Voting Station

Frank R. Paul

Please vote to return to collections.

Artist

The Resume

    (April 18, 1884-June 29, 1963)
    Born in Vienna, Austria
    American artist most well known for his cover art of science fiction books and magazines
    Did the cover art for Amazing Stories #1 (pictured), Marvel Comics #1 and first person to portray The Human Torch (for Marvel Comics #1) and Buck Rogers
    Also illustrated textbooks (where he obtained most of his income) and how-to pamphlets
    Originally trained in architecture and isometric drafting
    Recognizable for his use of bright colors and thick lines and original and detailed portrayals of various machines; flying saucers, tripods, warships, etc
    Discovered by Hugo Gernsback

Why he might be annoying:

    He made most of his money not from his science fiction work, but from illustrating textbooks.
    Despite his fame in his prime, he has had relatively little influence on today's graphic/comic books artists.
    He didn't do human figures, especially women and women's faces, very well.
    Some modern fans of science fiction art consider his work primitive looking.
    Little of his original work survives. Just copies.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His work virtually defined the look of the early science fiction pulps for decades.
    He worked in three different mediums; with ink and watercolors/gouache until 1939, with oils from 1939-1953, and incorporating airbrushing techniques from 1953 onward.
    He never retired or missed a deadline and completed his last assignment the evening before he died.
    He was one of the first American pop artists to be influenced by Japanese art.
    He had a great deal of influence on the legendary Jack Kirby.
    He incorporated what he called a 'deliberate vagueness' in some of his work, leaving out some details so that the fan could 'fill in the blanks' with their own imagination.

Credit: tom_jeffords


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 73.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 22 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying