Obit of the Day

Obit of the Day: Eight Decades of Comic Genius

John Severin does not have the cache of Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, or Bob Kane, but his eight decades in the comic business created a lasting impact. Severin began began his career after World War II, joining EC Comics. Although the name EC has disappeared their most famous publication has not. Mad Magazine was first produced as a comic in 1952. Severin was one the magazine’s first five illustrators but he left in 1954 to join a competitor - Cracked - where he served as an illustrator for 45 years.

While working with Cracked, Severin joined the staff of Atlas Comics, which became Marvel. While there he drew numerous characters including The Incredible Hulk and Sgt. Fury. Becoming a freelance artist in the 1970s allowed Severin to draw for a variety of imprints and do the work he wanted.

In 2003 he illustrated the controversial Rawhide Kid series for Marvel which featured a re-introduction of the Western hero of the 1950s and 1960, except he was gay. In 2010, he did his last work with Dark Horse comics inking the Witchfinder series when he was 89.

Mr. Severin, who was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2003, died at the age of 90.

Images:

Top left - Copyright of Cracked magazine and courtesy of space1970.blogspot.com

Top right - Copyright of Marvel Comics and courtesty of wikipedia.org

Bottom left - Copyright of MAX Comics and courtesy of www.fanboysoftheuniverse.com

Bottom right - Copyright of Dark Horse Comics and courtesy of darkhorse.com