If you were a DC Comics fan between the late Silver and Bronze Ages, it's a fair certainty that you bought a comic book graced with a cover by the great
Nick Cardy. Cardy began his career in the Golden Age, working in the Eisner / Iger studio, eventually drawing numerous comic strips before moving to DC where he did work in practically every genre, from western to romance to superhero to mystery to humor. In the 1960s, his
BAT LASH (with Sergio Aragonés writing),
AQUAMAN, and
TEEN TITANS were three of the most memorable titles of that era. But it was his prolific cover art in the 1970s that made him one of my favorite artists. Cartoony and dynamic, with an attention to detail, and subtle touches in the way he drew superhero costumes (delineating folds, belt loops, and boots in a realistic manner that most artists missed), Cardy was a master of expression, layout, shadow, and design (and he drew really, really gorgeous women). His covers practically leapt off the spinner rack. While still in his prime in the mid-1970s, Cardy left comics for the more lucrative world of commercial art and advertising.
I'm happy to say that I got to meet the man at a convention once, and was able to tell him how much his work meant to me. Nick Cardy died on November 3rd at the age of 93, leaving behind no family, but an incredible legacy and a permanent place in the hearts of many a Bronze Age fanboy. Presented here are 50 of his covers for DC Comics, a tiny sampling of his prolific output for the company. All artwork is ©DC Comics, inc.
