The Best of Fantagor

“He is the mainstay in my collection of original art and one of the most precise and admirable storytellers in the medium.”—Guillermo del Toro

“This is Corben at his consummate best.” —Harlan Ellison

Richard Corben was born in Missouri and grew up in Sunflower, Kansas. He drew comics throughout his life, starting with a series about his family dog, TRAIL, and later creating imitations of Tarzan and Brothers of the Spear. He also explored animation through flipbooks and his senior project, a 5-minute animated film about Heracles, made while attending the Kansas City Art Institute.

After graduation, Corben worked at an industrial film company in Kansas City, where he served as an artist, animator, and cameraman. During this time, he met and married Dona. After nearly a decade in the film industry, he began creating underground comix and fanzines at night.

Corben’s work caught the attention of Warren Publishing, and he eventually began drawing stories for their horror magazines CREEPY, EERIE, and VAMPIRELLA. This led to him quitting his full-time job to pursue comics exclusively.

His fantasy character, DEN, was first published in the American underground comic GRIM WIT, then in the French magazine METAL HURLANT, and later in the American HEAVY METAL. He and Dona established FANTAGOR PRESS to publish his comics. Corben also drew for major American comic publishers like D.C., MARVEL, and DARK HORSE.

Throughout his career, Corben maintained his drawing skills through regular life drawing classes, which he found both challenging and enjoyable. His passion for animation continued, leading him to create digital animated movies.

Richard was married to Dona for 56 years and was the father of watercolor artist and comic book colorist, Beth. He dedicated his life to his family and his art. Richard Corben died on December 2, 2020.

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