| Robert W. Farrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Isidore Katz (1908-02-05)February 5, 1908 New York City, US |
| Died | April 1, 1986(1986-04-01) (aged 78) New York City, US |
| Areas |
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| Pseudonym(s) | Bob Farrow Bob Lerraf |
Notable works | Farrell Publications Associated Features Syndicate |
Robert W. Farrell, bornIsidore Katz (February 5, 1908 – April 1, 1986)[1][2] was an American comic book writer and editor. He was editor of theFarrell Publications.
He entered the comics field in the late 1930s after a decade spent as an attorney.[3] He wrote for the syndicated newspaper strips thewesternLightnin’ and Lone Rider (which was illustrated byJack Kirby andFrank Robbins)[4] for his ownsyndication company, theAssociated Features Syndicate.[5][6] (These strips were later reprinted inEastern Color Printing'sFamous Funnies.) He also wroteScorchy Smith forAP Newsfeatures, and comics stories for the packagersEisner & Iger (sometimes using the namesBob Farrow andBob Lerraf.) Farrell wrote many comics throughout the 1940s,[3] though usually without attribution, as most stories produced during the period didn't contain credits.
In 1940, Farrell worked as an editor forFox Comics. Together, Farrell and Fox publisherVictor S. Fox developed the Comicscope, a cheaply producedcomic strip projector sold in the pages of Fox Comics.[3][7]
After a short hiatus, Farrell founded theFarrell Comic Group in 1951 with the financial backing of Excellent Publications. Imprints includedAmerica's Best,Ajax Publications,Ajax-Farrell,Decker Publications,Red Top Comics,Steinway Comics, andWorld Famous.[3][a] No matter the imprint, most titles had the words "A Farrell Publication." Among its early launches, the company introduced a new version of the western hero Lone Rider in a self-titled comic book in 1951, which was illustrated byJack Kamen.[6] In 1957, the series was revived and streamlined under the new titleThe Rider.[8]
In 1958, Farrell, under the auspices of "Health Publications," started the humor magazinePanic, not related to theEC Comics satire magazine published 1954–1955).[9][3]Panic was published sporadically until 1959; and then possibly picked up by another publisher in 1965–1966.[10]
Beginning in 1960, Farrell branched out into newspaper publishing. That year, he acquired theBrooklyn Eagle's assets inbankruptcy court,[11] publishing five Sunday editions of the paper in 1960. In 1962–1963, under the corporate nameNewspaper Consolidated Corporation, Farrell and his partner Philip Enciso briefly revived theBrooklyn Eagle as a daily.[12] (TheBrooklyn Eagle has since been revived again, publishing from 1996 to the present.) In 1971–1972, Farrell briefly revived the defunctNew York Daily Mirror (in name only).[13]
From 1969 to 1981, Farrell worked forMyron Fass, as publisher of the schlockyblack-and-whitehorror magazine publisherEerie Publications.[3]