Wallace Wood

Wallace Allan Wood was born on June 17, 1927, and died by suicide on November 2, 1981. He is best remembered for his foundational work at EC Comics, where his crisp, detailed linework defined the look of *Weird Science*, *Weird Fantasy*, and the early years of *MAD Magazine* from its 1952 launch until 1964. Wood also left a lasting mark on superhero comics by drawing early issues of Marvel's *Daredevil* and designing the character's signature red costume. For Tower Comics, he contributed to *T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents*, and later worked for Warren Publishing's *Creepy*. He wrote, drew, and self-published two volumes of his ambitious *The Wizard King* trilogy, a fantasy saga centered on Odkin son of Odkin. Beyond comics, Wood's versatile hand appeared in advertising, packaging, gag cartoons, record album covers, and trading cards—most notably the *Mars Attacks* set for Topps. He created and owned the long-running characters *Sally Forth* and *Cannon*. Though he disliked the nickname "Wally," it stuck with fans; within the industry he was often called "Woody." EC publisher William Gaines called him "our most brilliant" artist. Wood was the first inductee into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1989 and entered the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1992.