Paolino “Paul” Joseph Lauretta was born Dec 28, 1917 in Lawrence, MA to a family of Italian immigrants. He attended Lawrence High School, where he was the staff artist for “The Lawrencian.” After graduation in 1934, he became the staff artist for a local paper, “The Lawrence Telegram.” Paul was an aspiring comics artist, and he created an exclusive comic strip for the paper, “Rocky Baird,” first strip seen above. I don’t have access to the newspaper, but a clipping from it I found says the strip began on Monday, June 29, 1935, and that it was to run daily. I don’t know how long it ran. The only reason we have this first strip is that it appeared in the Summer 1939 issue of a correspondence art school magazine, “The Federal Illustrator,” along with some brief information about Paul and his work. My friend and fellow comics historian Alex Jay uncovered the article, and has kindly allowed me to write about it.
Gaspar Saladino at the New York Comics Convention, 2014.
This is the big one that I’ve been working toward for a year and a half, combining data from dozens of posts about the work of my favorite letterer, which can be found on the COMICS CREATION and LOGO LINKS pages of this blog. If you have any questions about his work for particular titles or publishers, go there for more details.
Gaspar was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 1st, 1927. As a child, Gaspar was a fan of comic strips like “Secret Agent X-9” by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Gaspar was also a comics reader and budding artist, as evidenced by the fact that he submitted a drawing of an airplane to the comic FUNNY PAGES that was published on a fan art page in the Oct. 1939 issue, Volume 3 #8. Gaspar was 11 at the time.
For high school, Gaspar enrolled in Manhattan’s High School of Industrial Arts (later renamed the High School of Art and Design), commuting to school by subway from Brooklyn. Many of its students became comics professionals, including Neal Adams, Jack Adler, Frank Giacoia, Joe Giella, Dick Giordano, Sol Harrison, Carmine Infantino, GIl Kane, Bernard Krigstein, Joe Kubert, Joe Orlando, John Romita Sr., and Alex Toth. Of these, Gaspar reported in an interview with Kirk Kimball, “Joe Kubert I knew of. And I knew Carmine and Gil Kane. I knew Joe Orlando. Joe was in my grade. Alex Toth was in the grade below me.” Joe Giella was also a classmate of Gaspar. While he was in high school, some of the New York comics studios employed students, and Gaspar did a little inking for Lloyd Jacquet Studios, but described them as “occasional one or two-pagers.” There are no records of which those were or where they saw print, if they did.
Gaspar graduated in the class of 1945, and though World War Two had ended, he was soon drafted into the Air Force. He reports: “I was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, which was wonderful. It was a very educational experience. I worked with the AACS (Airways and Air Communication Service) doing public relations. I didn’t do any lettering or artwork at all.” Gaspar was part of the U.S. occupation force in Japan overseen by General Douglas MacArthur, who Gaspar remembered as being an impressive figure.
After two years in the service, Gaspar returned to Brooklyn and was soon out pounding the pavement looking for work. His original direction was toward fashion design, but he found little work in that field. Finally, in 1949 he put together some sample comics pages that he drew, lettered and inked, and took them to National Comics (now DC Comics) where the Production Manager Sol Harrison, a graduate of the High School of Industrial Arts himself, was known to be friendly to other graduates. Several of Gaspar’s former schoolmates were already working for the company. Harrison showed the samples around to the editors, and Julius Schwartz expressed interest. Julie said that, while he didn’t like Gaspar’s art enough to hire him for that, he did like his lettering, and offered him regular lettering work, which Gaspar was happy to get.
When he started working at National (DC) in the fall of 1949, Gaspar told me they sat him in the production room between veteran lettering man Ira Schnapp (not long on staff himself) and production artist Mort Drucker, later of MAD MAGAZINE fame. He began lettering mainly for Julie, but Julie’s office-mate Robert Kanigher was soon using him as well. It was freelance work paying $2 a page, but done in the office five days a week. Gaspar lettered about nine pages a day, on average, or 45 pages a week. At the end of the week he’d fill out a voucher for the work and get a check for about $90, which was good money in those days, and he was quite happy with the work and the job.
I’ve researched Gaspar’s first DC work in a series of blog articles beginning HERE and found his first printed lettering appeared in ROMANCE TRAIL #5 cover-dated March-April 1950. That would have gone on sale in January or February 1950, and been produced the previous fall, October or November 1949. Before long, Gaspar was moved to a drawing board right in the office shared by Julie Schwartz and Bob Kanigher, where he was always available to make lettering corrections and do new stories, a time saver for them. As you can see from the example above, lettering in those days could fill half the page, and must have taken a long time to do, but Gaspar thrived at DC and lettered tens of thousands of comics pages through the next fifty-plus years, all by hand, produced in pen and ink one letter at a time on the original artwork, or sometimes in later years on vellum overlays. Gaspar was soon the favorite letterer of 1950s DC mainstays like Alex Toth, Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane and Joe Kubert, and he continued to be popular with younger talent as it arrived.
Below I’ve summarized his work for each year, using cover dates of the comics, but keep in mind that issues with cover dates of January through April were probably produced in the last quarter of the previous year. Gaspar’s work for DC Comics and Marvel Comics is well documented, some of his work for other publishers is not, and in a few places I’ve had to estimate the amount he did, see individual blog posts for more details. In addition to lettering pages, Gaspar became one of the busiest letterers on covers, house ads, and logo designs from 1968 to the 1980s, and he lettered quite a few newspaper strips from 1970 to 1985. He was also a fashion design artist for DC Comics romance titles in the 1960s. I’ve tried to cover every aspect of Gaspar’s comics career, but there’s bound to be more work from him yet to be discovered. Any that comes to my attention will be added here.
Each year entry is divided into work categories. I’ve listed each Logo Design by name. For House Ads, I’ve given year totals, for Covers, I’ve listed each issue. For Pages I’m generally showing a range of issues in each year with a total page count. For Newspaper Strips, I’ve given year totals. Numbers in parentheses are the number of pages or items in each entry. Here we go!
At DC, editor Julius Schwartz was handling mostly western titles when Gaspar started, while his office mate Robert Kanigher edited romance and Wonder Woman titles.
From ACTION COMICS #163, Dec 1951
1951
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
1 Daily strip: Superman (December 31)
DC COMICS
1,368 Pages: Action Comics 163 (10), All-American Western 117-122 (186), All-Star Comics 56-57 (68), All-Star Western 58-61 (142), Danger Trail 4-5 (70), Girls’ Love Stories 9-13 (73), Girls’ Romances 6-11 (48), Jimmy Wakely 9-14 (194), Mystery In Space 1-4 (134), Sensation Comics 101-106 (120), Star Spangled Comics 116 (10), Strange Adventures 5-15 (278), Wonder Woman 45-50 (19), World’s Finest Comics 53-54 (16)
ZIFF-DAVIS
7 Pages: Amazing Adventures 4 (7)
YEAR TOTAL: 1,375 Pages
In 1951, Saladino began occasionally working on DC stories for other editors, like the one shown above, and he did his first known lettering for another publisher, probably brought in by an artist he knew from DC. His page count was increasing.
From JIMMY WAKELY 17, May-June 1952
1952
NEWSPAPER STRIPS (Jan 1 to 20)
17 Daily strips: Superman
3 Sunday strips: Superman
DC COMICS
1 House Ad
3 Covers: Jimmy Wakely 17 (1), Star Spangled Comics 128 (1), Superman 76 (1)
1,538 Pages: Action Comics 165, 169, 171-172 (30), All-American Men of War 127-128 (52), All-American Western 123-126 (80), All-Star Western 62-67 (144), Detective Comics 190 (8), Girls’ Love Stories 15-19 (86), Girls’ Romances 13-17 (59), House of Mystery 2-9 (26), Jimmy Wakely 15-18 (84), Mystery In Space 5-10 (140), Our Army At War 1-5 (128), The Phantom Stranger 1-2 (40), Rex the Wonder Dog 1-6 (144), Secret Hearts 8-11 (58), Sensation Comics 107-112 (148), Star Spangled Comics 124 (6), Star Spangled War Stories 3-4 (18), Strange Adventures 16-27 (271), Western Comics 31 (8), Wonder Woman 53-56 (8)
YEAR TOTAL: 17 Daily Strips, 3 Sunday Strips, 1 House Ad, 3 Covers, 1,538 Pages
Gaspar began lettering covers and house ads at DC in 1952, but his early efforts were not so good, and it took him a number of years to settle into the styles that would later make his ad and cover work popular. In this year, editor Julie Schwartz branched out into science fiction comics, while Kanigher began a line of long-running war titles. Saladino lettered many of them. His page count is still rising. Note his first newspaper strip work here, filling in for Ira Schnapp for three weeks on “Superman.”
From MYSTERY IN SPACE #16, Oct-Nov 1953
1953
CHARLTON COMICS
14 Pages: Cowboy Western Comics 46 (7), Hot Rods and Racing Cars 12 (7)
DC COMICS
1,531 Pages: Action Comics 180, 187 (18), Adventure Comics 185-195 (26), All-American Men of War 2-7 (126), All-Star Western 68-73 (146), Gang Busters 34 (4), Girls’ Love Stories 21-25 (47), Girls’ Romances 18-23 (38), House of Mystery 13 (6), Mr. District Attorney 35 (4), Mystery In Space 11-16 (127) Our Army At War 6-17 (246), The Phantom Stranger 3-6 (80), Rex the Wonder Dog 7-12 (130), Secret Hearts 14-18 (74), Sensation Comics 113-116 (76), Star Spangled War Stories 5-16 (78), Strange Adventures 28-39 (261), Western Comics 41 (12), World’s Finest Comics 64-67 (32)
PRIZE
13 Pages: Young Romance 55 (13)
STANDARD (PINES)
7 Pages: This Is War 7 (7)
YEAR TOTAL: 1,565 Pages
By 1953, Gaspar’s skill with story titles had improved greatly, as seen above, and he was picking up small jobs at other publishers, I think through artist friends who brought him in.
1,987 Pages: Action Comics 189 (6), Adventure Comics 196 (6), All-American Men of War 8-16 (210), All-Star Western 74-79 (126), Batman 80 (10), Girls’ Love Stories 27-32 (53), Girls’ Romances 24-27 (36), Hopalong Cassidy 86-96 (256), House of Mystery 33 (6), Mystery In Space 17-22 (126), Our Army At War 18-29 (272), Our Fighting Forces 1 (25), Rex the Wonder Dog 13-18 (130), Secret Hearts 19-24 (59), Star Spangled War Stories 17-28 (272), Strange Adventures 40-51 (280), Western Comics 43-48 (120)
YEAR TOTAL: 2 Covers, 1,987 Pages
Gaspar’s page total continues to climb in this year, but he’s still working primarily on DC titles edited by Schwartz and Kanigher. At some point, perhaps in this year, Gaspar began working at home rather than at the DC offices, and also in the home of artist Carmine Infantino, something DC suggested to help Carmine meet deadlines. While working there, Gaspar met Carmine’s cousin Celeste, and they married in 1957.
2,101 Pages: All-American Men of War 17-28 (294), All-Star Western 80-85 (124), The Brave and the Bold 2 (24), Falling In Love 1-2 (8), Gang Busters 43 (8), Girls’ Love Stories 33 (8), Girls’ Romances 31-34 (31), Hopalong Cassidy 97-108 (286), House of Mystery 34 (6), Mystery In Space 23-28 (128), Our Army At War 30-41 (252), Our Fighting Forces 2-7 (146), Rex the Wonder Dog 19-24 (142), Secret Hearts 25-28 (24), Star Spangled War Stories 29-40 (277), Strange Adventures 52-63 (237), Western Comics 49-54 (106)
YEAR TOTAL: 2 Covers, 2,105 Pages
In 1955, Saladino’s page count topped 2,000 for the first time. That’s an average of eight pages per weekday, and those pages were still often full of lettering. DC Comics was publishing a wide variety of genres including war, western, romance, crime, mystery (horror), science fiction, and even REX THE WONDER DOG, all worked on by Saladino, in addition to other comics he rarely or never lettered featuring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, as well as funny animals, teen humor and Hollywood humor.
From SHOWCASE #4, Sept-Oct 1956
1956
DC COMICS
2,099 Pages: All-American Men of War 29-40 (298), All-Star Western 86-91 (96), The Brave and the Bold 3-8 (143), Falling In Love 3-7 (17), Girls’ Romances 36-39 (15), Hopalong Cassidy 109-120 (228), Mystery In Space 29-34 (90), Our Army At War 42-53 (292), Our Fighting Forces 8-16 (221), Rex the Wonder Dog 25-30 (130), Secret Hearts 34 (10), Showcase 2-4 (74), Star Spangled War Stories 41-52 (268), Strange Adventures 64-75 (125), Western Comics 55-60 (92)
YEAR TOTAL: 2,099 Pages
1956 was the year that editor Julius Schwartz began reviving and revamping DC’s Golden Age heroes with THE FLASH, seen first in SHOWCASE #4 lettered by Saladino. It was a great success, but DC didn’t know it right away, and it took another another three years to really get rolling. Gaspar was the go-to letterer on all of Schwartz’s books.
From SECRET HEARTS #38, Feb-March 1957
1957
DC COMICS
1 Cover: Secret Hearts 38 (1)
2,063 Pages: All-American Men of War 41-52 (278), All-Star Western 92-97 (84), The Brave and the Bold 9-13 (121), Falling In Love 9 (8), G.I. Combat 44-55 (266), Hopalong Cassidy 121-125 (78), Mystery In Space 35-40 (30), Our Army At War 54-65 (274), Our Fighting Forces 17-28 (262), Rex the Wonder Dog 31-35 (102), Robin Hood Tales 7-12 (137), Showcase 8 (24), Star Spangled War Stories 53-64 (266), Strange Adventures 76-87 (91), Western Comics 61-65 (42)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Cover, 2,063 Pages
Meanwhile, Schwartz and Kanigher continued to put out lots of titles in other genres, as before, and Gaspar lettered many of the stories. Kanigher’s THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD was at least a series featuring larger-than-life heroes from the past like The Viking Prince.
2,269 Pages: All-American Men of War 53-64 (273), All-Star Western 98-103 (96), The Brave and the Bold 15-20 (121), Falling In Love 16 (7), G.I. Combat 56-67 (271), Girls’ Romances 49-50 (15), Hopalong Cassidy 127-131 (80), Mystery In Space 42-46 (29), The New Adventures of Charlie Chan 2-3 (35), Our Army At War 66-77 (278), Our Fighting Forces 29-40 (280), Rex the Wonder Dog 37-42 (95), Robin Hood Tales 13-14 (49), Showcase 13-17 (66), Star Spangled War Stories 65-76 (288), Strange Adventures 88-96 (84), Western Comics 67-72 (51), Wonder Woman 98-102 (151)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 House Ad, 5 Covers, 2,269 Pages
While editor Julie Schwartz was reviving heroes like The Flash, Robert Kanigher had revamped Wonder Woman for her own title, with Saladino lettering most of the stories.
From FALLING IN LOVE #31, Dec 1959
1959
DC COMICS
5 Covers: Adventures of Bob Hope 54 (1), House of Secrets 16 (1), Mr. District Attorney 67 (1), Rex the Wonder Dog 43 (1), Tales of the Unexpected 33 (1)
2,338 Pages: All-American Men of War 65-76 (293), All-Star Western 104-109 (102), The Brave and the Bold 21-26 (142), Falling In Love 31 (1), The Flash 105-108 (84), G.I. Combat 68-79 (281), Hopalong Cassidy 133-135 (35), Mystery In Space 50-55 (58), The New Adventures of Charlie Chan 5 (26), Our Army At War 78-89 (259), Our Fighting Forces 41-52 (273), Rex the Wonder Dog 43-46 (81), Showcase 18-22 (75), Star Spangled War Stories 77-88 (301), Strange Adventures 100-110 (101), Western Comics 73-77 (51), Wonder Woman 104-110 (175)
1 Art: Falling In Love 31 Romance In Fashion (1)
YEAR TOTAL: 5 Covers, 2,338 Pages, 1 Art
While he was still lettering lots of story pages, 1959 saw the first appearance of fashion design art by Gaspar in the romance titles, as seen above. The dry brush inking on the figures is creative and appealing, and there would be many more over the next few years. Also in this year, Gaspar and his wife Celeste moved to a new home on Long Island, where they would live for the rest of Gaspar’s life, and where they would raise three children.
From THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28, Feb-March 1960
1960
DC COMICS
2,006 Pages: All-American Men of War 77-82 (150), All-Star Western 111-115 (107), The Brave and the Bold 27-30 (104), Falling In Love 33-39 (5), The Flash 111-117 (149), G.I. Combat 80-84 (125), Green Lantern 1-3 (75), Heart Throbs 63-67 (4), Mystery In Space 57-64 (158), Our Army At War 90-101 (248), Our Fighting Forces 53-58 (149), Secret Hearts 61-65 (4), Showcase 24-29 (93), Star Spangled War Stories 89-93 (125), Strange Adventures 112-123 (209), Western Comics 79-84 (101), Wonder Woman 111-118 (200)
13 Art: Falling In Love 33-35, 37, 39 Romance In Fashion (5); Heart Throbs 63, 65-67 Romance In Fashion (4); Secret Hearts 61, 63, 65 Romance In Fashion (4)
YEAR TOTAL: 2,006 Pages, 13 Art
In 1960, the Silver Age heroes at DC really got rolling with the introduction of the Justice League of America, as seen above. Once again, Gaspar was there lettering most of the stories. Green Lantern and The Flash were both appearing in their own new titles, and more revamps would soon follow.
From GREEN LANTERN #5, March-April 1961
1961
DC COMICS
2,087 Pages: All-American Men of War 83-88 (150), All-Star Western 116-119 (90), The Brave and the Bold 34-38 (125), The Flash 118-125 (180), G.I. Combat 85-90 (150), Girls’ Romances 77 (1), Green Lantern 4-9 (125), Heart Throbs 69-70 (2), Mystery In Space 65-71 (109), Our Army At War 102-113 (299), Our Fighting Forces 59-64 (150), Sea Devils 1-2 (52), Secret Hearts 70 (1), Showcase 34-35 (50), Star Spangled War Stories 94-99 (150), Strange Adventures 124-135 (225), Western Comics 85 (26), Wonder Woman 119-126 (202)
4 Art: Girls’ Romance 77 Romance In Fashion (1); Heart Throbs 69-70 Romance In Fashion (2); Secret Hearts 70 Romance in Fashion (1)
YEAR TOTAL: 2,087 Pages, 4 Art
With superheroes gathering new fans, a revamped Atom previewed in SHOWCASE, while a new Hawkman tried out in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. Both would soon have their own series lettered by Gaspar, but meanwhile he was also lettering SEA DEVILS for Kanigher.
From SEA DEVILS #5, May-June 1962
1962
DC COMICS
2,069 Pages: All-American Men of War 89-94 (129), The Atom 1-3 (65), The Brave and the Bold 39-44 (100), Falling In Love 49-54 (4), The Flash 126-131 (88), G.I. Combat 91-96 (150), Girls’ Love Stories 84-90 (19), Girls’ Romances 82-86 (16), Green Lantern 10-17 (202), Heart Throbs 75-76 (9), Mystery In Space 73-79 (74), Our Army At War 114-125 (260), Our Fighting Forces 65-72 (184), Sea Devils 3-8 (152), Secret Hearts 76-81 (11), Showcase 36-40 (133), Star Spangled War Stories 100-105 (136), Strange Adventures 136-147 (152), Wonder Woman 127-134 (185)
13 Art: Falling In Love 49-51, 54 Romance In Fashion (4); Girls’ Love Stories 84-85, 89-90 Romance In Fashion (4); Girls’ Romances 82 Romance In Fashion (1); Heart Throbs 75 Romance In Fashion (1); Secret Hearts 76, 78, 80 Romance In Fashion (3)
YEAR TOTAL: 2,069 Pages, 13 Art
Saladino continued to letter stories at a steady pace in 1962, while also producing more fashion design art. His daughter, Lisa, told me that was his first love, and at least he was able to do it at DC for a while.
From SHOWCASE #45, July-Aug 1963
1963
DC COMICS
1 Logo: Sgt. Rock
17 Covers: Adventure Comics 310 (1), Adventures of Bob Hope 82 (1), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 77 (1), Batman 157 (1), Blackhawk 185, 187 (2), Lois Lane Annual 2 (1), Metal Men 3 (1), My Greatest Adventure 81 (1), Mystery In Space 84-85 (2), Showcase 45 (1), Star Spangled War Stories 110 (1), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 41 (1), Wonder Woman 140 (1), World’s Finest Comics 135 (1), Young Romance 125 (1)
2,057 Pages: All-American Men of War 95-100 (118), The Atom 4-9 (105), The Brave and the Bold 45-49 (125), The Flash 134-140 (150), G.I. Combat 97-102 (114), Girls’ Love Stories 96-98 (9), Girls’ Romances 95 (1), Green Lantern 18-25 (200), Heart Throbs 81 (15), Metal Men 1-4 (103), Mystery In Space 81-88 (133), Our Army At War 126-137 (262), Our Fighting Forces 73-77 (94), Sea Devils 9-14 (149), Secret Hearts 85 (1), Showcase 45 (25), Star Spangled War Stories 106-111 (112), Strange Adventures 148-159 (135), Wonder Woman 135-142 (200), Young Love 39-40 (4), Young Romance 126 (2)
10 Art: Girls’ Love Stories 96, 98 Romance In Fashion (2); Girls’ Romances 95 Romance In Fashion (1); Secret Hearts 85 Romance In Fashion (1); Young Love 39-40 Romance In Fashion (4); Young Romance 126 (2)
WESTERN PUBLISHING
49 Pages: The Frogmen 6 (31), Stoney Burke 1 (18)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Logo, 17 Covers, 2,106 Pages, 10 Art
Ira Schnapp had long been the primary logo designer and cover letterer at DC, but in this year, Saladino began to get some of those assignments more often, including his first logo design for Sgt. Rock, and fourteen other covers. Clearly his career was on the rise, and he was still lettering lots of pages and doing some fashion art. After working only for DC for eight years (as far as I know), he again began taking a few lettering jobs at other publishers.
From DETECTIVE COMICS #329, July 1964
1964
DC Comics
20 Covers: Action Comics 308 (1), Adventure Comics 316 (1), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 83 (1), All-American Men of War 104 (1), The Atom 14 (1), Blackhawk 193, 198 (2), Capt. Storm 2 (1), Challengers of the Unknown 36, 39 (2), Detective Comics 329 (1), Girls’ Romances 102 (1), Green Lantern 30 (1), House of Mystery 144 (1), Mystery In Space 89 (1), Our Fighting Forces 85 (1), Secret Hearts 97 (1), Showcase 48, 51 (2), Wonder Woman 147 (1)
1,974 Pages: All-American Men of War 101-106 (90), The Atom 10-15 (136), Batman 164-167 (75), The Brave and the Bold 52 (25), Capt. Storm 1-4 (74), Detective Comics 327-334 (147), Falling In Love 65-69 (22), The Flash 142-149 (114), G.I. Combat 103-108 (95), Girls’ Love Stories 101-106 (13), Girls’ Romances 99-105 (28), Green Lantern 26-33 (172), Hawkman 2-4 (73), Heart Throbs 88-91 (9), Metal Men 5-10 (154), Mystery In Space 90-91 (35), Our Army At War 138-149 (242), Our Fighting Forces 82-87 (95), Sea Devils 15 (25), Secret Hearts 96 (2), Showcase 53 (4), Star Spangled War Stories 112-117 (105), Strange Adventures 160-163 (72), Wonder Woman 143-150 (149), Young Love 42-44 (12), Young Romance 127-130 (6)
24 Art: Girls’ Love Stories 101, 105-106 Romance In Fashion (4); Girls’ Romances 99-100, 103, 105 Romance In Fashion (6); Heart Throbs 91 Romance In Fashion (2); Secret Hearts 96 Romance In Fashion (2); Young Love 42, 44 Romance In Fashion (4); Young Romance 127-130 (6)
WESTERN PUBLISHING
185 Pages: The Frogmen 7-10 (121), McLintock (one-shot) (32), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea 1 (32)
YEAR TOTAL: 20 Covers, 2,159 Pages, 24 Art
In this year, Julius Schwartz became editor of the Batman titles, and Saladino followed, lettering many of the stories, but just one cover, above. Despite all his DC work, Gaspar had time to do a number of stories for Western Publishing, and a record number of fashion design pages for DC too.
From SHOWCASE #57, July-Aug 1965
1965
DC COMICS
1 Logo: Enemy Ace
3 House Ads
19 Covers: Adventures of Bob Hope 91, 94 (2), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 89 (1), The Atom 20 (1), Batman 169 (1), Blackhawk 205, 210 (2), Challengers of the Unknown 45 (1), Detective Comics 341 (1), Doom Patrol 93 (1), Falling In Love 73, 76 (2), Green Lantern 38 (1), Hawkman 6 (1), Our Army At War 157 (1), Sea Devils 24 (1), Strange Adventures 178 (1), Wonder Woman 155 (1), Young Romance 50 (1)
2,16 Pages: All-American Men of War 107-112 (118), The Atom 16-21 (132), Batman 169-177 (184), The Brave and the Bold 61-62 (48), Capt. Storm 5-8 (69), Detective Comics 335-346 (217), Falling In Love 72-77 (25), The Flash 150-156 (101), G.I. Combat 109-114 (103), Girls’ Love Stories 108-115 (5), Girls’ Romances 107-112 (17), Green Lantern 35-41 (147), Hawkman 5-10 (147), Heart Throbs 94-98 (17), Metal Men 11-16 (129), Mystery In Space 102 (8), Our Army At War 150-161 (209), Our Fighting Forces 90-96 (108), Secret Hearts 106-108 (4), Showcase 55-58 (99), Star Spangled War Stories 118-121 (50), Strange Adventures 173-182 (25), The Unexpected 88 (9), Wonder Woman 151-158 (185), Young Love 49-52 (9), Young Romance 137-138 (3)
24 Art: Falling In Love 72, 76-77 Romance In Fashion (3); Girls’ Love Stories 108, 112-115 Romance In Fashion (5); Girls’ Romances 109, 111-112 (3); Heart Throbs 94, 97-98 Romance In Fashion (4); Secret Hearts 106-108 Romance In Fashion (4); Young Love 49, 52 Romance In Fashion (2), Young Romance 137-138 (3)
TOWER COMICS
12 Pages: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 1 (12)
WESTERN PUBLISHING
31 Pages: The Frogmen 11 (31)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Logo, 3 House Ads, 19 Covers, 2,211 Pages, 24 Art
One of Gaspar’s favorite assignments was Robert Kanigher war stories, and in 1965 he lettered the SHOWCASE tryout for Enemy Ace, and also designed the logo. It was another busy year with another large group of fashion design pages for DC, and a few stories for other publishers.
From THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY LEWIS #97, Nov-Dec 1966
1966
DC COMICS
1 Logo: Capt. Hunter
3 House Ads
42 Covers: Adventures of Jerry Lewis 92, 97 (2), Aquaman 25, 30 (2), Batman 182-183 (2), Capt. Storm 16 (1), Detective Comics 353, 357 (2), Falling In Love 87 (1), The Flash 159 (1), Girls’ Love Stories 116, 123 (2), Girls’ Romances 114 (1), Green Lantern 46 (1), House of Mystery 156, 160, 163 (3), Metamorpho 7, 9 (2), Our Army At War 170, 173 (2), Our Fighting Forces 104 (1), Sea Devils 30 (1), Secret Hearts 109, 113 (2), Showcase 63, 65 (2), Strange Adventures 190, 194 (2), Superman 182, 188, 191 (3), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 66 (1), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 94-95 (2), Swing With Scooter 2 (1), Teen Titans 4, 6 (2), World’s Finest Comics 162 (1), Young Love 53, 58 (2)
1,493 Pages: Adventures of Bob Hope 97 (24), All-American Men of War 113 (9), The Atom 22-27 (144), Batman 178-188 (182), Capt. Storm 11-12 (30), Challengers of the Unknown 47-52 (34), Detective Comics 347-358 (250), Falling In Love 80-87 (27), The Flash 158-165 (133), G.I. Combat 115 (15), Girls’ Love Stories 117-122 (17), Girls’ Romances 117 (1), Green Lantern 42-49 (193), Hawkman 11-16 (144), Heart Throbs 101-102 (3), Mad 100-107 (12), Metal Men 18-21 (72), Our Army At War 163-165 (40), Our Fighting Forces 99 (24), Secret Hearts 109 (1), Showcase 60-64 (72), Star Spangled War Stories 125 (15), Tomahawk 107 (17), Wonder Woman 160 (24), Young Love 55-58 (3), Young Romance 140 (7)
13 Art: Falling In Love 81 Romance In Fashion (1), Girls’ Love Stories 117, 121-122 (4); Girls’ Romances 117 Romance In Fashion (1); Heart Throbs 101-102 Romance In Fashion (3); Secret Hearts 109 Romance In Fashion (1); Young Love 55, 58 Romance In Fashion (3)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Logo, 3 House Ads, 43 Covers, 1,603 Pages, 13 Art
Gaspar’s page count was down in 1966, but his cover lettering was on the rise. As Carmine Infantino moved into management, he gradually shifted the more important work from the aging Ira Schnapp to Saladino, who had been waiting for a chance to shine for many years. You can just see it beginning here, over the next two years the transition was completed.
From HOUSE OF MYSTERY #168, July 1967
1967
DC COMICS
16 House Ads
43 Covers: Action Comics 345 (1), Adventure Comics 352 (1), Adventures of Bob Hope 102 (1), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 101 (1), Aquaman 34 (1), The Atom 28 (1), Batman 189, 193 (2), The Brave and the Bold 71-72 (2), Challengers of the Unknown 53-54, 57 (3), Detective Comics 364-365 (2), Doom Patrol 112 (1), Falling In Love 89, 92 (2), The Flash 167 (1), Girls’ Love Stories 128 (1), Girls’ Romances 126 (1), Green Lantern 54 (1), House of Mystery 168 (1), The Inferior Five 3 (1), Metamorpho 10, 13 (2), Our Army At War 182 (1), Our Fighting Forces 108 (1), Secret Hearts 121 (1), Showcase 66, 69 (2), Strange Adventures 202 (1), Superboy 135 (1), Superman 198 (1), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 75 (1), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 99 (1), Swing With Scooter 7 (1), Teen Titans 10 (1), Tomahawk 111 (1), Wonder Woman 171 (1), World’s Finest Comics 167 (1), Young Love 62 (1), Young Romance 149 (1)
1,085 Pages: Adventures of Bob Hope 103 (24), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 101-103 (45), The Atom 28-33 (139), Batman 189-196 (148), Challengers of the Unknown 54 (24), Detective Comics 359-370 (203), Doom Patrol 111 (23), The Flash 167-174 (161), Green Lantern 50-57 (175), Hawkman 17-21 (116), Mad 111 (4), The Spectre 1 (23)
In 1967, a larger share of DC’s most visible lettering, covers and house ads, was shifted from Schnapp to Saladino, and in this year he also began working for Marvel Comics, while doing a large amount of lettering for Western Publishing, and others too.
From NOT BRAND ECCH #6, Feb 1968
1968
DC COMICS
35 Logos: Angel and the Ape, Anthro, The Atom and Hawkman, Bat Lash, Blackhawk (2 versions), Bomba the Jungle Boy, Brother Power the Geek, Captain Action, The Creeper (2 versions), DC Special, Detective Comics presents Batman and Robin, Dolphin, Enemy Ace, The Hawk and the Dove, The House of Mystery, Johnny Double, Leave It To Binky, The New Inferior 5 (2 versions), Plastic Man, The Secret Six, The Spectre (3 versions), Stanley and his Monster, Swing With Scooter, Teen Titans (3 versions), The Unexpected, Wonder Woman (2 versions), Young Romance
54 House Ads
358 Covers: Action Comics 358, 362-370 (10), Adventure Comics 364, 367-375 (10), Adventures of Bob Hope 109 (1), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 104, 106-109 (5), Angel and the Ape 1 (1), Anthro 1-3 (3), Aquaman 38-42 (5), The Atom 37-38 The Atom & Hawkman 39 (3), Bat Lash 1 (1), Batman 198, 201-204, 206-207 (7), Beware the Creeper 1-4 (4), Blackhawk 239-242 (4), Bomba the Jungle Boy 5, 7 (2), The Brave and the Bold 78-80 (3), Brother Power the Geek 1-2 (2), Captain Action 1 (1), Challengers of the Unknown 62-64 (3), DC Special 1 (1), Detective Comics 371-372, 374-382 (11), Doom Patrol 118-121 (4), Falling In Love 99-103 (5), The Flash 176, 178, 180-184 (7), G.I. Combat 130-132 (3), Girls’ Love Stories 136-139 (4), Girls’ Romances 131-137 (7), Green Lantern 60-65 (6), The Hawk and the Dove 1-2 (2), Hawkman 25-27 (3), Heart Throbs 113-116 (3), House of Mystery 173 (1), The Inferior Five 6-10 (5), Leave It To Binky 61-63 (3), Metal Men 30, 32-34 (4), Metamorpho 16-17 (2), Our Army At War 190-197, 199-200 (10), Our Fighting Forces 112-116 (5), Secret Hearts 125-126, 128-132 (7), Secret Six 1-4 (4), Showcase 73-78 (6), The Spectre 4-7 (4), Stanley and His Monster 110-112 (3), Star Spangled War Stories 139-141 (3), Strange Adventures 208-209, 211-215 (7), Sugar and Spike 77-78 (2), Superboy 146-152 (7), Superman 203-204, 206-212 (9), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 81-88 (8), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 109-116 (8), Swing With Scooter 11, 13 (2), Teen Titans 14-18 (5), The Unexpected 107-109 (3), Tomahawk 115-119 (5), Wonder Woman 174, 176-179 (5), World’s Finest Comics 173-174, 176-181 (8), Young Love 66-71 (6), Young Romance 152-156 (5)
332 Pages: Action Comics 363-370 (50), Adventure Comics 366-369 (24), Adventures of Bob Hope 108-109 (48), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 104-108 (92), Anthro 1-2 (47), The Atom 34-36 (46), Bat Lash 1 (24), Batman 200-206 (45), Bomba the Jungle Boy 6 (1), The Brave and the Bold 77 (24), Challengers of the Unknown 60 (24), Detective Comics 371-373 (17), Falling In Love 98-102 (31), Girls’ Love Stories 134-139 (13), Girls’ Romances 134 (3), Green Lantern 59 (23), Heart Throbs 112-116 (32), Mad 117-123 (7), Our Fighting Forces 111 (14), Secret Hearts 125 (16), Showcase 76 (24), The Spectre 2-6 (70), Strange Adventures 211 (17), Superboy 149 (1), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 85 (16), Wonder Woman 176 (23), World’s Finest Comics 181 (19), Young Love 69-70 (3), Young Romance 155-156 (20)
MARVEL COMICS
105 Pages: Capt. Savage 2 (21), Iron Man 2 (20), Not Brand Echh 6, 8 (13), Sgt. Fury 51, 53 (40), Tales to Astonish 99 (11)
YEAR TOTAL: 35 Logos, 54 House Ads, 358 Covers, 437 Pages
Some time in late 1967 or early 1968, Ira Schnapp was retired, and Saladino took on the bulk of DC’s most important lettering. After doing only a few logos for the company, he was suddenly creating new ones for almost every title, as well as lots of house ads and covers. Something had to give, and it was his page lettering, though he still did some for both DC and Marvel in this year. At Marvel, where lettering credits were usually listed, unlike at DC, Gaspar used several pen names derived from the names of his three children, Lisa, Peter and Gregory.
From THE SPECTRE #9, March-April 1969
1969
DC COMICS
36 Logos: Adam Strange Adventures, Angel and the Ape, Binky’s Buddies (3 versions), The Brave and the Bold, Challengers of the Unknown, Date With Debbi (2 versions), DC Showcase, Debbi’s Dates (2 versions), Detective Comics presents Batman and Batgirl, Enemy Ace, Falling In Love, Firehair, From Beyond the Unknown, Giant Scooter Summer Fun, Girls’ Love Stories, Green Lantern, Heart Throbs, The House of Secrets, Lt. Hunter’s Hellcats, Leave It To Binky, The Phantom Stranger, Secret Hearts, The Spectre (2 versions), Swing With Scooter, Teen Titans, The Unexpected (2 versions), Windy and Willy, Unexpected, The Witching Hour, Young Love
86 House Ads
327 Covers: Action Comics 371-383 (13), Adventure Comics 376-387 (12), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 110-115 (6), Angel and the Ape 2-7 (6), Anthro 5-6 (2), Aquaman 43-47 (5), The Atom & Hawkman 40-45 (6), Bat Lash 5-7 (3), Batman 208-212, 214-217 (9), Beware the Creeper 5-6 (2), Binky’s Buddies 1-6 (6), The Brave and the Bold 81-86 (6), Captain Action 2-5 (4), Challengers of the Unknown 65-70 (6), Date With Debbi 1, 3-6 (5), DC Special 2-5 (4), Debbi’s Dates 1-4 (4), Detective Comics 383-394 (12), Falling In Love 104-111 (8), The Flash 185-193 (9), From Beyond the Unknown 1 (1), G.I. Combat 133-138 (6), Girls’ Love Stories 140-147 (8), Girls’ Romances 138-145 (8), Green Lantern 66-73 (8), The Hawk and the Dove 3-6 (4), Heart Throbs 117-122 (6), Leave It To Binky 64-67, 69 (5), Metal Men 35-39 (5), Our Army At War 201-213 (13), Our Fighting Forces 117-122 (6), Secret Hearts 133-140 (8), Secret Six 5-7 (3), Showcase 82-87 (6), The Spectre 8-10 (3), Star Spangled War Stories 142-144, 146-147 (5), Strange Adventures 216-221 (6), Sugar and Spike 81-86 (6), Superboy 153-161 (9), Superman 213-222 (10), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 89-97 (9), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 117-125 (9), Swing With Scooter 16-23 (8), Teen Titans 19-24 (6), The Unexpected 110-115 (6), Tomahawk 120-125 (6), Windy and Willy 1-4 (4), Wonder Woman 180, 182-185 (5), World’s Finest Comics 182-190 (9), Young Love 72-77 (6), Young Romance 157-162 (6)
282 Pages: Adventure Comics 376 (24), Angel and the Ape 4-7 (18), Bat Lash 2-7 (131), Batman 208 (13), Falling In Love 107-111 (10), Heart Throbs 117 (8), House of Mystery 178-182 (5), Mad 124-130 (17), Secret Hearts 133-139 (22), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 94-95 (22), The Witching Hour 1 (2), Young Romance 158 (10)
12 Art: Falling In Love 107-111 Mad Mad Modes for Moderns (10), Girls’ Romances 144 Mad Mad Modes for Moderns (2)
WESTERN PUBLISHING
32 Pages: Valley of the Gwangi (one-shot) (32)
YEAR TOTAL: 36 Logos, 86 House Ads, 327 Covers, 314 Pages, 12 Art
Even more logos and house ads took up much of Gaspar’s time in 1969, forcing him to cut page lettering further, and to stop working for Marvel for a year or two, but keep in mind that logos, house ads and covers all paid more than page lettering, so I’m sure Saladino was happy with his new role at DC.
From LANCELOT Daily strip July 7, 1970
1970
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
215 Daily strips: Lancelot
24 Sunday strips: Lancelot (approximate)
DC COMICS
28 Logos: Batman, Batman Flash and Metamorpho, Big (G.I. Combat), Detective Comics presents Batman Robin and Batgirl, From Beyond the Unknown, Gigantic Strange Adventures, Green Lantern Green Arrow, Hot Wheels, Jason’s Quest, The Losers, Love 1970, Manhunter 2070, Our Army At War, Outlaw, Pow-Wow Smith, Sgt. Rock, Son of Tomahawk, Star Spangled War Stories (2 versions), Strangest Sports Stories Ever Told, Super DC Giant, Supergirl (2 versions), The Three Mouseketeers, Top Guns of the West, Wanted, Wildcat, Young Romance
43 House Ads
305 Covers: Action Comics 384-395 (12), Adventure Comics 388-400 (13), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 116-121 (6), All-Star Western 1-2 (2), Aquaman 49-51, 53-54 (5), Batman 218-223, 225-227 (9), Binky 72, 74-75 (3), Binky’s Buddies 7-12 (6), The Brave and the Bold 87-92 (6), Challengers of the Unknown 71-76 (6), Date With Debbie 7-12 (6), DC Special 6-9 (4), Debbi’s Dates 5-8 (4), Detective Comics 395-406 (12), Falling In Love 112-119 (8), The Flash 194-202 (9), From Beyond the Unknown 2-7 (6), G.I. Combat 139-144 (6), Girls’ Love Stories 148-155 (8), Girls’ Romances 146-153 (8), Green Lantern 74-79, 81 (7), Heart Throbs 123-128 (6), Hot Wheels 1-2, 4 (3), House of Secrets 86 (1), Leave It To Binky 70-71 (2), Metal Men Our Army At War 214-226 (13), Our Fighting Forces 124-128 (5), The Phantom Stranger 8 (1), Secret Hearts 141-148 (8), Showcase 88-90, 93 (4), Star Spangled War Stories 148-153 (6), Strange Adventures 222-227 (6), Sugar and Spike 87-92 (6), Superboy 162-170 (9), Super DC Giant 13-20 (8), Superman 223-231 (9), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 98-106 (9), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 126-134 (9), Swing With Scooter 24-29, 31 (7), Teen Titans 25-30 (6), The Three Mouseketeers 3 (1), Tomahawk 126-131 (6), The Unexpected 116-121 (6), The Witching Hour 8 (1), Wonder Woman 186-191 (6), World’s Finest Comics 191-199 (9), Young Love 78-83 (6), Young Romance 163-168 (6)
63 Pages: Action Comics 391 (1), Adventure Comics 396 (12), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 121 (3), Batman 219 (8), The Flash 200 (23), G.I. Combat 140 (1), Girls’ Romances 147 (2), Mad 135-137 (5), Our Fighting Forces 124 (8)
YEAR TOTAL: 215 Daily Strips, 24 Sunday Strips, 28 Logos, 43 House Ads, 305 Covers, 159 Pages, 2 Art
In 1970, Saladino did his first regular newspaper strip lettering (that I know of), for creators he met while working for MAD. He was still doing lots of time-consuming work at DC as well, but not many story pages.
From FALLING IN LOVE #120, Jan 1971
1971
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
305 Daily strips: Lancelot
46 Sunday strips: Lancelot (approximate)
DC COMICS
20 Logos: Aquaman, Batman, DC 100-Page Super Spectacular, El Diablo, The Forever People, Ghosts, Heart Throbs, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Mister Miracle, Monsters, New Gods, Orion of the New Gods, Outlaw, The Sinister House of Secret Love, Stop…, The Viking Prince, Weird Mystery Tales, Weird War Tales, Young Love
17 House Ads
281 Covers: Action Comics 396-407 (12), Adventure Comics 401-410, 412-413 (12), Adventures of Jerry Lewis 122-124 (3), All-Star Western 3-7 (5), Aquaman 55-56 (2), Batman 228-229, 231-237 (9), Binky 76, 78 (2), The Brave and the Bold 94-98 (5), Challengers of the Unknown 77, 80 (2), Date With Debbi 13-16 (4), DC 100-Page Super Spectacular 5 (1), DC Special 10-14 (5), Detective Comics 407-411, 413-418 (11), Falling In Love 120-123, 126-127 (6), The Flash 203-208, 210-211 (8), The Forever People 1-5 (5), From Beyond the Unknown 8-12 (5), Ghosts 1-2 (2), G.I. Combat 145-150 (6), Girls’ Love Stories 156-161, 163-164 (8), Girls’ Romances 154-160 (7), Green Lantern 82-86 (5), Heart Throbs 129-133, 135-136 (7), House of Mystery 190, 193, 195, 197 (4), House of Secrets 91 (1), Mad 147 (1), Mister Miracle 1-3 (3), The New Gods 1-5 (5), Our Army At War 227-239 (13), Our Fighting Forces 129-134 (6), The Phantom Stranger 11, 13-16 (5), Secret Hearts 149-153 (5), Star Spangled War Stories 154-159 (6), Strange Adventures 228-229 (2), Sugar and Spike 93-98 (6), Super DC Giant 21-24 (4), Superboy 171-176, 180 (7), Superman 232-239, 241 (9), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 107-113, 116-117 (9), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 135-144 (10), Swing With Scooter 32-35 (4), Teen Titans 31-33, 36 (4), The Three Mouseketeers 5-6 (2), Tomahawk 132-137 (6), The Unexpected 122-127, 129-130 (8), Weird War Tales 1-2 (2), The Witching Hour 12, 14-16 (4), Wonder Woman 192-197 (6), World’s Finest Comics 200-205 (6), Young Love 84-88, 90 (6), Young Romance 169-172, 177 (5)
4 Logos: Captain America and the Falcon, Conan the Barbarian, Kazar Lord of the Hidden Jungle, Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
NATIONAL LAMPOON
10 Pages: November (10)
WARREN
12 Pages: Creepy 41 (12)
YEAR TOTAL: 305 Daily Strips, 46 Sunday Strips, 24 Logos, 17 House Ads, 281 Covers, 46 Pages
1971 saw Saladino return to Marvel for logo designs, and begin some uncredited but hilarious work for NATIONAL LAMPOON. He was still doing lots of logos and house ads for DC, the ad above shows examples of both.
From SWAMP THING #1, Oct-Nov 1972
1972
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
61 Daily strips: Lancelot
10 Sunday strips: Lancelot (approximate)
27 Sunday strips: Cannon (for Wally Wood)
25 Sunday strips: Sally Forth (for Wally Wood)
DC COMICS
18 Logos: Batman, Detective Comics, The Demon, The Human Target, Inferior 5, Jimmy Olsen, Kamandi the Last Boy on Earth, Korak Son of Tarzan, Laurel and Hardy, Love Stories, The Sinister House of Secret Love, Son of Tomahawk, Superboy, Swamp Thing, Tarzan, Weird Mystery Tales, Weird Western Tales, Weird Worlds
9 House Ads
289 Covers: Action Comics 408-418 (11), Adventure Comics 414-415, 417-421, 423-424 (9), All-Star Western 10-11 (2), Batman 239-246 (8), The Brave and the Bold 99-104 (6), The Demon 1-4 (4), Detective Comics 419-430 (12), Falling In Love 128-138 (11), The Flash 212-213, 215-218 (6), Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion 6 (1), The Forever People 6-11 (6), From Beyond the Unknown 14, 16-19 (5), Ghosts 3-10 (8), G.I. Combat 151-156 (6), Girls’ Love Stories 165-174 (10), Green Lantern 87-89 (3), Heart Throbs 137-146 (10), House of Mystery 198-201, 208 (5), House of Secrets 97 (1), The Inferior Five 12 (1), Mister Miracle 6-11 (6), The New Gods 6-11 (6), Our Army At War 240-252 (13), Our Fighting Forces 135-138, 140 (5), The Phantom Stranger 17 (1), Secrets of Sinister House 5 (1), Star Spangled War Stories 160-165 (6), Strange Adventures 234-239 (6), Superboy 181-192 (12), Supergirl 1 (1), Superman 247-251, 253-259 (12), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 118-128 (11), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 145-152, 154 (9), Tarzan 208-209, 211-215 (7), Teen Titans 37-41 (5), The Unexpected 131-142 (12), Tomahawk 138-140 (3), Wanted 1-4 (4), Weird Mystery Tales 3 (1), Weird War Tales 4-7, 9 (5), Weird Western Tales 13 (1), Weird Worlds 1-2 (2), The Witching Hour 18-26 (9), Wonder Woman 198-199, 201-203 (5), World’s Finest Comics 209-214 (6), Young Love 91-101 (11), Young Romance 178-189 (12)
9 Logos: The Avengers, The Beast, Doc Savage, It!, Marvel Team-Up featuring Spider-Man and the Human Torch, Man-Thing, Marvel Triple Action, Our Love Story, Werewolf By Night
52 Pages: Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery 43 (4), Friday Foster 1 (32), Lancelot Link Secret Chimp 7 (8), Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 37 (8)
YEAR TOTAL: 61 Daily Strips, 62 Sunday Strips, 27 Logos, 9 House Ads, 289 Covers, 211 Pages
1972 saw the creation of my favorite Saladino logo for SWAMP THING. His Avengers logo for Marvel in this year is a close second, and he was also doing quite a bit of work for other publishers. Gaspar won the first of two ACBA Shazam awards for best letterer largely due to his fine story lettering on SWAMP THING.
From CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24, March 1973
1973
DC COMICS
17 Logos: Adventure Comics, Amazing World of Superman, Black Orchid, Doom Patrol, Four Star Battle Tales, Frankenstein, G.I. War Tales, Johnny Thunder, Jonah Hex, Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, The Shadow, The Spawn of Frankenstein, Strange Sports Stories, Superboy starring the Legion of Super-Heroes, Sword of Sorcery, Trigger Twins
19 House Ads
214 Covers: Action Comics 420-423, 426-430 (9), Adventure Comics 426 (1), Batman 247-253 (7), The Brave and the Bold 105-108 (4), The Demon 5-15 (11), Detective Comics 431-437 (7), Falling In Love 139-143 (5), The Flash 219-224 (6), Four Star Battle Tales 2-3, 5 (3), From Beyond the Unknown 20-21, 23-25 (5), Ghosts 11-21 (11), G.I. Combat 157-158, 160-162, 165-167 (8), Girls’ Love Stories 175-180 (6), House of Secrets 104, 109 (2), Mister Miracle 12, 14 (2), Our Army At War 253-255, 257, 259-263 (9), Our Fighting Forces 141-145 (5), The Phantom Stranger 25 (1), Secret Origins 1-2, 5 (3), The Shadow 2-3 (2), Shazam! 4-5 (2), Star Spangled War Stories 166-174 (9), Strange Adventures 240-244 (5), Strange Sports Stories 1-2 (2), Superboy 193-199 (7), Supergirl 2-4, 6-8 (6), Superman 260-266, 268-270 (10), Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane 129-130, 133 (3), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 155-161 (7), Sword of Sorcery 1, 3-5 (4), Tarzan 216, 218-221, 223-224 (7), Teen Titans 43 (1), The Unexpected 143-146, 150, 152-153 (7), Wanted 5-9 (5), Weird War Tales 11, 20 (2), Weird Western Tales 15, 17 (2), Weird Worlds 4, 6-8 (4), The Witching Hour 28, 30-32, 37 (5), Wonder Woman 204-208 (5), World’s Finest Comics 215, 217-218, 220 (4), Young Love 102-105 (4), Young Romance 190-195 (6)
197 Pages: Amazing World of Superman Metropolis Edition (15), Champion Sports 1 (14), Mad 161-163 (2), Prez 2 (24), Swamp Thing 2-7 (134), The Witching Hour 29 (8)
MARVEL COMICS
28 Logos: Crypt of Shadows, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula Lives!, The Frankenstein Monster, Ghost Rider, The Haunt of Horror, The Headless Horseman, Inhumans, The Invisible Man, Journey Into Mystery, Jungle Action featuring The Black Panther, The Living Mummy, The Mighty Thor starring in Marvel Spectacular, The Monster of Frankenstein, Monsters Unleashed, Prince Namor the Savage Sub-Mariner, Red Wolf, The Son of Satan, Strange Tales featuring Brother Voodoo, Thongor Warrior of Lost Lemuria, Uncanny Tales, The Valley of the Worm, Vampire Tales, Vault of Evil, War of the Worlds, Weird Wonder Tales, Western Team-up featuring The Rawhide Kid and the Dakota Kid, Worlds Unknown
1 House Ad
129 Covers: Amazing Adventures 17-18, 20-21 (4), The Amazing Spider-Man 118-119, 122-123, 126 (5), The Avengers 108-111, 117-118 (6), Beware! 2 (1), Captain America 157, 159-160, 164, 168 (5), Captain Marvel 24-25, 28 (3), The Cat 3 (1), Chamber of Chills 2, 4-5 (3), Conan the Barbarian 24, 30, 33 (3), Crazy 3 (1), Creatures On the Loose 21-22 (2), Crypt of Shadows 2, 6-7 (3), Dead of Night 1 (1), The Defenders 7, 9 (2), Doc Savage 4 (1), Fantastic Four 132, 135, 138, 140, Annual 10 (5), Fear 14, 18 (2), Frankenstein 1-2, 4-5, 7 (5), Ghost Rider 3 (1), Hero For Hire 8 (1), The Incredible Hulk 160, 164-165, 167, 170 (5), Iron Man 55, 57, 60-63, 65 (7), Journey Into Mystery 5-6 (2), Jungle Action 7 (1), Kull the Conqueror 9 (1), Marvel Feature 10 (1), Marvel Premiere 6, 8, 10, 12 (4), Marvel Spectacular 1 (1), Marvel Spotlight 11-12 (2), Marvel Team-Up 12, 14-15 (3), Marvel Triple Action 9 (1), Marvel’s Greatest Comics 41 (1), The Mighty Marvel Western 28 (1), Monsters On the Prowl 21 (1), My Love 21 (1), Night Nurse 3-4 (2), Red Wolf 5, 8 (2), Sgt. Fury 106-108, 111-112, 116 (6), Shanna the She-Devil 5 (1), Special Marvel Edition 15-16 (2), Strange Tales 169 (1), Sub-Mariner 59-60, 64-65, 67 (5), Thor 208-209, 214, 217 (4), Tomb of Dracula 6-8, 10, 14-15 (6), Two-Gun Kid 109 (1), Uncanny Tales 1 (1), Vault of Evil 1-2, 4, 8 (4), Warlock 7 (1), Weird Wonder Tales 1 (1), Werewolf By Night 6, 12 (2), Western Gunfighters 16 (1), Western Team-Up 1 (1), Where Monsters Dwell 19 (1)
152 Pages: The Avengers 110-118 (3), Captain America 163-167 (3), The Combat Kelly 8 (1), Defenders 8-11 (3), Dracula Lives! 1 (25), Frankenstein 5-7 (2), Ghost Rider 2 (1), Gunhawks 6 (1), Hero For Hire 9, 15-16 (3), The Incredible Hulk 166 (1), Marvel Premiere 6 (20), Marvel Team-Up 8, 10, 12 (3), Monsters Unleashed 1 (10), Savage Tales 2 (15), Sgt. Fury 112, 116 (2), Special Marvel Edition 15 (1), Spoof #5 (8), Strange Tales 170-171 (20), Sub-Mariner 62, 66-67 (3), Thor 212 (1), Tomb of Dracula 10 (1), Warlock 6 (1), Werewolf By Night 9 (1), Zombie 4 (23)
NATIONAL LAMPOON
13 Pages: Oct, Nov (13)
WESTERN PUBLISHING
63 Pages: Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery 48-49 (10), Ghost Stories 35 (32), Grimm’s Ghost Stories 9 (4), Lancelot Link Secret Chimp 8 (7), Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 39-41 (10)
YEAR TOTAL: 45 Logos, 20 House Ads, 343 Covers, 425 Pages
Beginning in 1973, Saladino was doing more work for Marvel, including lots of logos and covers. John Costanza, another busy DC Comics letterer, got there first, but Gaspar was also soon active at both companies. I don’t know if he received any flak for that, but it continued for some years, so I’m guessing he didn’t. DC never offered exclusive contracts to letterers, so there wasn’t anything they could do to stop him from working elsewhere, at least legally.
From AURORA COMICS SCENES #181-140, 1974
1974
AURORA
60 Pages: Aurora Comics Scenes 181-140 to 188-140, 192-140 to 193-140 (60)
DC COMICS
11 Logos: Krypto the Superdog, Lana Lang, Lucy Lane, Omac One Man Army, Perry White, Pete Ross, The Sandman, Superbaby, The Superman Family, The Unknown Soldier (2 versions)
7 House Ads
153 Covers: Action Comics 431-436, 438-442 (11), Adventure Comics 431 (1), Batman 255-259 (5), The Brave and the Bold 111-115 (5), The Demon 16 (1), Detective Comics 438-441, 443 (5), The Flash 225-230 (6), Ghosts 22-33 (12), G.I. Combat 168-171, 173 (5), House of Mystery 224-227 (4), Mister Miracle 17-18 (2), Omac 1-2 (2), Our Army At War 264-265, 267-275 (11), Our Fighting Forces 146-151 (6), The Phantom Stranger 31 (1), The Sandman 1 (1), Secret Origins 6 (1), Secrets of Sinister House 17-18 (2), Shazam! 10-15 (6), Star Spangled War Stories 177-182 (6), Strange Sports Stories 3-6 (4), Superboy 200-205 (6), Supergirl 9-10 (2), Superman 271-282 (12), Superman Family 165-167 (3), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 162-163 (2), Tarzan 228, 231 (2), The Unexpected 154-160, Weird Mystery Tales 9, 12 (2), Weird Western Tales 24 (1), Weird Worlds 9 (1), The Witching Hour 40-41, 43, 45 (4), Wonder Woman 209-214 (6), World’s Finest Comics 221-226 (6), Young Love 107, 111 (2)
157 Pages: Batman 258-259 (5), The Brave and the Bold 114-115 (2), Champion Sports 2-3 (17), Detective Comics 442-443 (2), The Flash 229 (1), House of Mystery 223-227 (11), Limited Collectors’ Edition C-27 C-31 (4), Prez 3 (20), Shazam! 13-15 (3), Superboy 202 (1), Superman 278 (20), Superman Family 166-167 (4), Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 162 (20), Swamp Thing 8 (20), Tarzan 230-232 (2), The Unexpected 158-160 (3), Weird War Tales 24 (13), World’s Finest Comics 223-226 (6), Young Love 112 (1), Young Romance 200-202 (2)
MARVEL COMICS
16 Logos: (Giant-Size) Creatures, (Giant-Size) Super-Heroes, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, The Golem, The Haunt of Horror, The Human Torch, The Losers, Luke Cage Power Man, Man-Wolf, Monsters (of the Movies), Morbius the Living Vampire, Planet of the Apes, The Thing Called Killdozer, Uncanny Tales from the Grave, Vampire Tales, Worlds Unknown
4 House Ads
132 Covers: Amazing Adventures 23-25, 27 (4), The Amazing Spider-Man 129-131, 134-136 (6), Astonishing Tales 22 (1), The Avengers 120-125, 129-130 (8), Captain America 170-172, 175-177, 180 (7), Captain Marvel 30, 33 (2), Conan the Barbarian 34-35, 40-41, 43 (5), Creatures On the Loose 30 (1), Crypt of Shadows 10 (1), Dead of Night 3-5 (3), The Defenders 15, 17-18 (3), Doctor Strange 2 (1), Evel Knievel (no number) (1), Fantastic Four 142, 145, 151 (3), Frankenstein 8-9 (2), Ghost Rider 4, 7 (2), Giant-Size Chillers Featuring the Curse of Dracula 1 (1), Giant-Size Conan 1 (1), Giant-Size Dracula 3 (1), Giant-Size Spider-Man 2 (1), The Human Torch 1-2 (2), The Incredible Hulk 171, 173-174, 181-182 (5), Iron Man 66, 68-69, 71 (4), Journey Into Mystery 10, 13 (2), Jungle Action 8-10 (3), Ka-Zar 2-3 (2), Kid Colt Outlaw 186-187 (2), Man-Thing 1, 3, 7-8, 11 (5), Marvel Double Feature 7 (1), Marvel Premiere 15-16, 18 (3), Marvel Spotlight 13, 18-19 (3), Marvel Team-Up 19-20, 23 (3), Marvel Two-In-One 2, 6 (2), The Mighty Marvel Western 30-31, 35-36 (4), Power Man 17, 21-22 (3), Sgt. Fury 117-120 (4), Spidey Super Stories 2 (1), Sub-Mariner 69-70 (2), Thor 220, 230 (2), Tomb of Dracula 16-17, 19-27 (11), Uncanny Tales 6-7 (2), Vault of Evil 10, 12, 15 (3), War Is Hell 9 (1), Weird Wonder Tales 2, 6 (2), Werewolf By Night 14, 19, 24 (3), Where Monsters Dwell 32 (1), Worlds Unknown 6, 8 (2)
274 Pages: Amazing Adventures 22 (1), Captain America 169-174 (2), The Defenders 12-17 (3), Dracula Lives! 5-6 (42), Fear 27-31 (3), Ghost Rider 7 (1), Giant-Size Conan 1-2 (54), Haunt of Horror 3-4 (13), The Incredible Hulk 178 (1), Marvel Premiere 15-16 (37), Marvel Spotlight 16, 19 (2), Marvel Team-Up 23 (1), Marvel Two-In-One 4 (1), Planet of the Apes 1-2 (38 ), Power Man 20 (1), Savage Sword of Conan 1 (10), Strange Tales 172-174 (31), Sub-Mariner 69 (1), Thor 219 (19), Vampire Tales 3 (12), War Is Hell 9 (1)
43 Pages: Adam-12 5 (25), Grimm’s Ghost Stories 19 (6), Ripley’s Believe It Or Not 47-50 (12)
YEAR TOTAL: 27 Logos, 11 House Ads, 283 Covers, 588 Pages
Saladino continued to diversify, picking up work at other publishers like Aurora, seen above, but his main workload remained with DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
From THE DESTRUCTOR #2, April 1975
1975
ATLAS/SEABOARD COMICS
30 Logos: Barbarians, Blazing Battle Tales featuring Sgt. Hawk, The Bog Beast, The Brute, The Cougar, Demon Hunter, The Destructor, Devilina, Fright featuring Son of Dracula, The Grim Ghost, The Hands of the Dragon, IronJaw, Man-Monster, Morlock 2001, Phoenix, Planet of Vampires, Police Action featuring Lomax N.Y.P.D. and Luke Malone Manhunter (3 versions), Savage Combat Tales Featuring Sgt. Stryker’s Death Squad, The Scorpion, Tales of Evil, The Tarantula, Targitt, Thrilling Adventure Stories, Tiger-Man, Vicki, Weird Tales of the Macabre, Western Action starring Kid Cody Gunfighter and The Comanche Kid, Wulf the Barbarian
28 Covers: The Brute 1-3 (3), The Cougar 1 (1), The Destructor 2-3 (2), The Grim Ghost 2 (1), IronJaw 2-3 (2), Morlock 2001 2 (1), Phoenix 2 (1), Planet of Vampires 1-2 (2), Police Action 2 (1), Savage Combat Tales 1-2 (2), The Scorpion (2), Tales of Evil 1-2 (2), Targitt 1 (1), Tiger-Man 1 (1), Vicki 1, 3 (2), Weird Suspense 1-2 (2), Western Action 1 (1), Wulf the Barbarian 2 (1)
131 Pages: The Cougar 1 (20), Phoenix 2-3 (31), Planet of Vampires 2 (20), Police Action 1-2 (20), Tales of Evil 2-3 (21), Thrilling Adventure Stories 1-2 (19)
DC COMICS
23 Logos: Atlas, Batman Family, Beowulf Dragon Slayer, The Bible, Brainiac, Christmas with the Super-Heroes, Claw the Unconquered, DC Super Stars, Dr. Fate, Earth Shaking Stories, 1st Issue Special, Ghost Castle, Hercules Unbound, The Joker, Justice Inc., Lady Cop, Man-Bat, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Pa Kent, Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter, Secret Origins of Super-Villains, Stalker, Super-Team Family
3 House Ads
160 Covers: Action Comics 443-449, 451-452 (9), Adventure Comics 442 (1), Batman 260-265, 267-268 (8), Beowulf 3 (1), The Brave and the Bold 116-118, 120-122 (6), Claw the Unconquered 1-2 (2), DC Special 17-18 (2), Detective Comics 444-447, 449, 451-452 (7), 1st Issue Special 9 (1), The Flash 231-234, 237 (5), Ghosts 34-39, 41-44 (10), G.I. Combat 175-180, 182-185 (10), House of Mystery 228-229, 233, 236-237 (5), Limited Collectors’ Edition C-34 (1), Omac 3-8 (6), Our Army At War 276-281, 284 (7), Our Fighting Forces 154-155, 159-162 (6), The Phantom Stranger 35, 39 (2), Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter 1, 3 (2), The Sandman 4 (1), Secrets of Haunted House 4 (1), The Shadow 10 (1), Shazam! 16-20 (5), Stalker 3 (1), Star Spangled War Stories 184-186, 188-189, 194 (6), Superboy 206-212 (7), Superman 283-288, 291-292, 294 (9), Superman Family 168-173 (6), Tales of Ghost Castle 3 (1), Tarzan 237, 243-244 (3), The Unexpected 161-163, 166-170 (8), Weird War Tales 41 (1), Weird Western Tales 31 (1), The Witching Hour 50-52, 54-55, 57, 59 (7), Wonder Woman 215-217, 221 (4), World’s Finest Comics 227-231, 233-234 (7)
54 Pages: Action Comics 443-449 (4), Batman 260-262 (8), The Brave and the Bold 120 (2), Detective Comics 444-445 (3), The Flash 232 (1), House of Mystery 228-229 (4), The Inhumans, Limited Collectors’ Edition C-35 C-37 (2), Shazam! 16-17 (2), Superman 284 (1), Superman Family 168-172 (17), Tarzan 234 (1), The Unexpected 161-162 (2), World’s Finest Comics 227-228 (6), Young Love 114 (1)
MARVEL COMICS
24 Logos: Adventures on the Planet of the Apes, Bloodstone, The Champions, Conan the Barbarian, Ghost Rider, (Giant-Size) Super-Villain Team-Up, Giant Superhero Holiday Grab Bag, Hercules, Iron Fist, Kid Colt, The Legion of Monsters (2 versions), Marvel Chillers featuring Modred the Mystic, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Masters of Terror, MGM’s Marvelous Wizard of Oz, The Punisher, The Rawhide Kid, Red Sonja, Satana, The Scarecrow, Two-Gun Kid, Vampire Tales, Warlock
7 House Ads
88 Covers: Amazing Adventures 31 (1), The Amazing Spider-Man 141 (1), Arrgh! 3 (1), The Avengers 132, 134, 142 (3), Captain America 183, 187 (2), Captain Marvel 41 (1), Conan the Barbarian 46, 48, 50, 52 (4), Creatures On the Loose 36 (1), Crypt of Shadows 16 (1), Doctor Strange 9 (1), Fantastic Four 156-157, 160, 165 (4), Frankenstein 17-18 (2), Ghost Rider 11 (1), Giant-Size Avengers 3 (1), Giant-Size Conan 3, 5 (2), Giant-Size Dracula 5 (1), Giant-Size Man-Thing 4-5 (2), Giant-Size Spider-Man 5 (1), Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up 1-2 (2), Giant-Size Werewolf 4 (1), Giant-Size X-Men 1 (1), The Human Torch 3, 7 (2), The Incredible Hulk 184, 187, 193-194 (4), The Invaders 2-3 (2), Iron Man 74, 81 (2), Journey Into Mystery 19 (1), Jungle Action 17 (1), Ka-Zar 11 (1), Man-Thing 14-16, 18 (4), Marvel Adventure 1 (1), Marvel Double Feature 13 (1), Marvel Premiere 20-24 (5), Marvel Spotlight 21, 23-24 (3), Marvel Tales 62 (1), Marvel Team-Up 34, 38 (2), Marvel Two-In-One 8 (1), Master of Kung-Fu 26-27, 33 (3), The Mighty Marvel Western 40 (1), Night Rider 6 (1), Power Man 24-25 (2), Skull the Slayer 2 (1), Spidey Super Stories 14 (1), Supernatural Thrillers 12 (1), Thor 240 (1), Tomb of Dracula 28, 35, 37, 39 (4), War Is Hell 13 (1), Weird Wonder Tales 11 (1), Werewolf By Night 29, 32-34 (4), Western Gunfighters 28 (1), X-Men 95 (1)
163 Pages: Amazing Adventures 33 (1), The Amazing Spider-Man 150 (1), Arrgh! 3 (1), Astonishing Tales 28-32 (2), The Avengers 137-140 (3), Captain America 187-192 (3), Captain Marvel 39 (1), Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu 10-19 (10), The Defenders 22-30 (4), Doctor Strange 9 (1), Dracula Lives! 11 (1), Frankenstein 18 (1), Ghost Rider 15 (1), Giant-Size Avengers 3-4 (25), Giant-Size Chillers 3 (2), Giant-Size Defenders 4 (1), Giant-Size Man-Thing 5 (3), Giant-Size Powerman 1 (1), The Incredible Hulk 183 (1), Iron Fist 2 (1), Iron Man 75 (1), Kull and the Barbarians 3 (2), Legion of Monsters 1 (1), Man-Thing 19 (1), Marvel Chillers 2 (1), Marvel Premiere 22-26 (4), Marvel Spotlight 21 (1), Marvel Team-Up 35-36, 38-40 (5), Marvel Two-In-One 8-9 (2), Master of Kung-Fu 30-31 (2), MGM’s Marvelous Wizard of Oz (72), Power Man 25 (1), Savage Tales 10 (1), Super-Villain Team-Up 1, 3 (2), Vampire Tales 9 (1), Werewolf By Night 27, 30 (2)
NATIONAL LAMPOON
10 pages: Jan, March (10)
WARREN
10 Pages: Creepy 75 (10)
YEAR TOTAL: 77 Logos, 10 House Ads, 277 Covers, 369 Pages
Atlas/Seaboard, a new publishing effort from Martin Goodman, lasted less than a year, but Gaspar designed all their logos, and did plenty of other work for the company, making this his busiest year ever, at least on logos, when added to his Marvel and DC work.
From ADVENTURE COMICS #448, Nov 1976
1976
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
71 Daily strips: The Virtue of Vera Valiant
11 Sunday strips: The Virtue of Vera Valiant
DC COMICS
15 Logos: Blitzkrieg, Code Name Assassin, DC Super-Stars, Four Star Spectacular, Freedom Fighters, Isis, Kobra, The Man Behind the Gun, Outsiders, Patchwork Man, Ragman, Starman, Strange Flying Saucers Adventures, The 3 Musketeers, Welcome Back Kotter
7 House Ads
135 Covers: Action Comics 455, 458-463 (7), Adventure Comics 443, 445 (2), All-Star Comics 58, 62 (2), Batman 271-272, 278-281 (6), Batman Family 7-8 (2), Blitzkrieg 1-2, 4 (3), The Brave and the Bold 124, 127, 129 (3), Claw the Unconquered 5 (1), DC Special 20, 22-24 (4), DC Super-Stars 1, 3, 5, 7-9 (6), Detective Comics 456-457, 464-466 (5), 1st Issue Special 10 (1), The Flash 239, 244-245 (3), Four Star Spectacular 1, 5 (2), Freedom Fighters 5 (1), Ghosts 46-50 (5), G.I. Combat 187, 189-190, 193-194, 196-197 (6), Green Lantern 90 (1), Hercules Unbound 7 (1), House of Mystery 244-246 (3), Man-Bat 2 (1), Metal Men 46-48 (3), Our Army At War 290, 293, 295-296 (4), Our Fighting Forces 166, 169-170 (3), Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter 11 (1), The Sandman 6 (1), The Secret Society of Super-Villains 3-4 (2), Stalker 4 (1), Star Spangled War Stories 200-202 (3), Starfire 1-2 (2), Super DC Giant 27 (1), Superboy 215-217, 219-221 (6), Superman 295-296, 298, 302, 304-306 (7), Superman Family 175-176, 178-179 (4), Super-Team Family 2, 4, 6 (3), Tarzan 245, 256 (2), Teen Titans 44-45 (2), The Unexpected 171, 173, 175-176 (4), Warlord 2 (1), Weird War Tales 48-49 (2), Weird Western Tales 34, 37 (2), Welcome Back Kotter 3, 6-7 (3), The Witching Hour 61-64, 66 (5), Wonder Woman 223, 226 (2), World’s Finest Comics 237-238, 240-242 (5), Young Love 121 (1)
367 Pages: Action Comics 462 (6), Blackhawk 244-248 (87), Detective Comics 463 (11), G.I. Combat 194-197 (47), Limited Collectors’ Edition C-49 (1), Mad 181 (1), Metal Men 47-48 (34), Our Fighting Forces 170 (12), Superman Family 175 (2), Superman VS The Amazing Spider-Man (93), Warlord 1 (18), Weird War Tales 49 (3), Weird Western Tales 33 (18), World’s Finest Comics 240-241 (34)
MARVEL COMICS
20 Logos: Black Beauty, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Eternals, Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag, Giant Superhero Team-Up, Gulliver’s Travels, Howard the Duck, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Moby Dick, Mysterious Island, Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD, Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man, Red Badge of Courage, Star-Lord, The Three Musketeers, Tigra the Were-Woman, The Time Machine, Tom Sawyer, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
1 House Ad
53 Covers: Adventures on the Planet of the Apes 5-6 (2), The Amazing Spider-Man 153 (1), Astonishing Tales 33 (1), Captain America 193-194, 196 (3), Captain Marvel 47 (1), Conan the Barbarian 58-61, 64 (5), Fantastic Four 167-168, 170, 172-173, 175, Annual 11 (7), The Incredible Hulk 200, 205 (2), The Invaders 4-5, 7-8, 11 (5), Iron Man 83 (1), Ka-Zar 15 (1), Marvel Feature 4, 6 (2), Marvel Premiere 29-30 (2), Marvel Spotlight 26-27 (2), Marvel Team-Up 52 (1), Marvel Treasury Edition Special Featuring Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles 1 (1), Marvel Two-In-One Annual 1 (1), Omega the Unknown 1 (1), Thor 244-246, 253 (4), Tomb of Dracula 40-46, 48, 51 (9), Werewolf By Night 37 (1)
272 Pages: Amazing Adventures 36 (1), The Amazing Spider-Man 155-163 (23), The Avengers 147-154 (4), Black Goliath 1-3 (2), Captain America 194-204 (87), The Champions 3-9 (5), Conan the Barbarian 66 (1), Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu 30 (1), The Defenders 39-41 (2), Doctor Strange 18 (1), The Eternals 1 (17), Fantastic Four Annual 11 (1), Ghost Rider 16, 18-19 (3), Howard the Duck 5, 7 (2), The Incredible Hulk 199-203 (4), The Inhumans 6-7 (2), Iron Fist 3, 5-6, 9-10 (5), Iron Man 85, 90, Annual 3 (3), Ka-Zar 16, 18-19 (3), Kull the Destroyer 18 (1), Marvel Chillers 5-7 (3), Marvel Premiere 28-31 (2), Marvel Presents 5-6 (2), Marvel Preview 4, 8-9 (21), Marvel Spotlight 27, 30 (2), Marvel Team-Up 41-45, 48, 50 (7), Marvel Treasury Edition 13 (10), Marvel Treasury Edition Special Featuring Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles 1 (1), Marvel Two-In-One 13-17, 19, 21-22 (8), Master of Kung-Fu 43, 46, Annual 1 (19), Nova 1-4 (5), Omega the Unknown 2, 4 (2), Power Man 31-32, 34-35, 37, Annual 1 (6), Skull the Slayer 4-8 (5), Super-Villain Team-Up 7-8 (2), Thor 243, 245, 247, 249, 251-253 (7), X-Men 99, 102 (2)
YEAR TOTAL: 71 Daily Strips, 11 Sunday Strips, 35 Logos, 8 House Ads, 188 Covers, 639 Pages
Saladino returned to newspaper strip lettering with “The Virtue of Vera Valiant” with Stan Lee and Frank Springer while continuing to letter lots of things for DC and Marvel. The house ad above shows his skill as a designer.
From FANTASTIC FOUR #179, Feb 1977
1977
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
217 Daily strips: The Virtue of Vera Valiant
37 Sunday strips: The Virtue of Vera Valiant
DC COMICS
9 Logos: Black Lightning, Code Name Gravedigger, Danger Dinosaurs At Large, Earth Shattering Disasters, Men of War, Scalphunter, Secret Origins of Super-Heroes, Sgt. Rock, Shade the Changing Man
14 House Ads
130 Covers: Action Comics 467, 475 (2), Adventure Comics 449-453 (5), All-Star Comics 64, 68 (2), Aquaman 58 (1), Batman 283, 287-288, 291-292, 294 (6), Batman Famiy 9-12, 14 (5), Blackhawk 250 (1), DC Special 25, 27 (2), DC Special Series 1, 3-6 (5), DC Super-Stars 11-12, 17 (3), Detective Comics 467, 470-471 (3), The Flash 248-249, 251-256 (8), Four Star Spectacular 6 (1), Freedom Fighters 6 (1), Ghosts 51, 55, 57-59 (5), G.I. Combat 198, 200-201, 204 (4), Green Lantern 93, 97 (2), House of Mystery 249-250, 254 (3), House of Secrets 143-144, 148 (3), Isis 7 (1), Jonah Hex 4-5 (2), Limited Collectors’ Edition C-51 (1), Men of War 1 (1), Metal Men 52, 54 (2), Mister Miracle 20 (1), Our Fighting Forces 171, 174 (2), Ragman 4 (1), Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter 13-15 (3), The Secret Society of Super-Villains 5, 9, 11 (3), Sgt. Rock 309 (1), Shade the Changing Man 2-3 (2), Shazam! 30 (1), Showcase 95 (1), Star Spangled War Stories 204 (1), Starfire 3-4, 6-8 (5), Superboy 223-224 (2), Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes 231, 233-234 (3), Superman 307, 314, 316-318 (5), Superman Family 185-186 (2), Super-Team Family 9 (1), Teen Titans 46, 50 (2), The Unknown Soldier 208, 210 (2), Warlord 6, 9 (2), Weird War Tales 50, 52, 55, 57-58 (5), Weird Western Tales 38, 41 (2), The Witching Hour 67-69, 73-74 (5), Wonder Woman 233, 235-236, 238 (4), World’s Finest Comics 243, 246-247 (3), Young Love 123, 126 (2)
520 Pages: Batman Family 9-15 (26), Black Lightning 1 (17), Blackhawk 250 (17), DC Special Series 1-7 (22), G.I. Combat 198-204 (203), Men of War 1 (12), Metal Men 50-51 (21), Our Fighting Forces 171-176 (70), The Secret Society of Super-Villains 7 (17), Shazam! 27 (17), Starfire 3 (17), Superman 312 (17), Superman Family 182-183 (27), The Unexpected 180 (7), The Unknown Soldier 210 (5), Weird War Tales 57 (8), Weird Western Tales 43 (17)
MARVEL COMICS
8 House Ads
44 Covers: The Amazing Spider-Man 172 (1), Captain Marvel 48-52 (4), Conan the Barbarian 71, 73-76 (5), The Defenders 48 (1), Fantastic Four 178-179, 185 (3), The Incredible Hulk 210, 215, 217 (3), The Invaders 13-14, 16-17, 19 Annual 1 (6), Iron Fist 11 (1), Iron Man 95 (1), Kull the Destroyer 19, 22-23 (3), Marvel Premiere 35-37 (3), Marvel Two-In-One 32 (1), Red Sonja 3, 5-6 (3), Tarzan 2-3 (2)Thor 255-256, 263 (3), 2001 A Space Odyssey 10 (1), What If? 1-2, 4 (3)
221 Pages: The Amazing Spider-Man 165-169 (2), Astonishing Tales 34-35 (2), The Avengers 156-163 (23), The Champions 11-14 (3), The Defenders 45-54 (7), Doctor Strange 23 (1), Fantastic Four 183-185 (34), Ghost Rider 24-26 (3), Godzilla 3 (1), The Incredible Hulk 207-217, Annual 6 (40), The Inhumans 12 (1), Iron Fist 13-14 (2), Iron Man 94-95, 98, 101, 103 (5), John Carter Warlord of Mars 4 (1), Ka-Zar 20 (1), Kull the Destroyer 20, 22 (2), Logan’s Run 2-6 (5), Marvel Team-Up 54-55, 57-62, 64 (10), Marvel Treasury Edition 14-15 (2), Marvel Two-In-One 24-25, 28, 30, 32-34 (7), Master of Kung Fu 48, 54, 56 (3), Ms. Marvel 3, 5-6, 8-9 (5), Nova 10-20 (21), Omega the Unknown 9-10 (2)Power Man 40, 44-47 (5), Son of Satan 8 (1), The Spectacular Spider-Man 2-5, 8 (5), Super-Villain Team-Up 10, 12-14 (4), Thor 257 (1), Tomb of Dracula 58 (18), What If? 3, 5 (2), X-Men 104-105 (2)
WARREN
8 Pages: Creepy 77 (8)
YEAR TOTAL: 217 Daily Strips, 37 Sunday Strips, 9 Logos, 22 House Ads, 174 Covers, 749 Pages
Logos, covers and house ads all took extra time compared to page lettering, and newspaper strips had even more relentless deadlines than comics, but somehow Saladino managed to keep everyone happy.
Original art from THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPERHEROES Daily Oct 2, 1978, restacked for better viewing.
1978
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
54 Daily strips: Conan the Barbarian
5 Sunday strips: Conan the Barbarian
236 Daily strips: The World’s Greatest SuperHeroes
39 Sunday strips: The World’s Greatest Superheroes
DC COMICS
9 Logos: Adventure Comics, Battle Classics, Dynamic Classics, Justice Society, OSS Spies at War, Our Fighting Forces featuring The Losers, Power Girl, The Vixen, Western Classics
22 House Ads
124 Covers: Action Comics 480, 486-487 (3), Adventure Comics 457 (1), All-Star Comics 73-74 (2), Aquaman 59, 62 (2), Batman 295, 302 (2), Batman Family 14-17, 20 (5), Black Lightning 9-10 (2), The Brave and the Bold 143 (1), Challengers of the Unknown 86-87 (2), Claw the Unconquered 10-12 (3), DC Comics Presents 1 (1), DC Special Series 10 (1), Doorway to Nightmare 4 (1), Firestorm 1, 3-5 (4), The Flash 257, 261, 263-264, 266 (5), Freedom Fighters 12, 14-15 (3), Ghosts 60, 62-68 (8), G.I. Combat 205-206, 208-210 (5), Green Lantern 102, 106-108, 110 (5), House of Mystery 258-259, 261 (3), House of Secrets 149, 153 (2), Jonah Hex 9, 11-12, 15 (4), Men of War 6-9 (4), Metal Men 55 (1), Our Fighting Forces 178, 180 (2), Sgt. Rock 315-316, 318-320 (5), Shade the Changing Man 6, 8 (2), Shazam! 34-35 (2), Showcase 96-97, 100 (3), Steel the Indestructible Man 1, 4 (2), Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes 235, 237, 239 (3), Super Friends 15 (1), Superman 324-326, 330 (4), Superman Family 187, 189-190, 192 (4), Super-Team Family 15 (1), The Unexpected 183 (1), The Unknown Soldier 215, 220-221 (3), Warlord 10, 13 (2), Weird War Tales 61, 63, 65, 67-68 (5), Weird Western Tales 46-48 (3), The Witching Hour 77-79, 81, 83 (5), Wonder Woman 242, 247 (2), World’s Finest Comics 248, 250-252 (4)
727 Pages: Adventure Comics 459 (13), All-New Collectors’ Edition C-54 to C-58 (289), Cancelled Comics Cavalcade 2 (17), DC Special Series 15 (1), Ghosts 60-71 (32), G.I. Combat 205-210 (248), Mad 200 (7), Men of War 10 (18), Our Fighting Forces 177-181 (70), Superman Family 191 (1), The Unexpected 184 (7), The Witching Hour 76-85 (24)
MARVEL COMICS
2 House Ads
21 Covers: The Amazing Spider-Man 186 (1), Black Panther 7, 12 (2), Conan the Barbarian 88, 91 (2), Fantastic Four 196, 200 (2), The Incredible Hulk 227 (1), Iron Man 115 (1), Kull the Destroyer 29 (1), Marvel Premiere 43 (1), Marvel Tales 96 (1), Marvel Treasury Edition 19 (1), Marvel Two-In-One Annual 3 (1), Tarzan 14 (1), Thor 267, 273, 275-276, Annual 7 (5), What If? 11 (1)
187 Pages: The Avengers 168-173 Annual 8 (3), Captain America 222-228 (3), Captain Marvel 54-56 (3), Conan the Barbarian 82 (1), The Defenders 55-66 (21), Fantastic Four 198, Annual 13 (2), Ghost Rider 28, 30-32 (4), Godzilla 12, 14, 16-17 (4), Howard the Duck 27 (17), The Human Fly 6, 10, 15 (3), The Incredible Hulk 219-230 (22), Iron Man 106, 110-111, 113-116 (7), John Carter Warlord of Mars 11, 18-19 (3), Kull the Destroyer 27, 29 (2), Marvel Comics Super Special 3 (46), Marvel Premiere 40-44 (18), Marvel Team-Up 66-67, 71, 74 (6), Marvel Treasury Edition 18 (1), Marvel Triple Action 45 (3), Marvel Two-In-One 39, 45-46, Annual 3 (4), Master of Kung Fu 60-63, 65-66, 68-69 (8), Ms. Marvel 13, 16, 20 (3), Nova 20-22 (18), Power Man 49, 51, 53-54 (4), The Rampaging Hulk 8 (5), Savage Sword of Conan 34 (25), The Spectacular Spider-Man 14, 24-25 (3), Tarzan Annual 2 (1), Tomb of Dracula 62, 65 (2), X-Men 112-114 (3)
STAR*REACH
18 Pages: Star*Reach 3-4 (18)
YEAR TOTAL: 290 Daily Strips, 44 Sunday Strips, 9 Logos, 24 House Ads, 145 Covers, 932 Pages
In 1978, Saladino began his best-known and longest-running newspaper strip for DC, seen above, while also doing one for Marvel, and lots of other work for both companies. Cutbacks at DC, nicknamed “The DC Implosion,” had some effect late in the year, and more in the next one.
From G.I. Combat #212, Feb-March 1979
1979
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
283 Daily strips: The World’s Greatest SuperHeroes
47 Sunday strips: The World’s Greatest Superheroes
DC COMICS
2 Logos: Sgt. Rock’s Prize Battle Tales, Super Heroes (licensing)
17 House Ads
93 Covers: Action Comics 491, 493, 495-498, 502 (7), Adventure Comics 462, 464-465 (3), All-Out War 2 (1), Batman 307, 309, 313, 318 (4), The Best of DC 2 (2), The Brave and the Bold 146, 148, 155 (3), DC Comics Presents 16(1), DC Special Series 17-18 (2), Detective Comics 482, 484-486 (4), Ghosts 74-75, 82-83 (4), G.I. Combat 212-216 (5), Green Lantern 114, 117-118, 123 (4), House of Mystery 266, 270-271, 273-275 (6), Jonah Hex 25-26, 29, 31 (4), Men of War 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23 (6), Secrets of Haunted House 15, 18 (2), Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes 250, 257 (2), Super Friends 16-18, 20-22, 27 (7), Superman 333-335, 341 (4), Superman Family 194 (1), The Unexpected 189-192 (4), The Unknown Soldier 227-228, 231, 234 (4), Warlord 19-20 (2), Weird War Tales 71, 77, 81-82 (4), Weird Western Tales 57 (1), Wonder Woman 251, 254, 260 (3), World’s Finest Comics 255, 257-259 (4)
452 Pages: Action Comics 500 (64), All-Out War 1-2 (74), The Brave and the Bold 148 (17), Detective Comics 484-487 (32), Ghosts 72-78 (24), G.I. Combat 211-216 (191), Superman Family 194 (15), The Unexpected 191-192 (13), The Unknown Soldier 224 (13), World’s Finest Comics 256 (9)
MARVEL COMICS
56 Covers: The Avengers: 187, 189-190, Annual 9 (4), Black Panther 15 (1), Captain America 233, 237-238, 240 (4), Conan the Barbarian 94, 98-100, 104 (5), The Defenders 74 (1), Doctor Strange 34 (1), Fantastic Four 203, 207-209, 211 (5), Ghost Rider 39 (1), Godzilla 21-22 (2), Howard the Duck 30 (1), The Human Fly 19 (1), The Incredible Hulk 232-233 (2), The Invaders 37, 40 (2), Iron Man 119-120, 129 (3), Machine Man 10 (1), Marvel Team-Up 87 (1), Marvel Treasury Edition 24 (1), Marvel Two-In-One 51-53, 58 (4), Master of Kung-Fu 74, 77 (2), Nova 24-25 (2), Power Man 55 (1), Red Sonja 14 (1), Spider-Woman 12-14 (3), Super-Villain Team-Up 16 (1), Thor 283-285 (3), Tomb of Dracula 69 (1), What If? 13-14 (2)
91 Pages: The Amazing Spider-Man 191-192 (2), The Avengers 181-188 (21), Black Panther 15 (1), Captain America 232-237 (3), Captain Marvel 60 (1), The Defenders 67-68 (2), Ghost Rider 38 (1), Godzilla 18-20, 23 (4), Howard the Duck 30 (1), The Human Fly 19 (1), The Incredible Hulk 237 (1), The Invaders 41 (1), Iron Man 119 (1), John Carter Warlord of Mars 24-26, 28 (4), Marvel Premiere 46-51 (4), Marvel Spotlight 1 (1), Marvel Team-Up 81-82, 84, 87 (4), Marvel Two-In-One 47-49, 52-53 (5), Master of Kung Fu 72 (17), Micronauts 8, 10 (2), Ms. Marvel 23 (1), Power Man 55, 58 (2), Red Sonja 14 (1), The Spectacular Spider-Man 26, 29, 35 (3), Spider-Woman 14, 21 (2), Shogun Warriors 9 (1), X-Men 117, 121, 123. 125 (4)
YEAR TOTAL: 283 Daily Strips, 47 Sunday Strips, 2 Logos, 17 House Ads, 149 Covers, 543 Pages
With production cut in half at DC, and not as much work forthcoming at Marvel, Saladino at least had steady work on the newspaper strip, and was still busy in his thirtieth full year in comics.
From MARVEL TREASURY EDITION #27, 1980
1980
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
313 Daily strips: The World’s Greatest SuperHeroes Present Superman
52 Sunday strips: The World’s Greatest Superheroes Present Superman
DC COMICS
5 Logos: Batgirl, Ra’s Al Ghul Master of the Assassins, The Untold Legend of The Batman (3 versions)
42 House Ads
154 Covers: Action Comics 504-505, 508-509, 512-514 (7), Adventure Comics 467-473, 476-477 (9), All-Out War 3-6 (4), Batman 319-323, 327-330 (9), The Brave and the Bold 161-162, 164, 166, 168-169 (6), DC Comics Presents 18-22, 24, 28 (7), DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest 1-4 (4), DC Special Series 20, 22 (2), Detective Comics 487-497 (11), The Flash 285, 288-289, 292 (4), Ghosts 85, 87, 91-95 (7), G.I. Combat 219, 221-224 (5), Green Lantern 128, 130, 135 (3), House of Mystery 279-282, 286-287 (6), Jonah Hex 36, 42 (2), Men of War 25 (1), Mystery In Space 112, 114 (2), The New Adventures of Superboy 1, 7-9, 12 (5), The New Teen Titans 2 (1), Secrets of Haunted House 20, 23-25, 27-31 (9), Sgt. Rock 342 (1), Superboy Spectacular 1 (1), Super Friends 32, 37-38 (3), Superman 346-348, 350, 352-354 (7), Superman Family 199, 201 (2), The Unexpected 195-196, 199, 202-205 (7), The Unknown Soldier 239-241, 243-246 (7), The Untold Legend of The Batman 1-3 (3), Warlord 34, 39 (2), Weird War Tales 87-88, 90, 92-94 (6), Weird Western Tales 67, 70 (2), Wonder Woman 266, 268, 271-274 (6), World’s Finest Comics 260-261, 265 (3)
545 Pages: Adventure Comics 468-478 (84), All-Out War 3-6 (152), DC Special Series 22 (11), Detective Comics 496 (10), G.I. Combat 217-224 (246), House of Mystery 280 (5), Mystery In Space 113-114 (12), Superboy Spectacular 1 (1), The Unexpected 195 (6), World’s Finest Comics 263 (18)
MARVEL COMICS
52 Covers: The Amazing Spider-Man 200, 208, 210 (3), The Avengers 192, 194-196, 198-199, 201 (7), Captain America 245, 247, 249, 251 (4), Conan the Barbarian 107 (1), Fantastic Four 217-218, 223, 225, Annual 15 (5), The Incredible Hulk 248, 253 (2), Iron Man 130, 135, 137, 139, 141 (5), Machine Man 16 (1), Man-Thing 2 (1), Marvel Premiere 55 (1), Marvel Spotlight 5 (1), Marvel Treasury Edition 26-27 (2), Marvel Two-In-One 59, 62, 64, 67-69, Annual 5 (7), Master of Kung-Fu 84, 89-90, 94-95 (5), Micronauts Annual 2 (1), The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 2 (1), Super-Villain Team-Up 17 (1), Thor 297 (1), X-Men 132-134 (3)
YEAR TOTAL: 313 Daily Strips, 52 Sunday Strips, 5 Logos, 42 House Ads, 203 Covers, 564 Pages
DC Comics gradually ramped up production again in 1980, and Saladino’s skills were in demand for house ads and covers. He was also still doing quite a few covers for Marvel.
From MADAME XANADU #1, July 1982
1981
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
295 Daily strips: The World’s Greatest SuperHeroes Present Superman
51 Sunday strips: The World’s Greatest Superheroes Present Superman
DC COMICS
11 Logos: Adventure Comics, All-Star Squadron, Arak Son of Thunder, Batman’s Villains, Dial “H” for Hero, Fortress of Solitude, Guardians of the Universe, Krypton Chronicles, Madame Xanadu, Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, U.F.O. Invaders
2 House Ads, 1 Promotional Poster
162 Covers: Action Comics 516-521, 523, 525-526 (9), Adventure Comics 479-488 (10), All-Star Squadron 1-4 (4), Arak 1-4 (4), Batman 331-342 (12), The Best of DC 14-15, 18-19 (4), The Brave and the Bold 171-178,180-181 (10), DC Comics Presents 30-35, 38-40 (9), DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest 8, 10-16 (8), DC Special Series 23-24, 26-27 (4), Detective Comics 498-501, 503-504, 506-509 (10), The Flash 293, 295-301, 303-304 (10), Ghosts 97-107 (11), G.I. Combat 225-236 (12), Green Lantern 136-142, 144, 146-147 (10), House of Mystery 288-299 (12), Jonah Hex 45-51, 53-55 (10), Madame Xanadu 1 (1), Mystery In Space 115-117 (3), The New Adventures of Superboy 13, 15-17, 19-21, 23-24 (9), The New Teen Titans 3, 5-7, 9-11, 13-14 (9), Secrets of Haunted House 34, 36-41, 43 (8), Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes 1-3 (3), Sgt. Rock 356, 359 (2), Super Friends 41-43, 46 (3), Superman 356-366 (11), Superman Family 205-213 (9), Tales of the Green Lantern Corps 1, 3 (2), The Unexpected 207-208, 210-212, 214-216 (8), The Unknown Soldier 247-253, 255-258 (11), Warlord 42-48, 50-52 (10), Weird War Tales 95-104, 106 (11), Wonder Woman 275-277, 279-281, 283-286 (10), World’s Finest Comics 266-268, 270-274 (8)
425 Pages: DC Special Series 26-27 (65), The Flash 293 (12), G.I. Combat 225-236 (263), House of Mystery 299 (12), Jonah Hex 49-52 (24), Mad 222 (1), Mystery In Space 115 (7), Secrets of Haunted House 41 (3), The Unexpected 206-208 (11), The Unknown Soldier 249 (8), Warlord 49 (8), Weird War Tales 99-102 (11)
MARVEL COMICS
53 Covers: The Avengers 203-207, 209-210, 214 (10), Captain America 253-254, 258, 261-263 (6), Fantastic Four 226-228, 230-231, 233-234, 236 (8), Iron Man 142-144, 147-148, 150-151 (7), Marvel Two-In-One 71-73, 76-82 (10), Master of Kung-Fu 96, 99, 104 (3), Moon Knight 12 (1), Thor 304-305, 307-308, 310, 312-313, Annual 9 (8)
1 Page: The Avengers 211 (1)
YEAR TOTAL: 295 Daily Strips, 51 Sunday Strips, 11 Logos, 2 House Ads, 1 Promo Poster, 212 Covers, 426 Pages
Work for Gaspar at Marvel was in decline in 1981, as more of it went to staffers and younger letterers. Saladino found steadier employment at DC, and the newspaper strip continued.
From NIGHT FORCE #1, Aug 1982
1982
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
66 Daily strips: The Incredible Hulk
1 Sunday strip: The Incredible Hulk
295 Daily strips: Superman
49 Sunday strips: Superman
DC COMICS
6 Logos: The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The Global Guardians, Green Arrow, Luthor, Night Force, The Saga of the Swamp Thing
13 House Ads
304 Covers: Action Comics 527-538 (12), Adventure Comics 489-494 (6), All-Star Squadron 5-9, 11-16 (11), Arak 5-16 (12), Arion Lord of Atlantis 1 (1), Batman 343-354 (12), The Best of DC 21-31 (11), Blackhawk 251-252 (2), The Brave and the Bold 182-185, 188-193 (10), Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew 1-10 (10), The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl 1-2 (2), DC Comics Presents 41-50 (10), DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest 17-19, 21-22, 24 (6), Detective Comics 510-516, 518-521 (11), The Flash 305-315 (11), The Fury of Firestorm 1, 3-5, 7 (5), Ghosts 108-112 (5), G.I. Combat 237-245, 247-248 (11), Green Lantern 148-159 (12), House of Mystery 300-304, 306-307, 309 (8), Jonah Hex 56-60, 62-67 (11), Masters of the Universe 3 (1), The New Adventures of Superboy 25-36 (12), The New Teen Titans 15-19, 21-26 (11), Night Force 1 (1), The Phantom Zone 1-4 (4), Secrets of Haunted House 45-46 (2), Sgt. Rock 360-371 (12), Superman 367-372, 374-376, 378 (10), Superman Family 214-218, 220-222 (8), Tales of the New Teen Titans 1-4 (4), The Unexpected 218-222 (5), The Unknown Soldier 259-263, 265-268 (9), Warlord 53, 55-61, 64 (9), Weird War Tales 107-112, 114-118 (11), Wonder Woman 287-290, 294-296 (7), World’s Finest Comics 275-278, 280-284 (9)
289 Pages: Centipede 1 (32), G.I. Combat 237-248 (150), House of Mystery 300-313 (21), Mad 229-233 (2), Saga of the Swamp Thing Annual 1 (41), The Unexpected 221 (9)The Unknown Soldier 265-267 (24), World’s Finest Comics 277 (10)
MARVEL COMICS
2 Covers: Fantastic Four 238 (1), Spider-Man Storm and Power-Man (no number) (1)
YEAR TOTAL: 361 Daily Strips, 50 Sunday Strips, 6 Logos, 13 House Ads, 306 Covers, 289 Pages
1982 saw an increase in cover lettering at DC for Saladino, and he lettered the comics adaptation of the Swamp Thing movie for the current comic’s Annual. The DC newspaper strip continued to provide steady income, but the Marvel work had mostly stopped.
From BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1, Aug 1983
1983
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
295 Daily strips: Superman
49 Sunday strips: Superman
DC COMICS
5 Logos: The Aliens, Batman and the Outsiders, Funny Stuff, Power Lords, Superwoman
2 House Ads
231 Covers: Action Comics: 542-550 (9), Adventure Comics 495-503 (9), All-Star Squadron 17-28 Annual 2 (13), Amethyst Princess of Gemworld 1, 7 (2), Arak 17-28 (12), Arion Lord of Atlantis 4, 9, 13 (3), Batman 356-357, 359-362, 364-365 (8), Batman and the Outsiders 1-2, 4 (3), The Best of DC 32-34, 36-37, 39-43 (10), Blackhawk 254-256, 258, 262 (5), The Brave and the Bold 194-195, 197-200 (6), Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew 11-20 (10), The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl 3-10, 12-13 (10), DC Comics Presents 53, 55-63 (10), Detective Comics 522-525, 527-529, 533 (8), The Flash 318-319, 324, 327-328 (5), The Fury of Firestorm 8-9, 11-12, 14-18 (9), G.I. Combat 249-257, 259-260 (11), Green Arrow 1-2 (2), Green Lantern 160-162, 164-165, 170 (6), Green Lantern/Green Arrow 2 (1), House of Mystery 319, 321 (2), Jonah Hex 68-69 (2), The New Adventures of Superboy 37-48 (12), The New Teen Titans 28-32, 34-36 (8), Night Force 11, 13-14 (3), The Omega Men 1, 3-4, 6-8 (6), Power Lords 1 (1), Sgt. Rock 372-374, 377-381, 383 (9), Supergirl 14 (1), Superman 379-385, 387-390 (11), Warlord 65-69, 71 (6), Weird War Tales 120, 122-124 (4), Wonder Woman 300-301, 308-310 (5), World’s Finest Comics 290-298 (9)
329 Pages: The Brave and the Bold 200 (16), The Flash 328 (22), G.I. Combat 249-260 (236), Mad 242 (2), Superman Annual 9 (30), Sword of the Atom 2 (23)
MARVEL COMICS
16 Pages: Spider-Man Firestar and Iceman at the Dallas Ballet Nutcracker (no number) (16)
YEAR TOTAL: 295 Daily Strips, 49 Sunday Strips, 5 Logos, 2 House Ads, 231 Covers, 345 Pages
In 1983, Gaspar continued to work mostly for DC, and on the DC newspaper strip. His little-known and uncredited lettering work for MAD also continued, but there wasn’t much of that. Saladino’s workload was mainly on strips and covers in this year.
From SIX FROM SIRIUS #1, July 1984
1984
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
313 Daily strips: Superman
52 Sunday strips: Superman
DC COMICS
6 Logos: DeSaad, Kalibak, Manhunter, New Talent Showcase, Star Trek, Santa Claus
1 House Ad
230 Covers: Action Comics 551-554, 556, 558-559, 561-562 (9), All-Star Squadron 29-32, 35-40 (10), Arak 29-33, 35-39 (10), Arion Lord of Atlantis 24 (1), Atari Force 1-4, 9, 11-12 (7), Batman 368, 372-378 (8), Batman and the Outsiders 6, 9-13, 15-16 (8), The Best of DC 44-50, 52-55 (11), Blackhawk 271-273 (3), Blue Devil 1-2, 4-5, 7 (5), DC Comics Presents 68, 70, 72-75 (6), Detective Comics 535-536, 538, 541-543, 545 (7), The Flash 329-340 (12), The Fury of Firestorm 19-25, 27-29 (10), G.I. Combat 261-265, 267-272 (11), Green Lantern 172-175, 177-183 (11), Infinity Inc. 1-6, 8 (7), Jonah Hex 80, 83, 85-86, 88 (5), The Losers Special 1 (1), The New Adventures of Superboy 50, 52 (2), New Gods 1-3, 5-6 (5), The New Teen Titans 38, 40 (2), The Omega Men 11-12, 15, 18, Annual 1 (5), Power Lords 3 (1), Saga of the Swamp Thing 24 (1), Sgt. Rock 384-385, 387-394 (10), Spanner’s Galaxy 1 (1), Star Trek 1-4, 6, 9 (6), Supergirl 16-18, 20-23 (7), Superman 392-393, 395-399, 401-402 (9), Tales of the Teen Titans 41-45, 48-49, Annual 3 (8), Thriller 4-5, 12 (3), Vigilante 3-4, 7-10, 13 (7), Warlord 84, 86 (2), Wonder Woman 311-322 (12), World’s Finest Comics 300, 303, 306-310 (7)
349 Pages: Flash Force 2000 (14), G.I. Combat 261-272 (238), The Losers Special 1 (40), Mad 244-249 (4), Superman 400 (13), Vigilante 3 (23), Warlord 82 (17)
MARVEL COMICS
1 Logo: The Jack of Hearts
2 Covers: The Adventures of Kool-Aid Man 2 (2)
228 Pages: The Adventures of Kool-Aid Man 2 (33), The A-Team 2 (22), Epic Illustrated 23-27 (15), Six From Sirius 1-4 (120), Spider-Man Power Pack 1 (8), Timespirits 1 (30)
YEAR TOTAL: 313 Daily Strips, 52 Sunday Strips, 7 Logos, 1 House Ad, 232 Covers, 577 Pages
In 1984, Gaspar began getting new work from Marvel’s Epic imprint, something that would continue for several years. Where creators had more of a say about who lettered their work, they wanted Saladino, it seems. At DC, he was still lettering lots of covers and pages, but fewer of the latter than in earlier days.
From AMETHYST #11, Nov 1985
1985
NEWSPAPER STRIPS
35 Daily strips: Superman
6 Sunday strips: Superman
DC COMICS
5 Logos: Amethyst Princess of Gemworld (issue 11 only), Forgotten Heroes, Forgotten Villains, The Immortal Doctor Fate, The Outsiders
253 Covers: Action Comics 563-567, 569-574 (11), All-Star Squadron 41-52 (12), Ambush Bug 1-4 (4), America VS. The Justice Society 1-4 (4), Amethyst 1, 3-5, 7-9 (7), Arak 40-47, 50 (9), Arion Lord of Atlantis 27, 29, 34-35 Special 1 (5), Atari Force 13, 15-16, 20 (4), Batman 379-383, 385-388, 390 (10), Batman and the Outsiders 19-23, 26-28 (8), The Best of DC 56-59, 62, 64-67 (9), Blue Devil 8-19 Annual 1 (13), Crisis on Infinite Earths 2-4, 6-7 (5), DC Comics Presents 79-81, 86 (4), Detective Comics 548-551, 553-555, 557 (8), The Flash 341-346, 349-350 (8), Funny Stuff Stocking Stuffer 1 (1), The Fury of Firestorm 31-35, 37-42 (11), G.I. Combat 273-280 (8), Green Lantern 185-188, 190-194 (9), Hex 1-4 (4), Infinity Inc. 10-11, 13-21, Annual 1 (12), Jonah Hex 90, 92 (2), The New Teen Titans 6, 10, 12, 15, Annual 1 (5), The Outsiders 1 (1), Red Tornado 1-3 (3), Sgt. Rock 401, 403-407 (6), Shadow of the Batman 1 (1), Spanner’s Galaxy 2-6 (5), Star Trek 10-14, 16-18, 20, Annual 1 (10), V 1-2, 7, 9, 11 (5), Superman 403-410, 412-414 (11), Super Powers 1, 3-4 (3), Tales of the Teen Titans 51-58, 60 (9), Vigilante 14-15, 17, 20-21 (5), Warlord 91, 93, 96, 98, Annual 4 (5), Wonder Woman 323-328 (6), World’s Finest Comics 311-314, 317-322 (10)
In 1985, the long running DC newspaper strip ended. Gaspar’s workload seems to have become lighter over these last few years, perhaps he was taking more time off to enjoy life, or possibly he was finding work outside of comics that I know nothing about.
12 Logos: Blue Beetle, Captain Comet, Cosmic Boy, Deadman, The Elastic Four, Harbinger, Heroes Against Hunger, Lady Quark, Legionnaires 3, Pariah, Tales of the Teen Titans (issue 65), Teen Titans Spotlight
3 House Ads
239 Covers: Action Comics 575-583 (9), Adventures of the Outsiders 34-37, 40 (5), All-Star Squadron 53, 55-64 (11), Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer 1 (1), Amethyst 14-16, Amethyst Special (4), Angel Love 1-2, 4-5 (4), Aquaman 2-4 (3), Batman 391-392, 397, 401-402, Annual 10 (6), Batman and the Outsiders 29-32 (4), The Best of DC 68-70 (3), Blue Beetle 1-4, 6-7 (6), Blue Devil 20-31 (12), Booster Gold 1-10 (10), Cosmic Boy 1 (1), Crisis on Infinite Earths 10 (1), DC Comics Presents 91, 94-97 (5), Detective Comics 559, 562, 564, 566-567 (5), Electric Warrior 8 (1), Elvira’s House of Mystery 1, 3-4 (3), The Fury of Firestorm 43-49, 51, 53 (9), G.I. Combat 281-282, 285-286 (4), Green Lantern 196-199, 202 (5), The Green Lantern Corps 206-207 (2), Hawkman 1-4 (4), Hex 5-6, 9-10, 12, 14-16 (8), Infinity Inc. 22-29, 31-33 (11), Legends 1 (1), Lords of the Ultra-Realm 2-6 (5), ‘Mazing Man 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9-11 (8), The New Teen Titans 17-20, 22-25 (8), The Outsiders 3, 6-7, 9-10, 14 (6), Secret Origins 1-2, 4-6, 9 (6), Sgt. Rock 408-412 (5), Shadow of the Batman 2-5 (4), Son of Ambush Bug 1-6 (6), Star Trek 22-26, 29-33 (10), Superman 415-417, 419-421, 423 (7), Super Powers (Series 1) 5-6 (Series 2) 1-3 (5), Swamp Thing 53 (1), Tales of the Teen Titans 61-62, 64-72, Annual 4 (12), Teen Titans Spotlight 1-4 (4), V 12-13, 15-18 (6), Warlord 101, 105-107, 109, 111 (6), Wonder Woman 329 (1), World’s Finest Comics 323 (1)
223 Pages: Action Comics 582 (24), DC Comics Presents 96 (22), DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel 2 (46), G.I. Combat 281-286 (106), Mad 265 (3), Son of Ambush Bug 1 (22)
MARVEL COMICS
153 Pages: Moonshadow 8 (31), Swords of the Swashbucklers 7-10 (122)
YEAR TOTAL: 12 Logos, 3 House Ads, 239 Covers, 450 Pages
In 1986, Neal Adams became a comics publisher with his line of Continuity Comics, and Gaspar lettered some of them. Gaspar did more logos for DC than in the previous few years, and continued to letter some of Marvel’s Epic line.
From BLOOD: A TALE #2, 1987
1987
CONTINUITY
27 Pages: Armor 3 (27)
DC COMICS
3 Logos: Elvira’s Haunted Holidays, The Golden Age Fury, Slash Maraud
1 House Ad
192 Covers: Action Comics 584-587, 590-595 (10), Adventures of Superman 424-425, Annual 1 (3), Adventures of the Outsiders 41, 44, 46 (3), All-Star Squadron 66-67 (2), Amethyst 1-4 (4), Angel Love 6-8 (3), Batman 403, 412 (2), Blue Beetle 8-15 (8), Booster Gold 12-13, 15, 17-23 (10), Captain Atom 1, 3-4, 10 (4), Centurions 1 (1), Cosmic Boy 3-4 (2), Detective Comics 573 (1), Doc Savage 1 (1), Dr. Fate 1 (1), Elvira’s Haunted Holidays Special 1 (1), The Flash 1-4, 6-7, Annual 1 (7), The Fury of Firestorm 55-56, 58-61, 63-64 (8), G.I. Combat 287-288 (2), The Green Lantern Corps 209, 212-216, 218-219 (8), Hawkman 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16-17 (9), Hex 17-18 (2), Infinity Inc. 34-35, 37-40, 42-43, Special 1 (9), Legends 4, 6 (2), Mask 1-6, 8-9 (8), The New Teen Titans 28, 31, 33-34, 36-37 (6), Outcasts 2-3 (2), The Outsiders 15, 17-20, 23, 25-26, Special 1 (9), The Question 10 (1), Secret Origins 14, 16, Annual 1 (3), Sgt. Rock 414-418 (5), Shazam the New Beginning 2-3 (2), Silverblade 1, 4 (2), The Spectre 1 (1), Star Trek 34-36, 38, 40-41, 45 (7), Suicide Squad 3-5, 7 (3), Superman 1-6, 9, 11-12 (9), Tales of the Teen Titans 73-80 (8), Talos of the Wilderness Sea 1 (1), Teen Titans Spotlight 9, 11-13 (4), Vigilante 39-40, 45 (3), Warlord 114-115, 119, 122-123, Annual 6 (6), Wild Dog 1, 4 (2), Wonder Woman 2-4, 6, 10-11 (6), Zatanna Special 1 (1)
491 Pages: The Fury of Firestorm 58 (22), G.I. Combat 287-288 (31), Mad 273-274 (6), The Question 1-11 (271), Secret Origins 10 (10), Silverblade 1-4 (106), Talos of the Wilderness Sea 1 (45)
MARVEL COMICS
1 Cover: Spider-Man Hi-C Mini-Comics 1 (1)
402 Pages: The Avengers 281 (22), Blood A Tale 1-4 (180), Elektra Assassin 8 (33), Fallen Angels 4 (22), The Inhumans (Marvel Graphic Novel 39) (20), Moebius 2-4 (34), Swords of the Swashbucklers 11-12 (63), Video Jack 2 (28)
TRIAD PUBLICATIONS
19 Pages: The Honeymooners 3 (19)
YEAR TOTAL: 3 Logos, 1 House Ad, 193 Covers, 894 Pages
Gaspar’s work for Marvel took an upturn in 1987, and it included fine work on painted comics like the example above. He retained his reputation for quality and creativity. At DC, his decades-long regular work on war comics was coming to an end.
From POWER GIRL #2, July 1988
1988
APPLE COMICS
1 Logo: Mr. Fixitt
CONTINUITY
146 Pages: Armor 4-5 (44), Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future 1 (5), The Revengers Featuring Megalith 4 (25), Toyboy 4-6 (72)
DC COMICS
2 Logos: Major Force, Power Girl
1 House Ad
128 Covers: Action Comics (Weekly) 596, 602, 604-608, 612-615, 618-620, 624, 626 (16), Adventures of Superman 442, 444, 446-447 (4), Best of the Brave and the Bold 1 (1), Blue Beetle 20-22 (3), Booster Gold 24-25 (2), Checkmate! 1, 6, 8, 10 (4), Crimson Avenger 3 (1), Detective Comics 584 (1), Doom Patrol 11-14 (4), Dragonlance 1 (1), The Flash 8-11, 13, 15-20 (11), Forever People 1-3 (3), Green Arrow 7 (1), The Green Lantern Corps 221 (1), Hawk & Dove 2-3 (2), Heroes Against Hunger 1 (1), Infinity Inc. 46-47, 49, 52, Annual 2 (5), Millennium 1-8 (8), The New Teen Titans 41-42, 46 (3), Outcasts 4, 6, 9 (3), Peacemaker 2 (1), Power Girl 2, 4 (2), Power of the Atom 1-3, 5 (4), The Question 20 (1), Secret Origins 22, 29 (2), Sgt. Rock 420-422 Special 1 (4), Silverblade 7 (1), Spiral Zone 2-3 (2), Star Trek 48, 53-54 (3), Starman 1-2 (2), Suicide Squad 11, 16, 19, 21, Annual 1 (5), Superman 14-16, 21-22, 24-25, Annual 2 (8), Tales of the Teen Titans 85-87 (3), Warlord 126, 129-131, 133 (5), Wonder Woman 12-13, 17 (3), The World of Smallville 1 (1), Wrath of the Spectre 4 (1), Young All-Stars 10-11, 14-15, Annual 1 (5)
529 Pages: Action Comics (Weekly) 601-609 (72), Checkmate! 4-9 (72), Cops 2 (22), Haywire 4 (24), Invasion 1 (80), The Life Story of The Flash (92), Mad 276-283 (26), The Question 12 (27), Secret Origins 27-32 (66), Silverblade 5 (24), The Wanderers 8 (24)
MARVEL COMICS
94 Pages: The Light and Darkness War 1-2 (56), Strange Tales 11 (11), Video Jack 3 (27)
TRIAD PUBLICATIONS
24 Pages: The Honeymooners 5 (24)
YEAR TOTAL: 3 Logos, 1 House Ad, 128 Covers, 793 Pages
DC lettering formed the bulk of Saladino’s work in 1988, but he also did a few jobs for other small publishers, and continued on Marvel’s Epic line.
From ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS #5, April 1989
1989
APPLE COMICS
1 Cover: Mr. Fixitt 1 (1)
28 Pages: Mr. Fixitt 1 (28)
DC COMICS
69 Covers: Action Comics 637-638, 645 (3), Adventures of Superman 450, 452-453 (3), Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 5-8 (4), Checkmate! 13, 15, 23 (3), Cops 8-10 (3), Doc Savage 9-10 (2), Dragonlance 4 (1), The Flash 22, 24-25, 27-33 (11), Gammarauders 1-2, 4-10 (9), Hawk & Dove 4-5 (2), Hero Hotline 1-6 (6), Manhunter 11-13, 15 (4), Mister Miracle 5 (1), The Phantom 3-4 (2), Power of the Atom 7, 10 (2), Sgt. Rock Special 3-6 (4), Star Trek 2 (1), Suicide Squad 27 (1), Superman 28-29, 32-35 (6), Young All-Stars 27 (1)
145 Pages: Epic Graphic Novel Blueberry 2 (22), The Light and Darkness War 3-6 (112), Solo Avengers 19 (11)
YEAR TOTAL: 69 Covers, 472 Pages
In 1989, Saladino’s DC cover work went into decline, as other letters like me were given more of that work. I’m not sure how Gaspar felt about that, but he’d been working hard at DC for 40 years by this time, so maybe he was okay with it.
From THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER, 1990
1990
APPLE COMICS
20 Pages: Mr. Fixitt 2 (20)
DC COMICS
60 Covers: Adventures of Superman 462, Annual 2 (2), Captain Atom 37 (1), Checkmate! 29-30 (2), The Demon 5 (1), Detective Comics 624 (1), Doc Savage 19-21 (3), Dr. Fate 23 (1), Dragonlance 17-20 (4), El Diablo 12 (1), The Flash 34-35, 37-39, 41, 43-45 (9), Forgotten Realms 11-13 (3), Green Lantern 5 (1), Hawk & Dove 8, 12, 14, Annual 1 (4), ‘Mazing Man Special 3 (1), Mister Miracle 12, 14, 21 (3), New Gods 15-17, 19 (3), The New Titans 62, 69, Annual 6 (3), Sgt. Rock Special 8-10 (3), Star Trek The Next Generation 14 (1), Starman 18, 21, 23-24, 28 (5), Suicide Squad 37 (1), Superboy 6, 9-10 (3), Superman 41-42 (2), Wonder Woman 41-42 (2)
489 Pages: Checkmate! 28-31 (49), Hellblazer 28-36 (216), Mad 292-299 (32), Manhunter 21-24 (88), Nation of Snitches (47), The New Titans 68-69 (48), Secret Origins 50 (9)
DISNEY COMICS
62 Pages: Disney’s The Rescuers Down Under (no number) (62)
In 1990, Disney began publishing their own comics, and new editor-in-chief Len Wein was soon sending lettering work to Gaspar. He continued to letter for Disney through much of the 1990s. As his DC cover lettering continued to decline, he was given more page lettering there.
From SWAMP THING #110, Aug 1991
1991
ARIA PRESS
5 Pages: A Distant Soil 1 (5)
DARK HORSE COMICS
8 Pages: Dark Horse Presents 56 (8)
DC COMICS
1 Logo: Swamp Thing
35 Covers: Action Comics 668-669, 671-672 (4), Adventures of Superman 483 (1), Angel and the Ape 1-3 (3), Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 34-36 (3), The Flash 46 (1), Forgotten Realms 21-23 (3), Hawk & Dove 21-22 (2), Mister Miracle 23-25 (3), New Gods 23-24 (2), The New Titans 77 (1), Sgt. Rock 14 (1), Sgt. Rock Special 11-13 (3), The Shadow Strikes 20 (1), Star Trek 20 (1), Star Trek the Next Generation 15 (1), Starman 38 (1), Suicide Squad 50 (1), Superboy 12-13 (2), Superman 58 (1)
470 Pages: Batman Bride of the Demon (92), Checkmate! 33 (8), Doom Patrol 46 (24), Hellblazer 37-48 (297), Mad 300-306 (25), New Gods 22 (24)
DISNEY COMICS
1 Cover: Chip ‘N’ Dave Rescue Rangers 18 (1)
118 Pages: Disney’s Darkwing Duck LImited Series 1 (24), The Rocketeer The Official Movie Adaptation 1 (64), Roger Rabbit’s Toontown 5 (8), Walt Disney’s Spring Fever 1 (18), Walt Disney’s Summer Fun 1 (4)
HARVEY COMICS
22 Pages: Monster In My Pocket 4 (22)
MARVEL COMICS
15 Pages: Clive Barker’s Hellraiser 10 (15)
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Logo, 36 Covers, 638 Pages
1991 saw Saladino’s last logo design for DC, a new organic version of SWAMP THING. The company was headed away from hand-drawn logos toward type-based ones. Gaspar’s cover lettering continued to decline, but he did pick up more work from Disney.
From LOBO PARAMILITARY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #1, Feb 1992
1992
DARK HORSE COMICS
4 Pages: Dark Horse Presents 58 (4)
DC COMICS
8 Covers: Action Comics 673-675 (3), Arion the Immortal 6 (1), The Flash 67 (1), The New Titans 93 (1), Starman 45 (1), Wonder Woman 69 (1)
764 Pages: Batman Legend of the Dark Knight 39-40 (50), Black Condor 1-7 (154), Deathstroke the Terminator 10-11 (49), Eclipso The Darkness Within 1-2 (112), Eclipso 1-2 (44), Hellblazer 49-60 (278), Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special 1 (46), Mad 309-315 (13), Team Titans 1D (18)
DISNEY COMICS
176 Pages: Disney Adventures Vol 3 #1 (8), Disney’s New Adventures of Beauty and the Beast 1-2 (48), Disney’s The Little Mermaid Limited Series 1-4 (98), Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Adventures 30 (22)
MARVEL COMICS
291 Pages: Clive Barker’s Hellraiser 11-19 (133), An American Tail Fievel Goes West 1-3 (64), Ravage 2099 1 (23), Spider-Man 27-28 (48), Terror Inc. (23)
YEAR TOTAL: 8 Covers, 1,235 Pages
In 1992, Gaspar’s page lettering topped a thousand for the first time since 1967, helped by more work from Disney and Marvel. Some creators, like writer/artist Keith Giffen, knew how to utilize his skills, as seen above.
From IRON MAN #289, Feb 1993
1993
DC COMICS
3 Covers: Hammerlocke 5 (1), The New Titans 94 (1), Wonder Woman 79 (1)
11 Covers: Iron Man 288-291, 293-295, 297-299, Annual 14 (11)
84 Pages: Ectokid 1-4 (84)
YEAR TOTAL: 14 Covers, 1,030 Pages
While Saladino was rarely lettering covers at DC in 1993, editor Nel Yomtov at Marvel hired him as the regular cover letterer on IRON MAN for about two years, and Gaspar’s work was as good as ever.
Beginning in late 1993, Saladino returned to one of his earlier successes as the new regular letterer of THE FLASH. His fine work on the title continued through 1994, as seen above, and for many years.
From MAD #333, Jan 1995
1995
DC COMICS
927 Pages: Bob, the Galactic Bum 1-4 (97), Doom Link (no number) (10), The Flash 97-108 (237), Lobo I Quit (24), Mad 333-340 (10), Mobfire 2-6 (120), R.E.B.E.L.S. 3-14 (255), Sandman Mystery Theatre 22-24 (72), Showcase ’95 7 (10), Starman 10-11 (44), Wonder Woman Annual 4 (48)
MARVEL COMICS
4 Covers: Iron Man 312-315 (4)
32 Pages: 2099 Unlimited 9 (5), What If…? 75 (27)
YEAR TOTAL: 4 Covers, 959 Pages
Gaspar’s uncredited lettering at MAD ended in 1995 with fine work alongside writer/artist Duck Edwing, as seen above. His main employer remained DC Comics.
From SEEKERS INTO THE MYSTERY #1, Jan 1996
1996
DC COMICS
573 Pages: The Flash Annual 9 (38), Final Night 1-4 (89), R.E.B.E.L.S. 15-17 (66), Seekers Into the Mystery 1-9, 11 (240), Showcase ’96 1-7 (50), Steel 24 (24), Total Justice 1-3 (66)
DISNEY COMICS
50 Pages: Disney Adventures Vol 6 #5-6, 13-14 (50)
MARVEL COMICS
26 Pages: What If…? 82 (26)
YEAR TOTAL: 649 Pages
Saladino turned 69 in 1996, and at an age when many comics creators had left the field or retired, Gaspar was still doing a substantial amount of work. Creators like writer J.M. DeMatteis continued to find value in his creativity, as seen above.
From THE BOOK OF FATE #4, May 1997
1997
DC COMICS
681 Pages: Adventures in the DC Universe 4-5 (22), The Book of Fate 1-11 (242), The Flash 109-120 (256), Flash Plus 1 (38), Flash Secret Files 1 (24), Sandman Mystery Theatre 56 (23), Scooby-Doo 1 (16), Speed Force 1 (22), Wonder Woman Plus 1 (38)
Keith Giffen continued to make good use of Saladino’s lettering, as seen above, but his largest role at DC was lettering THE FLASH and related titles. In these years, digital lettering began to move into DC and Marvel, something Gaspar wasn’t interested in doing.
From THE FLASH #138, June 1998
1998
DC COMICS
453 Pages: Action Comics 749 (22), Adventures of Superman 563 (22), The Book of Fate 12 (22), Celebrate the Century 1 (32), Challengers of the Unknown 12-17 (44), The Flash 133-143, 1,000,000 (265), Flash 80-Page Giant 1 (30), Sandman Mystery Theatre 63 (22), Superman 140 (22), Superman Lois 1 (22), Superman The Man of Steel 84 (22), Superman Villains Secret Files 1 (22), Wonder Woman The Once and Future Story (48)
DISNEY COMICS
9 Pages: Disney Adventures Vol 8 #4 (9)
YEAR TOTAL: 462 Pages
By 1998, the year he turned 71, Gaspar’s lettering had become more angular, perhaps reflecting some loss of motor skills, but it still looked and read well, as seen above.
From ACTION COMICS #757, Sept 1999
1999
DC COMICS
389 Pages: Action Comics 757 (22), Adventures of Superman 570 (22), Elseworlds 80-Page Giant 1 (10), The Flash 144-155 (277), Flash Secret Files 2 (4), Green Lantern 80-Page Giant 1 (10), Superman 147 (22), Superman The Man of Steel 92 (22)
YEAR TOTAL: 389 Pages
Gaspar was doing less work by 1999, but it still looked fine to me, and clearly to editors who hired him for crossover events like the one above, which ran through all the Superman titles.
From THE FLASH #156, Jan 2000
2000
DC COMICS
253 Pages: The Flash 156-167 (253)
YEAR TOTAL: 253 Pages
2001
DC COMICS
242 Pages: The Flash 168-179 (242)
YEAR TOTAL: 242 Pages
2002
DC COMICS
254 Pages: The Flash 180-190 (250), 9-11 #2 (4)
YEAR TOTAL: 254 Pages
Gaspar’s last three years as a regular letterer at DC Comics saw him working nearly exclusively on THE FLASH. Toward the end of 2002, DC decided to move to all digital lettering on their books, forcing Saladino out. He turned 75 that year, and perhaps he knew it was time to retire. There was no longer any ready market for his hand-drawn work.
From BATMAN ’66 #4, Dec 2013
2013
DC COMICS
2 Covers: Batman ’66 3-4 (2)
YEAR TOTAL: 2 Covers
2014
DC COMICS
5 Covers: Batman ’66 5, 7-10 (5)
YEAR TOTAL: 5 Covers
In 2013, DC cover editor Curtis King brought Gaspar out of retirement for a series of covers where his lettering style was the perfect match for comics based on the 1966 Batman TV show. Gaspar did seven before ill health forced him to stop. He turned 87 in 2014, and through these covers, extended his DC lettering career to seven decades, a truly remarkable achievement! This was also the year of Gaspar’s first visit to a comics convention, where the photo at the beginning of this article was taken. He had a great time reuniting with old friends like Neal Adams and Len Wein, and spending time with his “lettering posse” of folks like me who revered his work.
From JOE FRANKENSTEIN #1, Feb 2015
2015
IDW
1 Logo: Joe Frankenstein
YEAR TOTAL: 1 Logo
In his final few years, despite poor health, Gaspar was occasionally taking on small lettering jobs. I helped connect him to creator Graham Nolan for this logo design, his last published work as far as I know. He also did some page lettering in 2012 for a project that wasn’t published, you can read about that HERE, but I won’t count it, and there were a few other private commissions for fans. Sadly, Saladino died on the morning of Thursday, August 4th, 2016. He was 88 and a few weeks short of his 89th birthday. His career was an amazing one that I doubt will ever be matched for length, consistency, and talent.
Below are some career totals.
Logo Designs: 416
House Ads: 411
Covers: 5,486
Pages: 52,769
Art: 116
Sunday Newspaper Strips: 160 (equal to about 320 comics pages)
Daily Newspaper Strips: 3,072 (equal to about 1,536 comics pages)
If we count covers as one page of art and add the approximate amounts given above for newspaper strips, that comes to just over 60,000 pages of comics lettering, which doesn’t include logos and house ads, tasks that usually took considerably more time than a single page of lettering. That’s quite a legacy, though surprisingly, not as much as my estimate for Ira Schnapp, which can be found HERE, of about 66,000 pages. Even more surprising when you consider that Ira’s comics career lasted 28 years, while Gaspar’s (counting full-time only) spanned about 53 years. Both men have left bodies of work that are massive and impressive, especially considering that it was all done by hand, one letter at a time. Gaspar’s work was at least known to fans through printed credits on some of it from the 1970s on, but much of what he did was unknown to readers, something I hope this study of his work will help to correct. I hope in time more of his lettering credits will make their way to the Grand Comics Database through the efforts of volunteers. Thanks for reading! More details are on the individual title and subject posts on my blog. Thanks, Gaspar, for the inspiration and friendship.
Walt Disney Productions had been licensing their properties to comic book publishers for many years, Western Publishing for decades, then Gladstone starting in 1985, but from 1990 to 1992, Disney decided to publish their own comics. They brought in comics veteran Len Wein as editor-in-chief, and Len was soon hiring many creators he’d known from DC and Marvel, including his favorite letterer Gaspar Saladino. Gaspar lettered quite a few stories and this one cover for Disney Comics in those years, and later he returned to letter stories for the digest-size magazine DISNEY ADVENTURES in 1996-97. I’ll write about that last. First, the work he did in 90-92, taking the titles in alphabetical order (using the titles from the indicias). As the logo designer and letterer of DC’s SWAMP THING with Len Wein, Gaspar was the perfect choice for the cover blurb above!
This article covers four publishers for which Gaspar Saladino did a small amount of lettering work. Artist Howard Bender worked for several years in the Marvel Comics production department and several more at DC Comics, where we worked together. In 1988 he and writer Craig Boldman created MR. FIXITT for Apple Comics (unrelated to the computer company). There was an ashcan preview and two regular issues. Howard told me: “Gaspar and I were friendly, and he had been to my home. Even so, it was still good of him to consent to letter the logo and first two issues of Mr. Fixitt.” On the cover above, which has a similar design to some of the 1960s DC Comics annuals, there’s a great deal of fine lettering by Saladino, who also did the logo based on Howard’s concept. The lettering adds charm and energy.
Art genius Neal Adams burst onto the comics scene in the late 1960s at DC Comics, creating a new dynamic and hyper-realistic style of covers and story art that readers and fans loved. He also did fine work for Marvel Comics, and was an important part of the turnaround at DC in the 1970s, helping new publisher Jenette Kahn bring fans and readers back to the company. Neal formed his own studio, Continuity Associates, that did all kinds of work, from comics to advertising, and from 1984 to 1994 Continuity published their own comics. They were beautiful to look at, but the stories were sometimes odd and violent, and issues were often late, discouraging return buyers and retailers alike. Neal and his associates, many top creators themselves, did fine artwork, and from 1986 to 1988, Gaspar Saladino lettered some of their comics. In the first example above, he did all the balloon lettering, but the balloon borders may have been made thicker by someone else. I’m not sure if he did any of the top title lettering, I don’t think so, but as with nearly all these examples, he lettered the entire story. Gaspar and Neal had worked together at DC, of course, most famously on SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI, but on plenty of other things before that as well as comics features for NATIONAL LAMPOON, and I see Neal turning to Gaspar for story lettering as a sign that he was going all-in on quality.
