Marchetti, Lou - Combat! - Vintage Paperback Cover!

BOARD: 21 1/2 x 24

Matte: 26 3/8 x 28 7/8

Oil on 1/8 Illustration Board

This stunning original painting by Lou Marchetti, a legend of vintage paperback illustration, stands as a prime example of mid-century pulp cover artistry at its finest. Originally published as the cover for Lion Library’s Combat! anthology, this evocative scene was later repurposed for the June 1959 issue of Valor Magazine—a testament to its enduring visual impact.

Marchetti’s expressive, painterly style is on full display, capturing the raw emotion and drama of war with cinematic intensity. The composition is a perfect trifecta of action, tension, and romance: a battle-worn soldier, rifle in hand, turns with a look of desperation; in the background, another soldier walks away toward a battlefield graveyard, his head hung low in defeat; and in the foreground, a wounded officer shares an intimate, bittersweet moment with a woman, perhaps a final embrace before returning to war. The brushwork and sense of realism elevate the piece beyond traditional commercial illustration, solidifying it as a work of fine art.

For collectors, this painting represents exceptional value. While comic book cover art from the same era commands astronomical prices, the best of 1950s and 1960s vintage paperback art remains a hidden gem in the collecting world. With its cross-market appeal, this piece offers a rare opportunity to own a historically significant, museum-worthy example of pulp-era illustration at a fraction of the cost of its comic book counterparts. A true centerpiece for any serious collector of original paperback, pulp, or war-themed artwork!

NOTE: The painting will ship with the mat seen in the first photo. The novel and magazine are shown for informational purposes only and are not included with the purchase of the painting.