Al Plastino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Al Plastino |
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Al Plastino in 2007
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| Born | December 15, 1921 Manhattan, New York |
| Died | November 25, 2013 (aged 91) Patchogue, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Writer, Penciller, Inker, Editor, Letterer, Colourist |
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Notable works
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Action Comics Adventure Comics Superboy Superman |
| Awards | Inkpot Award 2008 |
Alfred John Plastino (born December 15, 1921 – died November 25, 2013) was a talented American comics artist. He was famous for drawing many Superman comics in the 1950s, often working with DC Comics artist Wayne Boring. Plastino also wrote, edited, lettered, and colored comic books.
With writer Otto Binder, he helped create popular DC characters like Supergirl and Brainiac. He also co-created the teen superhero team, the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Contents
Al Plastino's Life and Art
Early Life and Art Career
Al Plastino was born in Manhattan, New York City, on December 15, 1921. He grew up in The Bronx and loved art from a young age. He went to the School of Industrial Art in New York City. After school, he started drawing for Youth Today magazine.
He was accepted into Cooper Union college but chose to work as a freelance artist instead. His first known comic book drawings were in Dynamic Comics #2 in 1941. Before World War II, Plastino also worked on some Captain America Comics issues.
Serving in World War II
During World War II, Plastino joined the U.S. Army. He designed a model airplane, and his sketch caught an officer's eye. This led him to work for important groups like Grumman Aerospace Corporation and The Pentagon. He designed war posters and field manuals for the army. After the war, he continued drawing army posters for Steinberg Studios.
Drawing for DC Comics
In 1948, Al Plastino showed his Superman drawings to DC Comics. They offered him work, and he started drawing for $50 a page. He then focused mostly on comic books for the next 20 years. At first, he had to draw like Wayne Boring, another Superman artist. But over time, Plastino developed his own unique style.
He drew 48 Superman covers and many other DC stories. In Superman #61 (1949), Plastino and writer Bill Finger brought kryptonite into the comic books. Kryptonite was a special material that made Superman weak. It had first appeared on the The Adventures of Superman radio show.
Creating Iconic Characters
Plastino worked on many comics in the Superman family, including Superboy and Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane. In Adventure Comics #247 (1958), he drew the Superboy story that introduced the Legion of Super-Heroes. This was a team of teen superheroes from the future. With writer Otto Binder, Plastino helped create the first Legion members: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, and Saturn Girl.
Binder and Plastino also created the famous villain Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor in Action Comics #242 (1958). They then co-created Supergirl in Action Comics #252 (1959). Plastino also drew the first appearance of the supervillain the Parasite in Action Comics #340 (1966).
Superman and President Kennedy
One of Plastino's proudest works was a story for Superman #168 (1964). It was called "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy." This story was made with the Kennedy administration to promote President John F. Kennedy's fitness program. In the comic, Superman visits the White House and shares his secret identity with the President.
The story was finished just before President Kennedy was assassinated. Because of this, its publication was delayed. However, President Lyndon B. Johnson asked for it to be published. It appeared in Superman #170 (1964). Plastino added a special title page showing a ghostly image of Kennedy watching Superman fly over Washington, D.C. For a long time, Plastino believed the original artwork was given to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Later, it was found that the artwork was put up for auction by someone else. DC Entertainment bought the art and then donated it to the Library, as Plastino had wished.
Comic Strips and Later Work
Al Plastino also drew comic strips that appeared in newspapers. He drew the Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder strip from 1968 to 1972. He was also an uncredited artist for the Superman strip from 1960 to 1966. In 1970, he took over drawing the Ferd'nand strip, which he continued until he retired in 1989.
He also worked on Sunday episodes of Nancy in the early 1980s. Plastino's website mentioned he was asked to draw Peanuts when Charles M. Schulz had heart surgery. However, it was later revealed that he had drawn some Peanuts strips earlier during contract talks, which were never published.
Personal Life
Al Plastino lived in Shirley, New York, for many years. He passed away on November 25, 2013, at Brookhaven Hospital in Patchogue, New York. He had been ill with a condition called Guillain–Barré syndrome. He was married to his wife AnnMarie for 55 years. They had four children: Fred, Janice, Arlene, and MaryAnn, who helped manage his business.
Images for kids
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Al Plastino in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Al Plastino para niños
