Gods' Man

(1978)

[Gods' Man] I. The Brush (Table of Contents: 1)

comic story / 26 pages (report information)

Script

Lynd Ward (credited)

Pencils

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Inks

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Genre

fantasy-supernatural

Characters

The artist; beggar; innkeeper; mysterious stranger [the devil]

Synopsis

Through stormy seas the artist makes his way to a new country, where he gives all his substance to relieve a beggar. He tries to barter his artwork for a meal, only to be met with derision. But a mysterious stranger buys his art, and gives him a brush which has been used by great artists throughout the ages. The artist joyously signs a contract for the brush.

Reprints

• from Gods' Man (Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929 series) ([November 13] 1929)

Keywords

Artist; engraving; pact with the devil; pantomime; woodcut; wordless

[Gods' Man] II. The Mistress (Table of Contents: 2)

comic story / 28 pages (report information)

Script

Lynd Ward (credited)

Pencils

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Inks

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Genre

fantasy-supernatural

Characters

The artist; dealer; the mistress

Synopsis

The artist begins to paint with the new brush, quickly gathering an enthusiastic following. The dealer auctions his work for great prices, and sets him up with fine clothes and a wonderful studio. The dealer further introduces the artist to a stunning woman, the mistress -- to whom the dealer whispers instructions.

Reprints

• from Gods' Man (Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929 series) ([November 13] 1929)

Keywords

Artist; engraving; pantomime; woodcut; wordless

[Gods' Man] III. The Brand (Table of Contents: 3)

comic story / 28 pages (report information)

Script

Lynd Ward (credited)

Pencils

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Inks

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Genre

fantasy-supernatural

Characters

The artist; the mistress; policeman; judge; art dealer

Synopsis

The artist paints the mistress, but discovers that she is branded with the sign of the dollar. As he staggers through the city he discovers her again and again in lewd circumstances. He is arrested by one of her paramours, sentenced to prison by another. Escaping jail, he is chased from the city by a mob incited by the art dealer.

Reprints

• from Gods' Man (Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929 series) ([November 13] 1929)

Indexer Notes

Artist; engraving; pantomime; prison; woodcut; wordless

[Gods' Man] IV. The Wife (Table of Contents: 4)

comic story / 18 pages (report information)

Script

Lynd Ward (credited)

Pencils

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Inks

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Genre

fantasy-supernatural

Characters

The artist; the wife; baby

Synopsis

Gamboling among the goats on a hillside at dawn, a young woman discovers the collapsed artist. She takes him to her hut and nurses him. He broods over the distant city, but at length she leads him to see the mountains, hills, and stars. She gives birth to a child, and the artist exults beneath the sun.

Reprints

• from Gods' Man (Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929 series) ([November 13] 1929)

Keywords

Artist; engraving; pantomime; woodcut; wordless

[Gods' Man] V. The Portrait (Table of Contents: 5)

comic story / 15 pages (report information)

Script

Lynd Ward (credited)

Pencils

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Inks

Lynd Ward (woodcut) (credited)

Genre

fantasy-supernatural

Characters

The artist; the wife; child; mysterious stranger [the devil] [death]

Synopsis

The family lives happily together; father and child both paint. At length the artist is thrilled to see his old friend, the mysterious stranger who provided him with that marvelous brush. The artist cheerfully leaves his family and paints the stranger's portrait. But as the artist paints, the stranger removes a mask. The stricken artist plunges into the abyss while the stranger retrieves his brush, finally revealing that his true face is a death's head.

Reprints

• from Gods' Man (Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929 series) ([November 13] 1929)

Keywords

Artist; engraving; pact with the devil; pantomime; woodcut; wordless