R.A. Parker Meets Mary Shelley
I mentioned in my last post that Robert Andrew Parker's Illustrated Frankenstein was among my favorite projects of his. I dug a few scans out of the archives, which I offer here largely without comment, save Wow!
How can such a light touch pack such power?
Seemingly so tossed off, yet so frightening.
The arc of that torch captures the miracle of Parker's work for me. It's mystifyingly precise; it's flamboyant. I apologize for the etymological pun, but it's the word I mean; it propels the story with crude yet witty force. "Crude" also and especially applying to the monster.
Finally: how does he insert creepy comedy into the story?
Hats off, RAP.
Robert Andrew Parker, Trembling with passion, I tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged. Parker's Illustrated Frankenstein, Clarkson N. Potter, 1976.
Parker, In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.
Parker, I lighted the dry branch of a tree and danced with fury around the devoted cottage.
Parker, I saw, by the light of the moon, the demon at the casement.