Fred Iger
Fred Iger | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 12, 1924[1] |
| Died | April 10, 2015 (aged 90) |
| Occupation(s) | American Comics Group owner National Periodical Publications co-owner (1948–1961) |
| Spouse(s) | Sonia Donenfeld (1943 – c. 1962) Arlene (c. 1962 — ?) |
| Relatives | Harry Donenfeld (father-in-law) |
Frederick Hillel Iger (July 12, 1924 – April 10, 2015) was an American comic book publisher,[2] associated for many years with the media figure Harry Donenfeld. (Iger's first marriage was to Donenfeld's daughter, and his second marriage was to Donenfeld's ex-daughter-in-law.) Iger was an owner of American Comics Group from 1943 to 1967,[2] and co-owner of National Periodical Publications (otherwise known as DC Comics) from 1948–1961.
Iger is not related to pioneering comic-book packager Jerry Iger.
Biography
Early career
Iger started out as a radio producer, working with Robert Maxwell from c. 1939 to 1941,[2] including on The Adventures of Superman radio show.
Sangor Studio and American Comics Group
In 1940 Iger joined Benjamin W. Sangor's "Sangor Shop" until 1943. (Harry Donenfeld was co-owner of the studio during this period as well,[2] up until the early 1960s, though he was severely incapacitated and out of the business after an accident in 1962).[3] Sangor started American Comics Group (ACG) in 1943, and in 1947 Iger bought in (thanks to his father-in-law Donenfeld).[4] At ACG during this period Iger edited, ordered paper, negotiated with printers, and did the taxes.[citation needed] His title was Business Manager and, later, Publisher.[citation needed]
In 1955, Iger bought out Sangor's share from his widow Francis[5] (Sangor having died c. 1953[6] or 1955;[7] sources differ) becoming sole owner of ACG for the rest of the company history.
DC Comics
Iger's father-in-law Donenfeld staked Iger again in 1948, when Iger was made a co-owner of National Periodical Publications, a major part of Donenfeld's comic book empire. Iger's association with DC ended in 1961,[2] when the company went public.
Later career
In the mid-1990s, Iger owned the commercial photo board company Film Reproductions, from 1993 to 1997.[2]
Personal life
Iger was married twice, the first time from 1943 to c. 1962 to Sonia "Peachy" Donenfeld, daughter of Harry Donenfeld. His second marriage[8] was to a woman named Arlene, the ex-wife of Harry's son Irwin.[9] He died in 2015, aged 90.[10]
References
- ^ Vance, Michael, ed. (1996). Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group. Jan 1, 1996: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313296782.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e f Bails, Jerry; Ware, Hames, eds. "Iger, Fred". Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Donenfeld, Harry" at Bails, Ware
- ^ Jones, Gerard. Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book (Basic Books, 2004), p. 222.
- ^ "Sangor, Francis" [sic], at Bails, Ware
- ^ "Sangor, Ben" at Bails, Ware. Archived 2007-03-30 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Vance, Michael (1996). Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group. Greenwood Press. p. 8. ISBN 0-313-29678-2.
- ^ Irwin Donenfeld entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999.
- ^ "Donenfeld, Sonia" at Bails, Ware
- ^ "Frederick Hillel Iger". Digital Memorial. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
External links
- "DC's 'Other' Comics: American Comics Group," DCComicsArtists.com
- "The History of Comic Books: The Newsstand Period," TheComicBooks.com