CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: BERNi WRIGHTSON
Bernie Wrightson: A True Master of Horror Art
Born: October 27, 1948, Dundalk, Maryland
Bernie Wrightson, celebrated for his mastery of horror art, found inspiration early in life through a correspondence course from the Famous Artists School, watching Jon Gnagy's Learn to Draw on television, and studying the groundbreaking work of artists at EC Comics.
A Promising Start
In 1967, Bernie met Frank Frazetta at a New York Comic Con. Frazetta encouraged him to create comic samples, leading to his first freelance assignment at DC Comics under editor Dick Giordano. To avoid confusion with an Olympic diver of the same name, Bernie briefly spelled his name "Berni" before reverting to the original spelling.
Debut Work:
House of Mystery #179 (1969): His first published comic.
Chamber of Darkness #7 (1969): First published cover, marking his debut at Marvel Comics.
The Creation of Swamp Thing
In the spring of 1971, Wrightson and Len Wein co-created Swamp Thing, debuting in House of Secrets #92. Inspired by Bernie’s personal experiences, the story was originally set in the Victorian era. By the fall of 1972, they modernized the series, launching Swamp Thing as its own title. Wrightson illustrated the first 10 issues before moving on.
Collaborations & The Studio
In January 1974, Bernie began working for Warren Publishing, known for their black-and-white horror comics. A year later, he joined Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Michael Kaluta, and Barry Windsor-Smith to form The Studio, a collaborative loft space in Manhattan where creativity thrived.
Iconic Works & Legacy
Creepshow (1983): Illustrated the comic adaptation of Stephen King’s horror film.
Ghostbusters (1984): Contributed concept art for the film.
Frankenstein (1983): Bernie’s magnum opus, a breathtaking adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel. His intricate brush-and-ink illustrations remain a testament to his love for classic horror and Universal Monsters.
Even after retirement, Wrightson continued working, overcoming a wrist injury to reclaim his artistic prowess. Known for his meticulous approach, Bernie’s process often involved visualizing the finished piece before bringing it to life with loose pencils and deliberate inking.
Key Issues to Look Out For
House of Mystery #179 (March 1969): First published work.
Chamber of Darkness #7 (1969): First Marvel cover.
House of Secrets #94: Body Snatcher cover!
Swamp Thing #7 (December 1973): Bernie’s first Batman work.
Incredible Hulk #197: Stunning Bernie cover.
Detective Comics #425: Another remarkable Batman interpretation.
Bernie Wrightson's dedication to storytelling and his masterful technique secured his place as one of the greatest artists in comic history. His work continues to inspire generations of artists and horror fans alike.
