Keeping The Legacy Of Fire And Ice Burning
by Sara Frazetta
Animation of Darkwolf from Fire and Ice (1983)
One of my earliest memories revolves around the time I spent with my grandfather, watching his film Fire and Ice. I remember how proud he was of his creation, yet he always made it VERY clear that he had no desire to be involved in animation again. The laborious process discouraged him. Instead, he aspired to make a live-action film someday, particularly a horror film reminiscent of the classic masterpieces like Dracula (1931) Night of the Hunter and Creature From the Black Lagoon. To him, those films, like his paintings, left room for imagination. That's what he loved. Sadly, his dreams were cut short when he fell ill in his late 50s, soon after completing Fire and Ice. Never again did he have the opportunity to work on another film, which is one of the reasons he held onto Fire and Ice so tightly.
During his final days with his declining health, I was blessed to spend a significant amount of time with him. He was in that reflective phase of his life, often choosing to watch his documentary Painting with Fire and Fire and Ice. He loved to discuss it with me throughout the movie. He would reminisce about moments on set with the actors, express his frustration at never finding a real-life Teegra, and couldn't get enough of William Kraft's musical score. He also had great admiration for the background art by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade. It truly thrilled him to witness his artwork come to life on the screen and be adapted into a film.
Frazetta on set of Fire and Ice (1982)
Frazetta's Teegra Concept Art
Because this movie held a special place in my grandfather's heart, it has remained incredibly dear to me since the day I first watched it. After the live-action film fell through, Fire and Ice remained a cult classic that lingered in the shadows. It resided on platforms like YouTube and other free streaming services, gradually fading from conversations. It needed a revival but it wasn't happening without some conscious effort. It wasn't until writer Bob Freeman reached out to me on Twitter with an unexpected proposal. He asked if I had considered creating a role-playing game based on the film Fire and Ice. I had never considered it, but I found the idea intriguing. I approached the Ralph Bakshi family, who co-owned the property, and they were enthusiastic about expanding its potential. We immediately started working on the RPG with Bob Freeman, which eventually led us down other creative paths, such as the world of comics.
Having previously collaborated with Nick Barrucci of Dynamite Entertainment on Vampirella, we knew he would be a great fit for this property. Together, we brainstormed and searched tirelessly for the right creative team. Making my grandfather proud became my driving force throughout this endeavor, and I placed a crazy amount of pressure on myself to get everything to a standard of excellence. I knew what questions to ask and what qualities to look for. When I saw Leonardo Manco's art in Opus Publishing's Death Dealer issue #4, I knew he possessed a remarkable talent. His art resonated with me, and I could envision my grandfather raising an approving eyebrow at his work. Manco's art carried the same emotional depth and power as Frazetta's, reminding me of my grandfather's final comic, titled "Werewolf." When Manco joined the team, I was overjoyed and relieved. I couldn't imagine proceeding without him. From the moment I saw his art, I had a gut feeling that screamed "yes."
Leonardo Manco's Interior Art for Issue #1 titled "Good In Life."
We still needed a writer. Matt, the editor at Dynamite, exhibited incredible patience and diligence in finding the perfect match. We needed someone who could work seamlessly with Manco and handle the weight of creating a prequel series. It was a monumental task, and only a truly skilled writer could rise to the occasion. We reached out to numerous writers, some of whom I doubted were the right fit, and others who seemed capable. None of them worked out, and time was running out.
Feeling the pressure, I turned to my business partner, Joe, for assistance. His gift of intuition and remarkable ability to read people proved invaluable. After just ten minutes of searching online, he came upon a writer named Bill Willingham. After conducting some research, Joe sent me a text with his name, and as soon as I opened it, I felt that unmistakable "yes" feeling. Instead of reading his writing, I chose to watch interviews with him. Within minutes, my gut confirmed that he was the one. He possessed the wit and personality I was certain my grandfather would have appreciated. Bill was onboard, and with the support and creative freedom granted by Dynamite, the team was assembled, and the true creative geniuses began their work.
When we received the first script from Bill and saw Leonardo's character art, we knew we had struck gold. My grandfather would have been pleased, and that meant we had succeeded. I understood the significance of this endeavor, and mediocracy was not an option. I have immense faith in this series. It embodies so much heart and adventure, employing the art of traditional storytelling through exceptional world-building. I can't wait until fans read issue #1 which will be in stores on August 2nd and can be pre-ordered at FrazettaGirls.com. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think! Long live Frazetta!
Wrap around cover artwork by Leonardo Manco
Sara Frazetta in Frank Frazetta's studio with the original Fire and Ice artwork (1990)
Thanks to movieweb.com for this blog’s title.
Sara, working with you on Fire & Ice and Vampirella has been a dream come true. And this is all just the beginning. Thank you for your passion and your creative spirit.
You’re accomplishing incredible things Sara. I know Frank and Ellie are proud of you and the amazing energy you put into each project. You’re becoming a true force of nature.