JOE SINNOTT: Brush Strokes with Greatness!

Every week at FLYING COLORS, each staff member makes a "Pick of the Week" for his or her favorite new comic book, graphic novel or comics-related book. My pick this week is a total no-brainer.

It's "Brush Strokes with Greatness: The Life & Art of Joe Sinnott"...and it hits the racks on Wednesday June 6 for New Releases' Day at FLYING COLORS.

Many FLYING COLORS' faithful know how I rave about the art of Joe Sinnott. Others may have heard me rave about Joe Sinnott, the man.

Joe has been involved with the comic book art business since the late 1940s. Best known as the inker of Jack Kirby's historic run on Marvel Comics' FANTASTIC FOUR series, Joe work has graced countless comics from TREASURE CHEST (those of us who went to Catholic School in the '60s no doubt will remember that one),to ATLAS (precursor to MARVEL), CHARLTON, ARCHIE, and DELL, among others. Joe did the comic book biographies of the BEATLES, JOHN F KENNEDY and MOTHER THERESA! The guy has done it all.

I was fortunate to meet and become friends with Joe Sinnott when, in 1995, he made his only trip to the West Coast for the San Diego Comic-Con.

I was thrilled to learn that not only is Joe one of the greats of comic art, he's also one of the most gracious, friendly and down-right good guys I've met in the comics' biz---which is full of good people!

On top of all that, Joe is huge fan of the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS. Actually, his love of the GIANTS goes back to his uncle--- JOHN "Little Napoleon" McGRAW, Hall of Fame manager of the NEW YORK GIANTS from 1902-1932. So it came as no surprise when I first saw the cover of "Brush Strokes with Greatness"--there's a photo of Joltin' Joe wearing a SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS cap.

I'm certain the reason Joe decided to come to that San Diego Comic-Con in '95---and take a week-long train ride to do it--- was because his beloved SF GIANTS were playing in San Diego that same week against the Padres. So Joe was able to do the convention and see his GIANTS in person on the West Coast for the first time. After all, as one gets to know Joe Sinnott, it's obvious his love of baseball sometimes even surpasses his affection for comics.

One quick anecdote: At the '95 San Diego Con, while I was at Joe's convention table talking with him about the Giants (and comics, too, natch!), someone approached Joe's table, knelt down in front of the table, and with a regal sounding British accent, proclaimed "At last I have the chance to once again meet the great Joe Sinnott in person. I've long admired your work, the way you so brilliantly lay down the blacks, the brush work of a master! It's so good to see you again!" The man of effusive praise was none other than Barry Windsor Smith!

At that point, I was privy to a brief but mutually admirable conversation during which Barry sang Joe's praises and Joe returned them in kind.

Over the last dozen years, I've talked with Joe Sinnott on numerous occasions. Our discussions are always focused on the fortunes and (sadly, mostly) failures of the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS. I've been a fan of the team all my life and have never seen the Giants win the World Series. Joe Sinnott celebrated his 80th birthday a few months ago---and the only GIANTS World Series victories in his lifetime were in 1933 and 1954! (Man, I can't believe I got that wrong the first time through!)

Along with the baseball talk, Joe and I have talked a lot about the world of comic books. It's been a delightful education for me. And a nicer guy I'll never meet.

Thanks, Joe Sinnott---for all your contributions to comics, to be sure, but also for your kindness to me over these years!

Peace!

FlyCoJoe