Henry Kiefer

Henry Kiefer was an American comic book artist whose career spanned the Golden Age, best remembered for his extensive work on the long-running series *Classics Illustrated*. Born Henry C. Kiefer on April 15, 1890, he passed away on May 10, 1957. A prolific draftsman, Kiefer contributed to nearly every major publisher of his time, but his most enduring legacy lies in the illustrated adaptations of literary classics. His style—clear, narrative-driven, and accessible—made him a natural fit for bringing novels to a comic-reading audience. Over his career, he was credited as an artist, colorist, inker, and even writer on 139 issues, with his work appearing in *Jungle Comics*, *Wambi, Jungle Boy*, and various international editions of *Classics Illustrated* (including *Illustrierte Klassiker* and *Illustrerede Klassikere*). While he often worked alone, his contributions to the *Classics Illustrated* line placed him in the company of other adapters like George Evans and Lou Cameron. Kiefer’s quiet, steady output helped define the look of literary comics for a generation, though he never sought the spotlight. His later years saw a continuation of this work until his death in 1957. He received no major awards during his lifetime, but his influence endures in the collected volumes of *Classics Illustrated* that remain in print.