Tenth Letter of the Alphabet: Comics: Marty Epp, Letterer and Designer

Monday, March 21, 2016

Comics: Marty Epp, Letterer and Designer

Martin Henry Epp, Jr.
July 10, 1926, New Hyde Park, New York
(Birth information from the Social Security Applications and Claims Index at Ancestry.com)

1930 United States Census

Name / Age
Henry M. Epp, 25 [Mechanic/Gas Station]
Marguerite M Epp, 24
Martin H. Epp, 3
Robert W. Epp, 1
Peter J. Tierney, 22
Theodore W. Tierney, 20

14 Lindberg Place
Williston Park, Nassau, New York

The Nassau Daily Review
(Freeport New York)
February 1, 1936
page 5: Williston P-T.A. to Present Play

Teachers and Pupils Will Assist in Production Set Monday Night at School
Faculty and pupils of the Park avenue and Herrick schools of Williston Park, will join the Parent-Teacher association to present a play “The Kitchen Clock” Monday night. Sponsored by the Parent-Teacher association, the affair will be given in the auditorium of the Park avenue school.

Miss Bernice Johnson, the school music teacher and Miss Margaret Russell, gymnasium teacher, have directed the rehearsals, and the school orchestra, also under the guidance of Miss Johnson will support the play.

Also [in the play]…Martin Epp…

The Nassau Daily Review-Star
(Freeport New York)
June 13, 1938
page 1: Dance Students Present Recital

Marion Diedrich’s Pupils in Variety Program at West Hempstead
Miss Marion Diednch presented her third annual dance recital, Friday night, in the George Washington school, West Hempstead, before a capacity audience, with the assistance of Mrs. M. E. Tracy, pianist and accompanist; Misses Eileen Daly and Barbara Grace, announcers; Cheshire Horton, trumpeter; Norman Heintz, drummer. The colorful program was created, arranged and taught by Miss Diedrich with the exception of an original tap dance by Marie Clair Baurenfeind, and costumes were made by Mrs. Martin Epp [Epp’s mother] and Mrs. Edward H. Diecrich.

The first number, called “Military Men”, headed by Sandra Atwater, four years of age, marched in colorful regalia, the group included Leila Cheshire, Madeline Druhan, Leila Baurenfeind, Priscilia Gordon, Audrey Hamilton, June Hamilton, Audrey Horton, Marilyn Horton, June Kohart, Marilyn Kohart, Dorothy Lupo, Maureen Martin, Enid Paskes, Roberta Paskes, Jane Penny, Pat Hoefer, Robert Epp [Epp’s brother] and Eugene Tyner.

…“The Gay Nineties”, with costumes of that period, was composed of Madeline Druhan, Audrey Hamilton, June Hamilton, Audrey Horton, June Kohart, Marilyn Kohart, Dorothy Lupo, Maureen Martin, Enid Paskes, Roberta Paskes, Jane Penny, Pat Hoefner, Robert Epp, Vincent Lupo and Eugene Tyner.

…the “Ten Pretty Girls” included Susan Hubbell, Patricia Lynch, Harriet Hientz, Polly Harvey, Lois Hoefner, Susan Rudd, Audrey Solomon, Bar Williams Barbara Blomquist, Martin Epp and Billie Sing. [I believe the name should have been Epp’s sister, June, who would have been five or six years old at the time.]

The toe and tap dancers were Elaine Smith, Barbara Carey, June Epp, Florence McCormaek, Margaret Hoefner, Marie Baurenfeind, Martin Epp, Cheshire Horton and Roger Hientz…

1940 United States Census

Name / Age
Martin Epp, 35 [Pipe Mechanic/Fuel Company]
Marguerite Epp, 34
Martin Epp, 13
Robert Epp, 11
June Epp, 9
14 Lindberg Place
Williston Park, Nassau, New York

Nassau Daily Review-Star

(Freeport, New York)
June 25, 1941
page 8: Williston Park Exercises Held

Park Avenue School Has Graduation With 61 Getting Diplomas
Educational opportunities in the United States were recounted by District Attorney Edward J. Neary, speaking last night before more than 700 persons at the commencement exercises of the Park avenue school in Williston Park.

“In taking advantage of these opportunities, it is well to remember that they are available primarily because it is the American democratic way of life,” Mr. Neary said.

Graduates were: …Martin H. Epp...

Nassau Daily Review-Star
(Freeport, New York)
January 25, 1944
page 4: 22 Youths Pass Air Cadet Tests

17-Year-Olds Accepted for Army Enlisted Reserve Training
Twenty-two 17-year-olds from Nassau and Suffolk counties have passed all preliminary examinations and have been sworn in as enlisted reservists for future array air corps flying training.

Seventeen-year-old applicants for army aviation cadet training now are able to take preliminary examinations and appear before the cadet examining board at Mitchel Field. The board meets at the field for the convenience of applicants who are residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Return To School
Mental screening tests are given at 8 a. m. Monday through Saturday, followed by a physical examination the same day at 1 p. m.. to 17-year-olds who appear with application and parental consent forms filled out. If applicants successfully complete these tests, they are notified to appear before the examining board for a personal interview, given on Thursdays at 1 p. m. in the aviation cadet examining board building at the field.

Major R. K. Brewer is president of the New York board. Applicants are questioned to determine the extent of education, family background, general appearance and officer qualities. Those accepted by the board are sworn in as air force enlisted reservists, receive silver wings and identification cards showing their status. They are then allowed to return to school to await call for training which usually comes within one to six months after their 18th birthday.

The following applicants for cadet training appeared and passed examinations at Mitchel Field: …Martin H. Epp, 14 Lindberg place…

World War II Army Enlistment Record
Name: Martin H Epp
Birth Year: 1926
Nativity State or Country: New York
Enlistment Date: November 20, 1945
Enlistment State: Utah
Enlistment City: Kearns
Branch: Air Corps
Grade: Private First Class
Term of Enlistment: One year enlistment
Source: Enlisted Man, Philippine Scout or recall to AD of an enlisted man who had been transferred to the ERC
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Tinsmiths, coppersmiths, and sheet metal workers
Marital Status: Single, without dependents

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999
Comics career summary

Grand Comics Database
Archie and Marvel credits

Nassau Daily Review-Star
(Freeport, New York)
October 5, 1949
page 15: Students Are Engaged

Mr. and Mis Fritz Helbig of Flushing have announced the engagement of their daughter. Miss Greta Helbig, to Martin H. Epp, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Epp of Lindberg place, Williston Park.

Miss Helbig is a graduate of Flushing High school and attends Pratt Institute. Brooklyn.

Her fiance, an alumnus of Mineola High school, also attends Pratt institute. He is a commerical [sic] artist. The wedding will take place in June.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
(Freeport, New York)
June 8, 1950
page 12: Epp – Helbig

Miss Oreta Helbig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Fritz Helbig of Flushing became the bride Saturday [June 3] of Martin H. Epp, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Epp of Lindbury Place, Wllliston Park. The ceremony took place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Wllliston Park, with the Rev. Henry R. Kupech officiating.

The bride wore a white lace gown with a bustle skirt. Her fingertip veil was secured by a crown of pearl and lace and she carried white roses.

Miss Trudie Helbig was maid of honor for her sister and Miss June Epp, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid.

George Brennerschulz of Hempstead acted as best man. Ushers were Harold Nostrand of Hempstead and Robert Wittendale of Williston Park. A reception followed at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Flushing.

Mrs. Epp attended Pratt institute, Brooklyn. Her husband, who also attended Pratt Institute is employed as a commerical [sic] artist, The couple will reside in Huntington following a motor trip through New England.

Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s

Greg Sadowski, John Benson

Fantagraphics Books, 2010

page 298: Photograph of Epp with Bob Powell, George Siefringer and Howard Nostrand

The New York World-Telegram-and Sun

April 7, 1964

page 35

Marvel Tales
#11, November 1967

Lettering by Epp

Epp’s obituary was transcribed from The Daily Star (Westford, New York), August 5, 2000, and posted at Find a Grave. A slightly different version appeared in The Daily Star (Cooperstown, New York) on August 8, and is presented below.

Cooperstown — Martin H. Epp Jr., 74, of County Highway 36-A, Town of Westford, died Sunday, July 30, 2000, at his home.

He was born on July 10, 1926, in North Hempstead, a son of Martin H. and Marguerite Marie (Tierney) Epp Sr. He married Greta Helbig on June 3, 1950, in Williston Park, Long Island. Greta died on July 19, 1998.

Following his graduation from Mineola High School, Marty enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and served as a crew chief for the A-26 Invader in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

After his discharge from the military, he studied art at the Pratt Institute in New York City. For most of his career, Marty free-lanced as a commercial artist and as a stage set designer in New York City and throughout the United States. At one time he was employed by Archie Publications in New York City where he did character outlining for the Archie comic strip and Casper the Friendly Ghost. He also had been employed as the art director at the Fannon and Osmond Art House in New York City.

Marty enjoyed many interests during his life, including aviation and sports car racing. As a member of the Sports Car Club of America, he was a nationally ranked driver, scoring several wins at Bridge Hampton, Watkins Glen and Lime Rock, as well as other tracks on the East Coast. For two consecutive years Marty was the Eastern Motor Racing Association's Sports Car Champion.

Above all else, Marty enjoyed being the life of the party.

He attended Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown and was a charter member of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Drivers and Chowder Society in New York City.

Marty is survived by a son, Brian Epp, and his wife, Kathleen Marie, of Durango, Colo.; a brother, Robert Epp, and his wife, Mary, of Stuart, Fla.; a sister, June Coleman, and her husband, Doug, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; two grandchildren, Chris and Renny Young, of Durango, Colo.; his mother-in-law, Anna Helbig, of Cooperstown; a sister-in-law, Trudi Shanahan, of Monroe, Conn.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Karen G. Epp, who died Nov. 29, 1974.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, with the Rev. Canon George F. French, rector emeritus of Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Westville Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from noon until the time of the service, when the family will be in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Central New York Chapter, 1508 Genesee St., Utica, N.Y. 13502.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.