CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: DON NEWTON!
Don Newton (B-Nov 12, 1934, D-Aug 19, 1984) made his mark on American comic books starting at Charlton Comics where he took over THE PHANTOM starting with #67. Born in St. Charles, Virginia, Newton was diagnosed with severe asthma at an early age causing his family to relocate to the drier climate of Arizona. Often bed-ridden during his childhood, Newton became enamored with comic books, especially Batman and Captain Marvel and he took to drawing as a way to pass the time.
After graduating college Newton began teaching art in Phoenix and in 1968 he became involved in the popular fanzine ROCKET BLAST COMICOLLECTOR where he contributed dozens of covers for the title. Newton developed a sci fi comic strip called THE SAVAGE EARTH for RBCC which ran in issues #60-70 from 1968-1970. Newton attempted to connect his networking in comics fandom to work for DC or Marvel Comics but in those days living outside the metro New York City area would hinder a freelancers options. After sending in samples to Charlton Comics in Connecticut, Newton got his first professional assignment with GHOST MANOR #18 (May 1974). He would work on Charlton’s horror titles for the next year before he was assigned THE PHANTOM with #67 (Oct 75).
Like most comic book artists, Newton was also a big film buff and THE PHANTOM #70 featured the classic appearances of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Claud Rains in a parody mix of Warner Bros films THE MALTESE FALCON and CASABLANCA.
Newton’s final issue of THE PHANTOM featured a cameo by Benjamin Franklin in the story Phantom of 1776 from issue #74 (Jan 77).
While he’d been working at Charlton, Newton had picked up some gigs with Marvel Comics working on DEFENDERS, DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU and GHOST RIDER, but it was in the July 1977 issue of DC SPECIAL #28 that Newton made his first appearance at DC Comics doing the pencils on an Aquaman feature inked by his old friend Dan Adkins. Newton continued on Aquaman stories for the next three years while also doing the art for NEW GODS #12. Now getting enough work to support himself, Newton left his teaching job to devote himself to comics work full time.
Newton realized a childhood dream when he was signed to draw Captain Marvel in SHAZAM starting in 1978 where he would remain on the title as well as the Captain Marvel features in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS and ADVENTURE COMICS until 1982.
Newton realized a second lifelong ambition when he was assigned the title character in BATMAN with #305 (Nov 78) where he would go on to draw 79 stories with Batman or the Batman Family while at DC Comics. With Denny O’Neil Newton created the character of Maxie Zeus first appearing in DETECTIVE COMICS #483 (May 79). In DETECTIVE COMICS #485 (Sep 79) Newton handled the art for the final appearance of the original Batwoman.
In 1979 he picked up more work with Marvel Comics getting assigned to THE AVENGERS but left after two issues after Marvel failed to assign Joe Rubinstein as promised as his regular inker.
Paul Levitz contacted Newton and lured him back to DC Comics with the promise of advertising work in addition to his comics work which was more lucrative. Newton accepted the deal and signed an exclusive contract with the publisher as he was assigned to GREEN LANTERN, as well as the first appearance of new Robin Jason Todd in BATMAN #357 (Mar 83).
Newton’s reputation was so solid that when he informed DC that he was only interested in drawing Batman, Captain Marvel or All Star Squadron so editor Roy Thomas assigned him the All Star spinoff INFINITY INC with #11. When he began penciling #12 he suffered a massive heart attack and died just a few days later. As a tribute to Newton, Marvel Editor in Chief Jim Shooter let Joe Rubinstein out of his contract so that he could ink Newton’s final work which became INFINITY INC #13.
Don Newton’s work continues to impress new fans even today, and he is a talent who is sorely missed.
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