Dell, Gold Key, King and Charlton Comics artist Bill Lignante was primarily known for his outstanding work on The Phantom (over 30 issues.) I loved reading the comic strip in the newspaper long before I discovered comic books.
Lignante wrote of his 26 years as a courtroom sketch artist, "None of these compare to the instant art of the courtroom. No roughs, research, conferences, assistants, editors and no time. What you see, you draw, so that the world can see it too."
Bill also had a 16 year career as an animator for Hanna-Barbera on The Batman/Superman Hour, Dynomutt, Dog Wonder and Yogi Bear.
King Comics, Lignante also illustrated Mandrake the Magician #1 (also created by lengendary Lee Falk, prior to his creating the Phantom.)
At Gold Key Comics, Bill drew three issues of the Girl from U.N.C.L.E. and Secret Agent #1 (John Drake.) For the longest time, I wondered who illustrated these television tie-in comic books, now I know.
I always loved the photo and painted covers on Gold Key (Dell/Western) Comics. Also, there were terrific original stories used, not just adaptations. And often, movie posters (Valley of the Gwangi, Dirty Dozen and Around the World Under the Sea to name a few) were used for the movie tie-in comic books.
I've admired Bill Lignante for a long time, even though I didn't realize it for a long time as well. He was a great illustrator in all of his fields of expertise.
Live Large.
Thank you.
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