I mentioned a Lynd Ward book I have a copy of back in 2008 here.
I see that the Library of America has just released a new set of his stories in two hard back editions. Of course, once again, I’m like 6 months behind with this news. But the books are still available.
I believe the claim is he is the first American graphic novelist. Or at least the first American artist to release a ‘novel’ with no words in it. His woodcuts are wonderful and he explores dark themes. The books are not all-ages friendly. These are not kids books. But if you are an illustrator or cartoonist interested in using pictures to tell stories Ward’s work is definitely worth checking out.
[...] In my experience, at least in the U.S., Will Eisner is often credited with being the artist/writer who created or at least popularized the term ‘graphic novel’. His A Contract with God came out in 1978. And Eisner himself credits Lynd Ward for inspiration. I’ve discussed on this blog before a wonderful original printing of Lynd Ward’s Vertigo … [...]