Bernie Krigstein

Bernie Krigstein, born Bernard Krigstein on March 22, 1919, in New York City, was a fine artist and illustrator who brought a cinematic, modernist sensibility to comic book art. He is best known for his work at EC Comics, particularly the eight-page story "Master Race" from *Impact* #1 (1955), a haunting Holocaust narrative often cited as a high point of the medium. His art, typically signed "B. Krigstein," was distinguished by its bold, expressionistic linework, dynamic panel compositions, and a sophisticated use of light and shadow.

Krigstein entered comics in the early 1940s, contributing to a wide range of titles including *Whiz Comics*, *Western Fighters*, and *Nyoka the Jungle Girl*. His most prolific period was the 1950s, where he collaborated with editor Al Feldstein and writer Bill Gaines at EC. Though he produced relatively few comics pages, his influence was immense, inspiring later artists with his narrative pacing and visual storytelling.

Frustrated by the industry's constraints, Krigstein left comics in the late 1950s to focus on gallery painting and teaching. He died on January 8, 1990, in Brooklyn. Posthumously, he has been recognized with a Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame induction, cementing his legacy as a visionary who elevated comic art into an expressive, serious form.