Reed Crandall was an American illustrator and penciller best known for his work in comic books and magazines. He was a prominent figure during the Golden Age of comics and made significant contributions to the industry. Crandall's art graced the covers and pages of National Comics, and he was particularly renowned for his work on the 1940s Quality Comics' Blackhawk and for stories in EC Comics during the 1950s. His art encompassed a variety of genres, including horror, crime, war, and adventure comics.

 

Crandall's artistic journey began after he graduated from the Cleveland School of Art in 1939. Throughout his career, he demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity, earning him a place in the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2009. His work continues to be celebrated, and in 2023, he was posthumously awarded the Inkwell Awards SASRA (Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award).

 

Reed Crandall's legacy as an illustrator and penciller remains influential, and he is referenced in Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay," where the fictional character Joe Kavalier refers to Crandall as the "top" comic-book artist of his era. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, and he remains a significant figure in the history of comic book illustration.