After returning to the U.S. in 1971, Pete introduced a variation on Drag Cartoons called Drag Comics, printed in a color newspaper format. He became a successful illustrator and model builder for court trials, where his drawings and models were used to demonstrate traffic and industrial accidents.
Pete made a welcome comeback to drag racing at the 1993 NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, and returned annually to sign autographs and sell collections of his well-loved comics. He continued to draw--never losing his sense of humor or his edge--until his death in 2003. At that year's Hot Rod Reunion, thousands of fans witnessed Bob Muravez's fuel dragster deploy its 'chutes at half-track, releasing the ashes of Pete Millar.
In the years since, Orah Mae and Robin Millar have continued to attend this and other vintage drag races, promoting Pete Millar's Drag Cartoons and CD collections of his work. Their booth is a magnet for lifelong fans who loved his cartoons, and racers who loved being the object of his humor.
Sure enough, a younger hipper...
Sure enough, a younger hipper Arin Cee appeared in the newer, bigger R&C. This is from the August 1963 issue. Other artists would try drawing Arin Cee, but none of the other Arin's had the sparkle that Millar's did.
Pete's extremely elaborate...
Pete's extremely elaborate birds-eye-view" drawings were very popular. This one, for the cover of Drag Cartoons from March 1965, depicts real dragsters, including his own green Intruder (left center), plus 100 little sight gags.
Ed Iskenderian was one of...
Ed Iskenderian was one of several aftermarket company owners who hired Pete to draw cartoons for their ads. This one is from late 1972.
The character in this 1967...
The character in this 1967 Drag Cartoons strip may have been by inspired Big Willie Robinson, the famous LA street racer. Look at the detail in the front suspension.
Pete worked for Car Craft...
Pete worked for Car Craft too, providing illustrations for the Tech Talk department for many years.
Early drag Racer Dick Kraft...
Early drag Racer Dick Kraft was respectfully ribbed in this strip published in the revived Drag Cartoons in 1999. Kraft seems to prefer drag racing the way he did it best.
Pop `n' Rod appeared in Popular...
Pop `n' Rod appeared in Popular Hot Rodding in the early Seventies. Talking cat sidekicks were another favorite Millar device, and Pop (or is it Rod?) is similar to the cats Fomoco and Val Covers, who wisecracked their way through the pages of CARtoons and Drag Cartoons.
Not to be outdone by the space...
Not to be outdone by the space program, or by Tommy Ivo's four-engine dragster, Santa swapped his reindeer for four blown Hemis and flew his sleigh across the cover of CARtoons in 1963. The detail in this painting is extraordinary for a comic book cover.
Want More?
PETE MILLAR'S CARTOONS
are available online at
www.LAFFyerASPHALT.com