12 Facts About Norman Saunders

Norman Blaine Saunders was a prolific 20th-century American commercial artist.

Norman Saunders is best known for paintings in pulp magazines, paperbacks, men's adventure magazines, comic books and trading cards.

On occasion, Saunders signed his work with his middle name, Blaine.

Norman Saunders was born in Minot, North Dakota, but his earliest memories were from the family's homestead near Bemidji in northern Minnesota where he and his parents lived in a one-room cabin.

Norman Saunders' career was launched when his contributions to Captain Billy's Whiz Bang resulted in a job with Fawcett Publications, where he was employed from 1928 to 1934.

Norman Saunders explained in 1983 the events that led to his arrival at Fawcett's offices in Robbinsdale, Minnesota:.

Norman Saunders left Fawcett to become a freelance pulp artist, moved to New York City and studied under Harvey Dunn at the Grand Central School of Art.

Norman Saunders painted for all the major publishers and was known for his fast-action scenes, his beautiful women and his ability to meet a deadline.

In 1958, Norman Saunders obtained his first assignment from the trading cards company Topps, painting over photographs of baseball players who had been traded, so that they would appear to be wearing the jersey of their new team.

Topps soon employed Norman Saunders to create artwork for many other cards, including the 1962 Mars Attacks series and the Batman TV series in 1966.

Norman Saunders produced a number of less well-known trading card series, including Ugly Stickers, Nutty Initials, Make Your Own Name Stickers and Civil War News.

Norman Saunders began them in 1967 with the "Die-Cuts" and he continued to paint them until the 16th series in 1976.