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Revision as of 19:31, 27 February 2014 editLeo keil (talk | contribs)19 editsm According to his daughter, MaryAnn Plastino Charles,some of the news stories were incorrect about father's death. He did not die from Prostate Cancer. He was in good health up until receiving a flu shot and developed Guillan Barre Syndrome.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 09:41, 20 November 2024 edit undoJevansen (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers3,436,039 edits Moving from Category:Comic book editors to Category:American comic book editors using Cat-a-lot 
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{{Short description|American comic artist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox comics creator {{Infobox comics creator
| image = Al_Plastino_in_2007.jpeg | image = Al_Plastino_in_2007.jpeg
| imagesize =
| caption = Al Plastino in 2007 | caption = Al Plastino in 2007
| alt = | alt =
| birth_name = | birth_name = Alfred John Plastino
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|12|15}} | birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|12|15}}
| birth_place = ], New York | birth_place = ], New York, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|11|25|1921|12|15}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|11|25|1921|12|15}}
| death_place = ] | death_place = ], U.S.
| nationality = American
| area = | area =
| write = y | write = y
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| signature = | signature =
| notable works = '']''<br>'']''<br>'']''<br>'']'' | notable works = '']''<br>'']''<br>'']''<br>'']''
| awards = Inkpot Award 2008 | awards = ] 2008
| sortkey = Plastino, Al
| subcat = American
}} }}
'''Alfred John Plastino'''<ref name="nytobit" /> (December 15, 1921 &ndash; November 25, 2013) was an American comic book artist best known as one of the most prolific ] artists of the 1950s, along with his ] colleague ]. Plastino also worked as a comics writer, editor, ] and ]. '''Alfred John Plastino'''<ref name="nytobit" /> (December 15, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American ] best known as one of the most prolific ] artists of the 1950s, along with his ] colleague ]. Plastino also worked as a comics writer, editor, ], and ].


With writer ], he co-created the DC characters ] and ], as well as the teenage team the ]. With writer ], he co-created the DC characters ] and ], as well as the teenage team the ].


== Biography == == Biography ==

===Early life and career=== ===Early life and career===
Born at ] in ], New York City, on December 15, 1921,<ref name=newsdayobit>{{cite news | title = Al Plastino, 'Superman' illustrator from Shirley, dies at 91 | url = http://www.newsday.com/news/al-plastino-superman-illustrator-from-shirley-dies-at-91-1.6503304 | work = ] | location = New York/Long Island | date=November 26, 2013 | authorlink= Frank Lovece | first= Frank | last=Lovece | accessdate= November 26, 2013}}</ref> and raised in ], Plastino was interested in art since grade school.<ref name=newsday2012 /> He attended the ] in New York City,<ref name=newsday2012>{{cite news | url = http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/retirement/long-islanders-behind-batman-comics-1.3909300 | title = Long Islanders behind Batman comics | date = August 16, 2012 web, August 18, 2012 print | first= Daniel | last = Bubbeo | work = ] | location = New York/Long Island | pages=B4-B5 | accessdate = August 18, 2012 | archivedate = August 19, 2012 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6A1cYrIyN | deadurl=no}}</ref> and afterward began illustrating for ''Youth Today'' magazine. He was accepted into the college ] but chose to continue working as a freelance artist.<ref name=Al /> His earliest known credited comic-book work is as ]-] of the ] and Major Victory superhero features and Green Knight medieval-adventure story in ]' ''Dynamic Comics'' #2 (]d Dec. 1941).<ref name=gcd> at the ].</ref> Before the war, Plastino inked some issues of '']''.<ref name="NYCC">Plastino bio, "Living Legends," New York Comic-Con program booklet #4 (Reed Exhibitions, 2009), p. 14.</ref> Born at ] in ], New York City, on December 15, 1921,<ref name=newsdayobit>{{cite news | title = Al Plastino, 'Superman' illustrator from Shirley, dies at 91 | url = http://www.newsday.com/news/al-plastino-superman-illustrator-from-shirley-dies-at-91-1.6503304 | work = ] | location = New York/Long Island | date=November 26, 2013 | author-link= Frank Lovece | first= Frank | last=Lovece | access-date= November 26, 2013 | archive-date= December 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203051110/http://www.newsday.com/news/al-plastino-superman-illustrator-from-shirley-dies-at-91-1.6503304 | url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} {{subscription required}}</ref> and raised in ], Plastino was interested in art since grade school.<ref name=newsday2012 /> He attended the ] in New York City,<ref name=newsday2012>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/retirement/long-islanders-behind-batman-comics-1.3909300 |title=Long Islanders behind Batman comics |date=August 16, 2012 |first=Daniel |last=Bubbeo |work=Newsday |location=New York/Long Island |pages=B4–B5 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030927/http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/retirement/long-islanders-behind-batman-comics-1.3909300 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} {{subscription required}}</ref> and afterward began illustrating for ''Youth Today'' magazine. He was accepted into the college ] but chose to continue working as a freelance artist.<ref name=Al /> His earliest known credited comic-book work is as ]-] of the ] and Major Victory superhero features and Green Knight medieval-adventure story in ]' ''Dynamic Comics'' #2 (]d Dec. 1941).<ref name=gcd>{{gcdb|type=credit|search= Al+Plastino|title= Al Plastino}}</ref> Before the war, Plastino inked some issues of '']''.<ref name="NYCC">Plastino bio, "Living Legends," New York Comic-Con program booklet #4 (Reed Exhibitions, 2009), p. 14.</ref>


With the outbreak of ], Plastino and his brothers were drafted, and he served in the ]. There, a sketch he had made for a model airplane he had designed<ref name=Al /> caught an officer's attention, leading to his being assigned to ], the ] and then the ].<ref name=newsday2012 /> He was assigned there to the ]'s office,<ref name=Al /> where he designed war posters and field manuals.<ref name=newsday2012 /> After his discharge he began working for ], drawing Army posters.<ref name=newsday2012 /> With the outbreak of ], Plastino and his brothers were drafted, and he served in the ]. There, a sketch he had made for a model airplane he had designed<ref name=Al /> caught an officer's attention, leading to his being assigned to ], the ], and then ].<ref name=newsday2012 /> He was assigned there to the ]'s office,<ref name=Al /> where he designed war posters and field manuals.<ref name=newsday2012 /> After his discharge he began working for Steinberg Studios, drawing Army posters.<ref name=newsday2012 />


===Comics=== ===Comics===
While working out of a studio in New York City with two other cartoonists in 1948, Plastino showed sample art of Superman to DC Comics, which offered him work at $35 a page. Plastino, who had heard that Superman artists were receiving $55 a page, negotiated a $50 rate.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/plastino_1.shtml|title= Al Plastino interview (Pt. 1)|first= Bryan|last= Stroud|date= December 12, 2007|publisher= The Silver Age Sage|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120901223828/http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/plastino_1.shtml|archive-date= September 1, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Now settled in the comic book field, he largely dropped other commercial work for two decades. Early on at DC, Plastino was forced to copy ]'s style but gradually began using his own style.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tcj.com/excerpts-from-last-superman-standing-the-al-plastino-story/|title= Excerpts from ''Last Superman Standing: The Al Plastino Story''|first= Eddy|last= Zeno|date= December 2, 2013|location= Seattle, Washington|work= ]|publisher= ]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203110148/http://www.tcj.com/excerpts-from-last-superman-standing-the-al-plastino-story/|archive-date= December 3, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= When asked why he broke from following Boring's lead, Plastino said, 'No one said change it. Wayne's work was really clean cut and professional, though the characters were a little stiff. It almost hurt me to draw like him. I tried to keep the look consistent, but it gradually did change.'}}</ref> He did 48<ref name=gcd /> ''Superman'' covers as well as countless DC stories. Plastino and writer ] produced the story for '']'' #61 (Nov. 1949) in which ], which had originated on '']'' radio program, made its way into the comic books.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wallace|first1= Daniel|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah|chapter= 1940s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=]|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 61|quote = Kryptonite finally appeared in comics following its introduction in ''The Adventures of Superman'' radio show back in 1943. In a story by writer Bill Finger and artist Al Plastino...the Man of Steel determined that the cause of his weakness was a piece of meteorite rock.}}</ref> He drew the Lois Lane feature in '']'' #9 (Aug. 1957) which served as a tryout for the character's own series.<ref>] "1950s" in Dolan, p. 85: "The future title ''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' got a tryout in issues #9 and #10 of ''Showcase'', when Lois Lane stepped in as the lead feature. The lead story in ''Showcase'' #9, 'The Girl in Superman's Past', by writer Jerry Coleman and artist Al Plastino, introduced Lois Lane to Superman's old flame Lana Lang."</ref>
While working out of a studio in New York City with two other ]s in 1948, Plastino showed sample art of Superman to DC Comics, which offered him work.<!--$35 a page. Plastino, who had heard that Superman artists were receiving $55 a page, negotiated a $50 rate, high for a beginning comics artist at the time.
-->
Now settled in the comic book field, he largely dropped other commercial work for two decades. Early on at DC, Plastino was forced to copy ]'s style until the editors became comfortable with his own style.{{cn|date=November 2013}} He did 48<ref name=gcd /> ''Superman'' covers as well as countless DC stories.


Plastino worked on several titles within the Superman family of comics, including '']'' and '']''. With writer ], he co-created ] in '']'' #252 (May 1959).<ref name=gcd /> Plastino also drew the Superboy story in '']'' #247 (April 1958) that introduced the ], a teen superhero team from the future that eventually became one of DC's most popular features; with writer Binder, Plastino co-created the first Legion characters: ]; ] (as Lightning Boy) and ].<ref name=gcd /> He drew the first appearance of the supervillain the ] in ''Action Comics'' #340 (Aug. 1966).<ref>{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1960s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 118 |quote = With a story written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Al Plastino, the Parasite entered Superman's life.}}</ref> Plastino worked on several titles within the Superman family of comics, including '']'' and '']''. Plastino drew the Superboy story in '']'' #247 (April 1958) that introduced the ], a teen superhero team from the future that eventually became one of DC's most popular features;<ref>Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 89: "The Legion of Super-Heroes would become one of DC's most enduring and popular groups despite their humble beginnings, in a story by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino."</ref> with writer ], Plastino co-created the first Legion characters, ], ] (as Lightning Boy) and ].<ref name=gcd /> Binder and Plastino debuted the villain ] and the Bottle City of ] in '']'' #242 (July 1958).<ref>Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 90: "The mythology of Krypton expanded dramatically with the introduction of the evil Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor in the ''Action Comics'' #242 story 'The Super-Duel in Space', written by Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino"</ref> The two men co-created ] in ''Action Comics'' #252 (May 1959).<ref name=gcd /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toonopedia.com/suprgirl.htm |title=Supergirl |first=Don |last=Markstein |year=2010 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527012840/https://www.webcitation.org/6Q7JSTo8m?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/suprgirl.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Plastino drew the first appearance of the supervillain the ] in ''Action Comics'' #340 (Aug. 1966).<ref>McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 118: "With a story written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Al Plastino, the Parasite entered Superman's life."</ref>


Plastino's "greatest pride"'<ref name="nytobit" /> was a story he drew for '']'' #168 (April 1964, scheduled for publication Feb. 1964), titled "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy."<ref name=JFK> at the ]</ref> The piece was done in collaboration with the Kennedy administration to help promote the president’s national physical fitness program. In the story, Superman visits the White House, and trusts President ] with his secret identity. The story was produced shortly before ], which led to the cancellation of its publication. At the behest of President ], it was published two months later, in '']'' #170 (June 1964),<ref name=JFK /> with Plastino adding a title page showing a ghostly figure of Kennedy looking down from the heavens at Superman flying over ].<ref name=Italiano>{{cite news | last = Italiano | first= Laura | url = http://nypost.com/2013/10/25/comics-artist-devastated-to-find-masterpiece-at-auction/ | title = 'Superman' artist stunned to find 'donated' work on sale | newspaper =] | date =October 25, 2013 | accessdate= November 26, 2013 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6LQAUj2YQ | archivedate = November 26, 2013 | deadurl=no}}</ref> Plastino's "greatest pride"'<ref name="nytobit" /> was a story he drew for ''Superman'' #168 (April 1964, scheduled for publication Feb. 1964), titled "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy."<ref name=JFK> at the ]</ref> The piece was done in collaboration with the ] to help promote the president's national physical fitness program. In the story, Superman visits the White House, and trusts President ] with his secret identity. The story was produced shortly before ], which led to the cancellation of its publication. At the behest of President ], it was published two months later, in ''Superman'' #170 (June 1964),<ref name=JFK /> with Plastino adding a title page showing a ghostly figure of Kennedy looking down from the heavens at Superman flying over Washington, D.C.<ref name=Italiano>{{cite news|last=Italiano |first=Laura |url=https://nypost.com/2013/10/25/comics-artist-devastated-to-find-masterpiece-at-auction/ |title='Superman' artist stunned to find 'donated' work on sale |newspaper=] |date=October 25, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127154634/http://nypost.com/2013/10/25/comics-artist-devastated-to-find-masterpiece-at-auction/ |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |quote=...Plastino's daughter, MaryAnn Plastino Charles, 55, told The Post. 'He is 91, he has prostate cancer, and this is not helping him at all,' she said of her dad.... }}</ref> Plastino had always believed the artwork had been donated to the ] in Boston, but the artwork was placed on auction by a private entity in late 2013.<ref name=Italiano /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/19679-dc-comics-reports-the-passing-of-artist-al-plastino.html|title= DC Comics Reports the Passing of Artist Al Plastino|date= November 26, 2013| first=Michael | last=Doran|publisher = Newsarama | archive-date= December 5, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131205044229/http://www.newsarama.com/19679-dc-comics-reports-the-passing-of-artist-al-plastino.html |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> DC Entertainment subsequently purchased the art and donated it to the Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/12/16/al-plastino-art-acquired-and-to-be-donated-by-dc-entertainment-to-john-f-kennedy| title = Al Plastino Art Acquired and to be Donated by DC Entertainment to John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston| date= December 16, 2013|publisher= DC Entertainment|archive-date= May 5, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140505193334/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/12/16/al-plastino-art-acquired-and-to-be-donated-by-dc-entertainment-to-john-f-kennedy}}</ref>


In the early 1970s, DC Comics, fearing ]'s versions of Superman and ] were too different from their established representations, assigned Plastino (among other artists) to redraw those characters' heads in Kirby's various titles.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.povonline.com/notes/Notes082203.htm|title= Untitled |first= Mark | last= Evanier| date= August 22, 2003|publisher= POV Online|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/676vFUQ4p | archivedate= April 22, 2012|deadurl= |accessdate= April 22, 2012|quote= Plastino drew new Superman figures and Olsen heads in roughly the same poses and positions, and these were pasted into the artwork.}}</ref> In the early 1970s, DC Comics, fearing ]'s versions of Superman and ] were too different from their established representations, assigned Plastino (among other artists) to redraw those characters' heads in Kirby's various titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/2003/08/22/jack-kirbys-superman/ |title=Jack Kirby's Superman |first=Mark |last=Evanier |author-link=Mark Evanier |date=August 22, 2003 |publisher=News From ME |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308170721/http://www.povonline.com/notes/Notes082203.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=April 22, 2012 |quote=Plastino drew new Superman figures and Olsen heads in roughly the same poses and positions, and these were pasted into the artwork. }}</ref> In 1996, Plastino was one of the many artists who contributed to the '']'' one-shot wherein the title character married ].<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Dolan, p. 275: " The behind-the-scenes talent on the monumental issue appropriately spanned several generations of the Man of Tomorrow's career. Written by Dan Jurgens, Karl Kesel, David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern, the one-shot featured the pencils of John Byrne, Gil Kane, Stuart Immonen, Paul Ryan, Jon Bogdanove, Kieron Dwyer, Tom Grummett, Dick Giordano, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Al Plastino, Barry Kitson, Ron Frenz, and Dan Jurgens."</ref>


===Comic strips=== ===Comic strips===
Plastino drew the ] '']'' comic strip from 1968–72, and was the uncredited ] on the ''Superman'' strip from 1960 to 1969.<ref name=bails>{{cite web|authorlink=Jerry Bails|last=Bails|first= Jerry|author2= Hames Ware | url = http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=PLASTINO%2c+AL | title= Plastino, Al | work = Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999| accessdate = 2013-11-30}}</ref> In 1968, when he and other older creators were ousted{{cn|date=May 2013}} from DC Comics, Plastino continued to work on the DC comic strips. In 1970, he took over the syndicated strip '']'', which he drew until his retirement in 1989.{{cn|date=November 2013}} Plastino drew the ] '']'' comic strip<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/plastino_2.shtml|title= Al Plastino interview (Pt. 2)|first= Bryan|last= Stroud|date= May 12, 2008|publisher= The Silver Age Sage|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120901223615/http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/plastino_2.shtml|archive-date= September 1, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> from March 17, 1968, to January 1, 1972<ref>{{cite book|last= Zeno|first= Eddy|chapter= The 'Most Plastino' Hero|title= Al Plastino: Last Superman Standing|publisher= ]|date= 2016|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|page= 45|isbn= 978-1605490663}}</ref> and was the uncredited ] on the '']'' strip from 1960 to 1966.<ref name=bails>{{cite web|author-link1=Jerry Bails |last1=Bails |first1=Jerry|last2= Ware|first2= Hames|url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=PLASTINO%2c+AL |title=Plastino, Al|work=Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999|access-date= November 30, 2013 |archive-date= December 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234611/http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=PLASTINO%2C+AL |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 1970, he took over the syndicated strip '']'', which he drew until his retirement in 1989.<ref name="Lambiek">{{cite web|url=http://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/plastino_al.htm |title=Al Plastino |date=November 26, 2013 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210521/http://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/plastino_al.htm |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


Plastino also worked on Sunday episodes of '']'' from 1982 to 1983 after ] died.{{cn|date=November 2013}} During this period, ] showed on TV a ''Nancy'' panel with a close shot of Plastino's signature and then made a joke about Plastino as a superhero name.{{cn|date=November 2013}} Plastino's official website says the artist was commissioned by the ] newspaper syndicate to ghost '']'' when ] underwent heart surgery in the 1980s,<ref name=Al>{{cite web|url=http://www.alplastino.com/alplastino/About_Al.html |title=About Al|publisher=Al Plastino (official site) | archivedate= July 7, 2011| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20110707115920/http://www.alplastino.com/alplastino/About_Al.html | deadurl = no}}</ref> but David Michaelis, author of ''Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography'', revealed that syndicate president William C. Payette had hired Plastino to draw a backlog of ''Peanuts'' strips during contract negotiations with Schulz in the 1970s. When Schulz and the syndicate reached a successful agreement, United Media stored these unpublished strips, the existence of which eventually became public.<ref>{{cite web | title = Comic Book Legends Revealed #401 | first = Brian | last = Cronin |date = January 11, 2013 | publisher = ] | url = http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/11/comic-book-legends-revealed-401/ | accessdate = May 7, 2013 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20130116063259/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/11/comic-book-legends-revealed-401/ | archivedate = January 16, 2013 | deadurl = no}}</ref> Plastino also worked on Sunday episodes of '']'' from 1982 to 1983 after ] died.<ref name="Lambiek" /> Plastino's official website says the artist was commissioned by the ] newspaper syndicate to ghost '']'' when ] underwent heart surgery in 1983,<ref name=Al>{{cite web |url=http://www.alplastino.com/alplastino/About_Al.html |title=About Al |publisher=Al Plastino (official site) |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707115920/http://www.alplastino.com/alplastino/About_Al.html |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all |access-date=November 17, 2009 }}</ref> but ], author of ''Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography'', revealed that syndicate president William C. Payette had hired Plastino to draw a backlog of ''Peanuts'' strips during contract negotiations with Schulz in the 1970s. When Schulz and the syndicate reached a successful agreement, United Media stored these unpublished strips, the existence of which eventually became public.<ref>{{cite web | title = Comic Book Legends Revealed #401 | first = Brian | last = Cronin |date = January 11, 2013 | publisher = ] | url = http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/11/comic-book-legends-revealed-401/ | access-date = May 7, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130116063259/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/11/comic-book-legends-revealed-401/ | archive-date = January 16, 2013 | url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


== Personal life == == Personal life ==
Plastino lived for many years in ], on ].<ref name=newsdayobit/> At the time of his death on November 25, 2013,<ref name=Evanier>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/11/25/al-plastino-r-p/ |title=Al Plastino, R.I.P. | date= November 25, 2013 | accessdate= November 26, 2013 | publisher=News From Me |date= |accessdate=November 26, 2013 | authorlink=Mark Evanier | first= Mark | last= Evanier | quote= ...who died this afternoon.}}</ref> at Brookhaven Hospital in ],<ref name="nytobit">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/arts/design/al-plastino-91-dies-drew-many-superheroes.html|title=Al Plastino, 91, Dies; Drew Many Superheroes|date=November 29, 2013|newspaper=]|last=Yardley|first=William|accessdate=November 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/longtime-illustrator-superman-comic-book-legends-dies-article-1.1530376 |title=Longtime illustrator for ‘Superman’ and other comic book legends dies |work=] | location = ] | first= Barbara | last= Ross | date = November 26, 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-30}}</ref> Plastino was in good health up until receiving a flu shot and developed Guillain-Barré syndrome which paralyzed and killed him very quickly. He had been married to his wife AnnMarie for 55 years at the time of his death.<ref name=newsdayobit/> The couple had four children: Fred, Janice, Arlene and the eldest, MaryAnn<ref name=newsdayobit/> (born c. 1958), who managed his business affairs.<ref name=Italiano /> Plastino lived for many years in ], on ].<ref name=newsdayobit/> At the time of his death on November 25, 2013,<ref name=Evanier>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/11/25/al-plastino-r-p/ |title=Al Plastino, R.I.P. | date= November 25, 2013 | publisher=News From Me |access-date=November 26, 2013 | first= Mark | last= Evanier | quote= ...who died this afternoon. | archive-date= December 7, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207014230/http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/11/25/al-plastino-r-p/ | url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> at Brookhaven Hospital in ],<ref name="nytobit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/arts/design/al-plastino-91-dies-drew-many-superheroes.html|title=Al Plastino, 91, Dies; Drew Many Superheroes|date=November 29, 2013|newspaper=] | last = Yardley | first = William | access-date = November 30, 2013| archive-date= December 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031037/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/arts/design/al-plastino-91-dies-drew-many-superheroes.html | url-status =live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/longtime-illustrator-superman-comic-book-legends-dies-article-1.1530376 |title=Longtime illustrator for 'Superman' and other comic book legends dies |work= ]|location= New York, New York|first= Barbara|last= Ross | date= November 26, 2013 |access-date= November 30, 2013| archive-date= December 18, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131218055317/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/longtime-illustrator-superman-comic-book-legends-dies-article-1.1530376}}</ref> he had been suffering from ]. He and his wife AnnMarie were married for 55 years. They had four children: Fred, Janice, Arlene, and the eldest, MaryAnn,<ref name=newsdayobit/> who managed his business affairs.<ref name=Italiano />


==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
===Avon Comics===
⚫ *'']'' (]) #120, 122-128, 130-131, 133, 135, 139-140, 143, 145, 148-149, 152-157, 169-170, 172, 176-177, 183, 185, 193, 197, 201, 205, 208, 212-214, 217, 220, 222, 228, 242, 247, 249, 251-252, 254-255, 259-260, 271, 273, 281-282, 289, 291-292, 294, 296, 300-302, 306, 308, 314, 317, 320, 322-324, 328-329, 331-335, 337, 340, 341- 345, 354, 361 (1948–68)
* ''Molly O'Day'' #1 (1945)
⚫ *'']'' (]) #245, 247, 253, 256, 268, 271, 276, 278, 281, 286, 292, 294, 296, 298, 324, 333, 335, 341, 344 (1958–66)

⚫ *'']'' #59-60, 62, 65, 67, 79, 81, 83, 86, 88, 90, 93, 96, 98, 102, 105, 107-108, 110, 114, 116, 125, 128-129, 133, 137, 140, 143, 149 (1957–68)
===Centaur Publications===
*'']'' #53-56, 58-59, 61, 63-69, 71-73, 75-109, 112, 114-118, 120, 122, 124-125, 129-131, 133, 135-136, 138-139, 144-147, 150-153, 157, 160-161, 163-165, 169-171, 173-174, 178-180, 183-184, 186, 191, 193-194, 196-198, 201-206 (1948–68)
* ''The Arrow'' #3 (1941)

===Chesler/Dynamic===
* ''Dynamic Comics'' #2, 13 (]) (1941–1945)
* ''Punch Comics'' #2, 11, 13–14, 16 (1942–1946)
* ''Spotlight Comics'' #2 (1945)

===DC Comics===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
⚫ * '']'' (]) #120, 122–128, 130–131, 133, 135, 139–140, 143, 145, 148–149, 152–157, 169–170, 172, 176–177, 183, 185, 193, 197, 201, 205, 208, 212–214, 217, 220, 222, 228, 242, 247, 249, 251–252, 254–255, 259–260, 271, 273, 281–282, 289, 291–292, 294, 296, 300–302, 306, 308, 314, 317, 320, 322–324, 328–329, 331–335, 337, 340, 341–345, 354, 361 (1948–1968)
⚫ *'']'' (]) #245, 247, 253, 256, 268, 271, 276, 278, 281, 286, 292, 294, 296, 298, 324, 333, 335, 341, 344 (1958–1966)
* '']'' #12 (1951)
* '']'' #9 (]) (1957)
⚫ * '']'' #59–60, 62, 65, 67, 79, 81, 83, 86, 88, 90, 93, 96, 98, 102, 105, 107–108, 110, 114, 116, 125, 128–129, 133, 137, 140, 143, 149 (1957–1968)
* '']'' #53–56, 58–59, 61, 63–69, 71–73, 75–109, 112, 114–118, 120, 122, 124–125, 129–131, 133, 135–136, 138–139, 144–147, 150–153, 157, 160–161, 163–165, 169–171, 173–174, 178–180, 183–184, 186, 191, 193–194, 196–198, 201–206 (1948–1968)
* '']'' #5, 12, 18, 20 (1958–1960)
* '']'' #50, 55–56, 60, 64, 73, 76, 78, 87 (1961–1965)
* '']'' #1 (1996)
* '']'' #34, 39–43, 47, 49, 51, 54–58, 60–61, 64, 67, 70, 165 (1948–1967)
{{div col end}}

===]===
* ''All-New Short Story Comics'' #2 (1943)

===Magazine Enterprises===
* ''The American Air Forces'' #1–3, 74 (1944–1953)

===Marvel Comics===
* '']'' #33–36 (1942)


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{reflist|30em}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
*Cadigan, Glen. ''The Legion Companion'' (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2003) * Cadigan, Glen. ''The Legion Companion'' ], 224 pages, 2003, {{ISBN|978-1893905221}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category-inline}} {{Commons category|Al Plastino}}

{{Portal|Biography}} {{Portal|Biography}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id= 2193|title= Al Plastino}}
* at Mike's Amazing World of Comics

{{s-start}}
{{succession box|title= '']'' penciller|before= ]|after= ]|years= 1948–1968}}
{{succession box|title= '']'' penciller|before= Win Mortimer|after= ]|years= 1948–1968}}
{{succession box|title= '']'' penciller|before= John Sikela|after= ]|years= 1957–1968}}
{{s-end}}
{{Inkpot Award 2000s}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME =Plastino, Al
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =Artist
| DATE OF BIRTH =December 15, 1921
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = November 25, 2013
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plastino, Al}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Plastino, Al}}
⚫ ]
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Latest revision as of 09:41, 20 November 2024

American comic artist

Al Plastino
Al Plastino in 2007
BornAlfred John Plastino
(1921-12-15)December 15, 1921
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 25, 2013(2013-11-25) (aged 91)
Patchogue, New York, U.S.
Area(s)Writer, Penciller, Inker, Editor, Letterer, Colourist
Notable worksAction Comics
Adventure Comics
Superboy
Superman
AwardsInkpot Award 2008

Alfred John Plastino (December 15, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American comics artist best known as one of the most prolific Superman artists of the 1950s, along with his DC Comics colleague Wayne Boring. Plastino also worked as a comics writer, editor, letterer, and colorist.

With writer Otto Binder, he co-created the DC characters Supergirl and Brainiac, as well as the teenage team the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Biography

Early life and career

Born at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan, New York City, on December 15, 1921, and raised in The Bronx, Plastino was interested in art since grade school. He attended the School of Industrial Art in New York City, and afterward began illustrating for Youth Today magazine. He was accepted into the college Cooper Union but chose to continue working as a freelance artist. His earliest known credited comic-book work is as penciler-inker of the Dynamic Man and Major Victory superhero features and Green Knight medieval-adventure story in Dynamic Publications' Dynamic Comics #2 (cover-dated Dec. 1941). Before the war, Plastino inked some issues of Captain America Comics.

With the outbreak of World War II, Plastino and his brothers were drafted, and he served in the U.S. Army. There, a sketch he had made for a model airplane he had designed caught an officer's attention, leading to his being assigned to Grumman Aerospace Corporation, the National Inventors Council, and then The Pentagon. He was assigned there to the Adjutant General's office, where he designed war posters and field manuals. After his discharge he began working for Steinberg Studios, drawing Army posters.

Comics

While working out of a studio in New York City with two other cartoonists in 1948, Plastino showed sample art of Superman to DC Comics, which offered him work at $35 a page. Plastino, who had heard that Superman artists were receiving $55 a page, negotiated a $50 rate. Now settled in the comic book field, he largely dropped other commercial work for two decades. Early on at DC, Plastino was forced to copy Wayne Boring's style but gradually began using his own style. He did 48 Superman covers as well as countless DC stories. Plastino and writer Bill Finger produced the story for Superman #61 (Nov. 1949) in which kryptonite, which had originated on The Adventures of Superman radio program, made its way into the comic books. He drew the Lois Lane feature in Showcase #9 (Aug. 1957) which served as a tryout for the character's own series.

Plastino worked on several titles within the Superman family of comics, including Superboy and Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane. Plastino drew the Superboy story in Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958) that introduced the Legion of Super-Heroes, a teen superhero team from the future that eventually became one of DC's most popular features; with writer Otto Binder, Plastino co-created the first Legion characters, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad (as Lightning Boy) and Saturn Girl. Binder and Plastino debuted the villain Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor in Action Comics #242 (July 1958). The two men co-created Supergirl in Action Comics #252 (May 1959). Plastino drew the first appearance of the supervillain the Parasite in Action Comics #340 (Aug. 1966).

Plastino's "greatest pride"' was a story he drew for Superman #168 (April 1964, scheduled for publication Feb. 1964), titled "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy." The piece was done in collaboration with the Kennedy administration to help promote the president's national physical fitness program. In the story, Superman visits the White House, and trusts President John F. Kennedy with his secret identity. The story was produced shortly before Kennedy was assassinated, which led to the cancellation of its publication. At the behest of President Lyndon B. Johnson, it was published two months later, in Superman #170 (June 1964), with Plastino adding a title page showing a ghostly figure of Kennedy looking down from the heavens at Superman flying over Washington, D.C. Plastino had always believed the artwork had been donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, but the artwork was placed on auction by a private entity in late 2013. DC Entertainment subsequently purchased the art and donated it to the Library.

In the early 1970s, DC Comics, fearing Jack Kirby's versions of Superman and Jimmy Olsen were too different from their established representations, assigned Plastino (among other artists) to redraw those characters' heads in Kirby's various titles. In 1996, Plastino was one of the many artists who contributed to the Superman: The Wedding Album one-shot wherein the title character married Lois Lane.

Comic strips

Plastino drew the syndicated Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder comic strip from March 17, 1968, to January 1, 1972 and was the uncredited ghost artist on the Superman strip from 1960 to 1966. In 1970, he took over the syndicated strip Ferd'nand, which he drew until his retirement in 1989.

Plastino also worked on Sunday episodes of Nancy from 1982 to 1983 after Ernie Bushmiller died. Plastino's official website says the artist was commissioned by the United Media newspaper syndicate to ghost Peanuts when Charles Schulz underwent heart surgery in 1983, but David Michaelis, author of Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography, revealed that syndicate president William C. Payette had hired Plastino to draw a backlog of Peanuts strips during contract negotiations with Schulz in the 1970s. When Schulz and the syndicate reached a successful agreement, United Media stored these unpublished strips, the existence of which eventually became public.

Personal life

Plastino lived for many years in Shirley, New York, on Long Island. At the time of his death on November 25, 2013, at Brookhaven Hospital in Patchogue, New York, he had been suffering from Guillain–Barré syndrome. He and his wife AnnMarie were married for 55 years. They had four children: Fred, Janice, Arlene, and the eldest, MaryAnn, who managed his business affairs.

Bibliography

Avon Comics

  • Molly O'Day #1 (1945)

Centaur Publications

  • The Arrow #3 (1941)

Chesler/Dynamic

  • Dynamic Comics #2, 13 (Dynamic Man) (1941–1945)
  • Punch Comics #2, 11, 13–14, 16 (1942–1946)
  • Spotlight Comics #2 (1945)

DC Comics

  • Action Comics (Superman) #120, 122–128, 130–131, 133, 135, 139–140, 143, 145, 148–149, 152–157, 169–170, 172, 176–177, 183, 185, 193, 197, 201, 205, 208, 212–214, 217, 220, 222, 228, 242, 247, 249, 251–252, 254–255, 259–260, 271, 273, 281–282, 289, 291–292, 294, 296, 300–302, 306, 308, 314, 317, 320, 322–324, 328–329, 331–335, 337, 340, 341–345, 354, 361 (1948–1968)
  • Adventure Comics (Superboy) #245, 247, 253, 256, 268, 271, 276, 278, 281, 286, 292, 294, 296, 298, 324, 333, 335, 341, 344 (1958–1966)
  • Girls' Love Stories #12 (1951)
  • Showcase #9 (Lois Lane) (1957)
  • Superboy #59–60, 62, 65, 67, 79, 81, 83, 86, 88, 90, 93, 96, 98, 102, 105, 107–108, 110, 114, 116, 125, 128–129, 133, 137, 140, 143, 149 (1957–1968)
  • Superman #53–56, 58–59, 61, 63–69, 71–73, 75–109, 112, 114–118, 120, 122, 124–125, 129–131, 133, 135–136, 138–139, 144–147, 150–153, 157, 160–161, 163–165, 169–171, 173–174, 178–180, 183–184, 186, 191, 193–194, 196–198, 201–206 (1948–1968)
  • Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #5, 12, 18, 20 (1958–1960)
  • Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #50, 55–56, 60, 64, 73, 76, 78, 87 (1961–1965)
  • Superman: The Wedding Album #1 (1996)
  • World's Finest Comics #34, 39–43, 47, 49, 51, 54–58, 60–61, 64, 67, 70, 165 (1948–1967)

Harvey Comics

  • All-New Short Story Comics #2 (1943)

Magazine Enterprises

  • The American Air Forces #1–3, 74 (1944–1953)

Marvel Comics

References

  1. ^ Yardley, William (November 29, 2013). "Al Plastino, 91, Dies; Drew Many Superheroes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ^ Lovece, Frank (November 26, 2013). "Al Plastino, 'Superman' illustrator from Shirley, dies at 91". Newsday. New York/Long Island. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Bubbeo, Daniel (August 16, 2012). "Long Islanders behind Batman comics". Newsday. New York/Long Island. pp. B4 – B5. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2012. (subscription required)
  4. ^ "About Al". Al Plastino (official site). Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  5. ^ Al Plastino at the Grand Comics Database
  6. Plastino bio, "Living Legends," New York Comic-Con program booklet #4 (Reed Exhibitions, 2009), p. 14.
  7. Stroud, Bryan (December 12, 2007). "Al Plastino interview (Pt. 1)". The Silver Age Sage. Archived from the original on September 1, 2012.
  8. Zeno, Eddy (December 2, 2013). "Excerpts from Last Superman Standing: The Al Plastino Story". The Comics Journal. Seattle, Washington: Fantagraphics Books. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. When asked why he broke from following Boring's lead, Plastino said, 'No one said change it. Wayne's work was really clean cut and professional, though the characters were a little stiff. It almost hurt me to draw like him. I tried to keep the look consistent, but it gradually did change.'
  9. Wallace, Daniel; Dolan, Hannah (2010). "1940s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Kryptonite finally appeared in comics following its introduction in The Adventures of Superman radio show back in 1943. In a story by writer Bill Finger and artist Al Plastino...the Man of Steel determined that the cause of his weakness was a piece of meteorite rock.
  10. Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 85: "The future title Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane got a tryout in issues #9 and #10 of Showcase, when Lois Lane stepped in as the lead feature. The lead story in Showcase #9, 'The Girl in Superman's Past', by writer Jerry Coleman and artist Al Plastino, introduced Lois Lane to Superman's old flame Lana Lang."
  11. Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 89: "The Legion of Super-Heroes would become one of DC's most enduring and popular groups despite their humble beginnings, in a story by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino."
  12. Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 90: "The mythology of Krypton expanded dramatically with the introduction of the evil Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor in the Action Comics #242 story 'The Super-Duel in Space', written by Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino"
  13. Markstein, Don (2010). "Supergirl". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024.
  14. McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 118: "With a story written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Al Plastino, the Parasite entered Superman's life."
  15. ^ "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy" at the Grand Comics Database
  16. ^ Italiano, Laura (October 25, 2013). "'Superman' artist stunned to find 'donated' work on sale". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013. ...Plastino's daughter, MaryAnn Plastino Charles, 55, told The Post. 'He is 91, he has prostate cancer, and this is not helping him at all,' she said of her dad....
  17. Doran, Michael (November 26, 2013). "DC Comics Reports the Passing of Artist Al Plastino". Newsarama. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013.
  18. "Al Plastino Art Acquired and to be Donated by DC Entertainment to John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston". DC Entertainment. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014.
  19. Evanier, Mark (August 22, 2003). "Jack Kirby's Superman". News From ME. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012. Plastino drew new Superman figures and Olsen heads in roughly the same poses and positions, and these were pasted into the artwork.
  20. Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Dolan, p. 275: " The behind-the-scenes talent on the monumental issue appropriately spanned several generations of the Man of Tomorrow's career. Written by Dan Jurgens, Karl Kesel, David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern, the one-shot featured the pencils of John Byrne, Gil Kane, Stuart Immonen, Paul Ryan, Jon Bogdanove, Kieron Dwyer, Tom Grummett, Dick Giordano, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Al Plastino, Barry Kitson, Ron Frenz, and Dan Jurgens."
  21. Stroud, Bryan (May 12, 2008). "Al Plastino interview (Pt. 2)". The Silver Age Sage. Archived from the original on September 1, 2012.
  22. Zeno, Eddy (2016). "The 'Most Plastino' Hero". Al Plastino: Last Superman Standing. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1605490663.
  23. Bails, Jerry; Ware, Hames. "Plastino, Al". Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  24. ^ "Al Plastino". Lambiek Comiclopedia. November 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014.
  25. Cronin, Brian (January 11, 2013). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #401". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  26. Evanier, Mark (November 25, 2013). "Al Plastino, R.I.P." News From Me. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013. ...who died this afternoon.
  27. Ross, Barbara (November 26, 2013). "Longtime illustrator for 'Superman' and other comic book legends dies". Daily News. New York, New York. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.

Further reading

External links

Preceded byWin Mortimer Action Comics penciller
1948–1968 		Succeeded byRoss Andru
Preceded byWin Mortimer Superman penciller
1948–1968 		Succeeded byCurt Swan
Preceded byJohn Sikela Superboy penciller
1957–1968 		Succeeded byBob Brown
Inkpot Award (2000s)
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
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