comics packaging
{{Short description|Comics publishing activity}}
Comics packaging is a publishing activity in which a publishing company outsources the myriad tasks involved in putting together a comic book — writing, illustrating, editing, and even printing — to an outside service called a packager. Once the comics packager has produced the comic, they then sell it to the final publishing company.{{cite book|authorlink=Jim Steranko| last= Steranko | first= Jim| title=The Steranko History of Comics - Volume One |publisher=Supergraphics|year=1970| page= 59| location =Reading, Pennsylvania|quote=Bill Everett: We'd put the whole book together, deliver the package to the publisher and get paid for it.}}
In this arrangement, the comics-packaging company acts as a liaison between a publishing company and the writers, artists, and editors that design and produce the comic book. Comics packagers thus blend the roles of agent, editor, and publisher (as distinct from syndicates, which perform a similar function in the comic strip industry).
Comics packagers, often operated by notable artists such as Will Eisner and Jack Binder, formed in the 1930s to supply cheaply produced material to the burgeoning American comics industry. Some comics publishers used packaging services in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s as well. Comics packagers and art studios also played role in the British comics industry. Although not as prevalent as it once was, comics packaging still forms a segment of the modern comics industry.
Business model
There are two main reasons for utilizing a comics packager: a publisher new to the comics industry that does not have an in-house staff or access to a network of freelancers; or a business outside the comics industry that decides to produce comics for advertising or informational purposes. In these latter cases, the comic is first conceived as a marketing concept, and the packager is then hired to write and produce the comic on a work for hire basis. Some packagers only provide art for the comics, with the writing done by in-house talent.
Eisner & Iger, one of the first packagers, had 15 writers, artists and letterers on staff, according to co-founder Will Eisner: "They were working for me full-time, on salary. I tried to avoid dealing with freelancers on a per-page basis."{{cite magazine|title=I Always Felt Storytelling was as Important as the Artwork: Will Eisner Talks About Quality Comics, Eisner & Iger, The Spirit—and Other Stuff|first=Jim|last=Amash|magazine=Alter Ego|number=48|date=May 2005|page=9}} At the same time, Eisner & Iger charged publishers $5 to $7 per finished page.
Historically, comics packagers (such as the Chesler shop, the Sangor Studio, and Eisner & Iger) were set up as physical studios. As explained by comics historian Hames Ware, however, Lloyd Jacquet's Funnies Inc. "was distinct from the other major shops. It was set up more like a clearinghouse than a conventional shop. While at the other classic shops, there were actually buildings and offices housing... many artists who often collaborated on jobs, most of Jacquet's artists worked from home and did solo work."{{cite journal|first=Hames|last=Ware|title=Re (letter to the editor)|journal=Alter Ego|volume=3|number=27|date=August 2003|page=44}}
Remuneration and credit
While the comics-packaging sector is little-known outside the publishing world, it provides employment to many freelance authors and illustrators. Most packagers pay a flat project or page rate. Packagers do not pay royalties, which means that even if a package-produced comic becomes a bestseller, the creators do not receive additional payment.
Artist Joe Kubert recalled Harry "A" Chesler paying him $5 a week, at age 12 (c. 1938) to apprentice at his studio after school.{{cite news|last=Ewing|first= Emma Mai|title=The 'Funnies' Can Be Serious|work=The New York Times|date= September 12, 1976}} [https://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/12/archives/the-funnies-can-be-serious.html?scp=1 Abstract] accessed on January 17, 2012. Similarly, artist Carmine Infantino remembers that, {{circa}} 1940, he was paid by Chesler "a dollar a day, just [to] study art, learn, and grow. That was damn nice of him, I thought. He did that for me for a whole summer" while Infantino was in high school.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.tcj.com/the-carmine-infantino-interview/ |title=The Carmine Infantino Interview|journal=The Comics Journal|issue= 191 |date=November 1996|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120118003931/http://www.tcj.com/the-carmine-infantino-interview/|archive-date=January 18, 2012|access-date= January 17, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Carmine Infantino, Reviver of Batman and Flash, Dies at 87|first=Margalit|last=Fox|date=April 5, 2013|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/06/arts/carmine-infantino-who-revamped-batman-and-the-flash-dies-at-87.html|quote=The young Mr. Infantino enrolled in the School of Industrial Art, a Manhattan public high school now known as the High School of Art and Design. When he was still only a freshman there, he began working part-time for the noted comic-book packager Harry Chesler.}} Joe Simon said that his Funnies Inc. rate for a completed comic-book page — written, drawn, and lettered — was $7. For comparison, he recalled that at Eisner & Iger — where Eisner wrote the features and created characters, hiring novice artists — the page rate was approximately $3.50 to $5.50.{{cite book|last1=Simon|first1=Joe|author-link=Joe Simon|first2=Jim|last2=Simon|title=The Comic Book Makers|isbn=1-887591-35-4|publisher=Vanguard Productions|location=New York|date=2003}} George Tuska, who worked for a number of packagers in the late 1930s, notes that he made $10 a week with Eisner & Iger,{{cite book|last1=Cassell|first1=Dewey|first2=Aaron|last2=Sultan|first3=Mike|last3=Gartland|date=2005|title=The Art of George Tuska|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|page=21|isbn=978-1-893905-40-5}} and then, with the Chesler shop, $22 a week, increased to $42 a week within six months.Cassell, p. 27.
In the early days of comics, creators working for comics packagers worked anonymously as ghostwriters and "ghost artists", under the packaging company name, or under an alias. (It's worth noting, however, that most comics stories produced during this period didn't contain credits, making individual attribution difficult.) In some cases, a creator's work would be credited to someone else's name, such as a celebrity, who was paid to be listed as the credited writer as a way of increasing sales.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Historian Hames notes, however, that at Funnies Inc., most artists "got credit for whatever job they did. (Jacquet also allowed writer credits from time to time)."
History
= Golden Age of Comic Books =
The first packagers to emerge were in the late 1930s, supplying comics features and complete comic books to publishers testing the waters of the emerging medium. As early packager Will Eisner noted at this time, around 1936,
{{cquote|
The most prominent packagers during this period were Harry "A" Chesler, Eisner & Iger, Funnies Inc., and the Sangor Studio, all based in New York City, like the publishers they served. Packagers provided early work to such notable artists and writers as Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Jack Cole, Jack Binder,{{cite web |url= https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/binder_jack.htm|title= Jack Binder|date= February 22, 2017|publisher= Lambiek Comiclopedia|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170819060735/https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/binder_jack.htm|archive-date= August 19, 2017|url-status= live}} Otto Binder,{{Cite journal|author-link=E. Nelson Bridwell|last=Bridwell|first= E. Nelson|title=In Memorium: Otto Oscar Binder|journal=The Amazing World of DC Comics|issue= 3|date=November 1974|page= 30}} Charles Biro,{{cite web|url=http://www.crimeboss.com/history02-1.html|first=Nicky|last=Wright|title=Seducers of the Innocent|publisher=CrimeBoss.com|access-date=August 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126161119/http://www.crimeboss.com/history02-1.html|archive-date=January 26, 2012|url-status=live}} Mort Meskin,{{cite web|url=http://terrororstralis.com/sheena/comics/FH-comics.htm |first=Paul|last= Wickham |publisher=Fiction House Comics (fan site)|page= 4|title=Jumbo Comics Comic Artists|access-date = August 29, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716211550/http://terrororstralis.com/sheena/comics/FH-comics.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2011|url-status=live}} George Tuska, Nina Albright, Toni Blum, and many others.
Packagers were responsible for the creation of a number of notable comics titles and characters. Funnies Inc., for example, founded by Lloyd Jacquet, supplied the entire contents of Marvel Comics #1 (cover-dated Oct. 1939), the first publication of what would become the multimedia corporation Marvel Comics — not to mention featuring the debuts of such legacy characters as the Sub-Mariner, the Human Torch, and the Angel.{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/556/|title=Marvel Comics #1|website=Grand Comics Database}} Funnies Inc. employee Joe Simon is also credited with creating Blue Bolt (for Novelty Press).{{cite book |last1=Benton |first1=Mike |title=Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History |date=1992 |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |location=Dallas |isbn=0-87833-808-X |pages=80–81 |url=https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent/page/80 |access-date=January 15, 2020}} While with Eisner & Iger, Eisner is credited with co-creating such characters as Doll Man{{cite book |last1=Koolman |first1=Mike |last2=Amash |first2=Jim |title=The Quality Companion |date=2011 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490373 |page=88}} and Blackhawk{{cite web |author-link=Mark Evanier |last=Evanier |first=Mark |url=http://povonline.com/cols/COL306.htm |title=Blackhawk, Part 2 |publisher=(transcript, Part 2, of 1999 Comic-Con International panel with Chuck Cuidera and Will Eisner), P.O.V. Online |date=September 8, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217065650/http://povonline.com/cols/COL306.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |url-status=dead}} for Quality Comics, and Wonder Man and The Flame{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=2 April 2020 |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/flame.htm |title=The Flame (1939)}} for Fox Publications. Eisner & Iger also created Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.[https://www.comics.org/issue/1099989/ Wags'' [UK
By the late 1930s, the packaging business was flourishing.Cassell, Dewey, with Aaron Sultan and Mike Gartland. The Art of George Tuska (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2005), {{ISBN|1-893905-40-3}}; {{ISBN|978-1-893905-40-5}}, p. 27 Chesler, who also acted as a publisher, recalled in a 1976 profile, "besides about 75 of my own titles, we produced comics for some 50 different publishers. At one time, there were 40 artists working for me and I had 300 comic titles on the newsstands."{{efn|David Saunders, without citation of the original source, quotes Chesler saying, "At one time, there were forty artists working for me."{{cite web|url=http://www.pulpartists.com/Chesler.html|title=Harry "A" Chesler|first=David|last=Saunders|publisher=PulpArtists.com|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111180949/http://www.pulpartists.com/Chesler.html|url-status=live}}. Additional, archived on November 11, 2016. The Grand Comics Database, however, records only 19 distinct titles directly published by Chesler between 1937 and 1946,[http://www.comics.org/publisher/112/ Chesler / Dynamic, 1937-1946] at the Grand Comics Database leaving the meaning of "my own titles" in this quote unclear.}}
As the comics industry took hold, alumni of the packagers "went on to form the nuclei of various comics art staffs" for a number of different early comics companies. They also started their own studios; in the years 1942–1945, a number of artists became packagers in their own right, including L. B. Cole, Jack Binder, Bernard Baily, Mac Raboy, and Vincent Fago.
When superhero comics went out of fashion in the postwar era, Sheldon Moldoff became an early pioneer in horror comics, packaging two such ready-to-print titles — This Magazine Is Haunted and Worlds of Fear — eventually bought by Fawcett Publications in 1951–1952.{{cite journal|url=http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/04moldoff.html|title=A Moon... A Bat... A Hawk: A Candid Conversation With Sheldon Moldoff|journal=Alter Ego|volume=3|issue=4|date=Spring 2000|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201085200/http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/04moldoff.html|archive-date=December 1, 2010|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
Most of the early crop of packagers petered out by the mid-1950s as the remaining publishers produced their comics in-house.
= Modern era =
With the advent of the 1970s, a number of new packagers arose, most of whom provided comics art but not stories to their clients. These included Continuity Associates and Selecciones Ilustradas.
Continuity Associates (later known as Continuity Studios),{{cite book|last1=Eury|first1=Michael|last2= Giordano|first2=Dick|title=Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day at a Time|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|date=2003}} was formed by cartoonists Neal Adams and Dick Giordano in 1971.{{cite web|url=https://13thdimension.com/paul-kupperberg-a-comic-moment-with-dick-giordano/|first=PAUL|last=KUPPERBERG|author-link=Paul Kupperberg|title=A Comic Moment With… DICK GIORDANO|website=13th Dimension|date=July 20, 2022|quote=...he and Neal Adams opened the advertising and comics packaging agency Continuity Associates.}} At first, Continuity primarily supplied motion picture storyboards and advertising art, but it soon became an art packager for comic book publishers, including such companies as Charlton Comics,{{cite web|last=Hatcher|first=Greg|url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/02/25/friday-at-the-license-bureau/|title=Friday at the License Bureau|website=Comic Book Resources|date=Feb 25, 2006|access-date=March 7, 2009|archive-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110060014/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/02/25/friday-at-the-license-bureau/|url-status=dead}}. Marvel Comics, DC Comics, the one-shot Big Apple Comix, and even Adams' own Continuity Comics. Continuity served as the launching pad for the careers of a number of professional comics artists. (When doing collective comics work, the artists were often credited as "Crusty Bunkers.") More established cartoonists like Win Mortimer found work at Continuity profitable enough that they left the comics industry to work exclusively on Continuity projects.{{cite web|last=Mietkiewicz|first=Henry|url= http://joeshusterawards.com/canadian-comic-book-creator-hall-of-fame-temple-de-la-renommee-createur-canadien-de-bandes-dessinees/hof-win-mortimer-1919-1998|title=Win Mortimer (1919-1998)|date=31 December 2008 |publisher=Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards|access-date=Mar 9, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.supermansupersite.com/mortimer.html|title=Win Mortimer (1919–1998)|website=Superman Super Site|access-date=March 9, 2009}}
Selecciones Ilustradas, a Spanish art agency, provided artists for the horror comics magazine publishers Warren Publishing and Skywald Publications in the period 1971{{ndash}}1983, providing an entrée into the U.S. comics market for a great number of these Spanish artists.
Starting in 1974, Byron Preiss (as Byron Preiss Visual Publications) packaged graphic novels, comics, illustrated books, and children's books to various publishers using the talents of comics artists such as Howard Chaykin, Dennis Francis, Marc Hempel, Gray Morrow, Alex Niño, Ralph Reese, Tom Sutton, and Mark Wheatley.
David Campiti, with Campiti and Associates ({{circa}} 1985{{ndash}}1988) and then Glass House Graphics (1993{{ndash}}present), operated more like a traditional comics packager, supplying complete comics to such publishers as Eternity Comics, Continuity Comics, DC Comics, Eclipse Comics, NOW Comics, and his own Innovation Publishing.{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=GLASS+HOUSE+GRAPHICS|title=Glass House Graphics|website=Who's Who of American Comics Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 23, 2023}} Campiti and Associates was active in comics packaging during the "black-and-white boom" of the mid-1980s.{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=CAMPITI+AND+ASSOCIATES|title=Campiti and Associates|website=Who's Who of American Comics Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 23, 2023}} Independent publishers whose work was produced almost exclusively by Campiti and Associates include:
- Sirius Comics (1985–1986)
- Pied Piper Comics (1986–1988)
- Eternity Comics (1986–1988)
- Imperial Comics (1986–1987)
- Amazing (1986–1987)
- Wonder Color (1987)
Glass House Graphics played a major role in the entrée of Brazilian artists such as Ed Benes, Joe Bennett, Mike Deodato, and Luke Ross into the American comics market.
= The U.K. comics market =
Starting in the 1950s, the British comics market often used art packagers — often artists from Spain, from such studios as A.L.L.I. and Bardon Arts.{{Cite web|last=Lambiek Comiclopedia|title= Luis Bermejo |url= http://lambiek.net/artists/b/bermejo_luis.htm}}
Notable comics packagers
= Golden Age of Comic Books =
- Chesler Studio (Harry "A" Chesler), {{circa}} 1935–{{circa}} 1953{{efn|Marv Wolfman, a former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, said that as late as from {{circa}} 1971 to 1975 the Chesler studio produced material for the Marvel Comics line of black-and-white magazines.{{cite magazine|last1=Sanderson|first1=Peter|first2=Peter B. |last2=Gillis|title=Comics Feature Interviews Marv Wolfman|magazine=Comics Feature|number=12/13|date=September–October 1981|page=44}} (Chesler died in 1981.)}}
: Clients: MLJ Magazines Inc. (Zip Comics, Pep Comics, Top-Notch Comics), Fawcett Comics (Captain Marvel, Master Comics), Quality Comics (Feature Funnies), Centaur Comics (various features)
: Notable creators: Jack Binder, Otto Binder Charles Biro, Jack Cole, Otto Eppers,Bails, Ware (eds.) [http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(i3dii545kjjpqh45skhgf145))/bio.aspx?Name=EPPERS%2c+OTTO Eppers, Otto]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222314/http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(i3dii545kjjpqh45skhgf145))/bio.aspx?Name=EPPERS,+OTTO Archived] from the original on March 3, 2016. Ken Ernst, Creig Flessel,{{cite web|url= http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/blog_monthly/2008/07/ |publisher=ComicsReporter.com| title= Creig Flessel, 1912-2008|date=July 31, 2008|access-date= August 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527202641/http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/blog_monthly/2008/07/| archive-date=May 27, 2011|url-status=live}} (Requires scrolldown to 8:25 a.m. PST post) Bob McCay,[http://bailsprojects.com/(S(qsyn0v45yn33uruxyjtseszi))/bio.aspx?Name=MC+CAY%2c+BOB Bob McCay entry], Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 14, 2012. Mort Meskin, Ruben Moreira, Mac Raboy, Syd Shores,{{cite web|last=Hewetson|first=Alan|author-link=Al Hewetson|url=http://www.ess.comics.org/ess/arshor01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031120175217/http://www.ess.comics.org/ess/arshor01.html|archive-date=November 20, 2003|title=Syd Shores|publisher=(interview) Now and Then Times|number=2|date=October 1973|url-status=dead}} Additional created September 26, 2010. Charles Sultan, George Tuska,{{cite news|last=Tuska |first=George |url=http://www.twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/09tuska.html |title=I Didn't Stay In One Place! |work=Alter Ego |volume=3 |issue=9 |date=July 2001 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |access-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129094337/http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/09tuska.html |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Carmine Infantino (intern), Joe Kubert (intern)
: Notes: Also operated as a publisher. Supposedly also provided material for Marvel Magazines in the 1970s.
- Eisner and Iger Studio / a.k.a. Syndicated Features Corporation (Will Eisner and Jerry Iger) {{circa}} 1936–1939;
S. M. Iger Studio (Jerry Iger, and from 1945, Ruth Roche),{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=IGER+STUDIO|title=Iger Studio|website=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999|access-date=23 March 2023}} 1940–1961
: Clients: Editors Press Service (Wags), Fiction House (many titles), Fox Feature Syndicate (Wonder Comics #1, Wonderworld Comics #4), Quality Comics (Feature Funnies)
: Notable creators: Ruth Atkinson, Alex Blum,Hajdu, David. The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008), {{ISBN|978-0-374-18767-5}}, p. 26. Toni Blum, Nick Cardy, Reed Crandall,{{cite web|url=http://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/crandall.htm|title=Reed Crandall|website=Lambiek Comiclopedia|access-date=March 17, 2023}} Jules Feiffer, Lou Fine, Frank Giacoia,{{cite web|url= https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/giacoia_frank.htm|title= Frank Giacoia|date= December 14, 2007|publisher= Lambiek Comiclopedia|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160308120207/https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/giacoia_frank.htm|archive-date= March 8, 2016|url-status= live}} Bob Kane, Jack Kirby, Klaus Nordling, Bob Powell, Mike Sekowsky, Charles Sultan, George Tuska, Chic Stone (intern)Stone in {{cite news|last=Cassar |first=James |url=http://www.twomorrows.com/kirby/articles/14stoneint.html |title=Excerpts from Chic Stone interview |work=Jack Kirby Collector |issue=14 |date=February 1997 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223184049/http://twomorrows.com/kirby/articles/14stoneint.html |archivedate=December 23, 2010 |url-status=live }}
: Notes: Created Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Eisner credited with co-creating characters including Doll Man (Quality Comics), Blackhawk (Quality), Wonder Man (Fox Feature Syndicate), and The Flame (Fox) during this time. Eisner & Iger also sold color comic strips to newspapers.
- Funnies Inc./Lloyd Jacquet Studios (Lloyd Jacquet), 1939–{{circa}} 1958
: Clients: Marvel Comics (Marvel Comics #1), Centaur Publications, Fox Feature Syndicate, Hillman Periodicals, Novelty Press
: Notable creators: Carl Burgos, Paul Gustavson, Joe Simon, Mickey Spillane, Leonard Starr, Basil Wolverton
: Notes: Created Human Torch, Sub-Mariner, Angel, Blue Bolt, Spacehawk
- Sangor Studio (Benjamin W. Sangor), 1939–1948
: Clients: Standard Comics (also Better Comics, Nedor Comics), National Comics Publications
: Notable creators: John Celardo, Dan Gordon, Graham Ingels, Jack Katz, Bob Oskner, Art Saaf{{cite book | title = Of Comics and Men: A Cultural History of American Comic Books | first1 = Jean-Paul | last1 = Gabilliet | translator-first1 = Bart | translator-last1= Beaty | translator-first2 = Nick | translator-last2=Nguyen | publisher = University Press of Mississippi | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-60473-267-2 | page= [https://books.google.com/books?id=J1t8g_yX1wcC&dq=%22ben+sangor%22&pg=PA115 115]. Retrieved December 21, 2012}}
- L. B. Cole Studio (L. B. Cole), 1942–1948
: Clients: Ace Magazines, Aviation Press, Chesler Publications, Farrell Publications, Fawcett Comics, Holyoke Publishing, Magazine Enterprises, Spotlight Comics, Novelty Press, Orbit Publications, Rural Home Publishing{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=COLE%2c+L.+B.|title=L. B. Cole|work=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 19, 2023}}
: Notable creators: Nina Albright{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=ALBRIGHT%2c+NINA|title=Nina Albright|work=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 21, 2023}}
: Notes: Seems to have hired staff only in 1944–1945
- Jack Binder Studio (Jack Binder), 1942–1946
: Clients: Fawcett Comics, Nedor Comics, Lev Gleason Publications features (Fighting Yank, Mister Scarlet and Pinky, Bulletman, Ibis the Invincible, Captain Battle, the Black Owl, Doc Savage, The Shadow)
: Notable creators: Ken Bald,{{cite book|last=Steranko|first=Jim|title=The Steranko History of Comics 2|publisher=Supergraphics|date=1972}} Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane,{{cite web|url=http://www.tcj.com/2_archives/i_kane.html |title=Interview with Gil Kane, Part I|publisher= Excerpts from The Comics Journal (186)|date=April 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226010440/http://tcj.com/2_archives/i_kane.html| archive-date=February 26, 2000}} Kurt Schaffenberger,{{cite magazine|title=Jimmy Olsen's Pen-Pals|magazine=Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen|number=155|date=January 1973}} Bill Ward
- Bernard Baily Studio (Bernard Baily and Mac Raboy), 1943–1946
: Clients: Cambridge House Publishers (Star Studded Comics, Gold Medal Comics), Croyden (Rural Home Publishing imprint), Jay Burtis, Narrative, Lindsay Baird, Quality Comics (Feature Comics), Neal Publications, Novack '45 (Spotlight Comics imprint), R. B. Leffingwell, Holyoke PublicationsBails, Ware. [http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(rcfovc3qvyz0cxzfhly2jkm1))/bio.aspx?Name=BERNARD+BAILY+STUDIO Bernard Baily Studio]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110707210046/http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(rcfovc3qvyz0cxzfhly2jkm1))/bio.aspx?Name=BERNARD+BAILY+STUDIO WebCitation archive].
: Notable creators: Nina Albright, Dan Barry, Dick Briefer, Frank Frazetta,[http://lambiek.net/artists/f/frazetta.htm Frank Frazetta] at the Lambiek Comiclopedia. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100112102155/http://lambiek.net/artists/f/frazetta.htm Archived] 2009-11-23Frazetta quoted at {{cite web |url=http://frazettaartgallery.com/ff/bio/1940/1940_pg2.html |publisher=Frank Frazetta Art Gallery |title=The 1940s, page 2 |date=n.d. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207211743/http://www.frazettaartgallery.com/ff/bio/1940/1940_pg2.html |archivedate=December 7, 2009 |url-status=dead }} John Giunta, Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane{{cite web |authorlink=Steve Stiles |last=Stiles |first=Steve |url=http://www.stevestiles.com/kane1.htm |title=His Name Is Kane, Part 1 |date=n.d. |publisher=SteveStiles.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203160006/http://stevestiles.com/kane1.htm |archivedate=February 3, 2010 |url-status=live }}
- Fago Studios (Vincent Fago),{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=FAGO%2c+VINCE|title=Vince Fago|work=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 20, 2023}} 1945–1951
: Clients: Charlton Comics
: Notable creators: Al Fago{{cite web|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=FAGO%2c+AL|title=Al Fago|work=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999|access-date=March 20, 2023}}
= Modern era =
- Continuity Associates (Neal Adams and Dick Giordano), 1971{{ndash}}{{circa}} 2022
: Client: Charlton Comics,{{cite web|last=Hatcher|first=Greg|url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/02/25/friday-at-the-license-bureau/|title=Friday at the License Bureau|website=Comic Book Resources|date=Feb 25, 2006|access-date=March 7, 2009|archive-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110060014/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/02/25/friday-at-the-license-bureau/|url-status=dead}} Marvel Comics, Atlas/Seaboard Comics, DC Comics, Continuity Comics, Big Apple Comix one-shot
: Notable creators: Terry Austin, Liz Berube, Pat Broderick, Howard Chaykin, Dennis Francis, Larry Hama, Bob Layton, Val Mayerik, Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Win Mortimer, Michael Netzer, Carl Potts, Joe Rubinstein, Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin, Greg Theakston, Bob Wiacek
: Notes: For comics, generally provided art, not writing or editing; when doing collective comics work, the artists were often credited as "Crusty Bunkers". Also supplied motion picture storyboards, advertising art, animatics, 3D computer graphics, and conceptual design.
- Selecciones Ilustradas (Josep Toutain), 1971{{ndash}}1983
: Clients: Warren Publishing, Skywald Publications
: Notable creators: Vicente Alcazar, Rafael Aura León, Alfonso Azpiri, José Beá, Luis Bermejo, Jordi Bernet, Jesús Blasco, Daniel Branca, Jaime Brocal Remohí, Emilia Castañeda Martínez, Fernando Fernández, Alfons Figueras, Alfonso Font, Víctor de la Fuente, Luis García Mozos, Carlos Giménez, Juan Giménez, Jorge Longarón, Esteban Maroto, Félix Mas, Isidro Monés, José Ortiz, Carlos Pino, Leopold Sánchez, Manuel Sanjulián, Vicente Segrelles, Manfred Sommer, Ramon Torrents
: Notes: Spanish agency; artwork only
- Vincent Fago, 1973{{ndash}}1980
: Clients: Pendulum Press (Pendulum Illustrated Classics)
: Notable creators: Otto Binder, Kin Platt, Irwin Shapiro, E. R. Cruz, Rudy Nebres, Alex Niño, Nestor Redondo, Gerry Talaoc, Vicatan
: Notes: Artists mostly from the Philippines
- Byron Preiss Visual Publications (Byron Preiss), 1974–{{circa}} 2000
: Clients: Pyramid Books, Ace Books, Bantam Books
: Notable creators: Howard Chaykin, Dennis Francis, Marc Hempel, Gray Morrow, Alex Niño, John Jude Palencar, Ralph Reese, Tom Sutton, Mark Wheatley
- Campiti and Associates (David Campiti), {{circa}} 1985{{ndash}}1988;
TriCorp Entertainment (Brian Marshall and David Campiti), 1986
: Clients: Sirius Comics, Pied Piper Comics, Eternity Comics, Imperial Comics, Amazing, Wonder Color
: Notable creators: Mark Beachum, Rick Bryant, Bo Hampton, Kelley Jones, David Lawrence, Tom Lyle, Alan Oldham, John Statema
- Acme Comics (Richard Ashford, Bambos Georgiou, Richard Hansom, Cefn Ridout), 1992–1995
: Clients: Dark Horse Comics (James Bond, Lux & Alby Sign on and Save the Universe)
: Notable creators: Simon Jowett, John M. Burns, David Lloyd, Don McGregor, Martin Millar, Simon Fraser
: Notes: Based in the U.K.
- Glass House Graphics (David Campiti), 1993{{ndash}}{{circa}} present
: Clients: Comic Shop News (Mack Bolan: The Executioner), Comico (Zamindar feature in Esc.), Continuity Comics (Hybrids, Ms. Mystic, Samuree), DC Comics (Darkstars, The Prisoner), Disney (Beauty and the Beast), Eclipse Comics (Dean Koontz's Trapped, Miracleman), Innovation Publishing (Dark Shadows, Interview with the Vampire, Lost in Space, Lucifer's Hammer, On a Pale Horse, Quantum Leap, The Queen of the Damned), Mad International, NOW Comics (Green Hornet, Kato of the Green Hornet, Speed Racer, Syphons)
: Notable creators: Ed Benes, Joe Bennett, Mort Castle, Mike Deodato, Dærick Gröss Sr., David Lawrence, Luke Ross, Matt Thompson
= Packagers in the U.K. comics market =
- A.L.I. (late 1950s)
: Clients: Amalgamated Press, Odhams Press
: Notable creators: Luis Bermejo
: Notes: Artists only. Based in Spain
- Bardon Arts (1960s)
: Clients: Fleetway Publications (Tell Me Why, Once Upon a Time, Look and Learn, Tiny Tots)
: Notable creators: Luis Bermejo, José Ortiz
: Notes: Artists only. Based in Valencia, Spain
- Martspress (Leonard Matthews),{{cite news|first=George|last=Beal|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-leonard-matthews-1286894.html|title=Obituary: Leonard Matthews|work=The Independent|date=5 December 1997}} 1968{{ndash}}{{circa}} 1974
: Clients: City Magazines (TV21){{cite web|last=Stringer|first=Lew|url=http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2007/11/flashback-1969-tv21-joe-90-no1.html|title=Flashback 1969: TV21 & Joe 90 No.1,"|work=Blimey! The Blog of British Comics!|date=25 November 2007}}
: Notable creators: Alf Wallace, Jim Baikie, Mike Noble, Carlos Pino, Vicente Alcazar
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}