Kerry Drake
Journalism graduate Alfred Andriola spent a lifetime in newspaper comics. In the mid-thirties he entered the studios of Noel Sickles, where he collaborated with Milton Caniff on his 'Terry and the Pirates' strip, as well as on 'Scorchy Smith'. Caniff's influence would color the rest of Andriola's career. In 1938, he was assigned by the McNaught Syndicate to make a strip adaptation of Earl Derr Biggers' 'Charlie Chan'. He drew this series, assisted by Charles Raab, until 1942.
It's Me Dilly (with Mel Casson, 27/10/1957)
That same year, he joined King Features, where he took on 'Yankee Rangers'. In 1943, he drew 'Captain Triumph' in Quality's comic book Crack Comics. He also took over 'Dan Dunn' for a year, working together with writer Allen Saunders. With Saunders, Andriola conceived the 'Kerry Drake' strip, which he drew until his death in 1983. In 1957-60, he made 'It's Me Dilly' with Mel Casson, for which he used the pseudonym Alfred James.
photo ©1966 The Newspaper Enterprise Association