Rankin/Bass-historian: PAUL COKER

Showing posts with label PAUL COKER. Show all posts

Friday, July 29, 2022

Paul Coker, Jr. R.I.P.

Sad news today, my very dear friend Paul Coker, Jr. passed away. I talked to him very recently and he signed a whole bunch of Rankin/Bass postcards for me at 93! You may know his work from Mad Magazine or Hallmark cards, but Rankin/Bass fans know his designs from Frosty the Snowman, The Year Without a Santa Claus and Santa Claus Is Comin' to town, among many other TV specials. Our friendship goes back to the very beginning of my association with Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass. Paul did the cover for my first book in the mid-1990s, which originally had a yellow background. Since then he did many pieces of art for me and signed thousands of postcards. Early on, we did radio show interviews together and he even did satellite TV interviews for Mervyns Department stores, for me. He appeared in WE ARE SANTA'S ELVES on The Year Without A Santa Claus blu ray, for me. We appeared together at the North Dallas Comic book show. Later Paul told me, he came so that he could hang out with me. Our phone conversations were always filled with laughter. He poked fun at everything...me, his art, Rankin/Bass, etc. We had a very similar sense of humor. I really loved this guy and his work! He was so important to The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass, I can't even put it into words. He made doing what I do, so enjoyable. He will live on through his work and the wonderful memories I have of him! #Paulcokerjr #Frostythesnowman #heatmiser #snowmiser #winterwarlock #burgermeistermeisterburger

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Why have the Rankin/Bass TV Specials lasted so long?

I have already done a dozen radio and magazine interviews this holiday season! The hosts and writers always ask: Why have the Rankin/Bass TV Specials endured the tests of time? The answer is complicated and I have written entire books about each special. It always starts with the writing. Romeo Muller, Jr. created all of the characters in Rankin/Bass' Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and gave Rudolph the personality that we all identify with. In essence, he created the Rankin/Bass Universe in the same way that Stan Lee's writing created the Marvel Universe (Stan Lee settled with Marvel in 2005). He created all of the characters names, personalities, The Island of Misfit toys, etc. The whole thing! I love talking about it and the people involved with the Muller Estate are wonderful! Good things are coming to them!

Paul Coker, Jr. Designed the Rankin/Bass universe post Rankin/Bass' Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He is the most responsible for the Rankin/Bass look and especially the look of Frosty. I would compare him to Jack Kirby, the artist that created the look and design of most of Marvel's Well known characters. The Kirby estate finally settled with Disney/Marvel in 2014, the same year Arthur Rankin, Jr. passed away. Arthur Rankin passed on many interesting things pertaining to legal issues to me, before he passed concerning all of the Rankin/Bass Universe.

c. 2001 Miser Bros Press/Rick Goldschmidt Archives

Designer Antony Peters is the other party that Created the Rankin/Bass Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer universe, as he designed all of the characters in the same way Kirby designed Marvel's. He gave Rankin/Bass' Rudolph his pointy eyes and the elves the GE Light Bulb noses. The entire look of the cast of Rankin/Bass' Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, from the Island of Misfit Toys, Hermey the Dentist, The Bumble, Yukon Cornelius, etc. came from the pen of Tony Peters. Tony and I met up in New York and Had many long conversations before his passing. He loved the Rudolph book I put together and his estate is wonderful too!

I love talking about the history of Rankin/Bass Productions and will be doing much more of it during the Holidays as Frosty turns 50 and Rudolph 55! I am setting up many radio, television, magazine, newspaper, podcast, etc. interviews!

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Lily Sodin

Rocky's daughter Lily made me a comic book today! We put a drawing she did of Frosty in our new book Rankin/Bass' Frosty the Snowman's 50th Anniversary Scrapbook! Our 6th book, due out for the holidays! Keep an eye out for me on CBS this year to celebrate!

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Shirley Temple

We do have some copies of The Arthur Rankin, Jr. Scrapbook: The Birth of Animagic in-stock right now! www.miserbros.com

Friday, March 08, 2019

Paul Coker, Jr.

I just had a nice long chat with Paul Coker, Jr. (Designer of most of the Rankin/Bass TV Specials). I was a bit worried about him, as his phone was out of service for a while (What a relief!). I had to let him know about several projects and he told me he absolutely loved our last book and is looking forward to the new one. #paulcokerjr #rankinbass #madmagazine

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Found one last set of series #1

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

I am enjoying this new book page design by Jonathan Johnson! I think we have a winner!

www.miserbros.com

Monday, April 16, 2018

What me Worry? I can remember when MAD MAGAZINE was good!

Friday, February 02, 2018

You can order now at www.miserbros.com

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Paul!

I received a nice package in the mail today, from my dear friend Paul Coker, Jr.! Still signing for all of the Rankin/Bass Productions fans worldwide! I always let him know how much he is appreciated  #Paulcokerjr #madmagazine #legend #hallmark #Rankinbass #signed #artist #designer