John S. Lucas (comics)
Encyclopedia
John Sterling Lucas is an American
graphic artist, cartoonist, and designer best known for his artwork on the Archie Comics
' Character Katy Keene
. Lucas became a professional cartoonist after emerging from the world of fandom.
, Lucas attended Ball State University
on the Honors Program with a double major in Art Education and Advertising Art. While at Ball State, Lucas was president of the Theta Xi
social fraternity.
, who was created originally by Bill Woggon
for Archie Comics
in 1945, and running through 1961. The character was revived after reprints appeared in various Archie comics in the 1970s-1980s. In 1979, with Archie Comics' permission, Katy fan Craig Leavitt began publishing the Katy Keene Fan Magazine, which ran 18 issues until 1983. Lucas's art was instrumental in her revival, as his work was featured in the magazine along with other artists' and fans' work.
After seeing Lucas's art in the Katy Keene Fan Magazine and receiving letters from fans encouraging them to do so, Archie contacted Lucas, asking him to do the art for the revived Katy Keene Fan Club, which included pens, lapel buttons, membership cards, notepads, T-shirts, and sweatshirts. Not long afterward, Archie brought Lucas on as regular Katy artist for the title (which had been revived during this period). During the 1980s, Lucas carried on the Katy tradition with his comics and paper doll books. Lucas's art for the comic and fan magazine ran from 1979 to 1990 and his art continues in various other Archie titles today .
After Katy was put on "vacation," Lucas continued his work with Archie by drawing Archie, Betty and Veronica, and Jughead
. Lucas also did the art for four successful Katy Keene Paper Doll books for Hobby House Press, Maryland. Their titles included "Katy Keene Hollywood Premiere" (1994), "Katy Keene Swimsuit Illustrated" (1995), "Katy Keene Romance" (2000) and "Katy Keene Movie Premiere" 2002.
Lucas's annual Christmas card continues to celebrate and feature his favorite character. It also includes her Annual Paper Doll
, with designs by and credited to those many fans who continue to submit their ideas to Lucas.
and "Barbie Fashion" comics.
Later, Lucas continued freelance work for various publishers, including the Brenda Starr Fan Magazine, Archie Fan Magazine, independent commissions, and art design work for Disney Studios
, Mattel Toys, Station Casinos
, and Marvel Comics
, including their graphic novel adaption of the movie Hook
.
Lucas has exhibited in various local and regional art shows and fairs, and also worked as art director for Taylor-Chalmers Advertising, Bick Advertising, and Odegard Advertising. His independent and commissioned art has sold all over the world. Presently, besides these continuing art assignments and commissions, Lucas is assistant operations manager for two regional television stations.
Lucas resides and works out of his studio, Colossal Studios, in his hometown of Michigan City, Indiana.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
graphic artist, cartoonist, and designer best known for his artwork on the Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
' Character Katy Keene
Katy Keene
Katy Keene, a character created by Bill Woggon, has appeared in several comic book series published by Archie Comics since 1945. She is a model/actress/singer known as America's Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions....
. Lucas became a professional cartoonist after emerging from the world of fandom.
Biography
Born in Michigan City, IndianaMichigan City, Indiana
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston. Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, located at 317 Detroit St., is named after the founder....
, Lucas attended Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
on the Honors Program with a double major in Art Education and Advertising Art. While at Ball State, Lucas was president of the Theta Xi
Theta Xi
Theta Xi was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York on 29 April 1864. Theta Xi Fraternity was originally founded as an engineering fraternity, the first professional fraternity...
social fraternity.
Katy Keene
Lucas was a lifelong fan of Katy KeeneKaty Keene
Katy Keene, a character created by Bill Woggon, has appeared in several comic book series published by Archie Comics since 1945. She is a model/actress/singer known as America's Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions....
, who was created originally by Bill Woggon
Bill Woggon
William Woggon was an American cartoonist who created the comic book Katy Keene.Woggon was born the fourth of six children in Toledo, Ohio, and he grew up there. Fascinated by an art correspondence course that his older brother Elmer Woggon was taking, he became interested in drawing...
for Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
in 1945, and running through 1961. The character was revived after reprints appeared in various Archie comics in the 1970s-1980s. In 1979, with Archie Comics' permission, Katy fan Craig Leavitt began publishing the Katy Keene Fan Magazine, which ran 18 issues until 1983. Lucas's art was instrumental in her revival, as his work was featured in the magazine along with other artists' and fans' work.
After seeing Lucas's art in the Katy Keene Fan Magazine and receiving letters from fans encouraging them to do so, Archie contacted Lucas, asking him to do the art for the revived Katy Keene Fan Club, which included pens, lapel buttons, membership cards, notepads, T-shirts, and sweatshirts. Not long afterward, Archie brought Lucas on as regular Katy artist for the title (which had been revived during this period). During the 1980s, Lucas carried on the Katy tradition with his comics and paper doll books. Lucas's art for the comic and fan magazine ran from 1979 to 1990 and his art continues in various other Archie titles today .
After Katy was put on "vacation," Lucas continued his work with Archie by drawing Archie, Betty and Veronica, and Jughead
Jughead Jones
Jughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II...
. Lucas also did the art for four successful Katy Keene Paper Doll books for Hobby House Press, Maryland. Their titles included "Katy Keene Hollywood Premiere" (1994), "Katy Keene Swimsuit Illustrated" (1995), "Katy Keene Romance" (2000) and "Katy Keene Movie Premiere" 2002.
Lucas's annual Christmas card continues to celebrate and feature his favorite character. It also includes her Annual Paper Doll
Paper doll
Paper dolls are figures cut out of paper, with separate clothes that are usually held onto the dolls by folding tabs. They have been inexpensive children's toys for almost two hundred years. Today, many artists are turning paper dolls into an art form....
, with designs by and credited to those many fans who continue to submit their ideas to Lucas.
Barbie and other projects
From 1990–1995, Lucas worked on Marvel Comics BarbieBarbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
and "Barbie Fashion" comics.
Later, Lucas continued freelance work for various publishers, including the Brenda Starr Fan Magazine, Archie Fan Magazine, independent commissions, and art design work for Disney Studios
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
, Mattel Toys, Station Casinos
Station Casinos
Station Casinos Inc. is a gaming company based in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, Nevada, founded by Frank Fertitta Jr.Station Casinos along with Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, American Casino & Entertainment Properties, and Herbst Gaming, dominate the Locals market in Las Vegas.The...
, and Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, including their graphic novel adaption of the movie Hook
Hook (film)
Hook is a 1991 American fantasy film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, and features Maggie Smith, Caroline Goodall, Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott, and Dante Basco. Hook acts as a sequel to Peter Pan's original adventures, focusing...
.
Lucas has exhibited in various local and regional art shows and fairs, and also worked as art director for Taylor-Chalmers Advertising, Bick Advertising, and Odegard Advertising. His independent and commissioned art has sold all over the world. Presently, besides these continuing art assignments and commissions, Lucas is assistant operations manager for two regional television stations.
Lucas resides and works out of his studio, Colossal Studios, in his hometown of Michigan City, Indiana.
External links
- Dan DeCarlo Memorial, featuring (among others) John Lucas, "'Nuff Said," WBAI (December 25, 2001)