A Melting Pot of Mayhem

Pulp Artists: Earl Norem — From Men’s Mags to Marvel

Stag Aug. 1973 - Earl Norem
For Stag magazine – Aug. 1973

Earl Norem (1924 – 2015) is the bridge between men’s adventure magazines and comic book art. The guy painted for everything pop culture; men’s mags, comic books, pulp paperbacks, movie posters, toy packaging, and even programs for the New York Yankees. 

He was born on April 17, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York. During World War II he joined the army and fought with the 85th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division primarily in Italy where he was wounded. 

Earl-Norem-photo-by-Ray-Falcoa-01---
Earl Norem photo by Ray Falcoa – via menspulpmags.com

After the war, Norem started out almost exclusively for Men’s Adventure Magazines but then went on to illustrate for such projects as Masters of the Universe, Mars Attacks, Spider-Man, Planet of the Apes, The Hulk, The Six Million Dollar Man, Savage Sword of Conan. As well as package designs for Mattel, Hasbro, and Mego Toys. 

Norem retired in 2005 and died ten years later in Danbury Connecticut.

Norem artwork you can buy

civil war battle, NEW YORK ZOUAVES
Civil War Battle, New York Zouaves – Available for purchase on eBay

People often ask us if we know where they can get their hands on any of the artwork we post. Usually, like Mort Künstler, the artist has a website and we’d encourage you to go directly through them. When it comes to Earl Norem there are a few people who collect his stuff, one is a friend of the pulps Rays Art and Comics Collection.

Here’s some of the stuff Ray has, feel free to reach out if you think it’d look good on your wall.

Final Norem
The final product of the sketches above

He’s got a lot of them. Like we said, Ray’s Art and Comics Collection, send him a DM if you’re interested.

From Men’s Mags to Marvel Comics

I was going to break this down by comics vs. men’s mags but I kind of like having the Hulk and Cobra Commander amongst bears swatting nazis and surfer assassins so we’ll just throw them all together.

Male magazine Nov -1974- Norem
Male magazine – Nov 1974
Men magazine - April 1969
Men magazine – April 1969
Male magazine - August 1967
Male magazine – August 1967
The Surf Pack Assassins in a more festive mood
Male magazine - July 1975
Male magazine – July 1975
Tales of the Zombie 1975
Mans Life - January 1965
Mans Life – January 1965
Thrills & Chills
For Thrills & Chills magazine
For Men Only - March 1975
For Men Only – March 1975
Men - October 1964
Men – October 1964
Thrills and Chills
Thrills and Chills
Nov 1962
Nov. 1962
Mans Life - July 1962 - Norem
Mans Life – July 1962
Nov. 1967
July 1967
July 1967
Stag 1967
Interior Illustration for Stag magazine – July 1967
May 1966
May 1966
Thrills and Chills
Interior illustration for Men magazine – October 1964
Male magazine – 1966
August 1971
Men magazine – August 1971
November 1965
May 1961
May 1961
Thrills and Chills
March 1969
Man’s World 1969
Male magazine 1974
Men magazine 1967
Thrills and Chills
FOR MEN ONLY – Feb 1968

Artwork above is a “Book Bonus” of one of our favorite authors, Donald Westlake for The Hunter. Speaking of book bonuses:

The Godfather in MALE magazine – August 1969

We wrote about The Godfather and Mort Künstler’s work alongside Norem’s in this article.

Tales of the Zombievia menspulpmags.com
Bluebook – March 1963 via menspulpmags.com
Thrills and Chills
Action Life

References / Further Reading