E. R. Cruz began his career as an artist by drawing for such publications as Liwayway in the Philippines.[1] He worked in
Tony DeZuniga's studio from 1963 to 1971.[2] His first story for the U.S. comics industry, "Let's Scare Lisa to Death", was published in
DC Comics' The Unexpected #139 (Sept. 1972).[3] From 1972 to 1987, Cruz drew stories for various DC titles such as Ghosts, G.I. Combat, House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Our Fighting Forces, The Unexpected, and The Witching Hour.[3] He collaborated with writer
Dennis O'Neil on three issues of The Shadow[4] as well as a Sherlock Holmesone-shot.[5] Comics historian Chris Knowles noted that "E. R. Cruz had the most Asian style of the Filipino bunch. His art demonstrated a strong Chinese influence (as opposed to artists like
[Nestor] Redondo whose work reflected a more American approach). Cruz's style was very dark and nebulous and was subsequently often difficult to parse."[6] A rare example of Cruz drawing super-heroes was when he inked the first three issues of Moon Knight vol. 2 for
Marvel Comics in 1985.[3] In 1987, Cruz began working in animation and was a background artist/layout artist for Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Little Shop, The Transformers, and X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men.[2] Beginning in 1991, he worked on Marvel's Savage Sword of Conan series and drew stories featuring
Conan or
Kull the Conqueror. His final new credited comic book story in the U.S. was "Death in a High Place" in Savage Sword of Conan #233 (May 1995).[3]