Sam Grainger
Sam Grainger | |
---|---|
Born | Samuel E. Grainger June 14, 1930 |
Died | July 25, 1990 | (aged 60)
Nationality | American |
Area(s) | Penciller, Inker |
Samuel E. Grainger (June 14, 1930 – July 25, 1990)
Biography
Early career
Sam Grainger's first known credited
Afterward, he drew the cover and writer
Marvel Comics
Grainger made his Marvel Comics debut inking a backup story in X-Men #55 (April 1969), over penciler Werner Roth. He went on to ink further X-Men backups as well as covers and interior stories in The Avengers (over John Buscema, Sal Buscema, and Gene Colan); the satirical comic Not Brand Echh; The Incredible Hulk and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (both over Herb Trimpe); and the feature "Ka-Zar" in Astonishing Tales, over industry legend Jack Kirby.[3]
Among his considerable amount of 1970s work, Grainger inked penciler Dave Cockrum on several issues of X-Men, a title whose revival in that decade led to its becoming one of comics' most popular series.[3] Cockrum's successor, John Byrne, later stated that he had requested that Grainger be kept on as inker for his run so as to "soften the blow" of Cockrum's departure, but that this idea was rejected by editorial staff.[7]
Later career
In the 1970s, Grainger inked for both Marvel and
Grainger moved to
Fantasy artist Clyde Caldwell described Grainger's later career, and his mentorship:
My dad was a printer and worked for a company called Radiator Specialty in Charlotte. Sam Grainger, an artist who did comics work for Marvel Comics, was employed by the same company. When I was a kid, I used to do drawings of superheroes and send them over to Sam for critiquing. After I graduated from college and decided that I wanted to become an illustrator, I did a little freelance work for Sam, who at that point in time had his own commercial animation studio in Charlotte. Later on, when I was working at TSR, Inc., Sam did some work for us on a freelance basis. He was a great guy. I learned a lot from him.[9]
Grainger made guest appearances at the Charlotte comic book convention Heroes Convention. Before he succumbed to diabetes-related medical issues, Heroes Con in 1987 held a benefit auction for his medical expenses.[10][11] Grainger's last work was penciling and inking the posthumously published, eight-page Volstagg story "The Thief of Asgard" in Marvel Comics Presents #66 (1990).[12]
Personal life
Grainger was living in North Carolina when he died on July 25, 1990.[1]
References
- ^ a b Samuel E. Grainger, Social Security number 249-34-6798, at the Social Security Death Index via SortedByName.com. Retrieved on February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Additionally, at Samuel E, Grainger at the Social Security Death Index via FamilySearch.com. Retrieved on February 27, 2016.
- ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Sam Grainger at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Best of Star-Studded Comics, The #[nn], (January 2005) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ ERBzine.com: "ERB-dom Index II: Issues 26-50", compiled by Bill Hillman
- ^ Hillman, Bill, compiler. "ERB-dom Index I: The First 25 Issues", ERBzine.com, n.d. WebCitation archive.
- ^ Nickerson, Al (August 2008). "Claremont and Byrne: The Team that Made the X-Men Uncanny". Back Issue! (29). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 4.
- cover-datedJune 1969 and of necessity written two to three months prior.
- ^ Ness, Alexander, "Interview with Fantasy Artist Clyde Caldwell" at the Wayback Machine (archived February 15, 2008), RobinGoodfellow.com, April 2005. Original site.
- ^ "Heroes Convention, June 15–17, 2007" at the Wayback Machine (archived August 27, 2007), HeroesOnline.com, "Con History" page. Original site.
- ^ Sam Grainger page at the Wayback Machine (archived June 9, 2007), HeroesOnline.com, n.d. Original site.
- ^ Marvel Comics Presents #66 at the Grand Comics Database
External links
- Sam Grainger at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)