Dick Ayers

Dick Ayers

Dick Ayers at the April 2008 New York Comic Con.
Born (1924-04-28)April 28, 1924
Ossining, New York
Died May 4, 2014(2014-05-04) (aged 90)
White Plains, New York
Nationality United States
Area(s) Penciller, Inker
Notable works
 Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
1950s Ghost Rider
Jack Kirby inker
Awards National Cartoonists Society Award, 1985
Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, 2007
Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (2013)

Richard Bache "Dick" Ayers[1] (April 28, 1924 – May 4, 2014) was an American comic book artist and cartoonist best known for his work as one of Jack Kirby's inkers during the late-1950s and 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comics, including on some of the earliest issues of Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four. He is the signature penciler of Marvel's World War II comic Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, drawing it for a 10-year run, and he co-created Magazine Enterprises' 1950s Western-horror character the Ghost Rider, a version of which he would draw for Marvel in the 1960s.

Ayers was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2007.

Early life

Ayers was born April 28, 1924 in Ossining, New York,[2][3] the son of John Bache Ayers and Gladys Minnerly Ayers.[4] He was in the 13th generation, he said, of the Ayers family that had settled in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1635.[5] He published his first comic strip, Radio Ray, in the military newspaper Radio Post in 1942 while serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II.[3]

Career

Ayers broke into comics with unpublished work done for Western Publishing's Dell Comics imprint. "I approached them," Ayers said in a 1996 interview. "I had a story written and drawn. They wanted to wrap a book around it.... I got into it, but Dell decided to scrap the project. ... It was an adventure thing, boy and girl; the boy wanted to be a trumpet player. The girl kept feeding the jukebox and he'd played along to Harry James or whatever sort of thing. ... It didn't make it, but it got me started where I wanted to be in the business."Ayers in [6]

Magazine Enterprises

Following this, in 1947, Ayers studied under Burne Hogarth in the first class of Hogarth's new institution, New York City's Cartoonists and Illustrators School (renamed the School of Visual Arts in 1956). Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman, would visit the class, and Ayers eventually ventured to his nearby studio. "Next thing I knew," Ayers said in the same interview, "I was penciling a bit here and there."[6] In a 2005 interview, Ayers elaborated that, "Joe had me pencil some of his Funnyman stories after seeing my drawings at Hogarth's evening class" and "sent me to [editor] Vin Sullivan of Magazine Enterprises."[7] There, Sullivan "let me try the Jimmy Durante [humor] strip. I submitted my work and got the job."[6]

Ayers went on to pencil and ink Western stories in the late 1940s for Magazine Enterprises' A-1 Comics and Trail Colt, and for Prize Comics' Prize Comics Western.[8] With writer Ray Krank, Ayers created the horror-themed Western character Ghost Rider in Tim Holt #11 (1949). The character appeared in stories through the run of Tim Holt, Red Mask, A-1 Comics, Bobby Benson's B-Bar-B Riders, and the 14-issue solo series The Ghost Rider (1950–1954),[9] up through the introduction of the Comics Code. The character's genesis came, Ayers recalled in 2003, when Sullivan "describe[d] what he wanted in the Ghost Rider" and told Ayers to see the 1949 Disney animated feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, one segment of which adapted Washington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", featuring the Headless Horseman. "[A]nd then he told me to play the Vaughn Monroe record "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky". And then he started talking about what he wanted the guy wearing.".[10]

After the trademark to the character's name and motif lapsed, Marvel Comics debuted its own near-identical, non-horror version of the character in Ghost Rider #1 (Feb. 1967), by writers Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich and original Ghost Rider artist Ayers.[8]

Ayers' hands appear onscreen as those of a cartoonist played by actor Don Briggs in "The Comic Strip Murders", a 1949 episode of the CBS television series Suspense.[11]

Atlas Comics

In 1952, while continuing to freelance for Magazine Enterprises, Ayers began a long freelance run at Atlas Comics, the 1950s forerunner of Marvel Comics. He drew horror stories in such titles as Adventures into Terror, Astonishing, Journey into Mystery, Journey into Unknown Worlds, Menace, Mystery Tales, Mystic, Strange Tales, and Uncanny Tales.[8] As well, he drew the brief revival of the 1940s Golden Age of Comics superhero the Human Torch, from Marvel's 1940s predecessor Timely Comics, in Young Men # 21-24 (June 1953 - Feb. 1954). An additional, unpublished Human Torch story drawn by Ayers belatedly appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #16 (Sept. 1968).[8]

During the 1950s, Ayers also drew freelance for Charlton Comics, including for the horror comic The Thing and the satirical series Eh!.[6]

Marvel Comics

The 1960s Marvel Comics version of Ayer's co-creation, the Western Ghost Rider: Ghost Rider #1 (Feb. 1967). Cover art by Ayers

Ayers first teamed with the highly influential and historically important penciler Jack Kirby at Atlas shortly before Atlas transitioned to become Marvel Comics. As Kirby's second regular Marvel inker, following Christopher Rule, Ayers would ink countless covers and stories, including on such landmark comics as most early issues of The Fantastic Four, in addition to a slew of Western and "pre-superhero Marvel" monster stories in Amazing Adventures, Journey into Mystery, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense, and Tales to Astonish.[8] Because creator credits were not routinely given at the time, two standard databases disagree over the duo's first published collaboration.[12] Ayers revealed in 1996, however:

The first work I did with Jack was the cover of Wyatt Earp #25 (Oct. 1959). [Editor-in-chief] Stan Lee liked it and sent me another job, "The Martian Who Stole My Body," for Journey into Mystery #57 (Dec. 1959). I also began Sky Masters, the [syndicated] newspaper strip. There is a lot of confusion on this; people think Wally Wood inked them all, because they're signed Kirby/Wood. But that was Dave Wood, the writer [who was unrelated to artist Wally Wood]. I began Sky Masters with the 36th Sunday page; Jack's pencils, my inks, in September 1959. I ended the Sundays in January 1960. I also did the dailies for a period of [over] two years, from September of '59 to December of '61. These were complete inks; I was the only one doing it at the time. Of course, Wally Wood also worked on that strip, in the beginning, before me.[13]
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #57 (Aug. 1968). Cover art by penciler Ayers and inker John Severin.

Ayers went on to ink scores of Kirby Western and monster stories, including such much-reprinted tales as "I Created the Colossus!" (Tales of Suspense #14, Feb. 1961), "Goom! The Thing from Planet X!" (Tales of Suspense #15, March 1961), and "Fin Fang Foom!" (Strange Tales #89, Oct. 1961). As Marvel introduced its superheroes in the early 1960s, Ayers inked Kirby on the first appearances of Ant-Man (Tales to Astonish #27 & 35, Jan. & Sept. 1962), Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos (issues #1-3, May-Sept. 1963), and the revamped Rawhide Kid (beginning with The Rawhide Kid #17, Aug. 1960); on the second and several subsequent early appearances of Thor (Journey into Mystery #84-89, Sept. 1962 - Feb. 1963); on Fantastic Four #6-20 (Sept. 1962 - Nov. 1963), and the spin-off Human Torch solo series in Strange Tales (starting with its debut in issue #101); and The Incredible Hulk #3-5 (Sept. 1962 - Jan. 1963), among other series.[8]

Additionally, Ayers took over from Kirby as Sgt. Fury penciler with issue #8 (July 1964), beginning a 10-year run that — except for #13 (which he inked over Kirby's pencils), and five issues by other pencilers — continued virtually unbroken through #120 (with the series running Ayers reprints every-other-issue through most but not all from #79 on).[8]

Later career

In the 1980s, Ayers, inked by Chic Stone, drew four editions of the promotional, annual comic-book series initially cover-titled TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids and, thereafter, Tandy Computer Whiz Kids, published by Archie Comics for Radio Shack: The Computer Trap (March 1984),[14] The Computers That Said No to Drugs (March 1985),[15][16][17] The Answer to a Riddle (March 1987),[18] and Fit to Win (March 1988).[19][20] He also drew approximately 30 sports-star biographies for Revolutionary Comics between 1990 and 1994.

Ayers' work continued into the 2000s. He contributed a pinup page to the 2001 comic The Song of Mykal, published privately by the comics shop Atlantis Fantasyworld,[21] did inking on "Doris Danger" stories in the magazine Tabloia #572-576, and drew a pinup page in the comic Doris Danger's Greatest All-Out Army Battles![22]

He wrote and drew the eight-page "Chips Wilde" Western story in the benefit comic Actor Comics Presents #1 (Fall 2006), provided a sketch for the benefit comic The 3-Minute Sketchbook (2007),[23] and contributed to the tribute comic The Uncanny Dave Cockrum (2007).[24] In 2009, he drew a half-page biographical illustration of a 1940s character in the reference guide Marvel Mystery Handbook 70th Anniversary Special.[8]

Personal life

Ayers married Charlotte Lindy Walter on April 7, 1951.[1] The couple had four children: sons Richard, Fred, and Steve, and daughter, Elaine.[25] Ayers died at his home in White Plains, New York on May 4, 2014, less than a week after his 90th birthday.[25][26]

Awards and honors

References

  1. 1 2 Ayers, Dick (2005). The Dick Ayers Story: An Illustrated Autobiography, Volume 2 - 1951-1986. Mecca. p. 1 (unnumbered). ISBN 978-0-9766651-5-1.
  2. ↑ Sedlmeier, Cory, ed. Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk Volume 2. Marvel Comics. p. 245.
  3. 1 2 Richard Ayers at the Lambiek Comiclopedia. Archived July 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine..
  4. ↑ Ayers, The Dick Ayers Story: An Illustrated Autobiography, Volume 2, p. 120 (unnumbered).
  5. ↑ Ayers, Dick, letter to the editor (August 2003). "Re:". Alter Ego. 3 (27): 46.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cassara, Dick (December 1996). "Dick Ayers Interview". Jack Kirby Collector (13): 16. Reprinted in Morrow, John, ed. (1999). The Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Volume 3. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-893905-02-3.
  7. ↑ Novinskie, Charlie (March 11, 2005). "Dick Ayers Unveils New Graphic Novel Autobiography". Scoop (Diamond International Galleries / Gemstone Publishing newsletter). Archived from the original on March 21, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dick Ayers at Grand Comics Database
  9. ↑ Ghost Rider, The at the Grand Comics Database
  10. ↑ "Dick Ayers: A Life in the 'Gowanus'". Alter Ego. 3 (10). interview part 1 of 2. Autumn 2001. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  11. ↑ Pearl, Barry (December 2009). "The Yancy Street Gang Visits Dick & Lindy Ayers". Alter Ego. 3 (90): 10.
  12. ↑ The Grand Comics Database cites the cover of Wyatt Earp #24 (Aug. 1959), which AtlasTales.com lists as inked by George Klein. Grand Comics Database tentatively lists Ayers as inker of the Kirby cover for that same month's Strange Tales #70, for which Atlas Tales credits Ayers without qualification.
  13. ↑ "Dick Ayers Interview", p. 17. Reprinted The Collected Jack Kirby Collector Volume Three, p. 43
  14. ↑ "[Credits page]". The TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids (1984 Edition). Archie Comics via AtariMagazines.com. March 1984. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  15. ↑ "[Credits page]". The Tandy Computer Whiz Kids (The Computers That Said No to Drugs Edition). Archie Comics via AtariMagazines.com. March 1985. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  16. ↑ The Tandy Computer Whiz Kids (The Computers That Said No to Drugs Edition) at the Grand Comics Database.
  17. ↑ As both sources indicate, the story title places "No" within quote marks, while the copyrighted magazine title does not.
  18. ↑ "[Credits page]". The Tandy Computer Whiz Kids (The Answer to a Riddle Edition). Archie Comics via AtariMagazines.com. March 1987. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  19. ↑ "[Credits page]". The Tandy Computer Whiz Kids (Fit to Win Edition). Archie Comics via AtariMagazines.com. March 1988. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  20. ↑ Ockerbloom, John Mark, ed. "Tandy Computer Whiz Kids". Online Books Library, University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  21. ↑ Rappaport, Adrienne (2001). "Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA". SequentialTart.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  22. ↑ Wisnia, Chris (n.d.). "Contributors to '"Tabloia". Archived from the original on November 5, 2010.
  23. ↑ "The 3-Minute Sketchbook #1". Too Old to Grow Up! (podcast site). 2007. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Clifford Meth on the Fate of The Uncanny Dave Cockrum Hardcover". Aardwolf Publishing press release via TheComicsReporter.com. December 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  25. 1 2 Taylor, Alex (May 6, 2014). "Dick Ayers, renowned comic-book artist, dead at 90". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  26. ↑ Johnston, Rich (May 5, 2014). "Dick Ayers Dies, Just After His Ninetieth Birthday". BleedingCool.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2014.

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