Alex Raymond

 

Alex Raymond, born Alexander Gillespie Raymo nd (New Rochelle, October 2, 1909 - Westport, September 6, 1956), was an American cartoonist, primarily known for creating Flash Gordon in 1934. He is the great-uncle of actors Matt Dillon and Kevin Dillon .

After attending the Grand Central School of Art, he began collaborating with Russ Westover, before moving in 1931 to the studio of the Young brothers, authors of Cino and Franco. The turning point was 1933, when the King Features Syndicate entrusted him with three strip series at the same time; thus, in 1934 Flash Gordon, Jungle Jim and Secret Agent X-9 (all later the subject of film serials) were released, the latter written for the first few episodes by Dashiell Hammett. In 1935 Raymond abandoned Secret Agent X-9 and in 1944 he enlisted in the marines, from which he was discharged two years later after earning the rank of major.

In the meantime his series are continued by his assistants and, back home, the American master creates Rip Kirby, who definitively places him among the most important authors of all time thanks to the adult themes treated in the stories and a new conception of protagonists of the series itself. A great car enthusiast, on September 6, 1956 he tested the new sports car of his colleague Stan Drake and tragically lost his life in a road accident.