Curt Swan Death 30th Anniversary

Curt Swan, the artist who produced the definitive Superman for over 30 years, died on this date in 1996. Today marks 30 years since his passing. He was my favorite comic book artist.

I first discovered his passing while perusing a comic book at a convenience store. In it, a house ad announced his passing.

Above, many faces of Superman artist guide by Curt Swan.

The actual death date is somewhat questionable as he was found dead at home surrounded by comic books. He had been dead for some time. Some placed his death as June 16 (this is interesting as Superman actor George Reeves died on June 16, 1959) while others place it on June 17.

According to a Wikipedia footnore:

 Curt Swan, Social Security Death Index details, FamilySearch gives June 17, 1996, as the date of death, and was verified by a family member; verification date can be the same as the death date, or one or more days afterward.

As Swan's family recognizes June 17, 1996, I will do so as well (although I have it at June 16 in Find a Grave based on information at the time).  

I am lucky to have a page of original Curt Swan Superman art (inked by Murphy Anderson). I bought in the early 2000s at a reasonable price. 

Northridge Earthquake 30th Anniversary

Incredible as it seem, today marks the 30th anniversary of the Northquake Earthquake.

I was living in North Hills at the time and when the quake struck at 4:31 in the morning, it seemed like my bed was jumping around like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist. 

The 6.7-magnitude Northridge Earthquake occurred at 4:31am on Monday, January 17, 1994. Its epicenter was around Wilbur Avenue and Arminta Street in Reseda.

I had some damage to personal property and had it all boxed and separated for the representative from FEMA to inspect. He didn't bother to inspect it, but wrote out a check. I used the money to buy a camper shell for my 1985 Nissan Pick-up.

This was one of those life events a person who experienced it never forgets.

"Death of Superman" 30th Anniversary

Above, Superman no. 75 newsstand edition.

30 years ago, incredible as it may seem, Superman no.75 comic book hit the stands and comic book shops. It was the issue in which Doomsday killed the Man of Steel.

I remember heading out of the office to go (2 miles away) to Golden Apple Comics on Melrose Blvd. to pick up a copy. When I arrived, there was a long line of people waiting to get a copy. They limited it to one copy of the newsstand edition and one copy of the black bagged edition that contained goodies such as a mourning armband.

My excuse for leaving the office was to "go to the bank." In fact, as it was a quiet news day, the "Death of Superman" was the biggest news of the day. I was quoted in the Los Angeles Times when a reporter talked to us customers in line. 

My dad was also caught up in the "Death of Superman" frenzy and bought about a dozen copies of the black bagged edition. I inherited them when he passed away in 1999.

DC Comics is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Death of Superman with a special 80-page comic book featuring the original artist and writing teams for four new stories. 

They posted:

 30 years ago, the unthinkable happened. The Man of Steel died fighting Doomsday.

To celebrate the special anniversary of this genre-defining moment, DC has reunited the original creative teams of Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding; Roger Stern and Butch Guice; Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove; and Jerry Ordway and Tom Grummett for The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1. Available at comic shops on November 8, The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 features four all-new stories that explore the lasting impact that Clark’s death had on his family and friends as well as nine pinups and variant covers by some of the top names in comics.

It is indeed hard to believe that 30 years has passed. 

To read more about the anniversary special, go here.

Four Years Ago This Month

Above, yours truly at Keene Ranch in October 2017.

This morning, I was reminded by Facebook that I attended the clampout at Keene Ranch near the Tehachapi Loop in California with Platrix No. 2 in October 2017.

At that clampout, I received my 30-year membership in the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus patch (I actually joined in January 1984). Three years from now, I will be in the Order 40 years. My, how time flies.

It occurred to me that this was the last clampout I attended as a California resident. I moved to New Mexico the following February. 

30 Years of the Richard Nixon Library

30 years ago today, my then-wife and I headed to Yorba Linda, California to attend the opening ceremonies of the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace.

It was a hot day to be outside in a huge crowd and I brought along my camcorder and took some video of the proceedings. We had a pretty decent view of four U.S. presidents as they spoke during the ceremonies.

The Nixon Library emailed the following:

July 19, 2020

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Opening of the Nixon Library On a hot July 19, 1990, more than 50,000 Nixon friends, family, fans, neighbors, and former administration and campaign officials gathered on the grounds surrounding his modest birthplace, the same site that later became the Richard Nixon Elementary School, to dedicate a library campus recognizing the life and legacy of America’s 37th President. But how the presidential library of Orange County’s most famous son came to be built on the very land that his father once farmed for citrus, is as intriguing and fascinating as the man himself. Learn about the Library's unique history, and see photos and video from the opening ceremony, in this all-new online exhibit.  → Visit the Online Exhibit