John Severin

John Powers Severin[2] (/ˈsɛvərɪn/; December 26, 1921 – February 12, 2012)[3][4] was an American comics artist noted for his distinctive work with EC Comics, primarily on the war comics Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat; for Marvel Comics, especially its war and Western comics; and for his 45-year stint with the satiric magazine Cracked. He was one of the founding cartoonists of Mad in 1952.

John Severin
BornJohn Powers Severin
(1921-12-26)December 26, 1921[1]
Jersey City, New Jersey
DiedFebruary 12, 2012(2012-02-12) (aged 90)
Denver, Colorado
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Penciler, Inker
Notable works
Frontline Combat
Two-Fisted Tales
Cracked
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Two-Gun Kid
AwardsAlley Award, 1967, 1968
Will Eisner Comics Hall of Fame, 2003

Severin was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2003.

Early life

John Severin was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, of Norwegian and Irish descent. He was a teenager in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, when he began drawing professionally. While attending high school, he contributed cartoons to The Hobo News, receiving payment of one dollar per cartoon. Severin recalled in 1999:

I was sometimes selling 19 or 20 of them a week. Not every week, naturally. But I didn't have to get a regular job to carry me through high school. It was almost every week—not every week—but almost every week. I didn't have to get a job. I hated to work, I'll tell you. I didn't have to get a job then, because I was in high school.[5]

He attended the High School of Music & Art in New York City, together with future EC Comics and Mad artists Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder, Al Jaffee and Al Feldstein.[6] After graduating from the school in 1940, he worked as an apprentice machinist and then enlisted in the Army, serving in the Pacific during World War II.[7]

Career

Early work: 1947–51

In a 1980 interview, Severin recalled his start as a professional artist:

I had decided to exhibit some paintings of mine in a High School of Music and Art exhibition for the alumni. Charlie Stern was in charge of it, so I went to see him at his studio. He was the "Charles" of the Charles William Harvey Studio, the other two being William Elder and Harvey Kurtzman. They asked me if I'd like to rent space with them there. I did, and started working with them. When Charlie left ... I became the third man, but they didn't want to change it to John William Harvey Studio, so they left the name ... Harvey was doing comics, Willie and Charlie were doing advertising stuff, and I just joined in ... [I did] design work, logos for toy boxes, logos for candy boxes, cards to be included in the candy boxes.[8]

Inspired by the quick money Kurtzman would make in between advertising assignments with one-page "Hey Look!" gags for editor Stan Lee at Timely Comics, Severin worked up comics samples inked by Elder. In late 1947, he recalled, the writer-artist-editor team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby at Crestwood Publications "gave us our first job."[8]

Since it was not standard practice to credit comics creators during this era, a comprehensive list of his early work is difficult to compile. Author and historian Jim Vadeboncoeur Jr., based on Severin's description of "a crime story about a boy and a girl who killed somebody ... I think it was their stepfather. They lived on a farm, or out in the suburbs," believes that first Severin/Elder story was the eight-page "The Clue of the Horoscope" in Headline Comics #32 (cover-dated Nov. 1948), from the Crestwood-affiliated Prize Comics.[8] The standard reference Grand Comics Database has no credits for that story,[9] and lists Severin's first confirmed work in comics as two stories published the same month: the ten-page Boy Commandos adventure "The Triumph of William Tell" in DC Comics' Boy Commandos #30; and the eight-page Western story "Grinning Hole in the Wall" in Prize Comics' Prize Comics Western vol. 7, #5 (each Dec. 1948), both of which he penciled and the latter of which he also inked.[10]

Through 1955, Severin drew a large number of stories for the latter title and other Western series from Prize, and as penciler, he co-created with an unknown writer the long-running Native American feature "American Eagle" in Prize Comics Western vol. 9, #6 (Jan. 1951), inked by his high-school classmate turned fellow pro Will Elder.[11]

Around this time, Severin did his first confirmed work for two publishers with whom he would long be associated, Marvel Comics and EC Comics. For the future Marvel Comics, he penciled the seven-page romance comic story "My Heart Had No Faith" in Timely Comics' Actual Romances #1 (Oct. 1949).

EC Comics

For EC Comics, he debuted with the seven-page "War Story" in Two-Fisted Tales #19 (Feb. 1951), continuing to work in tandem with his friend Elder as his inker, notably on science fiction and war stories.[10] Severin drew stories for both Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat. When Kurtzman dropped the war comics to devote more time to Mad, Severin became sole artist on Two-Fisted Tales for four issues and scripted some stories. He also illustrated stories written by his friend Colin Dawkins and future Mad art director John Putnam. Severin and Dawkins were the uncredited co-editors of Two-Fisted Tales #36–39.[12]

Severin and Elder eventually split as a team at EC. They both were in the group of the five original artists who launched editor Harvey Kurtzman's landmark satiric comic book Mad, along with Kurtzman, Wally Wood and Jack Davis.[13] Severin appeared in nine of Mad's first ten issues, drawing ten pieces between 1952 and 1954.[14] According to accounts by both Severin and Kurtzman, the two had a falling out over art criticisms Kurtzman made during this period. It was Kurtzman who suggested that Severin ink with a pen as opposed to brush inking. Though Severin eventually took this advice in his later work, he was annoyed at Kurtzman at the time, for this and other remarks, and refused further work with him. Kurtzman insisted on doing the layouts for all the artists, which some resented, including Severin.

His ability to draw people of different nationalities convincingly was highly admired by his peers, as was his eye for authentic details.[15] Upon Severin's death, writer Mark Evanier remembered, "Jack Kirby used to say that when he had to research some historical costume or weapon for a story, it was just as good to use a John Severin drawing as it was to find a photo of the real thing. They don't make 'em like that anymore."[16]

Marvel Comics and other publishers
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #57 (Aug. 1968). Cover art by penciler Dick Ayers and inker Severin.

Following the cancellation of EC's comic book line in the wake of the Comics Code in the mid-1950s, Severin began working for Atlas Comics, the 1950s forerunner of Marvel Comics. Sergeant Barney Barker, drawn by Severin, was Atlas' answer to Sgt. Bilko.[8]:3[17] Artist and colorist Stan Goldberg, a company colleague, recalled in 2005,

I was in the [company's artist room known as the] Bullpen with a lot of well-known artists who worked up there at that time. We had our Bullpen up there until about 1958 or 1959. [sic; the Bullpen staff was let go in 1957] The guys ... who actually worked nine-to-five and put in a regular day, and not the freelance guys who'd come in a drop off their work ... were almost a hall-of-fame group of people. There was John Severin. Bill Everett. Carl Burgos. There was the all-time great Joe Maneely ... We all worked together, all the colorists and correction guys, the letterers and artists ... We had a great time.[18]

After Atlas transitioned to become Marvel Comics in the 1960s, Severin did extensive work as penciler, inker or both on such series as The Incredible Hulk, Conan the Barbarian, and Captain Savage and his Leatherneck Raiders. Herb Trimpe, the primary Hulk penciler during this period comics fans and historians call the Silver Age of comic books, said in 2009, "I was kind of thrilled when John Severin inked me, because I liked his work for EC Comics, and he was one of my idols."[19] As inker, Severin teamed with penciler Dick Ayers on an acclaimed run of the World War II series Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, beginning with #44 (July 1967). In the 1970s, he collaborated with his sister, artist Marie Severin, on Marvel's sword and sorcery series, King Kull.[20]

During this time he was by far the most prolific contributor to the satiric Cracked magazine, drawing television and movie parodies along with other features, including most of the magazine's covers.

For Warren Publishing in the 1960s, he drew for the black-and-white comics magazines Blazing Combat and Creepy. Severin also contributed to Topps' line of bubble gum trading cards.[21] He was one of the artists on Joe Kubert's self-published Sojourn series in 1977.[22] His 1980s work for Marvel included The 'Nam, What The--?!, and Semper Fi.[23]

Circa 2000, writer Jeff Mariotte recalled in 2002, Severin phoned Scott Dunbier, a group editor at DC Comics' WildStorm imprint, "and said he was looking to do comics again" after working primarily for Cracked at the time. "I happened to pass by Scott's office as he hung up the phone, and he sounded kind of awestruck as he told me that John Severin wanted to do something with us. I said something like, 'Gee, a Desperadoes story by Severin would be great,'" referring to Mariotte's Western miniseries for DC. "Scott agreed. We needed to hurry, before he was snapped up by someone else, so I went home and worked up a proposal overnight. We had sent him, right after that first call, copies of the original Desperadoes books. That was followed up by the proposal, the next day. He liked what he saw and wanted to play along."[24] This led to Severin drawing the sequel miniseries Desperadoes: Quiet of The Grave.

He illustrated the controversial 2003 Marvel limited series The Rawhide Kid,[25] a lighthearted parallel universe Western that reimagined the outlaw hero as a kitschy though still formidably gunslinging gay man. Severin, who had drawn the character for Atlas in the 1950s, refuted rumors that he had not known of the subject matter, saying at the time of the premiere issue's release, "The Rawhide Kid is rather effeminate in this story. It may be quite a blow to some of the old fans of Rawhide Kid. But it's a lot of fun, and he's still a tough hombre."[26] Also in the 2000s, Severin contributed to Marvel's The Punisher; DC Comics' Suicide Squad, American Century, Caper, and Bat Lash; and Dark Horse Comics' Conan, B.P.R.D. and Witchfinder.

Personal life

Severin's family members working in the publishing and entertainment fields include his sister Marie Severin, a comic book artist, who was the colorist for EC's comics; his son John Severin, Jr., the head of Bubblehead Publishing; his daughter, Ruth Larenas, a producer for that company; and his grandson, John Severin III, a music producer and recording engineer.[27][28][29]

Severin died at his home in Denver, Colorado, on February 12, 2012 at the age of 90. His wife of 60 years, Michelina, survived him, as did his six children and comics artist sister Marie Severin.[30][31]

Awards and honors

Severin received an Inkpot Award in 1998[32] and was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2003.[33]

With writer Gary Friedrich and penciler Dick Ayers, Severin's inking contributed to Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos winning the Alley Award for Best War Title of 1967 and 1968.[34][35]

He was among the winners of the Cartoon Art Museum's 2001 Sparky Award.[36]

His artwork was exhibited three times at the Words & Pictures Museum in Northampton, Massachusetts – in the grand-opening group show (October 9, 1992 – January 5, 1993), in the group exhibit "War No More" (May 18 – August 8, 1993) and in the group show "Classic Comics: A Selection of Stories from EC Comics" (December 7 – February 11, 1996).[37]

gollark: I don't think so. It would be far too subjective.
gollark: You can look at this site (http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacegunintro.php) for information on somewhat realistic space-weaponry as it applies to sci-fi, though it's kind of oddly organized.
gollark: You wouldn't actually see the beams, for one thing, as far as I know.
gollark: "Big laser weapons on spaceships" probably could exist, I guess. Though they probably wouldn't really look like that.
gollark: What do they actually *do*, though?

References
  1. "United States Social Security Death Index," index, FamilySearch : John P Severin, February 12, 2012, accessed March 4, 2013
  2. Ringgenberg, Steven (February 14, 2012). "John Powers Severin, 1921–2012". The Comics Journal. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012.
  3. Evanier, Mark (December 22, 2007). "Happy Birthday, John Severin! (Next Wednesday!)". "POV Online" (column). Archived from the original on January 21, 2014.
  4. "Happy 88th Birthday, John Severin!". The Comics Reporter. December 26, 2009. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Note: The Lambiek Comiclopedia (citation below) gives December 21, 1921.
  5. "The John Severin Interview, Parts I and II". The Comics Journal (215–216). August–October 1999. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012.
  6. John Severin at the Lambiek Comiclopedia. Retrieved February 15, 2012. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010.
  7. "'Mad' Founder and Noted Comics Artist John Severin Passes Away at 90". The Hollywood Reporter. February 14, 2012. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012.
  8. "The Early Years: An Interview with John Severin". Squa Tront. Seattle, Washington: Fantagraphics Books (11): 36. Spring 2005.
  9. Headline Comics #32 at the Grand Comics Database
  10. John Severin at the Grand Comics Database
  11. Prize Comics Western #v9#6 [85] at the Grand Comics Database
  12. Benson, John. Squa Tront #11.
  13. Mad #1 at the Grand Comics Database
  14. Gilford, Doug, ed. "Mad Magazine Regular Issue Contributors: John Severin". Doug Gilford's Mad Cover Site (fan site). Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  15. Schelly, Bill and Keith Dallas. American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2013), p. 17.
  16. Evanier, Mark. "John Severin, R.I.P.," News From M-E (February 14, 2012).
  17. Brevoort, Tom; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1950s". Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 64. ISBN 978-0756641238. Sergeant Barney Barker lasted only three installments, but featured some humorous artwork by war comics veteran John Severin.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  18. "Stan Goldberg interview". Adelaide Comics and Books. 2005. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007.
  19. "Hulk-inued! An Interview with Herb Trimpe". SequentialTart.com. December 21, 2009. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011.
  20. Sanderson, Peter "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 150
  21. "Mars Attacks Interview w/ Len Brown!". The Wrapper Magazine (146). 1996. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010..
  22. Schelly, Bill (2011). The Art of Joe Kubert. Seattle, Washington: Fantagraphics Books. p. 193. ISBN 978-1606994870. Sojourn #1 (September 1977) featured Tor the Hunter on the front page and included work by Sergio Aragonés, John Severin, Lee Elias, Dick Giordano, and Doug Wildey. There were only two issues.
  23. DeFalco, Tom "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 239: "Each issue [of Semper Fi] contained two stories written by Michael Palladino. John Severin, Andy Kubert, and Sam Glanzman provided the artwork."
  24. "Desperadoes: Quiet of The Grave". Scoop. Diamond Galleries newsletter. August 31, 2002. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011.
  25. Manning, Matthew K. "2000s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 314: "Writer Ron Zimmerman teamed with artist John Severin under Marvel's MAX label for this five-issue humorous but controversial romp through the Old West."
  26. Severin in Comic Book Marketplace #98, January 2003, quoted in Cronin, Brian (July 2, 2007). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #214". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010.
  27. Storniolo, Mike (January 7, 2005). "A Voyage of a Million Miles". Comics Bulletin. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010.
  28. "Johnny Severin". Discogs.com. 2009. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010.
  29. All Music 2009 Johnny Severin at AllMusic Archived from the original on January 5, 2010.
  30. "RIP: John Severin". The Beat / ComicsBeat.com. February 14, 2012. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012.
  31. Hauman, Glenn (February 14, 2012). "John Severin: 1921–2012". ComicMix. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  32. "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
  33. "Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame". San Diego Comic-Con. n.d. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016.
  34. "1967 Alley Awards". The Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  35. "1968 Alley Awards". The Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  36. "Sparky Awards". Cartoon Art Museum. 2010. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010.
  37. "Exhibits Curated at the Words & Pictures Museum" at the Wayback Machine (archived May 7, 2008), Words & Pictures Museum (official site). Original page

Further reading
Preceded by
John Tartaglione		 Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos inker
1967–1970		 Succeeded by
Frank Giacoia
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