‘Nick Cardy: The Artist At War’ Shows A Very Different Side Of A Classic Silver Age Artist

Nick Cardy is one of those names that hardcore comics fans know, and that those with a taste for history should know. He was a key artist for DC in the Silver Age, and a fascinating new book shows a different side of his work.
Cardy, as a comic book artist, is best known for drawing the first thirty-nine issues of Aquaman, and working on the art for all forty-three issues of the first Teen Titans series. In the ’70s, Cardy served primarily as DC’s go-to cover artist. You might remember some of Cardy’s work appearing on Superdickery, but hey, he didn’t come up with the subject; he just drew it.
But he also, like many comic book artists, served in World War II. In fact, for somebody who was supposedly largely out of the thick of it and who tends to downplay his service, Cardy saw a lot of action: By the end of the war, he’d earned two Purple Hearts as part of a tank corps.
That’s reflected in a release of his wartime sketchbook and painting. It’s a side of Cardy that fans of the Silver Age never got to see, especially as an artist; this work is far different from his comics work, ranging from line drawings to charcoal to solemn painting.
It’s a very different look from a journeyman comic artist, and fascinating in its own right. Here’s a look at some of the images included in the book.

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