Comments on: Underappreciated Artist Spotlight - Dan Spiegle

By: Gene Hamm

Gene Hamm — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:23:42 +0000

I learned to draw from pouring over Dan Spiegle comics in the 50's and 60's. Back then he drew comics for Dell based on TV series such as Maverick, The Rifleman, The Untouchables, Texas John Slaughter, Shotgun Slade, The Invaders, and The Green Hornet. He also drew comics based on Disney movies, such as The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, Son of Flubber, and Old Yeller. What I loved about the TV comics was his attention to detail. Maverick looked just like James Garner and The Untouchables looked like Robert Stack. The Rifleman's rifle looked right. The Green Hornet's car Black Beauty looked right. The Invaders' ray guns looked right and when the Invaders died, the red glow looked right as they evaporated on the page. Dan should get a lot more credit. For years at Dell, they never let the artists sign their work. He was always the best of the Dell artists. Somebody else illustrated the Cheyenne TV comic and it didn't look like Clint Walker. But Dan illustrated the comic based on the movie Yellowstone Kelly and it looked exactly like Clint Walker.

By: PÃ³l Rua

PÃ³l Rua — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:09:18 +0000

Oh yeah, Spiegle's work really highlights the shortcomings in a lot of modern artists' work. It's not enough to be able to draw 'pretty pictures' (or 'hawt chicks' or whatever), you have to be able to tell a damn story. Great piece, Scott.

By: Dalarsco

Dalarsco — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:03:46 +0000

Holy crap is that awesome!

By: stephen cade

stephen cade — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:27:41 +0000

I remember his old Gold Key stuff mostly. He did some good work for DC with Secret Six in Action Comics Weekly.

By: Aaron Kashtan

Aaron Kashtan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:58:59 +0000

Dan Spiegle is one of the greatest artists in the history of American comics. He deserves to be elected to the Hall of Fame. It's a shame that he spent so much of his career toiling in obscurity.

By: jazzbo

jazzbo — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:49:29 +0000

One of the first comics I owned was Blackhawk #252, which I loved as a kid. I recently went back and re-read it and was pleasantly surprised to see that Mark Evanier was the writer, since I'm a big fan of his now. As a kid, though, I think the Spiegle artwork attracted me to the comic more. That War Wheel was awesome. I'd love to see a collection of the rest of the run.

By: Andrew Collins

Andrew Collins — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:17:55 +0000

I'd love to read his run on Blackhawk, I've heard nothing but good things about it, and yet I've never gotten around to picking it up. His work on Crossfire is fantastic though.

By: John Trumbull

John Trumbull — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:48:25 +0000

Spiegle is truly wonderful. He's been one of my favorites for years. Nobody can draw REAL people like Dan Spiegle... he draws the widest variety of faces I've ever seen.

Hey DC... give us some Blackhawk and Nemesis Showcase volumes, pretty please?

By: Tony Nichols

Tony Nichols — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:52:52 +0000

Yeah... his Blackhawk run in the 80's... definitely the best portrayal of that group ever done (thanks to him, as well as Mr. Evanier). I'd kill for a hardcover.

By: Cass

Cass — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:34:39 +0000

I've never seen his work before, but man does this look good.

By: Mike Z

Mike Z — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:49:19 +0000

Can we get some of these focusing on Golden Age artists?

I've got a list around here somewhere...

By: Matt Bird

Matt Bird — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:19:22 +0000

I just re-read the great revival of "The Secret Six" that ran in Action Comics Weekly. Great Spiegle work there.

By: Chris Dingsdale

Chris Dingsdale — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:13:13 +0000

Totally in agreement! Dan is criminally underated and should be regarded as a true great of the industry. I'll wager any professional artist in the industry would agree.

How good would a deluxe hardcover reprint of his and Mark Evaniers' "Blackhawk" be?

By: Rockin' Rich

Rockin' Rich — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:05:40 +0000

Dan was awesome and his work with Evanier really sang!

By: Blackjak

Blackjak — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:46:14 +0000

I absolutely loved Crossfire! I am annoyed now that the DNAgents reprint is in B&W... And presumably any Crossfire re-prints that might spin-out of it will be too...