Don Newton

This isn't exactly an obit since he passed away in 1984 but I'm going to write a few words about a terrific comic artist named Don Newton.  I miss Don Newton.  I miss the man and I miss his splendid drawing, which adorned a lot of comics published by DC and Charlton and a few Marvels from around '74 until his sudden, shocking demise.  (He was 49 and had always looked like he was in the peak of health.)  Before that, and even while getting professional work, he turned up in countless fanzines because Don loved to draw comics.  He worked as an art teacher by day and drew for nothing at night, hoping someone would discover him. When someone did, he happily embarked on his career of choice and did splendid work, most notably on The Phantom for Charlton and Batman for DC.

We collaborated on one short Blackhawk tale for DC and talked of doing more stories together, for he was my kind of artist — the kind who's steadfastly dedicated to telling the story and willing to work as long and hard as necessary to tell it properly.  You can see more of that dedication on display at a website that has been set up by a fan of Don's work.  It's www.donnewton.com and it's a nice reminder of a nice man.  He left us way too soon…which, of course, is not so nice.