Comic Book Icon Jim Shooter Dies

Above, Jim Shooter during his younger days. Photo by Alan Light.

It has been announced that former Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter has passed away from cancer. He was 73.

Shooter's stint as writer (and teaming up with artist Curt Swan) of the Legion of Super-Heroes in DC's Adventure Comics was, in my opinion, was the zenith of Legion stories. I still have those comic books today.

One of the greatest stories of the Shooter/Swan collaboration:

Image supplied by Dan Hagen at Facebook.

From Comic Book Resources:

Jim Shooter, the iconic comic book writer who broke into writing comics for DC when he was just 14 years old, and who later became one of the most influential Editors-in-Chief in Marvel history, has died at the age of 73, according to comic book writer, Mark Waid, who noted that Shooter had been suffering from esophogeal cancer for a few years now.

Famously (it was literally the first legend I did as part of Comic Book Legends Revealed), Shooter started writing for DC when he was just 14 years old. As a big comic book fan, he understood that the Marvel Comics of 1964-65 were a good deal sharper than most DC books of the era, so Shooter's idea was to pitch DC on stories that were more like Marvel ones. Really thoughtful idea, right? He also actively looked for a comic book that he felt had the biggest problems with its story, and pitched that title, which was Adventure Comics, starring the Legion of Super-Heroes.

The bewildering idea is that Shooter, who didn't really know how comics were done at the time, literally just wrote and penciled a two-part Legion of Super-Heroes story in 1965 (when he was 13 years old still) and sent it to Mort Weisinger to see if he wanted to buy it! Shooter was a heck of a young writer, but he was not what you would call a professional artist by any stretch of the imagination. However, shockingly enough, not only did Weisinger buy the two-parter in early 1966, he even decided to tell artists Sheldon Moldoff and Curt Swan (who drew the first part and second part, respectively) to use the pages by Shooter as the layouts for the issue!

 To read more, go here.

Original Curt Swan Art Page

Somewhere around 20 years ago, I purchased a page of original art of Action Comics no. 405. It is the October 1971 issue.

The page was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Murphy Anderson (with backgrounds inked by Jack Abel). At the time I bought mine, original comic book art was not too expensive. Mine was $100. I have forgotten who the dealer was that I bought it from.

The page was signed by Swan. 

Today, Swan's original artwork, highly sought after, sells in the thousands of dollars. Key issue art commands more as do covers and splash pages. No, I don't plan on selling my page.

Here is the cover of the issue (by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano):

Here's the page I bought as it appeared in the comic book:

Here's the original artwork as it appears in my home:

Neal Adams: 3rd Anniversary of His Passing

Above, the Neal Adams cover of Batman no. 200.

It is hard to believe that already it has been three years since the passing of comic book giant, artist Neal Adams.

The third anniversary came yesterday. Adams passed at age 80 from sepsis (which also took my mother in 2010). 

Yesterday, Dennis Hayes wrote this about Adams:

On this date April 28, 2022 Neal Adams died in New York City at the age of 80..

Adams was an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Adams was inducted into the Eisner Award's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1999.

When he came on the scene in the later 1960s, I didn't like his style at first. It was too jarringly different. But his artwork grew on me and he became one of my favorite comic book artists (just behind Curt Swan).

I had the pleasure of meeting him in 2012 at the Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. He was quite friendly and was easy to talk to. I was there to take part in a Godzilla panel.

Above, Neal Adams and I at Comikaze Expo in 2012.

His influence in the comic book industry is still felt today.

R.I.P.

Superman No. 183 80-Page Giant (1966)

 

Seeing this cover posted at a Curt Swan Facebook page yesterday certainly brought back memories.

The comic book was Superman number 183, an 80-Page Giant (they used to be called Annuals) with a cover date of January 1966. The cover (with reproductions of classic covers) was by Curt Swan and George Klein. Cover price: $.25.

It probably hit the newsstands a couple of months before (around November 1965). I got this comic at a liquor store on Normandie Ave. near 105th Street in Los Angeles when my dad and I went there one night. I think he bought it for me.

This comic contained several Golden Age Superman stores circa the 1940s. It was the first time I had ever read a Golden Age Superman story. I've read many more since then.

LiveAuctioneers estimated value of this issue was $400-$600 in near-mint condition. It sold for $600.

I still have it in my collection.

Curt Swan 1958 Superman Daily Comic Strip

Here's a bit of artwork of the Superman daily comic strip by the great Curt Swan (pencils) and Stan Kaye (inks) from 1958. 

Thanks to Randy Sadewater for posting this on Facebook.

Here's the particulars: 

Jan  27 to Feb 1, 1958.

Strips 5967 to 5972, 1958

Continuing Episode 102: My Secret Romance with Superman

Strips 5877-5978 (October 14, 1957 to February 8, 1958)

Writer - Alvin Schwartz

Pencils - Curt Swan

Inks - Stan Kaye

The byline in the newspapers continued to say Wayne Boring.

Meanwhile, At The San Diego Comicon...

This is one of the most iconic Silver Age Superman covers. I remember my next-door neighbor having this issue back in the early 1960s.

According to Arlen Schumer on Facebook:

AS SEEN AT THE SAN DIEGO COMICON:

Only $145,000?

It's only one of--if not the--GREATEST single images of Superman ever rendered, by the magnificent pencils of the greatest single Superman artist ever, Curt Swan, and the to-this-day overwhelmingly, stunningly gorgeous black and white wash tones by the great head of DC Comics coloring during the Silver Age, Jack Adler (p.s. Howard Stern's cousin/uncle?).

It's priceless.

It was the first comic book I remember holding in my 5-year-old hands.

(A tip o' the cape to my Super-friend Steven L. Austin for super-spotting it!)

Here's the published cover: 

 $145,000 does seem to be cheap for such an iconic cover's original art.

Green Comet To Pass Earth

Above, Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Skywatchers may be getting a rare special treat at the end of this month when a green comet will be passing the Earth.

KIII-TV reported:

A newly discovered bright green comet is on its way past Earth for a once-in-a-lifetime show, and it may be visible to the naked eye.

The comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was discovered in March 2022 and is passing through our solar system. The icy celestial object has gotten brighter and brighter as it nears the sun, building up excitement from astronomers and skywatchers alike. 

Comets are "cosmic snowballs" of dust, rock and ice. They heat up as they near the sun, taking on a stunning glow and spewing a tail of dust and gas that can stretch millions of miles.

NASA says the bright green comet has a short, broad tail of dust and a long, faint ion tail. You can't see it without a telescope yet, but a few astronomers have nabbed stunning photos as it continues its voyage. 

It will soar past the sun Jan. 12, making its closest approach to Earth around Feb. 2. NASA says those of us in the Northern Hemisphere will find the comet in the morning sky as it heads northwest this month. It'll be visible in the Southern Hemisphere as well in February. 

Above, a panel from Superman no. 172.

When I first saw the headline about a green comet, I immediately thought of a 1964 Edmond Hamilton story in Superman no.172 of the Man of Steel's encounter with a green comet that takes away his super-powers. It was one of the great stories from the Silver Age of comic books. It was drawn by Curt Swan and George Klein.

To read more, go here.

First 2023 Snow Day

Above, today's snow on the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The latest round of snow started last night and this morning. It is just as well, for there's no mail delivery today thanks to New Year's Day being on a Sunday this year.

The amount of snow hasn't been too much. We have about a half inch of it on the ground. But more is expected throughout today and tomorrow.

From the National Weather Service:

Today

Scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tonight

Scattered snow showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday

Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 34. West wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Above, the front yard walkways. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I guess I'll be staying indoors today. I've been reading biographies of artists/cartoonists including Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey), Stan Drake (The Heart of Juliet Jones) and Curt Swan (Superman) to keep myself occupied.

Above, Curt Swan by Stan Drake.

Interestingly, Swan, Drake and Walker were all Connecticut residents. 

Was Curt Swan Inspired By A Civil War Painting?

Above, the Swan/Klein cover from 1965.

The below painting's (artist unknown to me) layout looks very familiar. It was posted at Piñon Post with an article on the Civil War 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass. 

It strongly reminds me of a comic book cover from 1965.

Was it the inspiration to an Adventure Comics (no. 333) cover of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes by Curt Swan (pencils) and George Klein (inks)? The story, "The Civil War of the Legion".

Interesting!

First Issue of My Superman Subscription

There are some things in one's life experiences that stick to one even after 56 years have passed.

Back in the 1960s, DC Comics (known then as National Periodical Publications) offered subscriptions to their comics. If I remember correctly, a year's subscription (10 issues) to their comics was $1.00. At that time, comic books cost 12 cents on the newsstand with 80-page giants costing 25 cents (they were called annuals before). The 80-page giants weren't included in subscriptions.

I subscribed to Superman back in late 1965 and the first issue of my subscription was Superman no. 182 (January 1966 cover date). Someone posted the cover of the issue in a Curt Swan Facebook fan page.

The cover was penciled by Swan and inked by Sheldon Moldoff. It appears Superman's face was re-done by Al Plastino (for whatever reason). 

This particular comic book is now considered a "key issue" as it was the first Silver Age appearance of The Toyman (Winslow Percival Schott). A copy of it is now listed at eBay for $89.99. 

I still have my copy.

This is the cover of that issue:

Drawing Stuff

Above, the drawing stuff after getting them out of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After this morning's breakfast/coffee gathering at Denny's down at the Flying J, did some more reading of  Curt Swan: A Life In Comics.

When I was done with that, I headed to the garage to get my art equipment and supplies out. The drawing bug has been building up for some time, and the Swan book got me even more motivated. Previously, I had no time for drawing due my work hours. Now that I'm retired, I can get back into it again.

Above, I have plenty of drawing paper and bristol paper. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Going through the art box and my tabletop easel's drawer after cleaning them, I found that some items needed replacing. The India inks were all dried up and I needed new brushes and pens. Along with those, I need a new drawing board. I had one for around 50 years when I took the Famous Artists course back in the 1970s. I tossed it when I moved as it had gotten old, chipped and cracked. One good thing I discovered, the Rapidograph ink was still good. I have plenty of pencils.

So, I ordered a new board and the other stuff. Luckily, I still have a good supply of drawing paper and bristol paper. 

It'll be nice to get back to drawing again. It has been a while.

Curt Swan: A Life In Comics

Ever go to your bookcase to get a specific book to read and it's nowhere to be found?

This happened to me about a week ago when I went to get my copy of Curt Swan: A Life In Comics (2002, by Eddy Zeno) to read. It was nowhere to be found.

I hadn't read the book since I lived in California, so I didn't notice it was missing. Now I have. 

It may still be around somewhere, but since I wasn't sure, I decided to order another copy through Alibris (I already have an account with them). I ordered it last week and it arrived in the mail yesterday. The price was reasonable enough: $24.73 (hardcover). I think my original copy was the trade paperback.

Above, yours truly enjoying the book yesterday.

I started reading it as soon as I got home from the post office and the time passed quickly (about 2 hours) and, before I knew it, it was time to start dinner.

Even if my original copy turns up, I have no regrets ordering another copy. It is an excellent book with lots of examples of Swan's work. I highly recommend it.

George Perez

Above, the George Perez cover of the death of the Silver Age Supergirl.

Those who are not comic book fans are likely not familiar with artist George Perez. 

Perez had a great career in penciling and inking comic books since the Bronze Age (the period of years following the Silver Age of comics) until eye problems forced him to retire. He's my age, but about five months younger.

I have been familiar with his work starting in the 1980s, particularly the series of comic books called Crisis On Infinite Earths that closed out the Bronze Age and ushered in the "Modern Age" (mainly the reboot of Superman by John Byrne).

A few weeks ago, I read that Perez has terminal cancer. After having experienced cancer when my dad came down with terminal lymphoma, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 

I have never met Perez when he was on the convention circuit, but I have read that Superman artist Curt Swan was one of his influences. Perez inked Swan's pencils in one of the two final Silver Age Superman stories in Action Comics, "Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?"

Right now, I don't know how far advanced Perez's cancer is, but if he reads this, I just wanted to say a big "thank-you" for years of great artistry.

UPDATE (5/7/22):

The following announcement was made today:

To all of George’s fans and friends,

    Constance here, with the update no one wants to read. George passed away yesterday, peacefully at home with his wife of 490 months and family by his side. He was not in pain and knew he was very, very loved.

      We are all very much grieving but, at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our lives. To know George was to love him; and he loved back. Fiercely and with his whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without him in it.

       He loved all of you. He loved hearing your posts and seeing the drawings you sent and the tributes you made. He was deeply proud to have brought so much joy to so many.

        Everyone knows George’s legacy as a creator. His art, characters and stories will be revered for years to come. But, as towering as that legacy is, it pales in comparison to the legacy of the man George was.  George’s true legacy is his kindness. It’s the love he had for bringing others joy - and I hope you all carry that with you always.

     Today is Free Comic Book Day. A day George absolutely loved and a fitting day to remember his contributions to comics and to our lives. I hope you’ll enjoy your day today with him in mind. He would have loved that.

       Please keep his wife Carol in your thoughts and again, I thank you for respecting her privacy. I remain available through the contact on the page.  

        George's memorial service will take place at MEGACON Orlando at 6pm on Sunday, May 22nd. It will be open to all. Details to follow. 

       We will miss him always.

50 Years Ago At DC Comics

50 years ago, I was in my junior year of high school and this graced pages of various issues of DC Comics (known then as National Periodical Publications):

Upon the retirement of longtime Superman editor Mort Weisinger, Julius Schwartz took over as editor of the Superman books in 1971. With that, the Superman "family" of comic books took off into a different direction, one of which was the "Kryptonite Nevermore" story.

To "alert" readers of what's in store, DC had artist Curt Swan draw the above image of the Man of Steel. It was one of those rare times Swan inked his own pencils for publication.

Superman #233 Published A Half-Century Ago

Above, the iconic cover artist Neal Adams doesn't like.

Fifty years ago this month, I was in the first half of my sophomore year in high school.

This month fifty years ago was when Superman #233 (cover date January 1971) hit the newsstands at the "expensive" price of fifteen cents. This issue marked the beginning of the "Bronze Age" of comics for Superman.

A post at the "Neal Adams Almanack" Facebook page caught my attention on the issue.

In this issue, kryptonite was done away with, and Clark Kent was reassigned from the Daily Planet newspaper to Galaxy Broadcasting Company's newsroom. In other words, Clark Kent became John Chancellor (the then-anchor of NBC Nightly News). 

Above, #233's "splash" page by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

Superman #233 also featured an iconic cover by Neal Adams of Superman bursting kryptonite chains from his chest. It is interesting to note that Adams did not like the artwork, feeling it was "rushed". The interior featured the story of "Superman Breaks Loose" by Denny O'Neill with superb artwork by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

The "splash" page of the story states "a return to greatness" for the Man of Steel. Yes, a return was needed as stories became dull and formulaic since the glory days of the early 1960s when science-fiction writer Edmond Hamilton wrote for the comic.

Above, artist Neal Adams and your truly at Comikaze Expo in 2012.

I know it has been a long time since Superman #233 came out, but seeing that it is now a half-century ago, it puts it into a whole different perspective for me. (Jeez, I'm getting old!)

For more details on Superman #233, go here.

Oh, yes. I still have Superman #233 in my collection. I'm hanging onto it since it is considered a "key issue" by collectors.

June 16, A Sad Date In Superman History

Above, a publicity photo of George Reeves as Superman.

June 16 is a significant date in Superman history, although a sad date.

First, in 1959, actor George Reeves, the star of the Adventures of Superman, was found dead in his bedroom allegedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The circumstances surrounding his death are still debated to this day.

In 1997, Superman artist Curt Swan died in Wilton, Connecticut.

Above, artist Curt Swan sketches the Man of Steel.

Dennis Hayes wrote:

The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans and historians call the Silver Age of comic books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 1950s through the 1980s.

I have a page of Swan's artwork (inked by Murphy Anderson) that was signed by Swan.

Two Comic Books From 1962

While going through a box this afternoon, I came upon a couple of Silver Age comic books from 1962.

The following are scans of these comics.

The first was Action Comics No. 285 (cover date February 1962), which featured a full-issue story of the presentation of Supergirl to the world by Superman. The cover was by Curt Swan (pencils) and George Klein (inks) with the interior story by Jim Mooney.

The next one was Green Lantern No. 16 (cover date October 1962), which featured "The Secret Life of Star Sapphire". The cover was by Gil Kane (pencils) and Murphy Anderson (inks) with the interior story by Kane with inks by Joe Giella.

Seeing these reminded me that these were the days when comic book reading was fun.

Adventure Comics #369

One of my favorite comic books was Adventure Comics of the Silver Age. It featured full-length stories of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

The writing was top-notch (by a young Jim Shooter) and great artwork (generally Curt Swan and George Klein and later Swan and Jack Abel).

A little discussion on Adventure Comics no. 369 (cover date June 1968) is taking place at Facebook and I scanned a couple of pages. The cover (at top) was done by Neal Adams.

Here I am with Adams at Comikaze Expo in 2012:

The first is the "splash" page featuring a rare ink job by Curt Swan:

Then, there's page 7 of the story featuring the work of Swan and Abel:

A number of fans didn't care much for Abel's inks on Swan, but I thought they fit the Legion stories quite nicely.

Arlen Shumer Salute To Superman Artist Curt Swan

Above, a Curt Swan/George Klein Superman (no. 174) cover from the 1960s.

As this week is being called "Superman Week" in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Superman, Arlen Schumer has an article at 13th Dimension.com saluting the definitive Superman artist, Curt Swan.

The article begins with:

To the Baby Boom Generation that grew up on his work, Curt Swan (1920-1996) was, is, and forever will be the definitive Superman artist. 

Over the course of his almost-four decade run on the character (1948-1986), Swan depicted many of the landmark events that became touchstones in the lives of the Superman family. His versions of familiar aspects of the character’s iconography, from the scenes of a doomed Krypton to sights of Superman soaring above the Metropolis skyline, became the new icons against which all succeeding Superman artists are judged. 

As the Superman character evolved from the Golden Age to the Silver Age, “Mort Weisinger (Superman editor 1945-70) felt we should get a little more humanistic qualities into him,” Swan recalled in a 1974 Cartoonist Profile interview. “We wanted people to relate to him better, make him a little more believable.” 

That believeability came across in Swan’s characters’ faces — young or old, male or female, hero or villain, monster or alien — which he endowed with a spectrum of human emotions, from agony to anger, mournful to mirthful, that remains one of the hallmarks of his realistic style.

To read the full article, go here. 

Found Comic Book During Packing

Today was spent packing more stuff in preparation for next week's move to New Mexico.

I came across stacks of comic books. These were bagged and boarded but not in a storage box. I believe they were ones my late father bought in the aftermath of the 1993 "Death of Superman" storyline. He would buy up all kinds of comic books. Most of what were in the stacks were from the 1990s (he passed away in 1999).

There were a few gems in the stacks, one of which was an issue of Superboy with a cover date of April 1961. It is issue number 88 with a Curt Swan cover and Al Plastino interiors. The cover price was ten cents. A nice Silver Age gem from the early 1960s, if I say so myself!

Here's the cover:

I had no idea that I even possessed this issue! Amazing what one finds during packing for a move!