Quarter Bin #110 "Will Eisner's Spirit"

The Spirit #60 (Kitchen Sink Press)
from October 1989

I confess to not having a lot of experience with Will Eisner, one of the giants of the comic book medium, whose creation of The Spirit influenced the artistry of comics all the way to the present.  These days a lot of fans will associate that impact with Frank Miller's Sin City, an association made more potent by Miller directing The Spirit (a movie that didn't get a lot of love, alas).

But as I read this issue, a different association came to mind.  Granted, this is with limited exposure, but I immediately thought of Jeff Smith, specifically RASL.  Have a look for comparison:

 



It's in the storytelling, the lettering (both apply to Smith's Bone, too, naturally).  I can't help but see parallels, and I wonder how many other fans have made the connection over the years.  Smith's biggest acknowledged source of inspiration was always Pogo, which I've likewise never had the pleasure to read.

Hmm.  Seems the lettering is the same.  But I haven't seen this lettering style outside of these examples.  I don't know. 

It's certainly worth considering, anyway.  Fascinating, in the issue, is the inclusion of creator notes on each included reprinted story.  Eisner, it seems, felt strongly about all of them.  Makes you wonder what comic book creators today would be saying about their work.