Sandu Florea is one of the most prolific and best-known Romanian comic artists, who also signed with Nicolae Florin. Born in Ghelari, Hunedoara, he studied Architecture in Bucharest. He worked as an architect in Timişoara for a couple of years before turning to comic book art. He made his debut in 1968 with the humorous comic 'Năzdrăvăniile lui Păcală' in Luminiţa magazine. He published about 9 comic albums during the 1970s, starting with 'Galbar' in 1973, a comic based on a science fiction story by Ovidiu Şurianu.
He subsequently contributed to various Romanian publications, creating the series in genres varying from comical to realistic. He was the first Romanian artist to create a comic in the western genre. He created the series 'Stramosii' with Radu Theodoru, and was present in Cutezatorii magazine with the stories 'Victor Babes' and 'Burebista' in 1979. His comic 'In Lumea lui Harap Alb' earned him a prize during the Eurocon '80 in Stressa, Italy.
Burebista
After the fall of communism in 1989 he edited two comic reviews in Bucharest, namely Carusel (11 issues) and Proteus (3 issues). He moved to the USA in 1991 and settled in New York. He began a collaboration with Marvel Comics in 1992, drawing 'Conan the Barbarian'. He has subsequently focused on inking duties on a great many Marvel titles, including 'Dr. Strange', 'Thunder Strike', 'The Mighty Thor', 'Blackwolf', 'War Machine', 'Captain America', 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Blade', 'Spider-Man', 'Magneto', 'X-Force', 'Generation X', 'X-Men', 'Mutant X', 'Fantastic Four', 'Namor' and 'Elektra'.
He also inked 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' for Dark Horse Comics, and 'Undertaker, 'Stone Cold Steve Austin', 'Lady Demon', 'Chyna' and 'Insane Clown Posse' for Chaos! Comics. Between 1993 and 1996 he made comic adaptations of 'Mack Bolan: The Executioner', based on the Don Pendleton novels for Innovation and Vivid Comics. He has additionally drawn 'Nightwing' and 'Batman R.I.P.' for DC Comics.
In his home country, Sandu Florea is the honorary president of the Romanian Comics Association. He has lend his name to the Sandu Florea Trophy, that is awarded every year in support of new generations of comic artists. He also relaunched his magazine Carusel for two isssues in 2005.
Sandu Florea was an influence on Robert Obert.
In Lumea lui Harap Alb