Dan DeCarlo

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Daniel S. DeCarlo (12 December 1919, New Rochelle, New York - 19 December 2001, New Rochelle, New York) was an American cartoonist best known as the artist who developed the look of Archie Comics in the late 1950s and early 1960s, modernizing the characters to their contemporary appearance and establishing the publisher's house style. As well, he is the generally recognized creator of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats (with the lead character named for his wife), and Cheryl Blossom. His twin sons, Dan Jr. and James "Jim" DeCarlo (b. January 27, 1948) were also prolific "Archie" artists, pencilling and inking respectively.[1]

Previous to this he had a remarkable 10-year run on the humor title Millie the Model for Marvel Comics' 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics, writing and drawing the slapsticky adventures of Millie Collins, her redheaded friendly nemesis Chili Storm and the rest of cast from #18-93 (June 1949 - Nov. 1959). DeCarlo also contributed the short-lived Sherry the Showgirl and Showgirls for Atlas.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

Sherry the Showgirl #2 (Sept. 1956). Cover art by DeCarlo.
Sherry the Showgirl #2 (Sept. 1956). Cover art by DeCarlo.

Dan DeCarlo attended New Rochelle High School in his hometown, followed by Manhattan's Art Students League from 1938 to 1941, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed in Great Britain, he worked in the motor pool and as a draftsman, and painted company mascots on the noses of airplanes. He also drew a weekly military comic strip. He met his future wife, French citizen Josie Dumont, in Belgium after the Battle of the Bulge.

[edit] Later career

In addition to his comic-book work, DeCarlo drew freelance pieces for the magazines The Saturday Evening Post and Argosy, as well as publisher Martin Goodman's Humorama line of pin-up girl cartoon digests.

In his later years, he was involved in a bitter legal dispute with Archie Comics over ownership of Josie and the Pussycats characters, which were to be featured in the Josie and the Pussycats movie released in 2001 by MCA/Universal. In the midst of the dispute, the publisher terminated its 40-year relationship with him. Among his final works were a story for Paul Dini's independent comics title Jingle Belle, and stories for Bongo Comics' The Simpsons TV tie-in comic, Bart Simpson.

[edit] Death

DeCarlo, who lived near New Rochelle in Scarsdale, New York, died of pneumonia, according to his wife, although some press reports listed heart attack. He was predeceased by his twin sons, Dan Jr. and Jim, who assisted their father as inkers.

1956 example of DeCarlo's cartoon work for men's magazines. "Allan, are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?"
1956 example of DeCarlo's cartoon work for men's magazines. "Allan, are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?"

[edit] Awards

DeCarlo won the National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book in 2000 for Betty & Veronica. He was nominated for the Shazam Award for Best Penciller (Humor Division) in 1974.

[edit] Quotes

  • Josie DeCarlo, on the inspiration for the fictional Josie: "We went on a Caribbean cruise, and I had a [cat] costume for the cruise, and that's the way it started".[2]
  • Paul Dini: ""It was tragic that when he was at an age when many cartoonists are revered as treasures by more beneficent publishers, Dan felt spurned and slighted by the owners of properties that prospered greatly from his contributions. Still, he was esteemed by fans and professionals the world over, and he often told me he was very grateful for the support he received from them over the past few years".[3]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Lambiek Comiclopedia: Dan & James DeCarlo Jr.. Accessed March 18, 2008
  2. ^ Comic Source Newsletter #19: Uncredited partial reprint of The New York Times obituary
  3. ^ Comic Book Resources Dec. 20, 2001: Obituary

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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