Biography

Pop-art style comic book art, often using cinematic and surreal elements.

Before becoming a comic book artist, Jim Steranko was a professional escape artists (a la Houdini).

Steranko is also an accomplished guitarist in his 20s, and formed (under a pseudonym) a rock-and-roll group known as The Lancers, performing in the same Philadelphia venues, often on the same nights, as Bill Haley and the Comets.

Comic book artist Jack Kirby (co-creator of Captain America) based another of his comic book characters, Mister Miracle, on Steranko's early career as an escape artist.

Jim Steranko was a card magician in his younger days, and wrote a book ("Steranko on Cards") that is still considered an authoritative source for sleight-of-hand maneuvers. He is credited as having developed the Lateral Palm move for card magic.

Best known for his "pop-art" artwork for Marvel Comics' Captain America and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. comics in the late 1960's.