Art by Frank Thorne
Art by Frank Thorne

Artists of Sword & Sorcery: Frank Thorne (1930-)

Frank Thorne got his start drawing the Perry Mason strip for the King Syndicate. His first S&S comic was The Mighty Samson #1-7 (July 1964-September 1966) at Gold Key. In 1976 he became the artist for Marvel Feature #2-7 (January-November 1976), later Red Sonja She Devil With a Sword #1-11 (January 1977-January 1978) and created his signature work, the S&S beauty. He drew “Wizards of the Black Sun” for Savage Sword of Conan #23 (October 1977) perhaps to help boost Red’s sales.

Frank did promotion for Red Sonja at conventions and in malls by dressing up as a wizard and surrounding himself with women dressed like Sonja. One of these was future artist, Wendy Pini of Elfquest fame. He did a special piece on all the Sonjas called “The Wizard and Red Sonja Show” (Savage Sword of Conan #29, May 1978). He left Marvel in 1978 to create Ghita of Alizar for Warren Publications (1984/1994, August 1979-February 1983), another version of Red with more sexual content.

The Mighty Samson

Marvel Feature Covers

Red Sonja She Devil With a Sword

“Wizards of the Black Sun”

“Wizard & Red Show”

Ghita of Alizarr

His latest collection from Hermes Press

 

#4 now in paperback!
A stunning first novel!
A classic bestseller!