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Tony DeZuniga

Antony de Zuñiga[1] (November 8, 1932[2] – May 11, 2012), who worked primarily under the name Tony DeZuniga, was a Filipino comics artist and illustrator best known for his works for DC Comics. He co-created the fictional characters Jonah Hex and Black Orchid.

DeZuniga was the first Filipino comic book artist whose work was accepted by American publishers, paving the way for many other Filipino artists to enter the international comic book industry.[3][4]

Biography

Early life and career

DeZuniga was born in Manila, Philippines,[1] and began his comics career at the age of 16,[3] as a letterer for Liwayway, a Filipino weekly magazine whose contributors included comic book artists Alfredo Alcala and Nestor Redondo, who would later become his mentors.

He eventually received a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial art from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. In 1962, he came to the United States to study graphic design in New York City. He returned to his native country to work in advertising and to freelance for Filipino comics.[3]

When he returned to New York City in the late 1960s, DeZuniga entered the American comic book market under editor Joe Orlando at DC Comics, inking pencil art by Ric Estrada on a romance comics tale for Girls' Love Stories #153 (Aug. 1970). DeZuniga's U.S. debut as a penciler came with a self-inked horror story for House of Mystery #188 (Sept./Oct. 1970).[5]

DC and Marvel Comics

DeZuniga became a regular contributor at DC. With writer John Albano, he co-created the long-running western character Jonah Hex,[6] and with Sheldon Mayer the first Black Orchid.[7] DeZuniga served as an introduction to what would be a 1970s influx of Filipino artists to American comics, prompting Orlando and DC publisher Carmine Infantino to visit the Philippines in 1971 to scout talent.[8] Among the artists found there who would soon become mainstays of both DC and Marvel Comics were Alfredo Alcala, Alex Niño, Nestor Redondo, and Gerry Talaoc.[8] He was responsible for the discovery of artist Steve Gan and was Gan's United States art agent in charge of importing his artwork to Marvel from the Philippines.[9] DeZuniga inked John Buscema's penciled artwork for MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz (1975). This comics adaptation of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film was the first joint publishing venture between Marvel and DC Comics.[10]

DeZuniga relocated back to New York from the Philippines in 1977.[11] Around this time, DeZuniga formed Action Art Studio, which was a group of New York-based Filipino komiks artists who inked various Marvel Comics titles under the collective pseudonym of "The Tribe." Members included DeZuniga, Alfredo Alcala, and Rudy Nebres, among others.[12] DeZuniga worked for industry leaders Marvel and DC for 18 years.[5]

Later career

DeZuniga later became a video game conceptual designer, spending a decade with the United States and Japan divisions of Sega.[13] He did freelance work for McGraw Hill and the Scholastic Corporation,[14] and illustrated for TSR's Dungeons & Dragons game in books such as In Search of Dragons.[15] In 1989, he illustrated The DragonLance Saga Book Three, written by Roy Thomas.[16]

Upon retirement, DeZuniga began to do commissioned paintings and to teach art. His work has been the subject of at least one gallery exhibition.[17]

He returned to Jonah Hex with Jonah Hex: No Way Back, a graphic novel released to coincide with the Jonah Hex film.[18]

Personal life

DeZuniga was married three times. He and his wife Mary were co-owners of Action Art Studio in the mid-to-late 1970s.[12] His third wife was named Tina.

Illness and death

In April 2012, DeZuniga suffered a life-threatening stroke.[19] Doctors were able to save him, but numerous complications quickly arose. Both the Philippine and international comics community made an effort to raise funds for his treatment.[20] During Free Comic Book Day on May 5, 2012, Filipino comic book artists banded together and launched a sketch drive, T-shirt sale and auction to help raise funds.[21][22]

On May 11, 2012, at 1:25 a.m., DeZuniga died from the stroke having led to his subsequent brain damage and heart failure.[23]

Legacy

After DeZuniga's death, Marvel Comics issued a statement saying, "Tony DeZuniga stands as a historic figure in comics, a singular voice of his own making. His legacy will be seen and felt in the multitude of fans he leaves behind and the incredible body of work of which he remained justifiably proud to his final days."[24]

Awards

  • 1997 Sega President's Award for Excellence[25]
  • 2011 Inkpot Award[26]

Bibliography

Most of his work at comics was an inker, except where noted:

Archie Comics

  • All New Adventures of the Mighty Crusaders #3 (1983)
  • Blue Ribbon Comics #3, 6-7 (1983–84)
  • Mighty Crusaders #4-7 (1983–84)
  • Original Shield #1-2 (1984)

DC Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics / DC Comics

  • MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz #1 (over John Buscema pencils, 1975)

External links

  • (subtitled)

References

  1. Tony DeZuñiga (b. 1932) Grand Comics Database, retrieved November 8, 2020^
  2. Jerald T. Uy. The secret life of Tony De Zuñiga Rappler, 14 May 2012, retrieved 14 May 2012^
  3. Anna Valmero. Jonah Hex creator is a hero for Filipino comic book artists Filquest Media Concepts, Inc., 2 July 2010, retrieved 11 May 2012^
  4. Mark Joseph Ubalde. Tony de Zuñiga: The 'legend' in Pinoy invasion of US comics GMA Network, 30 October 2007, retrieved 11 May 2012^
  5. {{gcdb|type=credit|search= Tony+DeZuniga|title= Tony DeZuniga}}^
  6. Michael McAvennie. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Dorling Kindersley, 2010^
  7. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 156: "Very little was known about the Black Orchid, even after writer Sheldon Mayer and artist Tony DeZuniga presented her so-called "origin issue" in Adventure Comics."^
  8. Randy Duncan, Matthew J. Smith. The Power of Comics: History, Form & Culture Continuum, 2009^
  9. Ruel S. De Vera. Steve Gan finally in the spotlight Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2 August 2014^
  10. Jack Abramowitz. The Secrets of Oz Revealed Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  11. "Bullpen Bulletins," Marvel Two-in-One #35 (Jan. 1978).^
  12. The Tribe entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Retrieved June 16, 2021.^
  13. Tony DeZuniga Lambiek Comiclopedia, 29 July 2012^
  14. Steven Ringgenberg. Tony DeZuniga, First of the Filipino Comics Wave, November 8th, 1941—May 11, 2012 The Comics Journal, Fantagraphics Books, 18 May 2012^
  15. Tony DeZuniga :: Pen & Paper RPG Database^
  16. John Clute, John Grant. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy St. Martin's Press, 1999^
  17. Gerry Alanguilan. Tony DeZuniga Exhibit, Jess Jodloman Komikero Komiks, 17 January 2007^
  18. Kevin Mahadeo. DeZuniga Rides With Jonah Hex Comic Book Resources, 17 June 2010, retrieved 18 June 2010^
  19. Joseph Holandes Ubalde. Legendary US comics illustrator 'Mang Tony' de Zuniga, 79 InterAksyon, 11 May 2012, retrieved 15 May 2012^
  20. Rich Johnston. Neal Adams Talks About Tony DeZuniga Bleeding Cool, 24 April 2012, retrieved 15 May 2012^
  21. Ringgenberg: "Filipino cartoonists pooled their talents on Free Comic Book Day in May to sell sketches and t-shirts to raise money for DeZuniga and his family."^
  22. Comic book fans, nagsama-sama sa fund raising activity para kay Tony Dezuñiga GMA Network, 5 May 2012^
  23. Jon Lindley Agustin. Comics artist Tony de Zuñiga dies at age 79 GMA Network, 11 May 2012, retrieved 11 May 2012^
  24. Jim Beard. Marvel Remembers Tony DeZuniga: A look back and the life and career of this acclaimed artist Marvel Comics, 24 May 2012^
  25. Inquirer interviews Tony DeZuniga Komix 101, 21 June 2010^
  26. Inkpot Awards San Diego Comic-Con International, 2015^