| Al Avison | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alfred Dean Avison (1920-07-07)July 7, 1920 Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | December 1984 (aged 64) Darien, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Area | Penciller,Inker |
Notable works | Whizzer |
Alfred Dean Avison[1] (July 7, 1920 – December 1984)[2] was an Americancomic bookartist known for his work on theMarvel Comics characters theWhizzer, which he co-created, andCaptain America during the 1930–1940s period known to fans and historians as theGolden Age of comic books.
Born inNorwalk, Connecticut,[1] the son of artist andWPA muralist George Avison, Al Avison was influenced by the work of his father and of commercial illustratorAlbert Dorne.[3] He studied art atPratt Institute inBrooklyn.[4] His first known comics work is co-inkingJack Kirby's lead story inNovelty Press'Blue Bolt Comics #4 (cover-dated Sept. 1940).[5]
ForMarvel Comics' 1940s predecessor,Timely Comics,penciler Avison and an unknown writer co-created super-speedster theWhizzer inU.S.A. Comics #1 (Aug. 1941).[6] The character would appear in most issues of that comic, and was part of Timely/Marvel's first superhero team, theAll-Winners Squad.
After Captain America creatorsJack Kirby andJoe Simon moved on followingCaptain America Comics #10 (Jan. 1942), Avison andSyd Shores became regularpencilers of the title, with one generally inking over the other. Avison had been the inker over penciler Kirby onCaptain America Comics #4-6 (June-Sept. 1941), and had penciled or inked that character's stories inAll Winners Comics as early as issue #3 (Winter 1941-42).[5] Shores would take over as regular penciller, inked byVince Alascia, while Avison did hisWorld War IImilitary service.[7]
Avison also worked as a penciler or, more often, as inker on characters including theVision (inMarvel Mystery Comics); theBlonde Phantom; theYoung Allies (inAmazing Comics,Kid Komics andMystic Comics); theBlack Marvel (inAll Winners Comics); andTommy Tyme (inMystic Comics). With Joe Simon, he was one of two inkers on the Kirby-drawn debut ofMarvel Boy inDaring Mystery Comics #6 (Sept. 1940). Avison's Timely work appears as late asCaptain America Comics #71 (March 1949).[5]
Avison additionally worked on the originalCaptain Marvel forFawcett Comics in 1941-42. He also freelanced forHarvey Comics both during and after his Timely stint, on such features as "The Red Blazer" (introducing him inPocket Comics #1, Aug. 1941), "Casper the Friendly Ghost", "Captain Freedom" (including inking Jack Kirby's cover art onSpeed Comics #16 & #18, Jan. & May 1942), "Joe Palooka", "The Green Hornet", "Humphrey", "Little Dot" and "Shock Gibson" (including the cover ofSpeed Comics #14, Dec. 1941), through at least the early 1950s.[5]
Avison's last known work is penciling and inking the cover of Harvey'shorroranthologyChamber of Chills #26 (Dec. 1954).[5]
Avision was married to Margaret Bernice Callaway, and had children Todd Christopher Avison and Kimberly Dean Avison.[1] According to his son and widow, Avison was at least one of the artists who contributed to the design ofMr. Met, theNew York Mets mascot that debuted in 1963.[8]
Avison died in December 1984 inDarien, Connecticut.[1]
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