Tom Moore, ‘Archie’ Cartoonist, Dies At 86

Archie cartoonist Tom Moore died of lung cancer on Monday, July 20, at the age of 86.

Tom Moore Dead, ‘Archie’ Cartoonist, At 86

Moore was an accomplished comic book artist, and is best known for his work on the famous Archie comics, for which he drew from 1953 to 1988. “Tom was very funny and had a knack for putting together really great, hilarious gagas and special pages when he worked at Archie,” said Archie Comics’ editor-in-chief Victor Gorelick.

Archie Comics paid tribute to the artist on their Facebook page, writing, “Archie Comics is saddened to hear of the passing of artist Tom Moore. Our thoughts are with his family and fans.”

Moore’s career as a cartoonist began in the U.S. Navy, when he was serving during the Korean War. A superior caught him drawing a cartoon of his captain and assigned him to be the staff cartoonist. It was that experience that convinced Moore he could pursue a career in the arts. “I thought, ‘I can really do this for a living,’” he told the El Paso Times in 1996.

Once he joined Archie Comics, Moore produced one issue a month, and worked on and off for the comic until he retired in the ‘80s, while also drawing for Mighty Mouse and Snuffy Smith.

Moore is survived by his wife, Ruth, son Lito Bujanda-Moore and daughter Holly Mathew.