John Severin

1921 – 2012

John Powers Severin 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 Powers Severin began his career by submitting cartoons to a newspaper for the homeless, The Hobo News, when he was 10. Severin went to high school at the High School of Music and Art in New York City with fellow future comic legends Al Feldstein, Will Elder, Al Jaffee, and Harvey Kurtzman. After a sting in the Army, Severin broke into the comics field via Simon and Kirby's studio. While there, Severin drew stories for Prize Comics' Western titles including co-creating (with an unknown writer) American Eagle, a Native American Indian Feature. While Charlie Sterm left the Charles William Harvey Studio, Severin replaced him, though they decided not to change the name. Severin paired with Will Elder to offer their services as a team because Severin once said, 'We both supplied what the other guy needed. He couldn't draw, and I couldn't ink.' Severin started drawing for EC Comics in 1953, producing many Western and war stories, usually with Elder, for Frontline Combat and Two-Fisted Tales. (He eventually wrote and edited the latter). Severin also contributed tot he first issues of Kurtzman's Mad. After the collapse of EC, Severin went to work for Stan Lee at Atlas (later Marvel) Comics. During the 1960s and 1970s Severin's work at Marvel included The Hulk, Sgt. Fury, King Kull, Punisher, and Conan. Severin was also the signature artist for Cracked magazine, a Mad competitor. He drew Sgt. Rock for DC, stories for Creepy, Eerie, and Blazing Combat at Warren, and he drew for various Dell titles. Severin was the brother of Marie Severin, whom he helped get into comics as a colorist for EC. She became a cartoonist in her own right. John Severin was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2003." -- The Million Year Picnic and Other Stories (Fantagraphics)