Will Eisner
Will Eisner was a prominent figure in the comic book industry, known for his innovative storytelling and artistic techniques. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in a Jewish family, he drew inspiration from the rich cultural landscape of the New York tenements during his childhood. Eisner began his career in the world of comics with early works published in school newspapers and magazines, eventually co-founding the Eisner-Iger Studio. His most notable creation, The Spirit, introduced readers to Denny Colt, a private investigator turned masked hero, and was groundbreaking for featuring a regularly appearing African American character.
Eisner's artistic style was characterized by bold graphics and the use of full-page panels, which set new standards in the medium. During World War II, he created cartoons for the military, and after the war, he continued to evolve as an artist, eventually shifting his focus to commercial work. However, interest in The Spirit resurfaced in the 1960s, leading him to reprint the series. Transforming the landscape of comics further, Eisner pioneered the graphic novel format with works like A Contract with God, which explored deeper narratives and themes. His influential book, Comics and Sequential Art, became a vital resource for aspiring cartoonists. Eisner passed away in January 2005, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly impacted the comic book industry and art.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Will Eisner
Author
- Born: March 6, 1917
- Birthplace: New York, New York
- Died: January 3, 2005
- Place of death: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Biography
Will Eisner was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in a Jewish family. The New York tenements provided Eisner with a rich resource that gave him plenty of material to render in cartoons. Eisner’s first published work appeared in the De Witt Clinton High School newspaper. Eisner’s first comics were published in Wow, What a Magazine! Although the comic only lasted four issues, Eisner joined forces with Jerry Iger to form the Eisner-Iger Studio. For three years, Eisner, Iger, and the cartoonists they hired drew comic after comic and tried to land a large-selling syndication. Eisner left in 1939 to work for Quality Comics Group.
At Quality, Eisner developed The Spirit. The hero, Denny Colt, was a private investigator who was presumed to have died in a laboratory explosion of the mad scientist Dr. Cobra. After Colt recovered, he was able to fight crime as a masked, anonymous, powerful figure. Eisner’s cartooning was innovative and had compelling environments and bold graphics that included full-page panels. The Spirit was the first comic to include a regularly appearing African American character.
During World War II, Eisner drew cartoons for the military. The Spirit languished in the hands of less-capable illustrators. After the war, Eisner returned to the comic and brought on promising cartoonists such as Jules Feiffer and Wally Wood. They worked on The Spirit through 1952. Eisner began to produce commercial cartoons for corporate clients under the company he formed, American Visuals Corporation. The work was profitable and ultimately supplanted The Spirit.
In the 1960’s, readers developed renewed interest in The Spirit, which Eisner arranged to be reprinted. Eisner was not nostalgic about the work, though, and he began to develop the graphic novel (also called sequential art). A Contract with God, and Other Tenement Stories (1978) and The Building (1987) were prominent examples. Comics and Sequential Art (1985) became an important blueprint for hopeful cartoonists. Eisner died in January, 2005.