Graham Ingels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graham Ingels |
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| Born | June 7, 1915 Cincinnati |
| Died | April 4, 1991 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Artist |
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Notable works
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The Haunt of Fear and Tales from the Crypt |
| Awards | Inkwell Awards 2024 SASRA |
Graham J. Ingels (born June 7, 1915 – died April 4, 1991) was a famous American artist. He drew pictures for comic books and magazines. He is best known for his scary horror comics from the 1950s.
Graham Ingels worked a lot for EC Comics. He drew for popular horror titles like The Haunt of Fear and Tales from the Crypt. Because he was so good at drawing spooky things, EC Comics called him Ghastly Graham Ingels. He even started signing his artwork with "Ghastly" in 1952.
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Early Life and Art Career
Graham Ingels was born in Cincinnati. His father, Don Ingels, was also an artist. Graham started working at age 14 after his father passed away.
When he was 16, he began drawing for theater displays. He also studied art at the Hawthorne School of Art in New York. Graham married Gertrude when he was 20 and starting his art career.
In 1943, he joined the U.S. Navy. That same year, he began working for Fiction House Publications. He drew for their adventure magazines and comic books. His black and white drawings appeared in magazines like Planet Stories and Jungle Stories. He also painted a cover for Planet Stories in 1944.
Working with Other Artists
Graham and Gertrude Ingels had two children, Deanna and Robby. Robby was named after a character from a radio show.
In the late 1940s, Ingels regularly drew for Planet Comics and Rangers Comics. He also worked for other comic book companies. He became an art director at Better Publications. There, he gave early jobs to artists like George Evans and Frank Frazetta. Frank Frazetta said Ingels was the first person in the business to see his talent.
Ingels drew crime comics for Magazine Enterprises, including Manhunt. He also drew Western comics for many companies. These included Guns and Gunsmoke.
Drawing for EC Comics
In 1948, Al Feldstein hired Ingels to draw for EC Comics. At first, Ingels drew for their Western and romance comics. These comics included Gunfighter and Modern Love.
Later, EC Comics changed their focus to horror and science fiction. This is when Ingels truly shined. It became clear that he was perfect for drawing scary stories.
Ingels' Unique Style
Ingels had a very special way of drawing. His art was great for showing spooky, old mansions and scary landscapes. He drew twisted characters and creepy creatures. His zombies looked like they had rotting flesh. A common detail in his art was a thread of saliva from a character's horrified open mouth.
He was the main artist for The Haunt of Fear. He drew the Old Witch, who was the host of the main story in that comic. He also drew the covers for many issues. Ingels was a very busy artist. He drew the Old Witch in Tales From the Crypt and The Vault of Horror too.
Some of his stories were even made into movies. "Poetic Justice" from The Haunt of Fear was adapted for the 1972 Tales From the Crypt film.
After EC Comics
When EC Comics stopped publishing horror comics, Ingels drew for their new types of comics. These included Piracy and M.D..
After EC Comics closed in the mid-1950s, Ingels found it hard to find work. His friend, artist Howard Nostrand, said that Ingels' special talent was horror comics, and there weren't many of those anymore.
Ingels then became an art teacher. He taught at the Famous Artists School. He later moved to Lantana, Florida, and continued teaching art. For many years, he did not talk about his work in horror comics. He later reconciled with his daughter, Deanna, with help from George Evans.
Awards and Recognition
Graham Ingels' artwork has received awards and tributes.
- In 1972, his story "Horror We? How's Bayou?" from The Haunt of Fear won an award for best EC horror art. This happened at the EC Fan-Addict Convention.
- In 2011, the Ghastly Awards were started. These awards honor great horror comics. They are named after Ingels' nickname, "Ghastly." Graham Ingels was the first person to be put into their Hall of Fame.
- In 2024, Ingels was given the Inkwell Awards Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA) after his death.
