Fletcher Hanks, Sr. (1879 - ca. 1970) was a cartoonist from the Golden Age of Comic Books, who wrote and drew stories detailing the adventures of all-powerful, supernatural heroes and their elaborate punishments of transgressors. He also did work under the pseudonyms of "Henry Fletcher", "Barclay Flagg", "Bob Jordan", and "Hank Christy".
Career
Hanks was active from a period of 1939 to 1941, writing and drawing stories for Fiction House and Fox Features Syndicate. His creations include Stardust the Super Wizard, Tabu the Wizard of the Jungle, and Fantomah (one of the first female superheroes, predating Wonder Woman). Hanks has developed a cult following in recent years. His stories have been reprinted in the comics anthology Raw and the book Art Out Of Time (2006 ISBN 0810958384), and is the subject of the book I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets: The Fantastic Comics Of Fletcher Hanks (2007, ISBN 1560978392) from Fantagraphics edited by Paul Karasik.
Personal life
Little is known of Hanks life outside comics. The main source is an interview with Fletcher Hanks, Jr. by Paul Karasik for I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets! According to his son, Hanks was an abusive father and spouse, and an alcoholic. Hanks earned some income by drawing murals in the homes of the rich. Hanks abandoned his family around 1930. He died sometime around 1970; his frozen body was found by police on a park bench in New York City.
External links
- 'Official' site- mainly for book
- Lambiek.net biography with links to Tabu, Stardust, and Space Smith stories
- Stardust fan page, featuring most comprehensive collection of Stardust comics online
- Fantomah vs. giant spiders
- Fantomah vs. hopped up gorillas
- World's best supervillain origin
- Profile of his son, Fletcher Hanks Jr, who talks about childhood with his father
- News article about his son, Fletcher Hanks Jr
