David Apatoff remembers Mad's Nick Meglin

NICK MEGLIN (1935-2018)

by David Apatoff

Illustration Art blog June 2, 2018

http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2018/06/nick-meglin-1935-2018.html

Venus Winston, October 8, 1981-December 11, 2016

by Mike Rhode & Matt Dembicki

According to her Facebook page, artist and cartoonist Venus Winston passed away last night, from cancer. She was a member of the DC Comics Conspiracy (DCC) and a contributor to the group's Magic Bullet comics newspaper. 

Winston was a DC native, but lived recently in Hyattsville, MD. For an interview with us earlier this year, she noted, "In high school I attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts majoring in Visual Arts. After graduating I majored in Illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. I started making art at age 8 and loved reading comic books. I actually didn't start creating comics till 2010, when I started writing. Before this, I wanted to be a children's book illustrator or animation."  Winston began her "Cooking with Cancer" comic in 2014 as her own therapy. In addition to showing how to prepare food that might help a cancer patient, Winston was in favor of medical marijuana to stimulate the appetite.

Earlier this year, Winston was invited to present on her comic at Dundee University in Scotland this summer for the Annual International Graphic Medicine Conference. While fundraising to attend the conference, Winston wrote, "I lost my ovaries to cancerous Krukenberg tumors and it is my belief I survived by enforcing a healthy diet and mindset within my personal environment. 'Cooking with Cancer' has now grown into a collection of short stories, recipes and informative pieces focusing on my experience with cancer and how food can help beat illness."

Winston told us in September, "In a few months, I'll be self-publishing a children's book I've been working on for years." If her family continues that plan, ComicsDC will attempt to highlight it. Her work can be seen on her websites www.bongyongart.com and www.cookingwithcancer.tumblr.com

We here at ComicsDC send our condolences to her family and friends.

Nick Galifianakis on Robert Weber, New Yorker Cartoonist

Robert Weber, New Yorker Cartoonist

by Nick Galifianakis 

Robert Weber, 92, and one of the truly gifted cartoonists, passed away a few days ago. Here is, I believe, his first cartoon for the New Yorker in 1962 (plus a couple of other smiles). I urge you to stroll through the hundreds of others he created over the last half century. An astute observer, he could puncture the pretentious and entitled with withering dryness.

Weber was a compositional master and the deftest of draftsman. His buttery-soft charcoal line had a simple, energy-filled immediacy yet somehow also retained the forethought of structure, a balance of in-the-moment expressiveness but with the weight of any great painting. This is the rarely (rarely) achieved Holy Grail of making art. 

He is first among artists that have nudged me to draw more courageously, and I'm deeply saddened by the passing of one of my great heroes.

"Lucy, move - you're blocking Pliny the Elder"

Fanzine and fine artist John Fantucchio has died

Fantucchio's art, possibly for Gary Groth's first Metro Con

It's being reported on Facebook that Arlington's John Fantucchio passed away yesterday, August 4th, at age 78. He was at Virginia Hospital Center after suffering a stroke.

Big Planet Comics founder Joel Pollack writes, "John Fantucchio was my mentor when I was 16. He taught me about the great strip artists Alex Raymond and Hal Foster, as well as illustrators such as Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, and Howard Pyle. I'm happy that we rekindled our friendship in the last five years."

Joel noted that Fantucchio's influence wasn't limited to him. "John's nephew, Rick Lowell, owns Casablanca Comics, Maine's coolest comics stores!, in Portland, ME, and counts John as a mentor, as well." Fantucchio eventually left the fan community and made a name for himself as a fine artist.

Joel took me to meet John, who coincidentally lived right around the corner from Richard Thompson, and we had a great time looking at his paintings and his collectibles. John had a fondness for the Shadow just like me. He wasn't all that interested in revisiting his fanzine days, so we never did an interview, but he does have several mentions on ComicsDC, mostly about his later career.

John is survived by his wife Mary.

James "Giacomo" Bellora, RIP

Self-portrait courtesy of Billy Ireland Library

by Mike Rhode

ComicsDC has learned that Falls Church illustrator and sometime cartoonist James Bellora passed away on February 18, 2015. He was born in St. Charles, MO on June 6, 1960 according to the CaringBridge website that reported his passing. The site also notes that he had an engineering degree and was an avid bicyclist, and is survived by his wife and daughter. According to a brochure for his services held at Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, his cartoons appeared in trade publications such as FBLA Association News, Air Force Acquisition Network News, Actuarial Association Magazine and Sketches magazine. He listed himself as a cartoonist and "humorous illustrator." He also recieved work from Arlington's BonoTom Studio. At points in his career, Bellora was a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Illustrators Club of Washington, DC (where he also served as President). A funeral will be held on March 6th at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church.

Several local cartoonists and illustrators have given us their thoughts on him.

Editorial cartoonist Steve Artley: "In the 90's, he was a regular at the annual Cartoons & Cocktails event and hung with Jack Higgins, Chip Beck and I during the event and afterward in the bar upstairs. He and I had a great time banging out songs on the piano in the lounge. He was very friendly and outgoing, engaging and seemed happy... ."

Illustrator David Hagen: "We had sort of a competitive relationship especially in the days you used to hump your big illustration portfolio around town for freelance jobs. I'd see him either coming or going. He was the president of the Illustrators Club when I joined and remember pausing by his display table at the yearly portfolio shows. I think I stepped up my game because I knew he was out there! Which made me a better illustrator."

Cartoonist Joe Sutliff: "James (I never called him Jim or Giaccomo) and I hung out a lot years ago, but I lost touch after he met his soon-to-be wife. He was full of passion for anything he got involved in, and truthfully I had been thinking about him a lot lately... I remember James as always being "full throttle"… whatever he went after, it was never halfway. He was always ready to lead the way - he went from a freshman member of the Illustrator's Club to President in just a couple of years, and joined the National Cartoonist Society and organized the local chapter as well. He was always fun-loving; I remember one Illustrators Club Holiday party where he lead me, Rob Sprouse and some others in a full dance-out of YMCA… I think it's still on online somewhere…:

Illustrator Kevin Rechin:  "So unbelievably sad. I knew him fairly well. Saw him quite often in the '90s either at NCS stuff or Illustrators Club gatherings. He was definitely a go-getter and full of life. Always had a smile on his face. Thoughts and prayers to his wife, daughter and family."

OT: Courtney Utt, graphic designer at Viz, has passed away

A former Viz employee has informed me: "The graphic designer Courtney Utt, who worked on many of Viz’s finest book covers, died the week of April 7, 2014." A death notice will run on Sunday (found courtesy of D.D. Degg), but it doesn't mention her comics work.

Off-topic, but posting, with respect, for the historical record.
Updated, 4/11/14.

Deaths in the comic arts during 2013, now completely updated

Here's a revised list with about a score of additions from D.D. Degg's research during the year.

Deaths in 2013 included Dan Adkins, short-term comics writer Jerry Albert, Frédéric Othon "Fred" Aristidès, illustrator Niculae Asciu, animation voice actor James Avery, Canadian animator Frédéric Back, Alison Bechdel's mother Helen, Chinese cartoonist and historian Bi Keguan, Little Man on Campus cartoonist Richard Bibler, Underdog co-creator W. Watts "Buck" Biggers, New Zealand small press cartoonist Debra Boyask, Popular Press founder "Pat" Browne, freelance cartoonist Ross Edward Bunch, Nick Cardy, Filmation Studios art director and sports cartoonist George Carey,  Shoe cartoonist Chris Cassatt, North Star newspaper cartoonist Louis Chisholm, Jr., MAD Magazine illustrator Bob Clarke, comic book artist Scott Clark, Hystoria with J.P comic strip writer Bob Cohn, British comics historian Les Coleman, Belgian cartoonist Didier Comès, comic strip artist Carlisle Cooper, Washington Post comic panel Meet the Judge cartoonist Dick Couperthwaite, Pioneer News cartoonist Paul Evans Coyle, Archie cartoonist Jeff Cuddy, Amsterdam News cartoonist William (Willie) Martin (Obuyi) Curry, Jr., comic book scholar Sol Davidson, comic book dealer Bruce Ellsworth, SPEC Productions publisher Andy Feighery, minicomics creator Luisa Felix, Italian comic collector Ezio Ferraro, gag cartoonist Ed Fisher, Belgian cartoonist Fred Funcken, Hanover County Herald-Progress political cartoonist John H. Gabbert, Italian comics historian Roberto Giammanco, editorial cartoonist Frank Gillooly, George Gladir, Louis Glanzman, Simpsons creator's mother Margaret Groening, stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, Oregon Forestry cartoonist Hugh John Hayes, Jr.,
Chinese cartoonist He Wei, Pete Hoffman, "Robin" the Robin comic strip creator George Howard Hollenbeck, Carmine Infantino, editorial cartoonist Ned E. Jarvis, Magnus Johnstone, Herald of Randolph comic strip Local Color John H. Kennedy, Danish cartoonist Rune T. Kidde, magazine cartoonist Brad Kirkland, British anti-war cartoonist Leon Kuhn, Nepalese cartoonist Ujjwol 'Jyapoo' Kundan, political cartoonist Lyle John Lahey, Cracked and Sick cartoonist John Langton, Pollut-O-Crats comic strip cartoonist Gordon Larkin, comic book store owner and censorship victim Gordon Lee, Stan Lynde, webcomics publisher Joey Manley, Nisei cartoonist Jack Matsuoka, Sorehead comic strip cartoonist Carl Eugene May, Jr., comic book writer Robert Morales, Swiss cartoonist Christian Moser, comic book writer Philip Nutman, comic strip artist George Olesen, comic strip artist John Olson Sr., Diamond Comic Distributors Senior Marketing Manager Phyllis Opolko, Spanish cartoonist José Ortiz, Simpsons scriptwriter Don Payne, magazine cartoonis Sophia Jean (Cissie) Peltz (nee Liebshutz), Suspect Device cartoonist Greg Peters, Canadian editorial cartoonist Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist Eldon Pletcher, magazine cartoonist Roy J. "Boots" Reynolds, Cleveland Press editorial cartoonist Bill Roberts, Lebanese political cartoonist Pierre Sadek, editorial cartoonist Lee Sanderson, Filipino komiks illustrator Jesse Santos, Filmation cartoon studio founder Lou Scheimer, Adoornments comic strip creator John Jay Schmitz, Australian Phantom publisher Jim Shepherd, gag cartoonist Vahan Shirvanian, Jr., political cartoonist David L. Shore, Fort Worth Star Telegram comic strip The Adventures of Hal 'n Dick creator Dick Siegel, magazine, sports and comic strip cartoonist Scott Smith, Studio Proteus founder Toren Smith, Playboy and editorial cartoonist Al Stine, editorial cartoonist Robert McMillan Stuart, editorial illustrator Jean-Claude Suares, Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson, Grand Rapids Press's Counterpoint comic strip creator Bob Wepman, Disney cartoonist Ross Wetzel, comic book artist Janice Valleau Winkleman, gag cartoon book publisher Peter Workman, cartoonist gagwriter Eileen "Jo" Wyman, 'Anpanman' cartoonist Takashi Yanase, and underground cartoonist Yossarian (Alan Shenker).

Lou Scheimer's obituary in The Post

Filmation animation studio founder Lou Scheimer's obituary ran today in The Post.   It's a wirestory.

Deaths in the comic arts 2012 UPDATED

This updated post includes more names from DD Degg of local sports, political and magazine cartoonists.

Deaths in 2012 included Argentine comics writer Carlos Albiac, San Francisco Examiner editorial cartoonist Ken Alexander, San Diego Comic-Con co-founder Richard Alf, caricaturist Rick Alley, British puppet animator Gerry Anderson, sports cartoonist Vern Anthony, editorial cartoonist Rex Babin, Don Baumgart, Croatian cartoonist and animator Žarko Beker, Spanish publisher Josep Maria Berenguer, gag cartoonist Jan Berenstain, Swiss artist Pierre-Alain Bertola, Oak Crest Village Voice cartoonist Irma Black, Canadian political cartoonist Blaine, animation voice Lucille Bliss, comic strip inker Howard King Boone, Ernie (Chua) Chan, comic book and strip artist John Celardo, gay webcartoonist Chris Companik, Alabama editorial cartoonist John Crawford, Harvey comics artist Sid Couchey, Penthouse gag cartoonist Art Cumings, Brazilian cartoonist Fernando Dias da Silva, Filipino comic book artist Tony DeZuniga, animator Jim Duffy, Splitsville and Playboy cartoonist Reynolds E. Dodson, magazine cartoonist Earl Engleman Sr, Spanish cartoonist Jose Luis Ferrer, Golden age cartoonist Martin Filchock, Argentine cartoonist Arnoldo Franchioni, Italian artist Francesco Gamba, Jean 'Moebius' Giraud, Columbus Dispatch cartoonist Louis 'Doc' Goodwin, Olive of the Ozarks cartoonist Pat Grant, Californian cartoonist Paul Gringle, Shamokin News Item editorial cartoonist Jack Gruneberg, Chautauqua (N.Y.) Daily cartoonist Ed Harmon, former cartoonist turned science fiction writer Harry Harrison, political and magazine cartoonist Arthur Henrikson, Natural Selection cartoonist Scott 'Russ Wallace' Henson, Arnold comic strip cartoonist William O. Johnson, magazine cartoonist Dennis Kilgore, Swedish comics librarian Kristiina Kolehmainen, Indonesian comics writer Raden Ahmad Kosasih, political cartoonist John Lara, French comic book historian André Leborgne, French cartoonist Bruno Le Floc'h, freelancer Jerry Garden, magazine cartoonist Herbert Green, Golden Age comic book artist Marv Lev(y), Crakbak cartoonist Gus Levy, Jack Lindstrom, Dick Louderback, Hi-De-Ho comic strip inker Charles L. Madden, French cartoonist Pat Mallet, Comics fan-turned-pro Don Markstein, comic strip artist Fran Matera, American Indian cartoonist Robby McMurtry, Josh Medors, 1940s comic strip cartoonist George Mercer, Tank McNamara writer Jeff Millar, Sheldon Moldoff, Brazilian artist Gutemberg "Goott" Monteiro, David Moynihan,  Barefoot Gen cartoonist Keiji Nakazawa, Birmingham, AL sports cartoonist Phil Neel,  Olympian sports and political cartoonist Dogulas Newton, comic strip writer Richard O'Brien, Kenyan cartoonist Frank Odoi, Belgian Luc Orient cartoonist Eddy Paape, The Passing Scene comic strip creator Eugene R. Patrick, British comics illustrator Douglas Phillips, Phantom fan/expert Ed Rhoades, Captain Easy writer Belford A. Richards, Jordanian cartoonist Jalal Rifai, Brazilian artist Al Rio, Fort Pierce News Tribune editorial cartoonist William 'Robbe' Robbins Jr., underground cartoonist Spain Rodriguez, New Yorker cartoonist Al Ross, Rural Fox cartoonist Leah Rule, Indian pocket (aka gag) cartoonist T. Samuel (aka Samuval), Spanish comic book writer Antonio Segura, Maurice Sendak, John Severin, Disney artist Mel Shaw, Disney animation music composer Robert B. Sherman, Timely comic book artist Marion T. Sitton, Golden Age comic book artist Emilio Squeglio, caricaturist and sports cartoonist Bruce Stark,  Oakland Tribune sports cartoonist Lee Susman, Captain Marvel artist Marcus Swayze, Indian cartoonist turned politician Bal K. Thackeray, Hawaiian cartoonist Dave Thorne, Italian cartoonist Sergio Toppi, Vicar, comic book writer Robert L. Washington III, Buffalo Bills program cartoonist Kevin Weil, freelance cartoonist Bill White, British cartoonist Mike White, Wizard Magazine staffer Marc Wilkofsky, Dutch cartoonist Bert Witte, anime voice actress Sayuri Yamauchi, Fantagraphics art director Dale Yarger, Half Moon Bay Review cartoonist Arthur Zich, and 3-D cartoonist Ray Zone. (This list was compiled with the assistance of D.D. Degg's list of comic artist deaths for the rec.arts.comics.strips Usenet group.)

Deaths in the comic arts during 2012

Deaths in 2012 included Argentine comics writer Carlos Albiac, San Francisco Examiner editorial cartoonist Ken Alexander, San Diego Comic-Con co-founder Richard Alf, editorial cartoonist Rex Babin, Croatian cartoonist and animator Žarko Beker, Spanish publisher Josep Maria Berenguer, gag cartoonist Jan Berenstain, Swiss artist Pierre-Alain Bertola, Canadian political cartoonist Blaine, animation voice Lucille Bliss, comic strip inker Howard King Boone, Ernie (Chua) Chan, comic book and strip artist John Celardo, gay webcartoonist Chris Companik, Alabama editorial cartoonist John Crawford, Harvey comics artist Sid Couchey, Penthouse gag cartoonist Art Cumings, Brazilian cartoonist Fernando Dias da Silva, Filipino comic book artist Tony DeZuniga, animator Jim Duffy, Splitsville and Playboy cartoonist Reynolds E. Dodson, Spanish cartoonist Jose Luis Ferrer, Golden age cartoonist Martin Filchock, Argentine cartoonist Arnoldo Franchioni, Italian artist Francesco Gamba, Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud, Columbus Dispatch cartoonist Louis 'Doc' Goodwin, Olive of the Ozarks cartoonist Pat Grant, Californian cartoonist Paul Gringle, former cartoonist turned science fiction writer Harry Harrison, Natural Selection cartoonist Scott ‘Russ Wallace’ Henson, Arnold comic strip cartoonist William O. Johnson, Swedish comics librarian Kristiina Kolehmainen, Indonesian comics writer Raden Ahmad Kosasih, French comic book historian André Leborgne, French cartoonist Bruno Le Floc'h, Golden Age comic book artist Marv Lev(y), Jack Lindstrom, Hi-De-Ho comic strip inker Charles L. Madden, French cartoonist Pat Mallet, Comics fan-turned-pro Don Markstein, comic strip artist Fran Matera, American Indian cartoonist Robby McMurtry, Josh Medors, 1940s comic strip cartoonist George Mercer, Tank McNamara writer Jeff Millar, Sheldon Moldoff, Brazilian artist Gutemberg "Goott" Monteiro, Barefoot Gen cartoonist Keiji Nakazawa, comic strip writer Richard O'Brien, Kenyan cartoonist Frank Odoi, Belgian Luc Orient cartoonist Eddy Paape, The Passing Scene comic strip creator Eugene R. Patrick, British comics illustrator Douglas Phillips, Phantom fan/expert Ed Rhoades, Captain Easy writer Belford A. Richards, Jordanian cartoonist Jalal Rifai, Brazilian artist Al Rio, underground cartoonist Spain Rodriguez, New Yorker cartoonist Al Ross, Rural Fox cartoonist Leah Rule, Indian pocket (aka gag) cartoonist T. Samuel (aka Samuval), Spanish comic book writer Antonio Segura, Maurice Sendak, John Severin, Disney artist Mel Shaw, Disney animation music composer Robert B. Sherman, Oakland Tribune sports cartoonist Lee Susman, 'Captain Marvel' artist Marcus Swayze, Indian cartoonist turned politician Bal K. Thackeray, Hawaiian cartoonist Dave Thorne, Italian cartoonist Sergio Toppi, Vicar, comic book writer Robert L. Washington III, freelance cartoonist Bill White, British cartoonist Mike White, Wizard Magazine staffer Marc Wilkofsky, Dutch cartoonist Bert Witte, anime voice actress Sayuri Yamauchi, Fantagraphics art director Dale Yarger, and 3-D cartoonist Ray Zone. (This list was compiled with the assistance of D.D. Degg’s list of comic strip artist deaths.)

Comic Riffs and Monkey See on the death of Joe Kubert

RIP JOE KUBERT: From 'Sgt. Rock' to the Kubert School, creator-teacher leaves a legendary legacy [UPDATED]

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 13 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-joe-kubert-from-sgt-rock-to-the-kubert-school-creator-teacher-leaves-a-legendary-legacy/2012/08/13/a9d80d14-e534-11e1-8f62-58260e3940a0_blog.html#pagebreak

Weldon, Glen.  2012.

Comics Legend Joe Kubert, 1926-2012: An Appreciation.

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (August 13): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2012/08/13/158690085/comics-legend-joe-kubert-1926-2012-an-appreciation

Ruffin on the past year's comic creator losses

He's got a good start here. I'll append a few more tonight:

2011 In Memoriam: Comics creator remembrances

Mark Ruffin, DC Comic Books Examiner

January 2, 2012

http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-washington-dc/in-memoriam

UPDATE: Mark's list had nine people that I don't have below!

As I noted in my new edition of the Comics Research Bibliography, deaths in 2011 included editorial cartoonist Bob Artley, Uruguayan cartoonist Eduardo Barretto, Croatian cartoonist Ivica Bednjanec, Italian comic-book publisher Sergio Bonelli, avant-garde animator Robert Breer, Charles Brooks, Archie Comics artist John "Jon" D'agostino, Spanish artist Victor de la Fuente, sports cartoonist Bill Gallo, Belgian cartoonist Andre Geerts, French artist Paul Gillon, Belgian comics writer Francine Graton, Jeffrey Jones, Family Circus creator Bil Keane, British cartoonist David Langdon, German cartoonist Loriot, Spirou editor Thierry Martens, Indian cartoonist Mario Miranda, caricaturist Sam Norkin, Slovenian artist Jelko Peternelj, Serbian inker Branko http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifPlavsic, Jerry Robinson, Albany Times Union editorial cartoonist Hy Rosen, DC Comics http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifwriter Alvin Schwartz, Captain America co-creator Joe Simon, French cartoonist Jean Tabary, Argentinian comics writer Carlos Trillo, Belgian cartoonist Albert Weinberg, Irish editorial cartoonist Terry Willers, and Ziggy creator Tom Wilson.

We both missed advertising animators Don Pegler and Vincent Cafarelli.