Bob Oksner (October 14, 1916 – February 18, 2007) was an American

comics artist A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comics illustrators/artists in that they produce both the literar ...

known for both adventure

comic strips A comic strip is a Comics, sequence of cartoons, arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often Serial (literature), serialized, with text in Speech balloon, balloons and Glossary of comics terminology#Captio ...

and for

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...

and

humor Humour ( Commonwealth English) or humor (American English) is the tendency of experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids i ...

comic books A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

, primarily at

DC Comics DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...

Biography

Oksner's early work includes creating the second version of Marvel Boy in 1943 for

Timely Comics Timely Comics was the common name for the group of corporations that was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman (publisher), Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics. "Timely P ...

, the predecessor of

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. He later wrote with Jerry Albert and drew the syndicated newspaper comic strip '' Miss Cairo Jones'' (1945–1947), after which DC editor Sheldon Mayer hired him as an artist on comics adapted from other media. Oksner drew a few

Justice Society of America The Justice Society of America (JSA) is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It was conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox during the Golden Age of Comic Books. It first appeared in '' ...

stories in ''

All Star Comics ''All Star Comics'' is an American comic book series from All-American Publications, one of three companies that merged with National Periodical Publications to form the modern-day DC Comics. While the series' cover-logo trademark reads ''All St ...

'' during his early years at DC. He moved from adventure strips to teen-oriented strips such as '' Leave It to Binky'' which debuted in February 1948. Oksner's work in this field included '' The Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis'' and its successor, ''The Adventures of Jerry Lewis''; '' The Adventures of Bob Hope''; '' The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis''; '' Sgt. Bilko''; ''

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, author, television personality, radio host and philanthropist. He sold nearly 50 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and has acted in many films. Boone ...

''; and ''

Welcome Back, Kotter ''Welcome Back, Kotter'' is an American sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan as a high-school teacher in charge of a racially and ethnically diverse remedial education class nicknamed the Sweathogs. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, the ser ...

''; and, for the King Features syndicate, the newspaper comic-strip spin-off of the 1950s TV

sitcom A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...

I Love Lucy ''I Love Lucy'' is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes spanning six seasons. The series starred Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, along with Vivian ...

''. Other work includes drawing the original humor comics ''

Angel and the Ape ''Angel and the Ape'' is a humor comic book created by E. Nelson Bridwell & Bob Oksner published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in 1968 in comics, 1968 in ''Showcase (comic book), Showcase'' #77 then graduated to their own title, w ...

'' and '' Stanley and His Monster''. When the demand for humor comics fell off by the 1970s, Oksner began drawing such DC

series as ''

Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

'', ''

Supergirl Supergirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original, current, and most well known Supergirl is Supergirl (Kara Zor-El), Kara Zor-El, the cousin of superhero Superman. Th ...

'', '' Shazam!'', '' Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'', ''

Ambush Bug Ambush Bug is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. His real name is supposedly Irwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity migh ...

'', and others. Oksner's other work in comic strips included succeeding Gus Edson as writer of artist-creator

Irwin Hasen Irwin Hasen (; July 8, 1918 – March 13, 2015) was an American cartoonist best known as the creator (with Gus Edson) of the ''Dondi'' comic strip. He also had a significant run on DC Comics' original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, in the 1940s as we ...

's '' Dondi'' for a time beginning in 1965; and drawing and co-creating ''Soozi'' (1967), with Don Weldon. He retired from comics in 1986. Oksner was

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

Awards

Oksner won the

National Cartoonists Society The National Cartoonists Society (NCS) is an organization of professional cartoonists in the United States. It presents the National Cartoonists Society Awards. The Society was born in 1946 when groups of cartoonists got together to entertain the ...

Division Award for Comic Books in 1960 and 1961, and in 1970 the Shazam Award for Best Pencil Artist (Humor Division) for his work on ''

Adventure Comics ''Adventure Comics'' is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1938 to 1983 and revived from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues (472 of those after the title changed from ''New Adventure Comics''), ...

'' and other DC titles. Oksner was a recipient of the

Inkpot Award The Inkpot Award is an honor bestowed annually since 1974 by Comic-Con International. It is given to professionals in the fields of comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction, and related areas of popular culture, at Comic-Con Internati ...

in 2002.Inkpot Award
/ref>

Bibliography

Interior pencil art (except where noted) includes:

DC Comics

* ''

Action Comics ''Action Comics'' is an American comic book/Comic anthology, magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters. The publisher was originally known as Detective Comics Inc., which later merged into National ...

'' (

) #429, 438–441, 446–449, 459 (inks over

Curt Swan Douglas Curtis Swan (February 17, 1920 – June 17, 1996) was an American comics artist. The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans call the Bronze Age of Comic Books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 195 ...

); #566 (inks over Howard Bender); #573 (inks over Kurt Schaffenberger); #577, 579 (inks over

Keith Giffen Keith Ian Giffen (November 30, 1952 – October 9, 2023) was an American comics artist and writer. He was known for his work for DC Comics on their ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' and ''Justice League'' titles as well as for being the co-creator of ...

); (

) #560, 563, 565 (inks over Giffen); #572 (inks over Bender) (1973–1986) *''

'' (

) #410–411, 414 (full art); #412–413 (inks over Art Saaf); #415 (inks over Win Mortimer); #417–418 (inks over José Delbo); #421–423 (inks over

Mike Sekowsky Michael Sekowsky (; November 19, 1923 – March 30, 1989) was an American comics artist known as the penciler for DC Comics' '' Justice League of America'' during most of the 1960s, and as the regular writer and artist on ''Wonder Woman'' durin ...

); #419–420, 424 (inks over Tony DeZuniga) (1970–1972) *'' The Adventures of Bob Hope'' #6–10, 13–17, 19–21, 23–24, 28, 67–77, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92–102, 105 (1950–1967) *'' Adventures of Jerry Lewis'' #2, 4, 25, 36, 52, 73–74, 78, 83–98, 100, 105, 115, 120–122, 124 (1952–1971) *'' All-American Comics'' #102 (1948) *'' All-American Men of War'' #3 (1953) *''

'' (

) #38 (full art); #43–47 (inks over Irwin Hasen) (1947–1949) *''

'' #1–4 (inks over Keith Giffen) (1985) *''Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer'' #1 (inks over Keith Giffen) (1986) *''

'' #1–7 (1968–1969) *''Binky'' #73, 75 (1970) *''Buzzy'' #23–26 (1949) *'' Comic Cavalcade'' #29 (1948) *''Danger Trail'' #4–5 (1951) *'' Daring New Adventures of Supergirl'' #1–13 (inks over

Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (; May 24, 1925 – April 4, 2013) was an American comics artist and editing, editor, primarily for DC Comics, during the late 1950s and early 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comic Books. Among his character creations are ...

) (1982–1983) *'' Date With Debbi'' #13–14 (1971) *''

DC Comics Presents ''DC Comics Presents'' is a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 which ran for 97 issues and four ''Annual''s. It featured team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters in the DC Universe. A recurring bac ...

'' #81 (inks over Keith Giffen) (1985) *''

Detective Comics ''Detective Comics'' (later retitled as ''Batman Detective Comics'') is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is ...

'' (

Batgirl Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. The character Bette Kane, Betty Kane was introduced into publica ...

) #483–484; ("Tales of Gotham City") #492 (1979–1980) *'' Elvira's House of Mystery'' #1 (inks over

Ron Wagner Ron J. Wagner is an People of the United States, American comics artist who has drawn for titles such as ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Marvel Comics), G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'', ''The Punisher'', ''Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja'', and ' ...

); #2 (1986) *''Everything Happens to Harvey'' #1 (1953) *''

Flash Comics ''Flash Comics'' is a comics anthology published by All-American Publications and later by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics). The title had 104 issues published from January 1940 to February 1949. Despite the title, the anthology featu ...

'' (Ghost Patrol) #87–92, 95, 97–100 (inks over Carmine Infantino); (

Atom Atoms are the basic particles of the chemical elements. An atom consists of a atomic nucleus, nucleus of protons and generally neutrons, surrounded by an electromagnetically bound swarm of electrons. The chemical elements are distinguished fr ...

) #93 (inks over

Paul Reinman Paul J. Reinman (; born Joseph Paul Reinmann, ; 2 September 1910 – 27 September 1988)Paul J. Reinmen

); #94 (full art) (1947–1948) *'' The Fox and the Crow'' #96 (1966) *'' Girls' Love Stories'' #21, 104, 108–110 (1953–1965) *'' Girls' Romances'' #100, 108, 119 (1964–1966) *''

Green Lantern Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness, ...

'' #27 (inks over

Howard Purcell Howard Purcell (November 10, 1918 – April 24, 1981)Howard Purcell
at the Social S ...

) #34, 36, 38 (inks over

) (1947–1949) *''

House of Mystery ''The House of Mystery'' is the name of several horror comics, horror, fantasy comics, fantasy, and mystery fiction, mystery comics anthology, comics anthologies published by DC Comics. It had a companion series, ''The House of Secrets (DC Comi ...

'' #199 (1972) *'' Leave It to Binky'' #1, 4, 7–9, 12–13, 15, 17–18, 20–21, 23–28, 32–35, 37, 39, 41, 43–45, 47, 50, 54 (1948–1956) *'' Limited Collectors' Edition'' (Angel and the Ape) #C–34 (1975) *'' The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'' #2, 5–7, 9, 15–20, 25–26 (1960–1964) *''Miss Beverly Hills of Hollywood'' #2–4, 7 (1949–1950) *''Miss Melody Lane of Broadway'' #1–3 (1950) *''

Mystery in Space ''Mystery in Space'' is the name of two science fiction American comic book series published by DC Comics, and of a standalone Vertigo anthology released in 2012. The first series ran for 110 issues from 1951 to 1966, with a further seven issues ...

'' #3, 5–6, 8, 10–12 (1951–1953) *'' Our Army at War'' #2, 5 (1952) *''

'' #3 (1960) *'' Plop!'' #6 (inks over Mike Sekowsky) (1974) *''Romance Trail'' #1–2 (1949) *'' Secret Hearts'' #8, 94 (1952–1964) *''

Secret Origins ''Secret Origins'' is the title of several comic book series published by DC Comics which featured the origin stories of the publisher's various characters. Publication history ''Secret Origins'' was first published as a one-shot in 1961 and c ...

'' vol. 2 (

Challengers of the Unknown The Challengers of the Unknown is a fictional group of adventurers appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The quartet of adventurers explored paranormal occurrences while facing several fantastic menaces. The characters' provenance is ...

) #12 (inks over Chuck Patton) (1987) *''

Sensation Comics ''Sensation Comics'' is the title of an American comic book comics anthology, anthology series published by DC Comics that ran for 109 issues from 1942 to 1952. For most of its run, the lead feature was Wonder Woman, a character which had been int ...

'' #84–87, 106 (1948–1951) *''Sensation Mystery'' #113 (1953) *'' Sergeant Bilko'' #5, 9, 11, 13 (1958–1959) *''Sgt. Bilko's Pvt. Doberman'' #6 (1959) *''Shazam!'' ( Captain Marvel) #10–13, 15, 18; (

Mary Marvel Mary Marvel (also known as Lady Shazam and Mary Shazam) is a fictional character and superheroine originally published by Fawcett Comics and now owned by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze, she first appeared in ''Captain Marvel (DC ...

) #10, 13, 16, 19 (1974–1975) *'' Showcase'' (Angel and the Ape) #77 (1968) *''Son of Ambush Bug'' #1–6 (inks over Keith Giffen) (1986) *'' Stanley and His Monster'' #109–111 (1968) *''

Strange Adventures ''Strange Adventures'' is a series of American comic books published by DC Comics, the first of which was August–September 1950, according to the cover date, and published continuously until November 1973. Original series ''Strange Adventure ...

'' #6–9, 13–14, 16, 18, 21–28 (1951–1953) *''Strange Sports Stories'' #1 (inks over Curt Swan) (1973) *''

Suicide Squad The Suicide Squad is an antihero/supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the Suicide Squad debuted in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #25 (September 1959) and the second and modern version, cre ...

Annual'' #1 (inks over Keith Giffen) (1988) *''

Super Friends ''Super Friends'' is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 1973 to 1985 on ABC as part of its Saturday-morning cartoon lineup. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and was based on the Justice League of Am ...

'' (The

Seraph A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and in the fif ...

) #38, 41, 46 (1980–1981) *''Supergirl'', vol. 2, #14–20, 22–23 (inks over Carmine Infantino) (1983–1984) *''

'' (The Private Life of

Clark Kent Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

) #267; (Superman) #268, 271, 276, 278, 280–281, 283–287, 289, 291–293, 295–300, 303–306, 399, 401–403 (inks over Curt Swan); #301–302 (inks over

José Luis García-López José Luis García-López (born March 26, 1948) is a Spanish people, Spanish-Argentines, Argentine comics artist who works in the United States, particularly in a long-running relationship with DC Comics. In addition to his storytelling art, he pr ...

); #404 (inks over Infantino); (Supergirl) #375 (inks over Carmine Infantino) (1973–1985) *'' The Superman Family'' (

Jimmy Olsen Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Olsen is most often portrayed as a young photojournalist working for the ''Daily Planet''. He is close friends with Lois Lane and Superman, Clark Kent ...

) #183 (inks over Kurt Schaffenberger); ( Nightwing and Flamebird) #193 (inks over Ken Landgraf); (

Lois Lane Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1 (June 1938). Lois is an award-winning ...

) #196–197, 202–222 (pencils) (1977–1982) *''

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from September–October 1954 until March 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues. Featuring the adventures of Superman supporting character Jimmy Olsen, it conta ...

'' #149–152 (inks over José Delbo) (1972) *'' Swing with Scooter'' #12, 17, 31 (1968–1970) *''

'' #1 (inks over Jack Sparling); #3–5, 8–10 (inks over

Ric Estrada Ric Estrada (February 26, 1928 – May 1, 2009) was a Cuban Americans, Cuban-American comics artist who worked for companies including the major American publisher DC Comics. He also worked in comic strips, political cartoons, advertising, story ...

) (1976–1978) *''

Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superheroine who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in ''All Star Comics'' Introducing Wonder Woman, #8, published October 21, 1941, with her first feature in ''Sensation Comic ...

'' #205 (inks over

Don Heck Donald L. HeckDonald L. Heck
at the Social Security Death Index. Retrieved on Septem ...

) (1973) *''

Young Romance ''Young Romance'' is a romantic comic book series created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby for the Crestwood Publications imprint (trade name), imprint Prize Comics in 1947 in comics, 1947. Generally considered the first Romance comics in the United ...

'' #173 (inks) (1971)

Marvel Comics

* '' All Winners Comics'' #9–11, 13 (1943–1944) * ''

Captain America Comics ''Captain America Comics'' is a comic book series featuring the superhero character Captain America. The series was originally published by Timely Comics from 1941 to 1950, with a brief revival by Atlas Comics (1950s), Atlas Comics in 1954. Pub ...

'' #65, 67 (1948) * ''Kid Komics'' #1 (1943) * '' Marvel Mystery Comics'' #10–46, 50–57, 72–75, 91 (1940–1949) * ''

Mystic Comics ''Mystic Comics'' is the name of three comic book series published by the company that eventually became Marvel Comics. The first two series were superhero anthologies published by Marvel's 1930-1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, during what fans a ...

'' #2 (1944) * '' U.S.A. Comics'' #7 (1943)

Notes

References

External links

Atlas Comics (retailer) Presents the Top 100 Artists of American Comic Books: #98 — Bob Oksner
accessed June 28, 2006
"DC Profiles #79: Bob Oksner"
at the Grand Comics Database
Bob Oksner
at Mike's Amazing World of Comics *, The Comic Strip Project, "Who's Who of Comic Strip Producers", O. . Accessed January 16, 2011.

at Supermanartists.comics.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Oksner, Bob 1916 births 2007 deaths 20th-century American artists 21st-century American artists American comics artists American comic strip cartoonists Columbia University alumni Comics inkers DC Comics people Deaths from pneumonia in Florida Golden Age comics creators Jewish American comics artists Artists from Paterson, New Jersey Place of death missing Silver Age comics creators Inkpot Award winners