Harry Shorten

Harry Shorten (1914–1991) was an American writer, editor, and book publisher whose career spanned comic strips, comic books, and paperback publishing. He is best remembered as the creator of the long-running syndicated gag panel *There Oughta Be a Law!*, a single-panel cartoon that offered wry, everyday complaints about life's minor frustrations. Born in 1914, Shorten entered the comics industry in the late 1930s, contributing to early superhero titles like *Pep Comics*, *Zip Comics*, and *Top Notch Comics* for MLJ Magazines, the company that would later evolve into Archie Comics. He worked closely with publishers Louis Silberkleit and John L. Goldwater, and his credits include writing and editing for *Shield-Wizard Comics* and other MLJ titles. In the late 1950s, Shorten shifted his focus to book publishing, overseeing a string of paperback houses including Leisure Books, Midwood Books, Midwood-Tower Publications, Belmont Tower, and Roband Publications. He remained active in the publishing world until his retirement in 1982. Shorten passed away in 1991.