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Frank Springer (split off)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 05 2009 10:07 PM

[url]http://www.newsday.com/iphone/ny-lispri0612624091apr05,0,3568600.story[/url] My dad who was a Dodgers fan growing up and attended the first game ever at Shea, left behind 5 Met fans, 7 grand-Met fans, and a lot of great work. He kicked cancer's ass for 17 years and when it finally got the upper hand we were lucky that he had a chance to say goodbye to everyone but also didn't suffer for long. ]newsday.com LI comics artist Frank Springer dead at 79 BY JENNIFER BARRIOS jennifer.barrios@newsday.com 9:13 PM EDT, April 5, 2009 Click here to find out more! Frank Springer, a longtime Long Islander who was a prolific comics artist for such strips as "Terry and the Pirates" and "Rex Morgan, M.D.," died Thursday at his home in Damariscotta, Maine, of prostate cancer. He was 79. Springer was a gregarious and practical man who labored for hours a day in his backyard studio, said his son, Jon Springer of Brooklyn. "He'd be out there basically all day long, morning until dinnertime." The artist would listen to jazz and opera while he worked, and he never got too high-minded about his outstanding talent, his son said. "He was a normal, conservative kind of guy," Jon Springer said. Frank Springer drew for a wide variety of companies, including DC Comics and Marvel. He also illustrated an adult-themed satire, "The Adventures of Phoebe Zeit-Geist," a comic that Springer considered one of his best works. "Very few people could surpass him as an artist, as a gentleman, and as a true gentleman in my field," said Stan Goldberg, who draws the "Archie" comics. "When you see a Frank Springer job, you know it's going to be the best job in the world." Frank Springer was born Dec. 6, 1929, in Jamaica, Queens. After earning a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Syracuse University, he joined the Army during the Korean War and drew maps at Fort Dix, N.J. He and his wife, Barbara, lived in Lynbrook, Massapequa Park and Greenlawn before moving to Maine in 1995. Barbara Springer said her husband loved Long Island, and the couple had planned to move to the North Fork before his cancer suddenly progressed. Frank Springer was past president of the National Cartoonists Society, and a founding member of the Berndt Toast Gang, the society's Long Island chapter. He won the society's Reuben Award three times. Adrian Sinnott, chairman of the Berndt Toast Gang, said Springer was known as much for his draftsmanship as for his personality. "Frank was a character in the industry," Sinnott said. Mort Drucker, a fellow artist who has drawn many Mad Magazine covers, said Springer will be missed. "He was a handsome guy, he was talented, and he was very social," Drucker said. "A very, very talented artist." Besides his wife of 52 years and his son Jon, Springer is survived by four children: Barbara Edwards of Asheville, N.C.; Bill Springer of Fairfax, Va.; Jennifer Dills of Fairfax, Va.; and Christopher Springer of White Plains; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister. A memorial service is planned for later this spring on Long Island. Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

Edgy DC Apr 05 2009 10:38 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 05 2009 10:45 PM

Jesus, Jon. I'm sorry.

Number 6 Apr 05 2009 10:40 PM

He truly seems like he was an inspired man. My sincere condolences, JCL.

Edgy DC Apr 05 2009 10:46 PM

You too, Bill.

DocTee Apr 06 2009 04:21 AM

My sincere condolences, JCL.

metirish Apr 06 2009 04:43 AM

Sincere condolences Jon to you and your family.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2009 05:15 AM

My condolences too.

themetfairy Apr 06 2009 06:07 AM

My condolences Lunchbucket and FK. Your dad sounded like an incredible person.

Methead Apr 06 2009 06:38 AM

Sorry to hear, man.

HahnSolo Apr 06 2009 06:38 AM

Sorry to hear that Jon. Sounds like your dad was an incredible man.

Fman99 Apr 06 2009 06:58 AM

So sorry for your loss, Jon.

seawolf17 Apr 06 2009 07:00 AM

Saw that story and thought of you. Condolences to you and your family.

Kong76 Apr 06 2009 07:18 AM

Condolences to Jon, Bill, and Chris from KB and I.

TransMonk Apr 06 2009 07:26 AM

Just saw this...thinking of you and your family.

sharpie Apr 06 2009 07:33 AM

So sorry to read this Jon. He sounded like a great guy.

smg58 Apr 06 2009 07:40 AM

My deepest condolences.

Gwreck Apr 06 2009 07:49 AM

Sorry to hear that. Best to you and your family at this difficult time.

MFS62 Apr 06 2009 07:55 AM

Sorry to hear of your loss. Later

Edgy DC Apr 06 2009 08:05 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 07 2009 07:23 AM

Any kid I ever have will never get something this supremely awesome. <img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3MTRpEByHVw/SbMoVlO-9kI/AAAAAAAAAS8/3UuA31jG0hU/s512/2009_03060009.JPG">

Edgy DC Apr 06 2009 08:05 AM

Unless of course, I steal it from your kid.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 06 2009 09:31 AM

Sounds like a strong and brave man to fight it off for so long! We'll keep you and your family in our prayers.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 06 2009 10:01 AM

So sorry to hear, man. He seems to have had a resume so vast, that the Newsday article could only skim the surface. Truly talented guy. I found [url=http://lambiek.net/artists/s/springer_frank.htm]this[/url]looking for examples of his stuff (positive my little bro had that "Transformers" one).

Edgy DC Apr 06 2009 10:20 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 06 2009 12:51 PM

I have me Dazzler #1 at home. Maybe I should have got me an autograph. I also slept on comic strip bedsheets when I's a young one. Terry and the Pirates was featured prominently, and I'm hoping that was Springer-era work. It featured a muscular unshirted baldie chasing Terry into a basement. As Terry hides in the shadows behind a vat or two, the scimitar-wielding baldie cries, "IGNORANT CUR! I'LL CUT OUT YOUR HEART!" And that's where it ended, night after night. I never did find out how the plot resolved. It would just go on to some crappy Gasoline Alley strip.

themetfairy Apr 06 2009 10:27 AM

Assuming that Lunchbucket and FK don't object (and if I'm being presumptuous, I apologize), perhaps Crane Poolers who want to do something to honor Mr. Springer's memory might wish to make a donation to [url=https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=144384&supid=162321295:1v0sc4r9]The Baby Miranda Fund[/url:1v0sc4r9].

OlerudOwned Apr 06 2009 12:07 PM

Condolences to you, and congrats to your father on a life's work well done.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2009 12:10 PM

I mostly remember him as the inker on The Invaders. Is that woman named "Sinnott" quoted in the article any relation to Joe Sinnott?

TransMonk Apr 06 2009 12:22 PM

="Benjamin Grimm"]I mostly remember him as the inker on The Invaders. Is that woman named "Sinnott" quoted in the article any relation to Joe Sinnott? Or me? Although...I'm pretty sure I'm not related to Joe.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 06 2009 12:38 PM

This Adrian is a guy. Thanks everyone! Sometime I'll get his baseball drawings and paintings together, it's quite an exhibit.

TheOldMole Apr 06 2009 04:37 PM

What wonderful memories, and what a wonderful legacy to have. I remember Phoebe Zeitgeist fondly.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 06 2009 05:41 PM

Just caught this thread. My sincere condolences. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Farmer Ted Apr 06 2009 06:20 PM

Great tribute. Sorry for the loss, Bucket.

G-Fafif Apr 07 2009 06:39 AM

You have our deepest sympathies. Sounds like a great guy.

soupcan Apr 07 2009 07:51 AM

Just saw this Lunchy. My condolences.

Frayed Knot May 13 2009 09:47 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2009 03:20 PM

Been digging through some of his files for some of the sports related stuff he did over the years, I came up with several Metly items: Al Jackson Carl Willey Duke Snider These were done around 1963 - although I'm not really sure for what purpose or why those three in particular.

Rockin' Doc May 14 2009 05:11 AM

I somehow missed this thread the first time through. I was to express my belated condolences to both Frayed Knot and JCL on their recent loss. He sounds like a truly wonderful man and I'm sure you were richly blessed by his presence in your lives. Awesome drawings. A truly gifted and talented man. Thanks for sharing FK.

Edgy DC May 14 2009 05:16 AM

I had no idea Duke was in that kind of shape by the time he was a Met. Great find. I'll bet MFS62 would like a print fo the that Al Jackson drawing. Heck, I'd bet Jackson would also.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 14 2009 06:55 AM

I used to think that Snider picture was of a coach or something.

Fman99 May 14 2009 07:04 AM

Those are tremendous.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 14 2009 07:04 AM

Som,e of these need better photos still but: Jim Maloney (Cincy reliever) Carl Furillo: Joltin Joe:

seawolf17 May 14 2009 07:10 AM

These are incredible. What a treasure. You could sell prints of those and set up a scholarship fund somewhere or something.

metirish May 14 2009 07:25 AM

WOW , incredible work , the detail is amazing.

seawolf17 May 14 2009 07:52 AM

Actually, wait. FK and JCL are related?

metirish May 14 2009 08:13 AM

="seawolf17":qd41boor]Actually, wait. FK and JCL are related?[/quote:qd41boor] Now that you mention it..... themetfairy May 14 2009 08:19 AM ="seawolf17":25voc3o0]Actually, wait. FK and JCL are related?[/quote:25voc3o0] Yup© Edgy DC May 14 2009 08:37 AM Former longtime companions. Just keep a lid on it, lest it hurt the sales of Bucket's book. TheOldMole May 14 2009 11:49 AM They are amazing. And I'm totally confused about the relationship between FK and JCL, which I suppose is all right. metsmarathon May 14 2009 02:23 PM what you also may not know is that i am actually fman's imaginary sister. Kong76 May 14 2009 03:41 PM EDC: Former longtime companions. Just keep a lid on it <<< Lol, cat's out of the bag. I particularly like the Al Jackson. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 14 2009 03:55 PM ="seawolf17":20nnfk8u]These are incredible. What a treasure. You could sell prints of those and set up a scholarship fund somewhere or something.[/quote:20nnfk8u] Indeed-- I know a couple of family friends that would go ape-poop for the Furillo. (And I just saw this, too-- I'm sorry, Jon.) A Boy Named Seo May 14 2009 04:08 PM Those are beautiful. Edgy DC May 14 2009 06:01 PM And just in case my crack only added to the confusion, yes, Frank Springer is also Bill's (Frayed Knot's) dad. metirish May 14 2009 06:03 PM Color me stunned. I shouldn't be but I am . Edgy DC May 14 2009 06:55 PM <img src="http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt94/FHSart/IMG_1865.jpg"> Seriously, something fishy is going on here. I asked me wifey how old she thought Duke Snider was and she guessed 65, or 29 years older than his actual age of 36. Was Duke using that picture for some sort of Dorian Gray shit? Frayed Knot May 14 2009 07:22 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2009 03:26 PM I assume the drawings were done from photos - both the face shot and the in-action. I think we need to dig up some age-specific photos of Duke for comparison purposes, but I have no reason to believe that that one wasn't done at the same time as the others. Meanwhile, a couple more baseball, though not specifically NYM, related ... A drawing of an iconic picture of Cobb sliding into 3rd (wonder if Reyes could learn something here? Convince him that he's got the speed & power to be the non-racist version of Ty). In looking at this I realized that it's now been more time between the drawing (1954) and now than it was between the original slide (1909) and the drawing. And a few of the more recent paintings -- something he took up in the mid-'90s. His one death-bad regret was; "damn, and I was just starting to get the hang of oil painting". Stan the Man Kenesaw Mountain Landis and Teddy Ballgame Kong76 May 14 2009 07:24 PM EDC: And just in case my crack only added to the confusion <<< Last time I ride your comedic coattails :-) Frayed Knot May 14 2009 07:29 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2009 03:28 PM Oh, and I forgot this guy ... from back when he still had male hormones and when they didn't hate him in New England Kong76 May 14 2009 07:36 PM I like the Musial a lot. SteveJRogers May 14 2009 08:47 PM ="Edgy DC"]<img src="http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt94/FHSart/IMG_1865.jpg"> Seriously, something fishy is going on here. I asked me wifey how old she thought Duke Snider was and she guessed 65, or 29 years older than his actual age of 36. Was Duke using that picture for some sort of Dorian Gray shit? Well, the source material does show a Duke slightly weathered from the years A Boy Named Seo May 15 2009 12:44 PM That Landis is amazing. I love the texture and the thick hunks of paint that are trying to jump off the canvas. Gives it real depth. Just beautiful. soupcan May 15 2009 01:24 PM ="Edgy DC":14v256l9]And just in case my crack only added to the confusion, yes, Frank Springer is also Bill's (Frayed Knot's) dad.[/quote:14v256l9] My condolences to you as well FK. Your father was a really talented guy. In a former life I was an art student but I could never really grasp oil painting. I remember having one instructor spend hours with me trying to get me to see, and then translate, all the different colors that exist in what is seemingly one shade. I could see them easily enough but just couldn't transfer to the canvas. As anyone can see - especially in the Landis portrait - that talent did not escape your dad. Frayed Knot May 16 2009 05:56 PM ="soupcan":33mdsrc3]In a former life I was an art student but I could never really grasp oil painting. I remember having one instructor spend hours with me trying to get me to see, and then translate, all the different colors that exist in what is seemingly one shade. I could see them easily enough but just couldn't transfer to the canvas. As anyone can see - especially in the Landis portrait - that talent did not escape your dad.[/quote:33mdsrc3] No, but it took him a while. He essentially hadn't painted since college when it was probably a required course for his degree (he was a Syracuse man btw). But upon semi-retiring and moving to Maine he decided to give "the mystery of oil-painting" a try (I think it's a state law in Maine that all citizens have to paint). Anyway, he took a bunch of courses, getting instruction working from photos and live models. After a few years of classes plus a lot of trial and error he was "just getting the hang of it" and all that was tacked onto being a professional artist for nearly half a century. . IOW, it ain't easy. His stuff was definitely getting better in recent years after a bunch of scrapped attempts early on. seawolf17 May 16 2009 08:01 PM By the way, I forgot to tell you that I'm going to PM you my address so you can send me the Carl Furillo so I can frame it for my baseball room. Thanks. Fman99 May 17 2009 09:03 AM The Cobb and Landis are both sensational. The man had a talent that I envy. Frayed Knot May 17 2009 10:05 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 12 2009 03:56 PM Just a couple more before we lay this thread to rest (so to speak). I thought some of the futbol fans here might get a kick out of these. When pro soccer first tried making a go of it in the late-'70s (The North American Soccer League - NASL) some guy concocted the idea of selling a once or twice per/week single-panel drawings to various newspapers in order to teach us dumb Americans some basics of the sport. Dad didn't write these (didn't know shit about soccer) just did the illustrations, but they were alternately aimed at tips for kids just learning the game and at attempting to make household names out of that first wave of Euro-stars lured over to the U S of A. for the big bucks. Long-time fans might recognize some of the names and maybe even get the urge to break out their old Los Angeles Aztecs jerseys. Edgy DC May 17 2009 10:29 PM Coolio. Lunchables wrote us a book report last year regarding a book about total soccer. Frayed Knot May 21 2009 08:47 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Oct 13 2009 12:06 PM And I couldn't let this go without throwing out some comic book stuff. Both because I know there are at least several CB geeks around this place (and I mean that term in the good way) and also because this is the stuff that paid the majority of the rent and tuitions over the years. So a sample of a 'Fantastic Four' page (note Grimm's friend poking his head out over on the left side there) Conan - back from before he chose to run for Governor An 'Invaders' cover from way back when Old time comics were full of macho guys like Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD And while drawing muscular guys is probably a lot of fun and stuff, if you can't draw some hot-looking chicks every once in a while, I mean, what's the point, right? So here's 'She-Hulk' - apparently in one of her more mellow moods and one of 'The Dazzler', Marvel's singing mutant from the early '80s TheOldMole May 22 2009 07:40 PM ]Just a couple more before we lay this thread to rest (so to speak). Who's looking for it to be laid to rest? Keep 'em coming. Edgy DC May 22 2009 07:52 PM Word. metsguyinmichigan May 22 2009 08:35 PM I agree! These are fun! Triple Dee May 24 2009 04:02 AM My father died the day after yours . My condolences, Jon. Fman99 May 24 2009 08:35 PM Those chicks are hot, in a 2-D sense. Which is fine.