Ken Landgraf (born 1950) is an American comic book artist, storyboard illustrator, and commercial artist. He is particularly known for illustrating "At the Sign of the Lion", widely regarded as the first published solo Wolverine story.
"When I was a kid, I purchased a ditto machine, a Spirit Duplicator, and started printing my own comics like Crimestopper Monthly and Vampire Kiss—sold them through Rocket's Blast, a fanzine. Steve Ditko, the Spider-Man artist, even drew a cover for me. I had two fan letters published in Spider-Man #11 and Adventure Comics. I'd write letters to artists. Ditko and [Joe] Kubert wrote back to encourage me."[1]
Landgraf took his early samples to DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He said:
"I went up to Marvel around lunchtime and spotted Stan Lee coming out of Marvel’s building. I introduced myself and told him I just got out of the service and asked if I could show him my portfolio. He said he was going to lunch but that I could go up to Marvel and say that Stan said I could show my work to John Romita, the art director. I was able to go in right away to see him."[1]
He worked for Marvel Comics as part of Tony DeZuniga’s “Tribe” studio, inking various projects from 1977–1979.[6]
Contribution to At the Sign of the Lion (1979)
Landgraf is widely recognized for illustrating the Wolverine story "At the Sign of the Lion," first published in Marvel Comic #335 (UK) in March 1979. The story—written by Jo Duffy and inked by George Pérez—is regarded by historians, collectors, and multiple pricing authorities as the first solo Wolverine story, predating The Uncanny X-Men #133 (1980) and the 1982 Wolverine limited series.[7][8]
In a 2019 interview with The Comics Journal, Landgraf stated that illustrating Wolverine’s first solo story is one of the accomplishments for which he most hopes to be remembered, reflecting the personal significance he places on the work.[9]
The story was later reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition #26 (1980) and has been included in numerous Wolverine and X-Men collections, further cementing its place in the character’s publication history.[10]
Additional work
Landgraf self-published Rock Comics #1 (1979) through his company Landgraphics Publications. He also created the science fiction series Starfighters, which ran for five issues.[citation needed]
He illustrated comics for heavy metal bands Vikon and Thor Rock Warrior, provided work for Revolutionary Comics’ Pink Floyd series, and inked John Jacobs on Dr. Peculiar comics.[11] He also produced fetish comics under the pseudonym "Dancer" for legendary underground artist Eric Stanton.[12]
He also produced color illustrations for Harris Publications titles including Tactical Knives, Combat Handguns, and White Tail Deer Hunter. [citation needed]
Landgraf has been referenced in Can Rock & Roll Save the World?: An Illustrated History of Music and Comics by Ian Shirley; The Weird World of Eerie Publications by Mike Howlett; and Bad Mags by Tom Brinkmann.[citation needed]
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