Interview with Susan Jaekel
Former Atari Box Artist
If you ask gamers what is one striking thing about the early days of
gaming they will probably bring up the box art of the Atari 2600
games. These were not simple pieces of digital art, they were full
on paintings by true artists. The box art was quite contradictory of
what was actually provided in the game since the systems of the
time were extremely weak in graphics power. Here at Retro Gaming
Magazine we are extremely interested in this early era of gaming.
Getting the chance to interview someone from this era was a nobrainer for us. We were able to get Susan Jaekel, who is still a professional painter, for a few questions.
Retro Gaming Magazine) Please introduce yourself.
Susan Jaekel) My name is Susan Jaekel, and I am an Illustrator who has worked in the
Bay Area of California since graduating from the San Jose State Art program. My focus
for my illustration work has been mainly in the children’s market, illustrating text and
trade books, games, stickers, and Ravensburger puzzles. I also have done work for Apple Computer, Sunset Magazine and Books, and Atari.
RGM) How did you come to work on Atari cartridge art?
SJ) My friend Rick Guidice was doing several covers for Atari
and suggested I show them my portfolio. (Years later we became husband and wife.) I really enjoyed the Atari work as it
was so much larger