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MUSEUM OF MODERN MYTHOLOGY AND POP CULTURE

SHEL DORF MEMORIAL PAGE

Sheldon Dorf, more affectionately known as "Shel," was born in Detroit Michigan on July 5, 1933. A freelance artist and comic book letterer, Shel worked on the Steve Canyon comic strip for over a decade. Above (left), the membership card of the Shel Dorf Fan Club, issued to the curator of this Museum, who was a good friend of the True founder of the San Diego Comic Con (Comic Con International). Next to David's card, iconic Fantasy/Science Fiction writer Ray Bradbury proudly exhibits his. Bradbury photo courtesy of Greg Koudoulian, communications director of the Shel Dorf Fan Club and Entourage.

This limited edition record album was produced in 1975, and is an audio chronicle of some of the panels presented during the San Diego Comic Convention at the El Cortez Hotel. Photo courtesy of Alan Light, pictured above.

Shel was a student at the Chicago Art Institute before becoming a freelance artist of commercial design. A lover of comic strips and comic books, Shel had a particular interest in Chester Gould's Dick Tracy daily strip. Besides his work on the Steve Canyon comic strip, Shel and Jerry Bails took over Robert Brusch's fan convention in the mid 1960s, renaming it the Detroit Triple Fan Fair; they turned it into an annual event. Photo courtesy of Alan Light.

Shel moved to San Diego, California in May of 1969. In September, he met Richard Alf, a High School student who sold collectible comic books through mail order. Richard and Shel became friends, and Shel outlined his ideas for creating a one day comic book convention as a template for a larger one to come. It was Richard Alf who gathered a group of friends (Mike Towry, Bob Sourk, Barry Alfonso, and Dan Stewart) interested in Shel's vision, and in meeting him. Shel and Richard then met Ray Bradbury on the University of California campus, where Mr. Bradbury was delivering a speech. Shel and Richard invited him to be a guest at the first event, and though Ray's schedule prevented him from attending, he agreed to attend their three day convention, to be held later. Shel and his core group trekked to Los Angeles, where they met with Forrest J Ackerman, who became the star guest at the one day con. Later, Shel Dorf organized the three day Golden State Comic Con, held at the U. S. Grant Hotel, with Ray Bradbury and Jack Kirby as the star attractions. Under Shel's supervision, and the continued hard work of his friends, including young Richard Alf (who also put a lot of his money into these projects), the Comic Con grew into the San Diego Comic Con International. The photo above shows Shel doing a sketch of photographer, journalist, editor Alan Light. Photo courtesy of Alan Light.

Shel with Uncle Forry (Forrest J Ackerman, who used no period after the initial), at the Ackermansion. Photo by Alan Light.

Shel and Lee Marrs, comic book writer, animator, and one of the first women underground 'comix' creators; she was a founding member of 'Wimmen's Comix.' Photo by Alan Light.

Sergio Aragones (of Mad magazine fame), Walter Koenig (Chekov of the original Star Trek series), and Shel at the 1982 San Diego Comic Con International. Photo by Alan Light.

Artist/writer Sergio Aragones with Shel at the Inkpot Awards, during the 1982 San Diego Comic Con International. Photo by Alan Light.

Dennis the Menace creator Hank Ketcham and Shel Dorf. Photo by Alan Light.

Shel with Celeste Holm (Academy Award winner for her role in Gentleman's Agreement), at the 1988 Academy Awards. Photo by Alan Light.

Shel and Warren Beatty on the set of the 1990 Dick Tracy movie; Shel was hired as a consultant on Beatty's project. Shel had published the original Dick Tracy comic strips for Blackthorne Publishing in 1984; the daughter of Chester Gould, the detective's creator, credited Shel with introducing Dick Tracy to another generation. Photo given to Alan Light by Shel Dorf.

Shel (standing behind and to the right of iconic comic book creator Jack Kirby) with the committee members (Minus Mike Towry) who helped him with the creation of the San Diego Comic Con; left to right: Dan Stewart (holding a drawing), Bob Sourk, Richard Alf (whose tireless efforts need to be properly rewarded), and Barry Alfonso (also holding the drawing). The young fan standing to the right of Jack Kirby and Shel is Wayne Kincaid, who was not a Comic Con member, but had come along for a visit to the home of Jack Kirby. Our good friend Shel died on November 3, 2009. This photo is from the collection of Richard Alf, a great person and friend.

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