Matthew Baker was born on December 10, 1921, as Clarence Matthew Baker in Forsyth County, North Carolina to Clarence “Mac” and Ethel Viola Lash Baker. In the 1920s, Forsyth County, North Carolina, was predominantly known for its agricultural heritage and the cultivation of tobacco with tobacco shaping the local economy and culture. The county was characterized by vast fields of tobacco crops and the presence of tobacco processing facilities.
Clarence (the son – let’s just go ahead and refer to him as Matthew now, since that’s what he’ll come to be known as for most of his life) had an older brother, John Franklin Baker. I also read that Ethel and Clarence (the parents) had an older daughter who had passed away, maybe even before Matt was born. However, sometime between 1922 and 1924 the family left Forsyth County and relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a third brother, Charles Robert Baker, was born. About a year later, on December 15, 1925, ten days after his 30th birthday, Mac (their father) passed away. In my research, I couldn’t find his cause of death, but Matt was only four years old. And while still very young, he suffered a case of rheumatic fever, which damaged his heart.
Five years later, in 1930, Ethel married a man named Matthew Porterfield Robinson. If you’re keeping track this is the third Matthew in the story. First there was Ethel’s first husband, Clarence Matthew Baker, then her son – also Clarence Matthew Baker, and now her second husband, Matthew Porterfield Robinson. Anyway, eight years later, she gave birth to their surprise baby – the only one she and her second husband had together, a boy named Fredrick Leander Robinson.
Later, Matt Baker graduated from high school around 1940 and later moved to Washington, D.C., where he initially worked for the government. Now, for historical context, keep in mind, this is happening during World War II. Stepping away from this government job (whatever it was), in 1943, he enrolled at the Cooper Union School of Engineering and Design in Manhattan, New York. This is the same year that American film executives agreed to permit the US government’s Office of War Information to censor American films. It’s also the same year that the Italian submarine called the Leonardo da Vinci, sinks a Canadian Pacific liner called the RMS Empress of Canada, off the coast of Sierra Leone.
Just a side note here, because I think it’s important for you to take in what Matt Baker looked like to get a better sense of who he was. He was described as a captivating presence, standing tall with an aura of strength and vitality – despite his health issues. He was considered a handsome man who often adorned a gentle, closed-mouth smile and a gaze that reached into your soul. He seemed intense. He had a beautiful dark-coffee complexion and got a lot of attention wherever he went. Muy guapo.
Even in a business known for its rough edges and casual atmosphere, Baker exuded elegance and sophistication. He was a man who understood the power of appearance, always donning impeccably tailored, broad-shouldered, double-breasted suits that accentuated his stature. His sense of style extended to his accessories, with a collection of at least four fedoras in rich shades of brown, black, green, and maroon, each carefully chosen to perfectly complement his ensemble.
He lived in the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem, and though the details of his personal life remained veiled in mystery, it was evident that he lived with an air of prosperity and independence and with his yellow convertible coupe, he embraced the freedom of the open road, and turned a lot of heads. Remember, this is the early 1940s.
After his studies, Baker joined S.M. Iger Studios in 1944 as a background artist. His first published work came in 1944’s Jumbo Comics #69, where he penciled and inked a “Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” story.
“Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” was a fictional comic book heroine, beloved for her daring exploits in the untamed wilderness. She holds the distinction of being the first female character to star in her own comic book series, making her debut in 1941 (cover-dated Spring 1942), a remarkable achievement preceding even the iconic Wonder Woman (cover-dated Summer 1942).
Here’s her backstory; Sheena was born an orphan and raised amidst the mysterious depths of the jungle, Sheena possesses extraordinary skills that allow her to not only survive but thrive. Her deep connection with wild creatures enables her to communicate effortlessly with them AND she is a master of combat, wielding knives, spears, bows, and ingeniously crafted weapons with unparalleled prowess. Her captivating adventures frequently involve enthralling encounters with nefarious slave traders, intrepid White hunters, indigenous Africans, and the untamed beasts that roam the wilderness.
So… This early opportunity gave him a platform to showcase his talent and gain valuable experience in the comic book industry.
Baker’s career took off in the 1940s when he started working for quality comic book publishers like Fox Features Syndicate (also known as Fox Comics and Fox Publication) and St. John Publications. He became known for his exceptional skill in depicting the human form, particularly his mastery in drawing women with elegance and grace.
Another side note: For a VERY long time, even now, comic books have received flak for their less-than-stellar portrayal of women, leaving us with a gallery of heroines that seem to have emerged from the wildest imaginations of hormonal teenage boys. We’re talking about scantily clad super vixens with gravity-defying assets and bodies that make physics question its existence. While there’s a heated debate about the industry’s alleged progress in tackling outdated sexist imagery – like today’s comic books give their female characters more realistic waist proportions, in general – still, one thing is clear: comic books still have a marathon ahead of them, concerning female imagery.
I can go deeper into that, but I’ll spare you.
I said all of that, because I wanted to point out that Baker’s style is often referred to as, “good girl” art, characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to capture the beauty and sensuality of female characters, in a way that was different from his fellow comic artists. His compositions often featured dynamic angles and lighting, creating visually striking panels. He believed in portraying women as strong and confident, challenging traditional stereotypes really prevalent in the comic book industry at the time.
His most iconic creation, “Phantom Lady,” became a sensation in the comic book industry. In case you were curious, “Phantom Lady,” is about Sandra Knight, the daughter of Senator Henry Knight, and is a Washington D.C. socialite turned crime-fighting Phantom Lady. While lacking superhuman abilities, she is a formidable fighter and wields a blacklight ray to cloak herself in darkness and vanish from sight.
Baker’s artwork on the “Phantom Lady” series showcased his mastery of the “good girl” style and established him as a trailblazer in depicting powerful and complex female characters. He also worked on other titles such as “Sky Girl” and “Canteen Kate,” demonstrating his versatility as an artist.
Baker faced significant challenges as an African-American artist during this time, of course. This was the era where The Montford Point Marines were established by the U.S. Marine Corps as the first Black men accepted into a segregated training camp.
Baker is also doing all this innovative work during the time when, tragically, the Detroit Race Riots happen, claiming the lives of approximately 34 Black residents. For a span of five days, the community witnesses harrowing clashes between Black community members and the police department, marked by intense violence and unrest.
Beyond the need to overcome racial barriers and limited opportunities in the industry, Baker’s work was also subject to criticism and controversy, particularly with the publication of Dr. Fredric Wertham’s book, “Seduction of the Innocent.” Back in the 1950s, the German-American psychologist, Fredric Wertham, clearly hated comics. He claimed to have cracked the code of the century in his 1954 book, ‘The Seduction of the Innocent’, where he boldly declared that there was a connection between violent comics and the mischievous antics of our precious juvenile delinquents. It received so much attention that its publication impacted the perception of comic books and led to major increased censorship.
So, just as an update to the book ‘The Seduction of the Innocent’:
Following the unsealing of Wertham’s manuscript collection at the Library of Congress in 2010, Carol Tilley, a librarian and information science professor from the University of Illinois, embarked on an investigation of his research. Her findings revealed that Wertham’s conclusions were largely groundless. In her 2012 study, Tilley concluded that Wertham had manipulated, exaggerated, compromised, and even fabricated evidence, particularly regarding his supposed clinical research.
Tragically, Baker’s career was cut very short. In 1957, he suffered a stroke that affected his ability to work. Two years later, on August 11, 1959, at the age of 37, Baker passed away from a heart attack, most likely due to complications from his earlier rheumatic fever.
Despite the brevity of his career, Baker left an indelible mark on the comic book industry. He challenged norms, shattered stereotypes, and paved the way for future generations of diverse artists. His artwork continues to inspire and influence contemporary creators, and he is recognized as a pioneer. Baker’s contributions to the medium, particularly in depicting strong and empowered women, remain significant and have had a lasting impact on the world of comic art.
His work can still be found in various comic book collections, both in print and online. His iconic series, “Phantom Lady,” is highly regarded and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The information for this podcast episode on Matthew Baker was sourced from various articles and resources, including CBDF.org, Black Past, Sell My Comic Books, Black Then, and other reputable sources. These materials provide valuable insights into Baker’s life, career, and contributions to the comic book industry.
The Whole Art Nebula 