Nick Cardy has been both a creative and dynamic cartoonist and illustrator for over 50 years. Spanning the Golden Age to the present, Cardy's career began in 1939 with the Eisner/Iger shop, which produced the Spirit newspaper supplement, Plastic Man comic books and more. Cardy went on to illustrate newspaper strips, including Tarzan, and enjoyed a 25 year association with DC Comics before moving on to magazine and movie poster illustration. As well as being one of DC Comics' top Batman and Superman cover artists, fans remember that in the 1960s, Nick helped define comics' Silver Age with stunning sequential artwork on Aquaman, Teen Titans, and Bat Lash. The artist's contributions to the comic book industry earned him the prestigious "Ink Pot Award" for Outstanding achievement.
     Cardy did occasional non-comics illustration work throughout the decades in which he focused primarily on comic books and strips. But in 1975 the artist decided to focus on illustration, particularly movie and television work. Some of the properties he worked on include Bad News Bears, Return of the Pink Panther, Meatballs II, California Suite, and even Apocalypse Now.

     Cardy along with author John Coates, have signed with Vanguard Productions to produce for wide release, the critically acclaimed, Art of Nick Cardy. Vanguard's success with similar products including Amazing World of Carmine Infantino and The Wally Wood Sketchbook, made the New Jersey based publisher Cardy' and Coates' first choice to handle the project.

     Originally self-published by author John Coates, the book was issued as a paperback in the Winter of 1999. Limited to a print run of only 1,000 copies, the mail-order-only item sold out within 6 months of its publication. The book, expertly designed by Comic Book Artist magazine's Jon B. Cooke, received critical acclaim by the comics media, professionals and fans alike. This appreciation culminated in the book being nominated for Best Comics-Related Book at the prestigious Eisner Awards 2000.

     Long-time DC Comics artist and publisher Carmine Infantino said, "It's not an understatement that one of my greatest pleasures in this industry is having known Nick and his work. He deserves every accolade."

     "Nick and I are thrilled!" stated author John Coates. "Vanguard Productions is well?known for producing quality work. We couldn't be happier about the new trade edition." Coates continued, "We?ve been inundated by collectors and retailers, all eagerly seeking copies of the book. The Vanguard edition will please retailers, historians and fans alike."