The late, legendary artist Basil Gogos is, of course known for his many striking covers for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. The bright, color-saturated visages of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Creature From the Black Lagoon and many others have become indelible in the minds of generations of monster fans.
Before he took to his vibrant color palette, he began is career illustrating covers and interiors for men's adventure magazines. After tutoring under renown art instructor Frank J. Reilly at the Art Students League of New York he won a competition at the school for a western paperback cover of Pocket Books' PURSUIT that was published in 1959.
| Gogos' first professionally-published art. |
After that, he worked for many of the popular men's magazines from 1950's and 1960's, such as TRUE ADVENTURE, MAN'S ACTION and WILDCAT. He became adept at the craft and his war scenes are particularly vivid and full of action.
Following are examples from his years of illustrating classic pulp men's mags, including a number of original pieces.