On 3 February 1916, Samuels enlisted for the first world war, describing himself as a proofreader. He returned to Australia 31 October 1917. (The AIF Project)

Samuels soon joined Sydney's Evening News and became editorial cartoonist (~1922), working mainly in sports commentary. He created a cartoon of 'Percy Public', the paper's satirical figurehead for opinions on high taxation and inefficient government.

In September 1923, his comic strip 'Curly Hair and Baby Bear' (possibly also 'Curly Hair and the Dear Little Bear') first appeared in the Sunday News.

Samuels was a founding member of the Black and White Artists' Society in July 1924.

Around that time, he created 'Those Terrible Twins' for the Sunday News. The strip was syndicated to other papers (at least Adelaide's Saturday Journal) and was commissioned for a silent film, although upon released in 1925 the film's lead character had been renamed as Ginger Meggs (see The Mystery of Those Terrible Twins (1925)). The film was not successful and only 35 minutes survive. The newspaper strip lasted about a year.

During the mid-twenties, Samuels provided some story illustrations for The World's News.

Samuels is also reported to have created a newspaper strip called 'Poor Pa' and then began 'Oozy Woozy and the Kids' (~1932) for the Sunday News. The latter to the Sun's 'Sunbeams' (1939), with its name subsequently shortened to 'Oozy Woozy' (1941-1943).

Samuels also authored and illustrated the Australian history booklet, Australia's March of Time 1788-1939: Told in 400 Pictures (1939). The book was meticulously researched, with input from historians and educators. It was edited by Walter R. Granger (sales promoter at John Sands, earliest Australian publisher of Disney products, and father of the Walter A. Granger, long-running publisher of Disney comics in Australia).

In 1938, Samuels created and scripted 'Secret Agent' a radio serial about a screen actress who joins the British Secret Service.

In the late fortes and fifties, he did some work in textile design. A scarf showcasing London landmarks was accepted by the British fashion house Jacqmar. He designed a scarf featuring Sydney icons, which is possibly the souvenir scarf reported as sold by David Jones in Sydney.