Eric Stanton

Eric Stanton was born Ernest Stanzoni Jr. on September 30, 1926, in New York City, and died on March 17, 1999. He is best known as an American underground cartoonist and a pioneering figure in fetish art, particularly for his depictions of gender role reversal and female dominance. Stanton began his career in the late 1940s creating bondage fantasy serials for Irving Klaw, which earned him a devoted underground following. He later worked with notable publishers such as Leonard Burtman, Edward Mishkin, Stanley Malkin, and George W. Mavety. For a decade, Stanton shared a studio with Steve Ditko, the legendary Marvel Comics artist. In the 1970s, he launched the Stanton Archives mail-order business, selling his work directly to fans, and from 1982 onward produced over a hundred self-published "Stantoons" booklets. His art grew more transgressive over time and appeared in adult magazines like *Leg Show* and *Leg World*. In 1984, Stanton had his only lifetime art exhibition at New York City's Danceteria nightclub. His work influenced artists such as Banksy, Allen Jones, and Madonna. Stanton is credited on 29 issues across titles including *Bizarre Comix*, *Eric Stanton's Tops & Bottoms*, and *Sweeter Gwen*.