Dick Sprang

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Dick Sprang

Birth name	Richard W. Sprang
Born	1915 Fremont, Ohio
Died	May 17, 2000 Prescott, Arizona
Nationality	American
Area(s)	Penciller
Notable works	Batman

Richard W. "Dick" Sprang (b. 1915 in Fremont, Ohio, d. May 17, 2000 in Prescott, Arizona), was an American comic book artist and penciller, most known for his work on the Batman line of books during the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Sprang became a professional illustrator at an early age, painting signs and handbills for local advertisers. He joined the staff of the Toledo News shortly after graduating high school. After a short time at the News, Sprang moved to New York City, where he worked as a freelance pulp magazine illustrator.

In 1941, with work for the pulp magazines in a decline, Sprang decided to try the world of comic book illustration. He submitted sample work to editor Whitney Ellsworth at DC Comics. Ellsworth was very impressed with Sprang's work, and Sprang become only the fourth artist to draw Batman. Sprang's first work was seen in Batman #17, and he continued as one of the main Batman illustrators for the next 20 years. In 1955, Sprang got the chance to draw Superman, when he replaced Curt Swan as the primary artist for World's Finest. He worked on World's Finest until his retirement.

Sprang's name never appeared on his work during his career, due to stipulations in Bob Kane's contract. This contract stated that Kane would have sole credit as Batman's creator, regardless of whether he worked on any particular story. This restriction remained in place until the mid 1960s.

Sprang was responsible for the original design of The Riddler, and the 1948 redesign of the Batmobile. Sprang's Batman was notable for it square chin and expressive face. His trademark was the use of oversized versions of everyday objects, often used in an imaginative fashion by the Caped Crusaders. The opening credits to the 1960s television series are drawn in his style.

Sprang moved to Sedona, Arizona in 1946, where he became interested in western pioneer trails. He spent much of his time between 1946 and 1956 surveying the northern Arizona and southern Utah area, especially Glen Canyon before it was flooded. He became a noted expert in the field of western pioneer trails; his voice can be heard on several National Park Service oral history tapes. In 1956, he moved to Wayne County, Utah, where he ran cattle on a 150 acre ranch.

In 1963, Sprang retired from illustrating. In 1972, Sprang relocated from Utah to Prescott, Arizona, where he remained until his death.

Mostly unknown during his career, Sprang finally began to receive notice from comic fandom in the 1970's. He was a regular attendee at comic conventions, and his reproductions of Golden Age comics covers were fan favorites, and highly sought collectables. In the 1990s, he drew limited edition lithographs depicting the Batcave and the Batman cast of characters.