Klaus Nordling
Klaus Nordling | |
---|---|
Born | Pori, Finland | May 29, 1910
Died | November 19, 1986 Ridgefield, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 76)
Nationality | American |
Area(s) | Writer, Penciller |
Pseudonym(s) | F. Klaus, Ed Norris, Clyde North, Fred Nordley |
Notable works | Lady Luck Thin Man |
Klaus Nordling (May 29, 1910 – November 19, 1986)[1][2] was an American writer-artist for American comic books. He is best known for his work on the 1940s masked-crimefighter feature "Lady Luck", and as co-creator of the Marvel Comics superhero the Thin Man. Some of the early Nordling's pen names are Fred Nordley, F. Klaus, Ed Norris, and Clyde North.
Biography
Early life and career
Born in
Due to Golden Age comics work often going unsigned, comprehensive credits are difficult if not impossible to ascertain. Nordling's tentative credits begin with script and art for the naval adventure feature "Spark Stevens" in
Quality Comics editor Gill Fox recalled Nordling as "a little guy. Good-looking. And involved in local theatre. He had a very vivid imagination and was a good writer. In later years I'd send some work in his direction. But if you did something for him, he'd think you wanted something back. We got to know each other socially, but he still mistrusted people. Even me. But I admired his cartooning. And he was a great guy to sit and talk to".[9]
Nordling created the feature "The Three Aces", also known as "Crash, Cork, and the Baron", in Harvey Comics' Speed Comics #1 (Oct. 1939), and the detective feature "Pen Miller" in National Comics #1 (July 1940). For Marvel Comics predecessor Timely Comics, Nordling and an unknown writer created the Thin Man, one of comics' first "stretching" superheroes, in Mystic Comics #4 (July 1940).[5]
Lady Luck
In 1942, Nordling began his best-known comics work, "
As historians at the Chicago, Illinois, comics retailer Atlas Comics noted in "The Top 100 Artists of American Comic Books", which listed Nordling at #78,
Was there ever a better-dressed, better-looking heroine in comics than Lady Luck? Elegant and glamorous in the extreme, she was Nordling's crowning glory in scores of light, amusing adventure stories during the 1940s. His delicate, fine line style was a perfect compliment to the tone of the strip, both adventurous and whimsical.[12]
"Lady Luck" stories were reprinted in the Quality Comics comic book Smash Comics #42-85 (April 1943 - Oct. 1949), whereupon the series changed its title to Lady Luck for five more issues. Nordling providing new seven- to 11-page stories in Lady Luck #86-90 (Dec. 1949 - Aug. 1950), with Gill Fox drawing the covers. Lady Luck #90 was Nordling's last known original comics work.[5]
Nordling assisted Eisner on "The Spirit"
Later life and career
Following the end of "The Spirit Section" in 1952, Nordling worked for Eisner's
At some point, as well, Nordling penciled and inked a promotional comic book for
Nordling died at his home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, survived by his wife, Tel, as well as by a son and a daughter.[13]
Reprint collections
- Ace Comics Presents #3: The Golden Age of Klaus Nordling (2000)
- Includes "Bob and Swab" and "The Barker" stories, and January 21, 1982 Nordling letter to Jerry DeFuccio
- Lady Luck (Kitchen Sink Press, 1977–1978)
- Lady Luck (Ken Pierce, Inc. trade paperback, 1980)
References
- ^ Klaus Nordling at the Social Security Death Index, which gives no specific day of death, and notes that his last address of record was Ridgefield, Connecticut. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012.
- ^ Lambiek Comiclopedia. Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Bails, Jerry; Ware, Hames. "Nordling, Klaus". Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ Holtz, Allan (May 6, 2011). "Obscurity of the Day: Baron Munchausen". Stripper's Guide. Archived from the original on May 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c Klaus Nordling at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Mystery Men #5 (Dec. 1939) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Fight Comics #5 (May 1940) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Wings Comics #5 (Jan. 1941) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Fox in Amash, Jim (January 2002). "Quality Control: A Conversation with Gill Fox". Alter Ego. Vol. 3, no. 12. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
- ^ Horn, Maurice. 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics (Gramercy Books, New York, 1996) p. 173
- ^ Lady Luck Archived 2011-10-25 at WebCite at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived October 25, 2011.
- ^ "Atlas Comics Presents: The Top 100 Artists of American Comic Books, Numbers 80-71". AComics.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Newswatch: Klaus Nordling, Artist for Eisner's 'Lady Luck', Dies at Home". The Comics Journal. No. 114. February 1987. p. 29. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Note: Source gives erroneous birth year of 1915.
External links
- Alter Ego vol. 3, #60 (July 2006): Golden Age panel discussion with Nordling, Otto Binder, and Larry Ivie
- "Creators > Klaus Nordling". Wildwood Cemetery: The Spirit Database (fan site). Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2010.