Manning's Star Wars

When Star Wars was young, the need for Star Wars was as strong as it is today.

Fans cried out for more and a man named Russ Manning helped do that.

Known for his work on the Tarzan and son of Tarzan comics from Dell and newspaper strips, Russ Manning was a master. His Magnus Robot Fighter placed him well into the genre of sci-fi as well.

Manning Mondays

What can I say, but that I like me some Russ manning art.

Deceptively simple in design and line. Yet complex in composition and detail.

Luana.

He did it all with an economy of style. What he didn't draw is the secret of masters.

 

Manning Mondays

...at 139...

Manning Mondays

A seamless, beautiful re-purposing of art...

Check out Russ' collected work...

Manning Mondays

Russ Manning had a mastery of the simple line that was, like Toth, more about what he DIDN'T draw as what he did...

Leaves, foliage - defined by outline and silhouette. The ground by shadows. He also understood the power of spotting powerful blacks, using shadow to define shapes and dynamics, rather than hide a lack of knowledge of form.

From Korak, to Tarzan, to his own Magnus Robot Fighter, Manning penned wild adventures in exotic, far away places, those lost in time and those years in the future... or a long time ago.