?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,200 - $ 1,800
WILL ELDER (AND POSSIBLY JOHN SEVERIN). Combat. Together, pages 5 and 7 likely for "Checkers!" in the comic Two-Fisted Tales, published by EC Comics, July/August 1952. Pen and ink over graphite with correction fluid on stiff paper. Each 485x330 mm; 19 1/4x13 inches, on 21 1/2x14 3/4 inch-sheets. Inscribed and signed in lower margin of both sheets. Matted together and framed.
Harvey Kurtzman, famed cartoonist and editor, teamed with other legendary artists such as Will Elder, John Severin, Wally Wood, Johnny Craig, Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, and others in the creation of the anthology war comic Two-Fisted Tales, which was published bi-monthly by EC Comics in the early 1950s. With the advent of the Korean War, the dramatic stories of humanity's struggle during wartime presented in Two-Fisted Tales and Kurtzman's companion comic Frontline Combat, were particularly relevant. While Kurtzman wrote the story for the comic pages in this lot, the pencil work was likely done by John Severin, with inking by Will Elder.
Kurtzman inscribed page 5 "Regards to my good friend Rick Meyerowitz from Harvey Kurtzman;" and again, humorously, on page 7 "I'll sign both pages - ups the value, you know. - Harvey Kurtzman." Also signed "Will Elder" on each sheet under Kurtzman's inscription.
![WILL ELDER (AND POSSIBLY JOHN SEVERIN). Combat. [COMICS / CARTOONS / WAR / TWO-FISTED TALES]](https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/full//851\769851.jpg)
