was universally loved by professionals and fans.  His legacy will live forever.

Thoughts…

Frazetta’s life story is told through interviews with artists, fans, family members and Frank Frazetta himself.

When I was a child, Frank Frazetta was the first artist I remember kids getting excited about.

Frazetta: Painting with Fire (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars.