Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary at Dragon Con, with Jose Delbo- 70’s style! 2016 sees Wonder Woman events and celebrations in publishing and at conventions all over, such as Kent State University Symposium, Sept. 22-24. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/09/08/kent-state-to-honor-wonder-womans-75th-anniversary-with-three-day-symposium The 30th Anniversary Dragon Con not only featured the presence of George Perez, who guided DC’s relaunch of Diana almost three decades ago, but also a spotlight on the 70’s Wonder Woman artist (1976-1981), José Delbo.

With several DC Universe cartoons since, a show-stopping appearance in Batman vs. Superman, and a major motion picture on the horizon, Wonder Woman seems as popular as ever. Before there was Nicola Scott and Liam Sharpe, there was Mr. Delbo, who drew the Amazonian Princess during her television well-spring of popularity.

The Argentinian artist began working professionally at age 16, at the side of another experienced cartoonist. “Alex (Buck Rogers) Raymond influenced me with his anatomy, early on” says Delbo. “Later, I was influenced by Milton Caniff’s treatment of black and white.”

Delbo primarily primarily drew Gold Key comics inspired by popular television shows. Among his lengthy credits in the years since: The Monkees, Lone Ranger, Transformers, Thundercats, and an adaptation of the Beatles movie, Yellow Submarine.

As for TV, one of his co-creations, the super-villain Lumberjack, became a menace on Supergirl in her first season, 2015, on CBS.

José worked on Twilight Zone, Buck Rogers, and numerous comics inspired by Westerns for Gold Key. Fleeing his country during a political uprising, José came to America, and by the mid-70s, began his stint at DC Comics. With Wonder Woman #222, he began drawing the title, soon taking his position as the monthly artist.

As chronicled in the book by Michael McAvennie & Hannah Dolan, “1970s”. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle : Writer Martin Pasko and artist José Delbo detailed the first chronological meeting between Earth-1’s modern-day Wonder Woman and her Earth-2 equivalent during World War II. When ABC-TV’s popular Wonder Woman TV series was originally set during World War II, the team reflected the program. Pasko and Delbo continued in this era for the next fifteen issues. He also drew Batgirl back-ups in Detective Comics.



After Lynda Carter made a star-spangled jump to CBS-TV’s The New Adventures of Wonder Woman, scripter Jack C. Harris and artist José Delbo produced a story where Earth-1’s Amazon helped her Golden Age counterpart apprehend the Angle Man in Wonder Woman #243, cover dated May, 1977. The death of Steve Trevor inspired Wonder Woman to leave for Paradise Island, where, in a trilogy by Gerry Conway and Delbo, Trevor returned to life, reflecting his popularity as a supporting character on the show.

original pages by Delbo.

During his later work at Marvel, which continued his early career predilection for licensed properties, he drew Thundercats, a couple of fill-ins for Conan The Barbarian, and later, the first seven issues of NFL Superpro.

While at Marvel, he ”really liked the Transformers, and asked for a story to draw.” He recollects beginning with issue #36, “Space Hikers.” For most of the next four years, Jose drew the Robots in Disguise, from their Generation 2 incarnations onward. His challenge was to make the robots more “human” in their movements and expressions, “not just be robotic.” His style focused on their agility and animation. http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/jose-delbo

In 2013, Delbo drew an IDW Transformers Regeneration One Special.

Delbo taught for several years at the Joe Kubert School of Art. At present, he enjoys teaching drawing classes for children. He also creates six foot-high murals, based on his previous four color comics.

Still game to draw, Delbo continues to offer his services for books and commissions. “For more information you can look at my website at www.josedelbo.com,” he says.