 Gordon was born in San Francisco, California.Gordon's career began in the mid-1970s as inker of the story "A Christmas Carol", starring Michael T. Gilbert's funny-animal detective the Wraith, in "Quack" #6 (Dec. 1977), from the early independent comics publisher Star Reach.The following year, Gordon began freelance inking for Marvel Comics, working with pencilers Bob Budiansky and Steve Leialoha, respectively, on a backup story each in "Captain America" #220-221 (April–May 1978).