Wallace Allan Wood was born on June 17, 1927, and became one of the most technically accomplished artists in American comics history before his death by suicide on November 2, 1981. Though he disliked the nickname, he is widely remembered as Wally Wood — or simply "Woody" within the industry.
Fantastic Four #39 (1965)
Wood's career took shape most visibly at EC Comics, where he contributed to flagship science-fiction titles *Weird Science* and *Weird Fantasy*, and was present at *MAD* from its launch in 1952, remaining with the humor magazine until 1964. His draftsmanship — dense, richly detailed, and technically precise — set a standard that influenced generations of artists. Beyond EC, he redesigned Daredevil's costume for Marvel, giving the character the red suit still in use today, and contributed substantially to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. He also created two enduring characters he owned outright: the adult strips *Sally Forth* and *Cannon*.
The Avengers #20 (1965)
His most ambitious project was *The Wizard King* trilogy, a fantasy saga following Odkin son of Odkin that he wrote, drew, and self-published; he completed two of the three volumes before his death. EC publisher William Gaines memorably called him perhaps "our most troubled artist" and possibly "our most brilliant."
The Avengers #21 (1965)
Wood's work extended well beyond comics into advertising, magazine illustration, trading cards — including the landmark *Mars Attacks* set for Topps — and album covers. He was the inaugural inductee into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1989, and entered the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1992.
