RIP Illustration Legend James Bama

Farewell To A Very Unique Talent

The very sad news reached us that legendary illustrator James Bama just passed away at the age of 95 just a couple of days ago…

Bama was an artist whose career spanned decades and included his unique Western paintings, art for the Aurora model kits and a series of very iconic Doc Savage paperback covers. He wasn’t a comic artist but his influence was felt in the comics industry. Here’s what Hellboy creator Mike Mignola had to say about him on his Facebook wall this week

R.I.P. the great James Bama

This one stings. Those Doc Savage covers were huge for me–As a kid they were my doorway into the pulps. I mean how the hell could you resist those things? And years later I stumbled across a few in a used book story, snapped them up and couldn’t stop till I’d hunted them all down. I think at least half of the Hellboy covers I’ve done are in some way influence/inspired by those covers.

And on Twitter Francesco Francavilla put up a tribute to him too

So saddened to hear of the passing of a GIANT of Cover Art and Illustration, JAMES BAMA.
Much love to his family and friends and a huge thanks to the Legend himself for gifting us so much inspiration over the decades. See you on the other side, sir. pic.twitter.com/s2zKNZ1hwh

— Francesco Francavilla (@f_francavilla) April 24, 2022

Back on Facebook artist Rafael Kayanan paid tribute to him on his wall

Rafael Kayanan

Yesterday at 07:19  ·

He called himself an American Realist. Illustrator’s Hall of Famer James Bama was a NY city kid influenced by the Flash Gordon strips of Alex Raymond and magazine covers of Norman Rockwell. After serving in WW2 he went on to study under Frank Reilly (a direct lineage to the legendary Dean Cornwell). Bama’s Doc Savage covers and Aurora Model kit box art are iconic images that are part of many childhoods. Halfway through his life he discarded his successful illustration career to paint for himself. He moved out west to Wyoming where he met and befriended many who inspired his sublime dusty depictions of Cheyenne, Sioux, Crow and various mountain men. RIP to one of the giants of illustration! #jamesbama #oldwest

And from his friend Brian Kane who wrote a book about him also on Facebook

Sad news. My friend, Jimmy, passed away today.

Sorry, Jimmy was born on April 28, 1926. I was a bit distracted when I made this.

The passing of Bama is a huge one and we send our condolences to his friends and family. Here’s a small gallery of just some of his amazing work over a long and distinguished career