Gunsmoke [1965]

[1964] Annual. Original price 7/6.
96 pages. B&W contents.
Purnell & Sons, Ltd.

Based on the US television series starring James Arness.

Photo cover (uncredited).

Contents:

 2 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

 4 Thrilling New Adventures of Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc contents page, illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

 5 Gunsmoke title page; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin. / Indicia

 6 The Desperate Man text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

14 Give a Dog a Bad Name text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

20 The Bounty Hunter w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).

r: Newspaper strip.

29 The Disappearance of Doc text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

34 The Dead Skull Trail text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

40 The Silent Rider text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

47 Wagon Train of Trouble text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

54 Freighter's War w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: Barry Bishop.

r: Newspaper strip.

67 Rogue Stallion text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

74 The Iron Fist text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

83 Comanche Rising text story by John Challis; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

94 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by Denis McLoughlin.

Although the cover may be be the most enticing prospect for a potential reader, with a rather mundane photograph, and the title rendered in a very unimaginative manner, the contents contain, by far, the best artwork the series has ever seen. Denis McLoughlin, whose expert skill at capturing dramatic, and extremely realistic, scenes is evident throughout, provides a focus which allows the stories to draw readers in. If you aren't immediately entranced by the amazing endpapers, then there is something wrong with you.

A seriously impressive spread, playing with light and shadow in complex cross-hatching and chiaroscuro techniques, the initial image sets the stage for what is both a lesson in art, as well as a challenge to other artists - McLoughlin never shies away from tricky perspective, playing with light and dark to create a deep and visually stirring selection of memorable images. Among the highlights are a smoke-filled room, which uses negative space to build a feeling of the surrounding flames, and a beautiful image of two men on horseback under immense trees, the three-dimensionality of which is spectacularly well done.

It isn't a wholly-impressive publication, however, with rather staid strips pulled from the newspaper adventures. Compared to the original material, these suffer in both scale and adventurous composition, though the narrative consideration assists in keeping the selection from being too off-putting.

Glorious art, which proves that no matter the subject, McLoughlin could make the material shine.

[1964]

Gunsmoke Annual

[1966]