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"A Juvenile Miscellany" explores and evaluates the world of children's books, young adult literature, and graphic novels.
Neil Gaiman is a name easily recognized by most librarians, especially since the publication of his children's books Coraline and The Wolves in the Walls, but few have ever heard of P. Craig Russell, the artist for Caiman's AIA poster of The Sandman.1 Perhaps this is due to the absence of discourse concerning the artwork and visual aesthetics of graphic novels, a genre most often discussed by librarians in terms of its appeal to teen readers and as a tool to support literacy. Comics and graphic novels, like other visual arts, have recognized masters, such as Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Neil Adams, and Jim Steranko-artists whose innovations have influenced and expanded the vocabulary of graphic storytelling. The masterful P. Craig Russell's drawings and use of color have earned him a reputation as an "artist's artist." He creatively combines fine arts techniques with comic book aesthetics in a visually pleasing style. His drawings are reminiscent of such children's book illustrators as Arthur Rackham and Howard Pyle, while his use of color and design exhibit characteristics of Art Deco. Russell's unique visual style draws on many influences, including the Pre-Raphelites, Gustav Klimt, Aubrey Beardsley, and Arthur Rackham, along with comic art masters, such as Gil Kane and Jim Steranko.
Russell began working in comics during the early 1970s on such Marvel Comics titles as Chamber of Chills and Iron Man.1 He entered the industry from a fine arts background, with a degree in painting from the University of Cincinnati. His subject matter comprises an impressive array...