Some of the most unique horror comic covers from the Pre-Code years are the result of the stylings of the talented artist L.B. Cole. He was born Leonard "Lenny" Hildebrandt Cohen on August 28, 1918 in the Bronx, New York City. At the age of fifteen, his father changed the family name to the "less Jewish-sounding Cole, something done quite often during the time to both "Americanize" the name, as well as avoid any stigma about being Jewish.
Cole left school and went to work in his grandfather's cigar factory, where he cultivated an interest in commercial art. He landed a job at the company that manufactured his grandfather's cigar box labels and remained in the field of commercial art until 1940, when he began to paint adult paperback book covers for Phoenix Press for Harry Donenfield, future co-owner of DC Comics.
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| Paperback book covers by L.B. Cole [Source: Pulpartists.com]. |
In 1949, Cole founded Star Publications after buying the rights to the characters from Novelty Press' BLUE BOLT COMICS. Star remained in business until 1954, when the Comics Code Authority went into effect. Cole continued with his art into the 1990's until his death on December 5, 1995 at the age of 77.
Mainly a cover artist, Cole is known for creating some of the most imaginative and strangest cover images ever. Likely result of his background in commercial art, his covers are works of as much design as they are illustration. His choice of color was always highly-saturated hues, likely to draw more attention on the comic racks. Cole returned often to the theme of the Devil or devilish characters to suggest that malicious or evil intent was in store for readers.
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| L.B. Cole cover for 3-D Exotic Beauties (3-D Zone, 1990). |
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| L.B. Cole undated art. |
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| L.B. Cole undated art. |
See more of L.B. Cole's work HERE.
Amazing stuff! I've seen most of the comic book covers but none of the paperbacks or the undated artwork. Cole's art got your attention, but essence if what a cover artist was supposed to do.
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