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Larry Todd
Larry Todd
Larry Todd
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Larry S. Todd[3] (April 6, 1948-September 28, 2024)[1] was an American illustrator and cartoonist, best known for Dr. Atomic and his other work in underground comix, often with a science fiction bent.

Key Information

Biography

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Born in Buffalo, Todd studied art at Syracuse University where he crossed paths with Vaughn Bodé; the two became friends and collaborators. Todd created comics for Galaxy Science Fiction,[4] as well as doing some writing for the science fiction magazine If.[3] Todd later collaborated with Bodé on a series of cover paintings for Galaxy and magazines published by Warren Publishing.[4]

Dr. Atomic

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After a brief period in New York, Todd moved in 1971 to San Francisco, where he created Dr. Atomic, initially for John Bryan's short-lived Sunday Paper and then as a comic book series published by Last Gasp. Comics historian Don Markstein described Dr. Atomic:

He first appeared in some of the transient underground newspapers of the early 1970s, where his first task was to build his robot assistant. . . . The character's back story included having been a lieutenant in the Luftwaffe in 1941, which would make him a good deal older than most of his 20-something readers. (Another clue was his bald head and thick, white beard.) Still, he had more in common with Billy Kropotkin, the dope-smoking hippie next door, than with Hank the heavily armed redneck next door on the other side. Billy and Dr. Atomic had one drug-addled sci-fi adventure after another, for six issues. The last came out in 1981. There were also T-shirts and suchlike—no lunch boxes or Underoos, of course, but one spun-off product was absolutely unique. Dr. Atomic's Marijuana Multiplier, which was published in 1974, provided instructions for a chemical process that allegedly enhanced cheap, low-quality pot. The chemicals are said by others to have been fairly dangerous if handled by non-professionals. Nonetheless, people bought a great many copies, and it is still in print.[5]

Other work

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Todd's first solo title was Tales of the Armorkins, published by Company & Sons in 1971. In 1972, Todd and Charles Dallas created Paranoia (also published by Company & Sons). Todd and a collective of other cartoonists self-published Compost Comics and Enigma! in 1973.

Some time in the early 1970s, along with Willy Murphy and Gary King, Todd began hanging around the Air Pirates collective and contributing to their projects.

Todd contributed gag cartoons to the men's magazine Coq in 1977.[3]

In 1978, Last Gasp published Harlan Ellison's Chocolate Alphabet, illustrated by Todd.

It's a Dog's Life, a one-shot published by Last Gasp in 1982, was a futuristic tale of dogs with human heads; it included reprints of stories from previous comics.

Beginning in 1984, Todd and Vaughn Bodé's son Mark Bodé collaborated on Cobalt 60, the revival of a concept created by Vaughn Bodé. These latter-day Cobalt 60 stories were serialized in the magazine Epic Illustrated starting with the December 1984 issue, and later collected in various forms by The Donning Company/Starblaze Graphics and Tundra Press.

Todd continued his relationship with Mark Bodé by co-scripting a couple of issues of Rip Off Press's Miami Mice in 1986, and co-creating/scripting Gyro Force in 1987.

Todd contributed a story to Larry Welz's Cherry Poptart #1 in 1982; from 1990–1994, Todd contributed stories and art to various issues of Cherry.

Personal life

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In 1989 Todd's house burned down.[6] Spurred on by Mark Bodé, more than 35 of Todd's colleagues contributed to a benefit comic book. Published by Rip Off Press, the introduction was by Harlan Ellison; contributors included Bodé, Spain Rodriguez, Justin Green, Trina Robbins, S. Clay Wilson, Jaxon, Richard Corben, Peter Bagge, Dan O'Neill, Sheridan Anderson, Gary Hallgren, Jay Kinney, Paul Mavrides, Sharon Rudahl, William Messner-Loebs, Steve Leialoha, Scott Shaw, Jim Valentino, Michael T. Gilbert, Kevin Eastman, George Metzger, Harry S. Robins, Guy Colwell, William Stout, Kate Worley, Reed Waller, Larry Welz, and R. L. Crabb.[7]

In 2010, Larry Welz reported that Todd was working for Duncan Designs Inc. of Santa Rosa, California, "painting carnival rides: funhouses, mirror mazes & dark rides at Owen Trailers in Riverside, California, where they build such things."[8]

Todd was married with one child.[1] He died on September 28, 2024.[1]

Bibliography

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References

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Larry Todd

View on Grokipedia
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Larry Todd is an American cartoonist, illustrator, and underground comix artist best known for creating the satirical character Dr. Atomic, a mad scientist whose psychedelic adventures promoted marijuana use and counterculture themes. His work blended science fiction, slapstick humor, and social commentary, influencing the underground comics movement of the 1970s through contributions to publications like The Sunday Paper and Last Gasp comic books. Born on April 6, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, Todd developed an early interest in science fiction and comics, selling stories and illustrations to Galaxy magazine while still in high school and later studying art at Syracuse University. There he formed a lasting friendship and collaboration with cartoonist Vaughn Bodē, with whom he produced notable covers for Warren Publishing titles such as Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After moving to San Francisco in 1971, Todd fully embraced the underground scene, launching Dr. Atomic in 1972, which appeared in a series of comic books and specials, including the well-known The Pipe and Dope Book. Todd's other significant contributions include his 1978 comic adaptation of Harlan Ellison's Chocolate Alphabet, praised for its visual ingenuity, and his continuation of the Cobalt 60 fantasy series with Mark Bodē, originally conceived by Vaughn Bodē. Beyond comics, he created hundreds of science fiction paintings and illustrations, contributed to counterculture publications, and produced artwork and advertisements for the Proto Pipe Company over decades. In his later years, he painted large carnival attractions such as funhouses and dark rides. Todd died on September 28, 2024, at age 76 after a long illness.

Early life

Larry Todd was born on April 6, 1948, in Buffalo, New York. He developed an early interest in science fiction and comics. While in high school, during his junior year he sold a story to Galaxy magazine, followed by another sale (to Galaxy or If) in his senior year; he illustrated the latter himself after dissatisfaction with the magazine's illustrator. He also published a few cartoons in his school newspaper. As a teenager he privately produced an estimated 7,000 pages of comic art, mostly science fiction in freehand pen and ink, though nearly all were later lost. He studied art at Syracuse University, where he met cartoonist Vaughn Bodē during his freshman year, forming a lasting friendship and collaboration. While at Syracuse, Todd and Bodē began contributing artwork, including covers, to Warren Publishing titles such as Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

College career

Arizona State Sun Devils

Professional football career

Draft selections

Larry Todd was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (44th overall pick) of the 1965 NFL Draft, where he was listed as a wide receiver out of Arizona State. Concurrently, he was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (third overall) of the 1965 AFL Redshirt Draft. The dual selection reflected the competitive draft landscape between the established NFL and the rival American Football League prior to their eventual merger. ) Todd ultimately pursued his professional career with the Raiders rather than the 49ers.

Signing with Oakland Raiders

After being selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (third overall) of the 1965 AFL Redshirt Draft and by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (44th overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft, Larry Todd chose to sign with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League rather than the NFL's 49ers. This decision enabled Todd to begin his professional career with the Raiders in 1965, joining the team amid the intense competition between the rival leagues for talent. Todd remained with the Raiders through the 1970 season, including the period following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, contributing as a running back and occasional kick returner during his tenure.

Television appearances

No television appearances by Larry Todd are documented in credible sources. His career focused on underground comics, illustration, science fiction art, and related fields, with no recorded involvement in broadcast media.

Post-football life

Work in social services

Following the end of his professional football career with the Oakland Raiders in 1970, Larry Todd worked for the Alameda County Social Services department. He maintained a deliberately low profile about his past as a Raiders player during his employment there. George Hewitt, head of management services at the department, recalled asking Todd if he had played for the Raiders and receiving a simple confirmation: "Yeah, I did," though Todd declined to elaborate further. No specific details about his role or responsibilities within the department are documented in available sources.

Death

Larry Todd died on September 28, 2024, at the age of 76 after a long illness. The cause of death was testicular cancer. There is no publicly available information on burial, memorial services, or related arrangements.

Early life and education

Birth and early years

Larry Todd was born on April 6, 1948, in Buffalo, New York. He developed an early interest in science fiction and comics during his youth.

High school

While in high school, Todd sold stories and illustrations to science fiction magazines, including Galaxy. In his junior year, he sold a story to Galaxy (with their illustrator providing art), and in his senior year sold another to Galaxy or If, illustrating it himself. He was highly prolific in amateur comics, producing approximately 7,000 pages of mostly science fiction work during this period (nearly all later lost).

College attendance

Todd studied art at Syracuse University in the mid-1960s. He met cartoonist Vaughn Bodē during his freshman year, beginning a significant friendship and collaboration. The pair produced covers for Warren Publishing titles such as Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella while still students. Todd later described his time at Syracuse negatively but highlighted meeting Bodē as a key positive outcome. No college football career is documented for Larry Todd (the cartoonist and underground comix artist). The existing content appears to refer to a different individual with the same name.
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