Lee Brown Coye (1907–1981) was best known as a highly idiosyncratic artist of the macabre, who most notably illustrated stories for Weird Tales
magazine and book jackets for the publisher Arkham House, but as Ortiz shows in his well-researched biography, Coye's range was much wider than most fans realize. He was also a muralist in the tradition of such American regionalists as Thomas Hart Benton, as well as a capable anatomical artist. His paintings were exhibited at galleries and museums, including the Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased a watercolor of his for its permanent collection. Unfortunately, Coye was never a financial success, and he was plagued by self-doubt and ill health in later years. He did achieve one bit of indirect posthumous fame: a favorite motif, latticeworks of sticks, inspired Karl Edward Wagner's celebrated tale "Sticks," which in turn influenced the makers of the film The Blair Witch Project
. With its more than 350 illustrations, many in color, this portrait of "a seminal pulp artist at the very least" is a must for lovers of the weird and fantastic. (Feb.)
