Above: a 2007 photo of Emilio Squeglio with an issue of ALTER EGO Magazine #64, which has an interview with him about his days at Fawcett.
Golden Age comic book artist Emilio Squeglio has died. He passed away during the night of March 12, 2012. No further details at this time.
Born in May 19, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, Emilio attended the High School of Industrial Art. This is the same high school that fellow cartoonists and fellow Berndt Toast Gang members Joe Giella (BATMAN, MARY WORTH), Sy Barry (THE PHANTOM) and Al Scaduto (THEY'LL DO IT EVERY TIME) attended.
Upon graduation, he worked in the comic book division at Fawcett Publications assisting Mr. Beck (He always called C.C. Beck "Mr. Beck.) on its flagship Captain Marvel titles.
Within a year, National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) won its court case against Captain Marvel, essentially shutting down the Fawcett superhero line. Young Emilio went from the comic book division to the advertising promotion department.
He eventually wound up in the art department for TRUE Magazine, where he worked with the many artists and cartoonists. In 1955, he became Art Director for American Artist Magazine. He also aided in designing art instruction books for publisher Watson-Guptill. In addition to his full time position, during the 1950s and 60s, he studied design at NYU and Pratt.
In 1962, he began an 18 year stint designing books for Reinhold Publishing. He continued doing freelance book design after leaving Reinhold in 1980.
I knew Emilio these past dozen years through the National Cartoonists Society get togethers. Although in not the best health, he would arrive at the monthly Berndt Toast Gang lunches to talk shop with colleagues. Unable to drive, several members would regularly call him at his Floral Park home asking if they could drive him.
Above: Emilio Squeglio's NCS autobio.
My thanks to Jim Amash for letting me know the news of Emilio's passing -- and for those great interviews with Emilio in ALTER EGO Magazine.
Related: Jerry Ordway talks about the cover of ALTER EGO #91, which features a jam cover by both Ordway and Squeglio.
I've known Mel for about twenty years and though we did not spend much time together, it was always clear he was a man of heart. I wish his family well as he will be missed by many.
ReplyDeleteI've known Mel for about twenty years and though we did not spend much time together, it was always clear he was a man of heart. I wish his family well as he will be missed by many.
ReplyDelete