Dick Ayers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dick Ayers |
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Dick Ayers at the
April 2008 New York Comic Con |
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| Born | Richard Bache Ayers April 28, 1924 Ossining, New York |
| Died | May 4, 2014 (aged 90) White Plains, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Penciller, Inker |
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Notable works
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Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos 1950s Ghost Rider Jack Kirby inker |
| Awards | National Cartoonists Society Award, 1985 Inkpot Awards (2007) Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, 2007 Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (2013) |
Richard "Dick" Bache Ayers (born April 28, 1924 – died May 4, 2014) was a talented American comic book artist. He was known for his amazing work as an inker for Jack Kirby during the 1950s and 1960s. This time is often called the Silver Age of Comics. Dick Ayers helped create some of the earliest issues of Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four.
He was also the main penciler for Marvel's World War II comic Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos. He drew this series for ten years. Ayers also helped create the 1950s Western-horror character called the Ghost Rider. Later, he drew a version of this character for Marvel in the 1960s. In 2007, Dick Ayers was honored by being added to the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Military Service
Richard Bache Ayers was born on April 28, 1924, in Ossining, New York. His parents were John Bache Ayers and Gladys Minnerly Ayers. He had one older sister.
When he was 18, during World War II, he joined the United States Army Air Corps. He was sent to Florida. After some training, he became an artist in the Air Corps' Operations division. In 1942, he published his first comic strip, Radio Ray, in the military newspaper Radio Post.
Starting a Career in Comics
Dick Ayers began his career in comics by showing his work to Western Publishing's Dell Comics. He had written and drawn a story, but the project was not published. However, this experience helped him get started in the comic book business.
In 1947, Ayers studied at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School in New York City. This school was started by Burne Hogarth. Joe Shuster, who co-created Superman, visited the class. Ayers soon started working with Shuster, helping to pencil some of his Funnyman stories. Shuster then introduced him to editor Vin Sullivan at Magazine Enterprises. There, Ayers got his first job drawing the Jimmy Durante humor strip.
Creating the Ghost Rider
In the late 1940s, Ayers drew many Western stories for companies like Magazine Enterprises and Prize Comics. With writer Ray Krank, Ayers created the horror-themed Western character called Ghost Rider. This character first appeared in Tim Holt #11 in 1949.
The Ghost Rider became very popular. The character appeared in many comics, including a 14-issue solo series called The Ghost Rider (1950–1954). The idea for the character came from editor Vin Sullivan. He told Ayers to watch the Disney movie The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad and listen to the song "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky".
Years later, in 1967, Marvel Comics introduced their own version of the Ghost Rider. It was very similar to Ayers' original character. Ayers himself drew this new Marvel version.
Working with Atlas Comics
In 1952, Dick Ayers began working for Atlas Comics. This company later became Marvel Comics. He drew many horror stories for Atlas titles like Journey into Mystery and Strange Tales.
He also drew a short return of the 1940s Golden Age of Comics superhero the Human Torch. This was in Young Men #21-24 (1953-1954). An extra Human Torch story drawn by Ayers was published much later in Marvel Super-Heroes #16 (1968).
Becoming a Marvel Comics Legend
Dick Ayers started working with the famous penciler Jack Kirby at Atlas Comics, just before it became Marvel Comics. Ayers became Kirby's second regular inker at Marvel. He inked many covers and stories, including early issues of The Fantastic Four. He also worked on many Western and monster stories for Marvel.
Ayers inked Kirby on the first appearances of several Marvel heroes:
- Ant-Man in Tales to Astonish #27 & 35 (1962)
- Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos in issues #1-3 (1963)
- The new Rawhide Kid starting with The Rawhide Kid #17 (1960)
He also inked Kirby on early issues of Thor (Journey into Mystery #84-89), Fantastic Four #6-20, and The Incredible Hulk #3-5.
Ayers took over from Kirby as the main penciler for Sgt. Fury with issue #8 (1964). He continued drawing the series for ten years, almost without a break, until issue #120.
Later Career and Contributions
In the 1980s, Ayers drew several promotional comic books for Radio Shack, like TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids. He also drew about 30 biographies of sports stars for Revolutionary Comics between 1990 and 1994.
Ayers continued to work into the 2000s. He contributed art to various comics and tribute books. He wrote and drew a Western story called "Chips Wilde" in Actor Comics Presents #1 (2006). In 2009, he drew an illustration for the Marvel Mystery Handbook 70th Anniversary Special.
Personal Life
Dick Ayers married Charlotte Lindy Walter on April 7, 1951. They had four children: sons Richard, Fred, and Steve, and a daughter, Elaine. Dick Ayers passed away at his home in White Plains, New York on May 4, 2014, shortly after his 90th birthday.
Awards and Honors
Dick Ayers received several awards for his contributions to comic books:
- 1967 Alley Award for Best War Title for Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandoes
- 1968 Alley Award for Best War Title for Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandoes
- 1985 National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book
- 2007 Inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame
- 2013 Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame
See also
In Spanish: Dick Ayers para niños
