George Caragonne

George Caragonne (1965-July 20, 1995) was a writer of comic books, primarily for Marvel Comics and their subsidiary Star Comics, throughout the 1980s. Titles he wrote included "Masters of the Universe", "Planet Terry", and "Star Brand".

In 1988, after hearing former Marvel Editor In Chief Jim Shooter was creating a new comic book company (Valiant Comics), Caragonne drove from California to New York and, unannounced, knocked on Shooter's door to offered his services.

Caragonne agreed to all the grunt work needed for Valiant to be launched, while holding a full time job. After the company was on its feet, Caragonne wrote such titles as "Captain N", "The Legend of Zelda", and "Punch Out".

When Shooter was fired from Valiant, Caragonne (who was fiercely loyal)Fact|date=February 2008 walked away rather than work with the new administration.Fact|date=February 2008

Caragonne then decided to start his own comic book company.

With partner Mark McClellan, Caragonne set up a business plan which was shocking in its simplicity.unsub He took a note book to the largest magazine stand in Manhattan and copied the mailing address of literally every magazine published in America.unsub He then created and sent a business proposal to each magazine, offering to create a comic book version of their publication. This led to the creation of "Penthouse Comix".

Bob Guccione (publisher of "Penthouse" magazine) saw potential in the project and met with Caragonne. In 1994, [http://forum.newsarama.com/archive/index.php/t-1244.html] , Caragonne struck a deal to produce a line of adult-themed comic books, including "Penthouse Comix", "Penthouse Men's Adventure Comix", and "Omni Comix".Fact|date=February 2008

Caragonne's vision for the magazine was simple - make an adult comic so good readers would be afraid to miss an issue, one which would be the template for all future adult comic books.unsub His slogan was "comics so good that you'll read them with both hands." Paying four timesFact|date=February 2008 Marvel's page rate, Caragonne attracted the top talent of the era, including Frank FrazettaFact|date=February 2008 and Larry Niven.Fact|date=February 2008 He created included "Young Captain Adventure",Fact|date=February 2008 "Hericane",Fact|date=February 2008 and "Escape From Lezbo Island."Fact|date=February 2008

In July 1995, however, Caragonne was dismissed from Penthouse Comix for reasons of financial impropriety and continuing drug abuse. Six days later, he jumped from the top floor the Manhattan Marriott Hotel.

References

* [http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2005_07_20.html#010097] - Mark Evanier's reminiscences of Caragonne, and of Caragonne's suicide