In Memoriam: Comic Artist Ramona Fradon

By John Freeman on February 25, 2024

We’re sorry to report the passing of award-winning American comic artist Ramona Fradon (2nd October 1926 – 24th February, 2024), known for her work illustrating Aquaman, as one of artists who drew the internationally syndicated newspaper Brenda Starr, Reporter, and co-creating the superhero Metamorpho with Bob Haney. She was 97.

Artist Ramona Fradon, via Catskill Comics — Artist Ramona Fradon, via **Catskill Comics**

DC Comis superheroine art by Ramona Fradon

Ramona also worked other DC titles such as Superman, Batman and Plastic Man. Her career began in 1950 and lasted until her retirement in January 2024, and was still sketching for fans into her nineties.

The Super Friends #28, art by Ramona Fradon

When she started drawing Aquaman for DC Comics, she and then-husband Dana Fradon (who later became a New Yorker cartoonist) were among the many young couples struggling to make ends meet in post–World War Two New York City. An art school graduate with no particular career ambitions, Fradon left her cold-water flat on 14th Street and began knocking on the doors of comics publishers. “I made up some samples and got jobs everywhere I went,” she told Gwynne Watkins during an interview for Vulture, back in 2018, then still surprised at her luck. “Later on, I heard it wasn’t that easy to do! I guess I was just destined to be a cartoonist.”

It was a while before Fradon realized that there were virtually no other female artists in the 1950s comics industry. “There were two of us,” she told Gwynne, referring to colorist Marie Severin, who worked primarily for EC and Marvel. “As soon as I got up to DC, people started asking me if I knew Marie, because she was, you know, the only other one.” Severin passed away in August 2018 and oddly enough, the two women didn’t meet until a 1995 event at San Diego Comic-Con. “I’m sorry I didn’t know her all those years,” Fradon said regretfully. “We would have had a lot of fun together.”

Brenda Starr, Reporter (often referred to simply as Brenda Starr), a comic strip about a glamorous, adventurous reporter, was created in 1940 by Dale Messick for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate, and continued by others, including Ramona, until 2011.

*Brenda Starr 13th February 1987, art by Ramona Fradon*

*Brenda Starr 10th October 1987, art by Ramona Fradon*

A sketch by Ramona Fradon, drawn in 2021, “I believe, at 94,” noted writer and editor Scott Edelman, “to prove one's heart need not wither as one ages…” via BlueSky — *A sketch by Ramona Fradon, drawn in 2021, “I believe, at 94,” noted writer and editor Scott Edelman, “to prove one’s heart need not wither as one ages…” via BlueSky*

The news of Ramona’s passing broke via her agent, Scott Kress of Catskill Comics, on their Facebook Page.

“It comes with great sadness to announce that Ramona Fradon has passed… Ramona was 97 and had a long career in the comic book industry and was still drawing just a few days ago. She was a remarkable person in so many ways. I will miss all the great conversations and laughs we had.

“I am blessed that I was able to work with her on a professional level, but also able to call her my friend.”

“So sad to hear of the passing of comic legend Ramona Fradon – she gave us all a lifetime of beautiful comic book art and storytelling ,” wrote comics writer and TV and film Jimmy Palmiotti. “We lost a legend today at the age of 97. May she rest in peace. Her art and smile will live on forever in all our hearts.”

• If you who wish to send a card to the family, please feel free to send them to Catskill Comics and they will be happy to pass them along. You can send cards to Catskill Comics “Fradon Family”, PO Box 264, Glasco, NY 12432 USA

• Catskill Comics is online at catskillcomics.com

• Wikipedia: Ramona Fradon Profile

• Vulture: The Woman Who Made Aquaman a Star (2018 Interview)

Tributes

• CBR: Ramona Fradon, Iconic Comic Artist and Metamorpho Co-Creator, Passes Away at 97

• Multiversity: Ramona Fradon, Classic Aquaman Artist and Co-Creator of Metamorpho, Dead at 97

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.