--- description: A brief retrospective of the influential artist's transcendent workBy Joseph Lin title: Master of Fantasy: Frank Frazetta's Legacy image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [World](/section/world/) * [LightBox](/tag/time-section-lightbox/) # Master of Fantasy: Frank Frazetta's Legacy by [TIME](/author/time/) May 19, 2010 4:00 AM CUT by [TIME](/author/time/) May 19, 2010 4:00 AM CUT A brief retrospective of the influential artist’s transcendent workBy Joseph Lin ### Father of Fantasy  Although most of Frank Frazetta's work graced the covers of comics and novels, he was much more than just an illustrator of paperbacks; by several measures, he was one of the most influential artists of his time. He singlehandedly redefined the fantasy genre with his dark detailed paintings and would inspire a generation of artists to emulate his style. This 1967 work, entitled "Man-Ape" evokes the raw unfettered emotion that has become a definitive attribute of his work. Dark Horse Comics ### The Death Dealer, 1973  Frazetta's paintings have often been praised as being able to tell complete stories within the boundaries of the canvas. In the case of his "Death Dealer" painting, the story was so compelling that it was not only used to illustrate Molly Hatchet's eponymous 1978 debut album, it also inspired a four-volume novel, its own comic book series and five more "Death Dealer" paintings. Frazetta's paintings have often been praised as being able to tell complete stories within the boundaries of the canvas. In the case of his "Death Dealer" painting, the story was so compelling that it was not only used to illustrate Molly Hatchet's epony ### Conan the Conqueror, 1967  Frank Frazetta passed away on May 10, 2010, but his influence on both fantasy and popular culture will remain for generations to come. Artists who have worked on everything from Star Wars to video games have attributed Frazetta as having influenced their own work. An artist of a different stroke, Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica, took his admiration one step further in 2009 by purchasing Frazetta's original "Conan the Conqueror" painting for $1 million. Dark Horse Comics ### Early Years  The artist formerly known as Frank Frazzetta (he would later drop one z in his name for aesthetic reasons) started his career at the age of 15 with a one-shot story, titled Snowman that was published in Tally-Ho Comics. His early work included a wide range of artistic stints ranging from drawing futuristic Buck Rogers covers for Famous Funnies — the above cover was released in 1954 — to working on the comic strip Li'l Abner by Al Capp. The artist formerly known as Frank Frazzetta (he would later drop one z in his name for aesthetic reasons) started his career at the age of 15 with a one-shot story, titled Snowman that was published in Tally-Ho Comics. His early work included a wide ran ### Hollywood  In 1964, Frazetta's satirical portrait of Ringo Starr for Mad Magazine caught the attention of film studio United Artists and soon landed him a gig painting the movie poster for Woody Allen's debut film What's New Pussycat?. Frazetta painted more than a dozen movie posters for by the end of his career — including Clint Eastwood's 1977 flick, The Gauntlet. His legacy, however, would not lie on the silver screen, but on the paperback. Everett ### Edgar Rice Burroughs: Master of Adventure, 1974  Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan was penned before Frazetta was born, but Frazetta's brush ensured its popularity long after Burroughs' death. His interpretation of Tarzan brought out the primal animalism of the titular character — a far chest-beating cry from the muted classical Grecian depictions of the man-ape in the original book covers. The covers he painted were an instant hit with fans, a fact not lost on its publisher. A memo from the office of the President of Ace books printed in The Definitive Frazetta Reference had this to say of the artist: "The book has sold well and always will on its own merits. But the cover is where it's at..." Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan was penned before Frazetta was born, but Frazetta's brush ensured its popularity long after Burroughs' death. His interpretation of Tarzan brought out the primal animalism of the titular character — a far chest-beating cry fr ### Conan the Barbarian, 1966  As with Tarzan, Frazetta would become instrumental in redefining another fantasy icon — Conan the Barbarian. The carefully sculpted musculature and the I'm-going-to-rip-off-your-head rage that Frazetta instilled upon Conan elevated the Cimmerian barbarian from mere warrior to force of nature. Frazetta's powerful paintings were a message to all that would oppose Conan — mess with this barbarian and not much would be left of you. Dark Horse Comics ### Conan the Destroyer, 1971  Perhaps the most direct beneficiary of Frazetta's redefinition of Conan was an Austrian bodybuilder named Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his breakthrough role, Schwarzenegger would play the muscle-laden warrior in the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian and its 1984 sequel Conan the Destroyer — two movies heavily influenced by Frazetta's work. Dark Horse Comics ### Vampirella, 1969  Voluptuous women clad in nothing but gossamer pieces of fabric — if they were clothed in anything at all — was another recurring theme in Frazetta's art. However, Frazetta's women were not just subservient playthings, they were amazons that exuded both power and sensuality — easily able to hold their ground against their beefy male counterparts. In 1969, Frazetta was tasked with painting the cover for the first issue of Vampirella — helping to define yet another cult classic. Voluptuous women clad in nothing but gossamer pieces of fabric — if they were clothed in anything at all — was another recurring theme in Frazetta's art. However, Frazetta's women were not just subservient playthings, they were amazons that exuded both p ### Egyptian Queen, 1969  Frazetta's empowered, yet erotic, portrayal of women was also used as a template for one of the premiere heroines of geek culture — Princess Leia. Aggie Guerard Rodgers, costume designer for Return of the Jedi, told Wired in a 2006 interview that Princess Leia's famous slave-girl bikini costume in the third Star Wars film was inspired by Frazetta. "He really loved (the female) form," she told Wired. "The fact that (Leia's costume is) such a female sensual costume, I think is terrific." Dark Horse Comics ### The Silver Warrior, 1974  From snakes to great cats, or in this instance, polar bears, Frazetta would often include powerful members of the animal kingdom to reinforce the superhuman strength of his sinewy strongmen. These savage animals would imbue his paintings with a feral ferocity that made his work dynamic, yet focused. From snakes to great cats, or in this instance, polar bears, Frazetta would often include powerful members of the animal kingdom to reinforce the superhuman strength of his sinewy strongmen. 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