Matt Baker : the art of glamour

In the early 1940s, Matt Baker became of one the earliest African-Americancomic book artists.

But it wasn't the color of his skin which made himsuch a significant figure in the history of the medium - it was his innateability to draw gorgeous, exciting women and handsome, dynamic men in a fluid,graceful style.

Imagine Dave Stevens or Adam Hughes working in the '40s,drawing a new story every month, and you'll have a good idea of MattBaker's place in the industry throughout his career.

Yet, few oftoday's comic book fans know of the artist or his work, because he died in1959 at the young age of 38, just as the Silver Age of Comics was blossoming andbringing in a new generation of readers. Edited by Jim Amash and Eric Nolen-Weathington, Matt Baker: The Art ofGlamour presents an impressive career cut tragically short.

It features awealth of essays, interviews with Baker's friends, family, and co-workers,and a treasure trove of his finest artwork, including several complete stories,at last giving the wonderfully talented artist his full due.