H. J. Ward

Ward painted many covers for pulp magazines such as Spicy Mystery, Spicy-Adventure, Super Detective, from 1931 to 1944 - most done for Harry Donenfeld, later publisher of DC Comics. He did the original artwork for the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet franchises (which originally began as radio shows). His 1940 painting of Superman, with hands on hips, became DC's standard promotional image for the character. The painting hung in Donenfeld's office until his retirement in 1956.