Nick Cardy: The Artist at War

by Nick Cardy

Renowned commercial illustrator, designer and comicbook artist on Tomahawk, Aquaman and Teen Titans Nick Cardy, now in his 90s, has been drawing all his life. And thank goodness for that, as these recently unearthed sketches contribute not to to our pop culture history - as do his other works - but to our history

Before beginning his career in comics, Nick was one of the young Americans shipped overseas to fight in World War II. He proceeded to do what he did best - carry a sketchbook and document his time in the conflict from beginning to end. From his basic training in the US, Cardy was deployed with the 3rd Armored 'Spearhead' Division, and fought through Europe (receiving two Purple Hearts on the way), ending up in Paris after VE Day. His sketches - in pencil, pen and watercolor - are extraordinarily vivid, and capture not only the humor and camaraderie, but also the horror of war.

Nick The Artist At War presents the entire contents of Cardy's wartime sketchbook, alongside his own commentary. It's a chronicle of one man's journey, but one that speaks for millions.

Genres: Art, War, Nonfiction, Biography

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2012

Reviews

[Adelaide (LiterallyAdele) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick Cardy: The Artist at War is part art collection, part memoir. Some of you may be familiar with Cardy’s work at DC Comics, but this book shows that his talent extends beyond the realm of graphic novels. His artwork is nothing short of incredible, demonstrating Cardy's skill even under the most demanding of circumstances – a soldier at war. His ability to convey intricate details, even in a simple sketch, results in exceptional pieces that leave a lasting impression.

Cardy's illustrations capture the essence of war, from chaotic battle scenes to the quiet moments of reflection. It's a powerful and immersive journey through the eyes of an artist whose art breathes life into the experiences of the average soldier. The cover on this book could be a bit more appealing, but it gets the point across, and readers are left in no doubt as to what they’re getting into.

My final thoughts are that I enjoyed the poignant and emotive nature of the artwork within these pages. This book stands as a testament to Cardy's artistry and serves as a captivating journey through the lens of a skilled artist amidst the chaos of war, while the accompanying stories provide valuable context, enriching the overall experience. I probably won’t add this to my permanent collection, but whether you appreciate art, history, graphic novels, or all three, Nick Cardy: The Artist at War is worth perusing.

[Zac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book inexpensively on what may have been Nick Cardy’s 100th birthday, which was purely a coincidence. The design of this (cover, font, layouts) could have been a little bit more appealing but the content was very good. Cardy reminisces about the entirety of his involvement in WWII, including being drafted, training, going to Europe, and then being in France during the aftermath. Though he doesn’t dwell on the details, he seems to have seen heavy action, witnessed friends die, and had many brushes with death himself. Though his memoir was fascinating, the focus of the book is Cardy's art. Much of it is only very rudimentary sketchy outlines, which is to expected during the chaos of war, particularly as being an artist was not his role once he arrived in Europe. But when he has more time to fill in the details the art is exceptional. I really liked some of the portraits and especially his work with colour. This was a worthwhile purchase if just for the 2 dozen or so watercolours, but there is more to this book than just the great art.

[Nick Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Outstanding presentation of theatre-of-war sketches, with contemporary commentary by Cardy. Minor quibbles with page design but on the whole, excellent reproductions of Cardy's sketchbook, with added bonus of photos of the artist following his discharge. A fascinating window into another time and world, and the memory of both.

[Nicholas Vanover · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best of the witterstaetter

[Wilde Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of an artist's WWII service and his illustrations from that period.

I found this book touching bringing the experience of the average soldier to life.

Reading time around one hour.

[Gonzalo Oyanedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magistral testimonio que entrega un clásico sobre su experiencia en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Apuntes gráficos cargados de recuerdos y el sabor de un conflicto que sólo es recreable por quien lo vivió en primera línea.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The personal history of the artist interwoven with his sketches and watercolors from his time during World War II. The collection is well put together.