EXTRACTS: Illustrators issue 34 by Book Palace Books * 96 PAGES IN FULL EDITION

3 Jesús Blasco Like many Spanish artists from the second half of the 20th century, Jesús Blasco was better known abroad than in his own country. In the UK his work was followed avidly by comic readers, particularly ‘Steel Claw’, a strip for Valiant executed in a hyper-realistic noir style that was a significant influence onmany young British artists —chief among them, Brian Bolland, who cites Blasco as a major influence. Jesús Blasco Monterde, the oldest of five children— three brothers and a sister, who would all destined to become artists—was born in Barcelona in 1919. He became a professional artist at the tender age of 15. His debut was in the pages of the comics weekly Mickey and latterly for other children’s comics that circulated in Spain during the 1930s. Blasco’s initial influences had included the Mickey Mouse comics, especially those by Floyd FACING PAGE: The Sleeping Princess , brush, ink and watercolour on board. From Once Upon a Time Nos. 23-30 (1969). This series appeared in eight episodes of two pages every week. ABOVE: Babes in the wood , ink and watercolour for Playhour (1957). LEFT: Photograph of the master during the 1970s. © Look and Learn © Look and Learn