Harry Shorten (1914–1991) was an American writer, editor, and book publisher best known for the syndicated gag cartoon There Oughta Be a Law!, as well as his work with Archie Comics, and his long association with Archie's publishers Louis Silberkleit and John L.
[1] Shorten attended New York University, where he played halfback for the football team and acquired the nickname "Streaky.
In January 1940, with artist Irv Novick, Shorten created the Shield, the first USA patriotic comic book hero.
In 1944, while still at MLJ, Shorten made his fortune by creating a gag cartoon called There Oughta Be a Law!, with illustrator Al Fagaly.
ran from 1944–1984; Fagaly died in 1963, Shorten provided scripts until 1970,[3] and the strip was later produced by Frank Borth, Warren Whipple, and Mort Gerberg.
[11] Midwood's first release were paperback collections of Shorten's There Oughta be a Law comic strips, and an unnumbered book series in the same style as Beacon.
The covers sold the books: many pages contained sex scenes full of insinuations and veiled references,[11] and artists such as Nappi, Rader, and Robert Maguire were significant to Midwood's success.
(Belmont had been founded by all three Archie Comic Publications founders: Silberkleit, John L. Goldwater, and Maurice Coyne.
Shorten "cut a dream deal with comic book artist Wally Wood" in which Shorten would be the managing editor and "Wood would be granted a wide latitude of creative and business freedom devoid of a 9-to-5 office job or hefty administrative duties, and be allowed to concentrate on creating characters and concepts for an expanding line of superhero comics."
Agents; notable creators associated with Tower included Wood, Schwartz, Dan Adkins, Gil Kane, Reed Crandall, Steve Ditko, Richard Bassford, Len Brown, Steve Skeates, Larry Ivie, Bill Pearson, Russ Jones, Roger Brand, and Tim Battersby-Brent.
Some time in the late 1960s Shorten founded Roband Productions, which published, among others, Afternoon TV magazine, devoted to soap operas and daytime television.
[citation needed] Shorten retired in 1982, moving from Rockville Center, Long Island, to Pompano Beach, Florida.