On the wall in my office there’s a lenticular reproduction of the famous Marvel Bronze Age cover to the first issue of Star Wars. This iconic cover, with its dramatic framing of the central protagonists screaming action and adventure is basically everything a comic book cover should be.
In this post I’m going to look at the artistic talent behind that cover – none other than the gifted comic book writer and illustrator: Howard Chaykin
The cover for Star Wars #1 was drawn by Chaykin in 1977. Long before that, he entered the comic book industry, originally as an apprentice to the equally legendary artist Gil Kane, in the early 1970s.
Howard Victor Chaykin was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1950 but raised in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. Chaykin’s life history closely mirrors that of many other veterans in the comic book industry. The New York background, the early falling in love with drawing and illustrating, the love of adventure and romance stories (in Chaykin’s case: escapist fiction by authors such as Fritz Liber) all acquired at a young age.
After working for Kane on his first professional assignments in what Chaykin would later described as a mentorship situation, the budding young illustrator went on to become an assistant to another great: Wally Wood.
Chaykin began his comic drawing career with work for DC Comics. His very first work was the penciling and inking of a three-page story "Not Old Enough!" in Young Romance #185 (Aug. 1972), which quickly led to other assignments on anthology books, such as Secrets of Sinister House and Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion.
Chaykin’s first serious artistic work in comics was the art for Sword of Sorcery #1 (March 1973) – where he finally got to illustrate the stories of Fritz Leiber. Chaykin is mistakenly credited with the cover to this comic, but in reality he only contributed the interior art. The cover is by Michael Kaluta. In time, Chaykin became a regular pencil for hire. In time he would contract his skills to both DC and Marvel as well as a host of other large and small publishers.
Other than his first ten issues of Star Wars, Chaykin has contributed many memorable covers and illustrations. Some of his most iconic are the following:
Marvel Chillers #3 (January 1976) – Origin of Tigra
Tigra, Marvel's werewoman has her origin issue drawn by Chaykin, This comic is worth an impressive $950.00 in certified 9.8 condition. Even though she’s covered in fur, the trademark sensuality Chaykin manages to transfer to all the women he drew is present. Meow!
American Flagg! #1 (October 1983) – First Issue of American Flagg, first appearance of Reuben Flagg
Some of the secondary publishers Chaykin drew for included Atlas (where he drew the Scorpion, an immortal being: later incorporated into Marvel Canon by Chaykin as 'Dominic Fortune') and First Comics. It was for First Comics that Chaykin brought to life American Flag which he scripted and illustrated. Originally published between 1983 and 1989, this is an 80s classic. Set in Chicago in the 2030s this is a sci-fi political satire like no other. The first 12 issues are a must read. Issue #1 in 9.8 blue label certified condition can be owned for around $80.00. You can also find cheap reprints. Read it!
Black Kiss #1 (June 1988) – Chaykin’s Noir Epic
This is adults only comic published originally by Vortex Comics that was highly controversial when it was released in the 1980s. Nowadays it’s mostly read by people who admire Chaykin’s penchant for very sensuously portraying women. In this series that tendency, that runs throughout all his work really, was allowed free reign. Not enough sales data to put a price on it, but worth seeking out for admiring Chaykin the artist at the top of his game.
Chaykin has been awarded the Ink Pot Award (in 1987), and the Eagle Award (in 2006), Chaykin the writer and artist is still going strong. His most recent project: Hey Kids! Comics! is a satirical look at how earlier comic creators have had their work appropriated by Hollywood for big money. It’s published by Image Comics.
