Jim Aparo: Brave & Bold Artist

Jim Aparo: Brave & Bold Artist is published by TwoMorrows Publishing in USA in February 2026. The hardcover book focuses on the artistic work of American artist Jim Aparo. Written by Eric Nolen-Weathington and Jim Amash, it contains an introduction by award-winning artist Alan Davis, and a new Jim Aparo cover inked by Mike DeCarlo.

TwoMorrows Publishing is a highly respected US-based publisher founded by John and Pam Morrow in 1994, initially as an offshoot of their advertising agency in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company quickly distinguished itself by focusing on providing in-depth coverage of the history and creators behind comic books and retro pop culture. Their mission is to create a lasting record of this unique American art form, documenting the careers and accomplishments of creators from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages of comics, often attracting a readership that skews older and appreciates the medium’s history. The company prides itself on offering detailed, well-researched content with a fun, positive slant, having earned multiple Eisner Awards for their publications.

The company’s publishing venture began in 1994 with the launch of the Jack Kirby Collector, a fanzine dedicated to the work of the legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby, following his death. This initial success rapidly led to the expansion of their magazine line, which today includes several long-running and highly regarded titles. Key magazine publications include Alter Ego (focusing on Golden and Silver Age comics), Back Issue! (covering comics from the 1970s onward), Comic Book Creator (celebrating creators), and RetroFan (exploring general retro pop culture). In a unique diversification, they also publish BrickJournal, a magazine catering to LEGO enthusiasts.

Beyond their magazine lineup, TwoMorrows has a prolific output of trade paperbacks and hardcovers that further cement their role as preservers of comics history. Noteworthy book series include the comprehensive American Comic Book Chronicles, which provides a detailed, decade-by-decade history of the medium, and the Modern Masters series, which focuses on the careers of contemporary comic book artists. They also publish “Companion” books on specific publishers or characters and “How-To” books for aspiring creators. Despite being a small operation, relying on numerous freelance editors and contributors, TwoMorrows remains a premier source for fans and researchers seeking high-quality, specialized material on comics and pop culture history.

Jim Aparo: Brave & Bold contains 176 color pages, rich in both information and images. The front cover can be seen below.

The description for the book by TwoMorrows Publishing states:

For a generation of comic-book readers, Jim Aparo is considered the greatest Batman artist of them all. Aparo—with his strong, dynamic style, well-grounded in realism—together with Batman made a team worthy of the title, The Brave and the Bold. But before that team-up book, he made a name for himself on such series as Aquaman, the controversial “Spectre,” and the mysterious Phantom Stranger, and is considered by many to be the definitive artist for each.

Now, the team of Jim Amash and Eric Nolen-Weathington (editors of Matt Baker: The Art of Glamour; Carmine Infantino: Penciler, Publisher, Provocateur; and Sal Buscema: Comics’ Fast and Furious Artist) turn the Bat Signal on the life and work of one of comics’ finest! From his time in the world of advertising art, at Charlton Comics on Nightshade and The Phantom, through the heyday of the ’70s, and beyond the death of Robin, Aparo’s career is finally given the attention it so richly deserves. The book is lavishly illustrated with Aparo’s work, including many rare and previously-unpublished pieces.

Jim Aparo encountered the Phantom whilst working at Charlton Comics, considered a significant period in his career. During his time at Charlton Comics, Jim Aparo worked on the Phantom comic book series from 1969 thru till 1970.His contributions included both interior art and covers for comic book edition numbers 31 thru to 38. These issues showcased his dynamic and detailed style, making it a memorable period in the Phantom’s history. These editions can be seen below.

In 1974, Aparo illustrated two additional covers for Charlton Comics, comic book edition numbers 60 and 61, as seen below.

Aparo’s attention to detail was impressive. He carefully depicted the Phantom’s costume, the jungles of Bangalla, and the unique creatures of this mysterious land. His backgrounds were vivid, enhancing the stories. A sample of his comic strip work can be seen below.