CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: ALEX SCHOMBURG
Alex Schomburg was a Puerto Rican comic book artist, painter, and commercial artist whose work left a lasting mark on the comic book industry. Born in 1905 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Schomburg moved to New York City in the early 1920s, where he would begin his artistic journey.
Early Life and Career
Schomburg began his career as a commercial artist, working alongside his three brothers. The partnership between the Schomburg brothers ended in 1928, and Alex moved on to work with the National Screen Service, where he created lantern slides and worked on movie trailers until 1944.
During this time, Schomburg also freelanced for Better Publications, illustrating interior pages for the company’s pulp magazines. This work would lay the foundation for his future in the world of comics.
Breakthrough in Comic Books
As the 1940s rolled around, Schomburg’s primary freelance gig was with Timely Comics. It was here that Schomburg made his mark as a comic book artist. His first two comic book covers were for Daring Mystery Comics #1 and Marvel Mystery Comics #3, both of which were released in January 1940.
Schomburg's dynamic and action-packed covers quickly caught the attention of the comic world. He would go on to become the primary cover artist for Timely Comics. Beyond his work for Timely, Schomburg also provided covers for Pines Publications and Harvey Comics.
The Pseudonym “Xela” and Continued Work
From 1947 to 1949, Schomburg used the pseudonym “Xela” for some of his work. This period marked a continued surge in his popularity as he contributed to numerous comic books across different publishers, cementing his reputation as one of the leading artists of the Golden Age.
Later Career and Sci-Fi Illustrations
After a decade of creating iconic comic book covers, Schomburg stepped away from the industry in the early 1950s. He shifted his focus to covers and illustrations for sci-fi magazines and astrology publications, where he worked for the remainder of his career.
The Invaders Annual & Final Contribution
In 1977, Schomburg, along with fellow Golden Age comic book artists, collaborated on Invaders Annual #1. This comic included a six-page chapter featuring the Human Torch from the Golden Age, paying homage to Schomburg’s iconic contributions to the superhero genre.
Alex Schomburg's art played a crucial role in shaping the Golden Age of comics, with his vivid, action-packed covers becoming synonymous with the era.
