The Fine Art of the Pulp Mag

Weird Tales, May 1929

Since I missed the "Planet Pulp" art exhibit at Gallery Provocateur last weekend, I feel like lamenting some more on the lost art of pulp mags. I really love the cover art on stuff like Weird Tales and The Shadow. Then again, who doesn't?

I consider the old pulp mags a great source of inspiration. For instance, check out this May 1929 cover art of Weird Tales. Is it not amazing?!?! Women, monsters (in this case, a 'gator), and madmen. All objects are strategically placed to instantly capture the eye's gaze. The colors stand out, and it's got the vibe of a wild action scene put on pause, just so we can get a glimpse of the insanity going on. These are the kinds of scenes that influence people to buy this stuff. Sometimes, I don't even CARE what's inside the mag. I just want that damn cover to stare at!

One Weird Tales artist I really like is Lee Brown Coye. His work was really strange and carried a pretty creepy vibe. He did some great black and white illustrations called "Weirdisms" that were stand-alone art inside Weird Tales. Check out this one below with the eerie little story at the bottom.

Someday, I'll take a stab at this never forgotten art, as I do have an idea brewing for an illustrated pulp story. But for now, I am mostly focused on painting movie monsters. It's probably going to be an ongoing series!