Comics legend Harry Lampbert dies at 88

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Comic book legend Harry Lampert, creator of The Flash, has died at Boca Raton Community Hospital in Florida, the Palm Beach Post reported Sunday.

Lampert's family said the 88-year-old cartoonist had been suffering from cancer.

In addition to cartooning, Lampert authored many well-known books on contract bridge. However, he is best known by legions of fans as the co-creator -- along with writer Gardner Fox -- of lasting comic book icon The Flash.

Lampert was born Nov. 13, 1916, in New York. He began his drawing career at 16, inking cartoons at Fleischer Studios for popular icons including Popeye, Betty Boop and KoKo the Clown.

He published drawings in several periodicals, including Time, Esquire, The New York Times, Saturday Evening Post and Saturday Review.

He founded the Lampert Agency, a New York based advertising firm, whose work included spots for Olympic Airways, Hanes Hosiery, Seagrams, the Netherlands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Lampert is survived by wife Adel and daughter Karen. A funeral will be Monday in Woodbury, N.Y. A memorial service is planned for Friday at Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel in Boca Raton.