Archie Comics Artist Henry Scarpelli Dies at 79, Adapted Sitcoms to Comics - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-06-2010, 05:25 PM

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Archie Comics has announced that longtime Archie Comics artist Henry Scarpelli has died at age 79. Obituary from Archie Comics below:

LONGTIME ARCHIE COMICS ARTIST HENRY SCARPELLI DIES AT 79

It is with deep regret and sorrow that Archie Comics acknowledges the loss of longtime artist, Henry Scarpelli, of Grasmere, Staten Island who passed away on Sunday, April 4 after a long illness. He was 79.

“Henry was an invaluable part of the Archie Comics family,” said Archie Comics Co-President and Editor-in-Chief, Victor Gorelick. “He will truly be missed.”

Scarpelli studied at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan where he honed his pencil and inking skills. He would go on to pencil and/or ink several comic strips and comic book features over the years and even wrote a few as well.

Scarpelli’s first professional comic book work was a back-up feature for one of DC’s funny animal titles of the late 1940s. In the 1950s, he joined a newspaper syndicate as assistant artist on the “Little Sport” strip and soon had a cartoon panel of his own, “TV Tee Hees.” This single panel gag strip built around the inner workings of TV broadcasting proved so popular that it ran in 150 newspapers from 1956 to 1975.

“The TV Tee Hees” strip led to TV comic books when Scarpelli ended up at Dell working on several comic books based on 1960s TV shows. Scarpelli was adept at capturing the features of the popular TV stars of the day, and among the programs he adapted to comics were “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” “Hogan’s Heroes” and “McHale’s Navy.”

Scarpelli’s Dell work led to assignments from several publishers including Marvel, DC, Charlton and Archie. While he inked and occasionally penciled both superhero and romance comics, the majority of Scarpelli’s output consisted of depicting humorous characters. He continued to work on comic books based on real life personalities like Jerry Lewis and Abbott & Costello. Henry also had opportunities to work on some of the ground-breaking DC humor titles like “Angel & the Ape” and “Stanley & His Monster.”

Ultimately, Scarpelli found himself getting more and more work in the genre that would define his career, teenage humor comics. Scarpelli’s most notable contributions in this area included “Millie the Model” for Marvel; “Date with Debbi,” “Leave it to Binky,” “Swing with Scooter” for DC Comics; and Charlton’s “Sinistro, Boy Fiend” – a humorous teenage super-villain.

All of these titles were stepping stones for what would become Henry’s crowning achievement, to become one of Archie Comics’ lead artists. Henry penciled and inked for most of the Archie Comics titles. Among Scarpelli’s more notable accomplishments for Archie, and one he was very proud of, was drawing the daily and Sunday Archie newspaper strip for over fifteen years.

Those who knew Henry Scarpelli personally, will no doubt remember his good humor and how much he loved to laugh. “It’s no wonder his first published work was a strip titled, ‘Henry the Laughing Hyena,’” said Paul Castiglia, an Archie Comics historian who wrote a few stories drawn by Scarpelli.

Scarpelli is survived by his wife Claire, son Glenn Scarpelli, sisters Rose, Louise and Maryann; brothers Louis, George and Ralph; and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marvo301 · 04-06-2010, 05:53 PM

Henry Scarpelli

treky · 04-07-2010, 03:20 AM

I didn't even know Archie comics were still around!!

tv star collector · 04-07-2010, 08:54 AM

In this little town, the Archie digests are the only comic books that can
be found! They're sold at the supermarket checkout counter here.

Being a collector of TV comics, I have many of the Dell Comics that Henry
drew, and also a hardcover book collection of his TV Tee-Hees panel.
He was also the father of actor Glenn Scarpelli (of One Day at a Time,
who guest starred in an issue of Archie (which was drawn by another
Archie artist, not Glenn's father).

OH Nuts! · 04-07-2010, 10:08 AM

I loved Archie comics as a kid and liked the cartoon show too. And...I remember as a young teen when Sugar Sugar went to #1....

so I just want to send a very big cosmic thank you to dear Mr. Scarpelli and hope he rests in peace. He brought joy to many others throrugh his talent.

Tweety · 04-07-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

..He was also the father of actor Glenn Scarpelli (of One Day at a Time, who guest starred in an issue of Archie (which was drawn by another Archie artist, not Glenn's father).

When I saw the name, I wondered if there was any relation between Henry and Glenn

We would sometimes pick up Archie comics as a kids (late 60s/early 70s), and I liked the Saturday morning TV cartoons. I was much more into Superman/Legion of Super Heroes/Jimmy Olsen/Lois Lane comic books, but my sister liked the Archie comix and I would read them as well.

A very nice legacy. RIP Henry

steevo · 04-07-2010, 11:21 PM

I used to collect Archie comics when I was a kid and always read the comic strips that Mr. Scarpelli drew. He was quite a talent.

Henry

catlover79 · 04-07-2010, 11:26 PM

04-06-2010, 05:25 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,424	Archie Comics Artist Henry Scarpelli Dies at 79, Adapted Sitcoms to Comics Link Archie Comics has announced that longtime Archie Comics artist Henry Scarpelli has died at age 79. Obituary from Archie Comics below: LONGTIME ARCHIE COMICS ARTIST HENRY SCARPELLI DIES AT 79 It is with deep regret and sorrow that Archie Comics acknowledges the loss of longtime artist, Henry Scarpelli, of Grasmere, Staten Island who passed away on Sunday, April 4 after a long illness. He was 79. “Henry was an invaluable part of the Archie Comics family,” said Archie Comics Co-President and Editor-in-Chief, Victor Gorelick. “He will truly be missed.” Scarpelli studied at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan where he honed his pencil and inking skills. He would go on to pencil and/or ink several comic strips and comic book features over the years and even wrote a few as well. Scarpelli’s first professional comic book work was a back-up feature for one of DC’s funny animal titles of the late 1940s. In the 1950s, he joined a newspaper syndicate as assistant artist on the “Little Sport” strip and soon had a cartoon panel of his own, “TV Tee Hees.” This single panel gag strip built around the inner workings of TV broadcasting proved so popular that it ran in 150 newspapers from 1956 to 1975. “The TV Tee Hees” strip led to TV comic books when Scarpelli ended up at Dell working on several comic books based on 1960s TV shows. Scarpelli was adept at capturing the features of the popular TV stars of the day, and among the programs he adapted to comics were “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” “Hogan’s Heroes” and “McHale’s Navy.” Scarpelli’s Dell work led to assignments from several publishers including Marvel, DC, Charlton and Archie. While he inked and occasionally penciled both superhero and romance comics, the majority of Scarpelli’s output consisted of depicting humorous characters. He continued to work on comic books based on real life personalities like Jerry Lewis and Abbott & Costello. Henry also had opportunities to work on some of the ground-breaking DC humor titles like “Angel & the Ape” and “Stanley & His Monster.” Ultimately, Scarpelli found himself getting more and more work in the genre that would define his career, teenage humor comics. Scarpelli’s most notable contributions in this area included “Millie the Model” for Marvel; “Date with Debbi,” “Leave it to Binky,” “Swing with Scooter” for DC Comics; and Charlton’s “Sinistro, Boy Fiend” – a humorous teenage super-villain. All of these titles were stepping stones for what would become Henry’s crowning achievement, to become one of Archie Comics’ lead artists. Henry penciled and inked for most of the Archie Comics titles. Among Scarpelli’s more notable accomplishments for Archie, and one he was very proud of, was drawing the daily and Sunday Archie newspaper strip for over fifteen years. Those who knew Henry Scarpelli personally, will no doubt remember his good humor and how much he loved to laugh. “It’s no wonder his first published work was a strip titled, ‘Henry the Laughing Hyena,’” said Paul Castiglia, an Archie Comics historian who wrote a few stories drawn by Scarpelli. Scarpelli is survived by his wife Claire, son Glenn Scarpelli, sisters Rose, Louise and Maryann; brothers Louis, George and Ralph; and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-06-2010, 05:53 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Henry Scarpelli
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-07-2010, 03:20 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I didn't even know Archie comics were still around!!
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

04-07-2010, 11:21 PM	#7
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	I used to collect Archie comics when I was a kid and always read the comic strips that Mr. Scarpelli drew. He was quite a talent. Henry
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

04-07-2010, 11:26 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-07-2010, 08:54 AM	#4
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	In this little town, the Archie digests are the only comic books that can be found! They're sold at the supermarket checkout counter here. Being a collector of TV comics, I have many of the Dell Comics that Henry drew, and also a hardcover book collection of his TV Tee-Hees panel. He was also the father of actor Glenn Scarpelli (of One Day at a Time, who guest starred in an issue of Archie (which was drawn by another Archie artist, not Glenn's father).

04-07-2010, 10:08 AM	#5
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I loved Archie comics as a kid and liked the cartoon show too. And...I remember as a young teen when Sugar Sugar went to #1.... so I just want to send a very big cosmic thank you to dear Mr. Scarpelli and hope he rests in peace. He brought joy to many others throrugh his talent.