Christmas Greetings from Inspector Clouseau and me.

Just a reminder of those long gone days when I used to write and draw comic book stories featuring

  The Inspector for Novaro publishers. Thought it'd be a nice touch to include him in my Xmas card. I think Inspector Clouseau was my favorite comic book character, even on top of The Pink Panther during my time working in the comics business.

THOSE MAGNIFICENT FIRST YEARS AT THE DRAWING BOARD!

As I was preparing some materials for an interview, I came across several items that made me go back in time and recall those very first years when I started my career as a cartoonist.

Back then, during the early 1970s, where there was no internet, there were no scanners, no Photoshop or any other digital means to aid artists in their creations, you had to depend on the more traditional tools of graphic design.

Essential instruments for my work were the Gillott nibs, the wooden handles, the indispensable Pelikan Black India Ink, the erasers, the HB pencils and my paper of choice, the vellum cardboard.

And of course, another very useful item to complete the package, was me at the drawing board!

(That's me, in about 1976 or 1977.)

I really do not miss those days for I actually thrive using every digital assistance available today.

However, I do miss that long-gone comic book era, when BEEP BEEP, THE ROAD RUNNER and THE PINK PANTHER occupied my creative hours!

ROD SERLING, THE MASTER OF TV SUSPENSE AND FANTASY

This is the cover of the first TWILIGHT ZONE comic I ever bought. It was back in 1962 and I had been a fan of the TV show from its premiere in 1959 until it was canceled in 1964. The issue in question was the first published under the Gold Key label after Dell Publishing Co. ended its partnership with Western Publishing.

I bought almost every issue of TZ up until the early 70s and I still keep most of them in my collection. The quality of the stories and artwork varied, with the earlier ones being the best all around. 

These are some of my favorite issues:

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension

as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between

light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit

of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of

imagination. It is an area which we call "The Twilight Zone".-Rod Serling

ROD SERLING

(1924-1975)

On WIKIPEDIA:

Rod Serling

HALLOWEEN VINTAGE COMICS

 The Halloween season has been a veritable fountain of inspiration for comics. Here are some examples of great classic horror themed comic book covers from the Golden Age of Comic Books!