Any information on Al Luster 0

[Tradewins]

Anyone knowledgable on comic artist Al Luster?

I read about his history during the 50's but not a lot of info on the artist. Not even date of birth etc. I have an original piece of his done in 1975 and would like to know more if anyone can help,

Thank you,

Nic

Edited March 1, 2014 by tradewins

[JBL-migration]

Nic,

 

I caught your post while doing a Google search. Al Luster was my father! We knew he had drawn comics while in NYC going to art school from 1949-51, but little else. I can remember reading some of them he had in a box as a kid after he moved back to Seattle in 1951. He was a Navy fighter pilot that didn't quite get into WW2, and after his time in NYC, went back to Seattle to take over the family business at the insistence of my Grandfather. He was miserably unhappy, as he really wanted to be pursue his art career, but ended up working for Herman Miller as he needed to support a growing family. He developed epilepsy in the mid 1960's, which caused him to loose his job and washed him out of the Naval Air Reserve, but because of this, he went back into art and produced some great Western and rodeo art until his untimely death at 56 in 1980. That same seizure disorder took him while on a swim with my sisters in front of our house in Mercer Island, Washington. As tragic as that was, he was able to finally do what he really was meant to do all along before he left us, and he left us with some really great art! His legacy is, of course, his artwork, and my sister, Claire, who is an amazing western & equine sculptress. We recently discovered a box of his comics, and it was interesting how the trademarks of his western art were present even in his early comic book work. Hope you enjoy his work!

[alxjhnsn]

The power of the internet! Thanks for sharing a bit of your dad's story.

[Terry Doyle]

 

Fascinating to hear some of your father's story, thanks.

 

I expect that 'Doc V' (Michael Vassallo) has been in contact with you at some point (if not, I'm sure he would love to research your father's background - especially for the Atlas-era work)?

 

 

[Kevn]

Awesome story! Cruising around the web, Mr. Luster created some amazing art. And it's really inspiring to read how he took something that many people would have treated as a terrible burden, and used it to find his joy. Thank you for sharing this.

[jimjum12]

 

Fascinating to hear some of your father's story, thanks.

 

I expect that 'Doc V' (Michael Vassallo) has been in contact with you at some point (if not, I'm sure he would love to research your father's background - especially for the Atlas-era work)?

 

 

His Atlas output was fantastic..... one of my favorites. I always wondered why someone so talented had exited so suddenly. GOD BLESS...

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

[Terry Doyle]

There's a nice 7-page Western/Horror story by Al in the # 2 edition of 'Witches Tales' (Harvey, March 1951). "Massacre of the Ghosts!"

[JBL-migration]

Thanks all for the kind comments! It is gratifying to us to know that his work is still remembered and has a place in comic book history. Although we remembered that he did the Black Diamond Western comics and a few others for Lev Gleason, it wasn't until the last month that we stumbled on his work for the Atlas/Stan Lee comics. I do know he regretted very much having to leave New York and the comic book world when he did in the early 50's. We wonder how things might have been different and what would have evolved for his comic book work if he had been able to stay. My sister Claire apparently has some storyboards he did from that period, and when I get back to Seattle this Summer, I will see what we have and try and get them out on display for you guys. Thanks again.

[Kevn]

I would LOVE to see any of his work that you have (and I'm sure most others here would say the same). You might consider creating an account (it's free) at comicartfans in his name and posting some of it there.

[Tradewins]

On 3/23/2015 at 6:35 PM, JBL-migration said:

Nic,

 

I caught your post while doing a Google search. Al Luster was my father! We knew he had drawn comics while in NYC going to art school from 1949-51, but little else. I can remember reading some of them he had in a box as a kid after he moved back to Seattle in 1951. He was a Navy fighter pilot that didn't quite get into WW2, and after his time in NYC, went back to Seattle to take over the family business at the insistence of my Grandfather. He was miserably unhappy, as he really wanted to be pursue his art career, but ended up working for Herman Miller as he needed to support a growing family. He developed epilepsy in the mid 1960's, which caused him to loose his job and washed him out of the Naval Air Reserve, but because of this, he went back into art and produced some great Western and rodeo art until his untimely death at 56 in 1980. That same seizure disorder took him while on a swim with my sisters in front of our house in Mercer Island, Washington. As tragic as that was, he was able to finally do what he really was meant to do all along before he left us, and he left us with some really great art! His legacy is, of course, his artwork, and my sister, Claire, who is an amazing western & equine sculptress. We recently discovered a box of his comics, and it was interesting how the trademarks of his western art were present even in his early comic book work. Hope you enjoy his work!

 

[Tradewins]

I just added pictures of the story boards I found....I had never seen the reply from JBL.

Thought it would be appropriate to post the pictures.

[MagnusX]

Interesting thread..!

[Electricmastro]

Well if Al Luster was 56 by the time of his passing in 1980, then he’d have presumably been born in the mid-1920s. Going by that, my research points me to the Albert Berry Luster born in Bremerton, Washington in 1924.

https://www.fold3.com/image/649178129?terms=luster

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8099462/albert-b-luster

https://sortedbybirthdate.com/small_pages/1924/19240329_1000.html

Edited March 4, 2021 by Electricmastro

[JeaniRey]

I picked these up in an auction held in Olympia, WA. Nice original ink drawings by Al Luster. Thank you to his child (son/daughter) for supplying info!

Edited March 8, 2022 by JeaniRey