Frank Coombs (artist)

Frank Coombs (1906-1941) was an American artist, best known for his work in the pulp magazine and comic book industries. Coombs primarily worked as a cover artist and interior illustrator, contributing to a variety of genres including Westerns, detective stories, and science fiction.

While his career was relatively short due to his early death, Coombs developed a distinctive style characterized by dynamic action scenes, strong character portrayal, and skillful use of light and shadow. He often employed a dramatic, somewhat stylized realism.

Coombs' work appeared in popular pulp magazines such as Argosy, Adventure, Black Mask, Doc Savage Magazine, and Thrilling Western. He also contributed to early comic books, including work for Centaur Publications. He is considered a significant, though perhaps less widely recognized, figure in the history of American pulp illustration and early comic art. Information on specific published works and a complete bibliography remains an ongoing area of research.