Mike Miksche

Mike Miksche (1925–1964), born David Leo Miksche (also known as David Michael Miksche), was an American artist renowned for his erotic illustrations under the pen name Steve Masters during the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Medford, Oregon to Czech immigrant parents, he studied at Oregon State University, served in the US Air Force during World War II, and later worked as a commercial illustrator in New York City while producing homoerotic drawings for publications like Physique Pictorial. He struggled with depression throughout his life and died in 1964 under disputed circumstances involving a possible suicide attempt and drug overdose.