HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOWARD SHERMAN

Howard Sherman (1909–1993) was born on this date in 1909. A prolific comic book artist whose work spanned the formative years of the industry, Sherman may not be remembered as one of the all-time greats, but his style remains one-of-a-kind. A truly underrated artist of the Golden Age.

Early Life and Education

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sherman developed an early interest in commercial art. He honed his craft at the Pratt Institute, graduating in 1931 with a Certificate of Course Completion. Following his studies, he worked as a freelance commercial artist, contributing illustrations to various pulp magazines throughout the 1930s.

Comic Book Contributions

Sherman’s notable impact on comics began in the early 1940s. He co-created the mystical superhero Doctor Fate, who made his debut in More Fun Comics #55 in 1940.

Beyond Doctor Fate, Sherman contributed to several other significant projects:

• Tommy Tomorrow – A science fiction feature in Action Comics.

• Three Comrades – A war-themed feature in Thrilling Comics.

His art style IS A BIT STIFF BUT STANDS OUT FROM EVERY OTHER STYLE IN THE Golden AGE.

Later Career and Legacy

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Sherman returned to freelance work, this time focusing on educational film strips in the 1950s. In the following decade, he transitioned into toy packaging design.

Sherman retired in 1974 and settled in Howell, New Jersey, where he lived until his passing in 1993.