Dalai Lama and Mr. Mxyzptlk

When I saw this picture of the Dalai Lama, my immediate thought was that he looked like he was wearing garb from a Superman comic book character: Mr. Mxyzptlk from the 5th Dimension. 

Here's the photo:

Here's Mr. Mzyzptlk by Curt Swan on the cover of Action Comics #273 (From 1961. I have this issue, by the way):

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:

The State of Comic Books

The topic on the current state of comic books in comparison to ones of the Silver Age is one I have thought about on occasion over the years.

I haven't purchased any current comic books in ages. I have bought some Silver Age issues that I didn't have to fill in some gaps. I have to credit comic books in fueling my joy of reading.

Kirk Hastings, the administrator of the Facebook page, Silver Age Mythology of Superman, posted the following last night. I've noticed the same differences which mainly boils down to writers and publishers taking the fun out of comic books. I also wonder if the artists of today's comic books ever took a life drawing/anatomy art class in their lives.

He wrote:

Recently I’ve been reading through my old Silver Age superhero comics (mostly Superman/DC), and I’ve noticed a few things about them:

1. The older stories almost always focused on straightforward action, adventure, mystery, and non-stop thrills. Newer comics focus on disturbing violence, sexual situations, shock value, and constantly pushing the moral envelope. (And it seems each issue has to somehow “top” the previous one in these four categories too!)

2. In almost all older superhero comics, the conflict in the stories was between the hero and the villains. In today’s stories the conflict is almost always within the hero himself -- or between him and his friends (who often betray him or turn on him).

3. Older comics strove to be apolitical, and thus appeal to a mass audience of all persuasions. Modern comics always seem to want to push some radical new politically-based idea (usually leftist in nature).

4. Older comics almost always depicted women in a realistic fashion (both in character and appearance-wise). Today’s comics almost always depict women as sex objects with exaggerated sexual characteristics, and wearing ludicrously revealing outfits that no self-respecting woman in her right mind would wear in public!

5. The older superheroes were always sure of themselves, and were confident in their knowledge of right vs. wrong. Today’s (so-called) heroes almost always have feet of clay, don’t know what they believe, and have no personal moral code whatsoever. (And they are often little different than the villains they oppose!)

6. Older comics were almost always inspiring. Good always triumphed over evil, and most endings were (at least partly) happy ones. Modern comics are almost always downbeat, dark, and often show the bad guys (and evil) getting the upper hand.

7. Older comics were full of boundless imagination, and would not let much of anything stand in the way of an interesting, compelling story that couldn’t help but draw you into it. Today’s comics are mostly mired in “relevancy”, “realism”, so-called “mature themes”, and “political correctness”.

8. Older comics were almost always rated G or PG. Modern comics should almost always be rated R (or worse!). Older comics were deliberately produced for a mass audience consisting of ALL ages (good business practice!); most of today’s comics are NOT (most of them are directed toward some small minority audience).

9. Older comics taught respect for authority (particularly law enforcement officials). Today’s comics teach rebellion against any and ALL authority.

10. Older comics respected the high moral ideals of sexual decency, integrity, and moral self-control. Modern comics constantly push radical, explicit, deviant behavior into the face of its readers (and portray it as “normal”).

… Can YOU think of any OTHER ways in which older comics differed from modern ones?

Comments are welcome! 

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.

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.

The Neverending Battle For Superman

Above, the very first published Superman story appeared in the first issue of Action Comics.

Just about everyone knows that the character of Superman/Clark Kent was created by two Cleveland, Ohio boys, Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster.

Siegel did the writing and Shuster did the illustrating.

Above, Laura Siegel Larson at the Superman Celebration luncheon last August. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After receiving no success in having Superman picked up by a publisher, the Superman character was picked up by a publisher (now known as DC Comics) and the rest is history.

But there's much more to the history.

Sedgwick Law has posted a history of the legal battles between Siegel & Shuster (and their heirs) and DC Comics.

Here's a snippet:

By now, the story behind Superman’s origins is well-known.  Created by teenagers Joseph Shuster and Jerry Siegel in the 1930s, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938.  Shortly thereafter, Shuster and Siegel reportedly sold to what is now DC Comics their rights to the Action Comics storyline, including the Superman character as he then existed, for $130.00 and additional, annual “work for hire” payments for supplying material to DC Comics.  Superman would, of course, then go on to become one of the most well-recognized and financially successful characters in comic book history, generating millions of dollars in subsequent sales, spin-offs, movies and merchandise.  In the years that followed, both Shuster and Siegel would attempt to regain ownership of Superman and a more appropriate share in DC’s profits from the booming franchise.  Ultimately, various lawsuits, settlements and copyright extensions restored their names to the Superman comics’ credit pages, and deals were made to provide pensions and other compensation for the co-creators’ heirs.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster have both passed on. The battle has been taken up by their heirs, most notably Jerry Siegel's daughter, Laura Siegel Larson.

To read "the rest of the story" (as the late Paul Harvey used to say), go here. 

M.U.T.O. Research

Along with the official Godzilla website that includes the teaser trailer, Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. have also launched a M.U.T.O. Research website as a tie-in.

Fans have speculated what exactly is M.U.T.O. ever since the name was disclosed. When I heard the name, it jogged an old memory dating back to 1965-66. (One has to be an "old-timer" like me to remember stuff like this.)

Back in 1965, DC Comics introduced the Superman of 2965 as the 30th Century descendant of Superman (Kal-El). His arch-enemy was a giant-headed, yellow-skinned alien named, you guessed it, Muto. Below, is an issue of Action Comics featuring the future Superman and Muto from 1966.

Anyway, here's the M.U.T.O. Research website for your perusal.

Superman-JFK Cover Art Sold For $112,015

Fox News is reporting that cover art drawn by Curt Swan featuring President John F. Kennedy disguised as Clark Kent was sold for $112,015.

They reported:

YORK, Pa. –  Cover art from a 50-year-old comic book featuring Superman's alter-ego, Clark Kent, as President John F. Kennedy in disguise was sold at an auction for $112,015. 

Curt Swan's original cover drawing for Action Comics #309 sold at auction last week in York County, the York Daily Record reports. 

On the cover is Superman shaking hands with Clark Kent and a word arrow asks the reader, "Who is the mystery masquerader?"

To read the full story, go here. 

Action Comics #405 Artwork

While chatting with a friend who just scored a Thomas Kinkade painting, it got me to do some digging on the original Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson artwork for Action Comics #405 (October 1971) that I own. It was for the story, "Superman, Bodyguard or Assassin?"

Here's the page:

And here's the cover to the comic it's from (by Neal Adams):

I must've bought the art page about 10-12 years ago. I paid $100 for it. Checking around, it appears that comparable original art from Swan and Anderson during that period now fetches around $500. See this.

Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson Original Art

As I mentioned in my blog today on Boy Commandos no. 25 from 1948, Curt Swan is my all-time favorite comic book artist.

One of my prized possessions is a piece of original art by Swan (pencils) and Murphy Anderson (inks). It is a page from a 1970s issue of Action Comics (featuring Superman) and is signed by Swan.

This is it:



Nice, eh? (No. It's not for sale.)

2012 Marks 20 Years Since "Death of Superman"

It doesn't seem possible that this year marks 20 years since Superman died.

Well, not really. It was in 1992 that the story arc involving a mysterious new villain named Doomsday appeared. His story spread over several months involving Action Comics, Superman, Adventures of Superman and Superman: Man of Steel. And it also involved issues of Justice League America.

The finale came in Superman #75, the comic book where Superman gave his last breath. That issue came out in two editions: the regular street edition and a special polybagged edition (that also contained a mourning armband).

It was a period of slow news and the publicity machine of DC Comics roared into gear and people by the thousands, many who never picked up a comic book in their lives and some who haven't for years, lined up at comic book stores to buy Superman #75. My dad was even caught up in this frenzy and bought several copies of both editions.

Following "The Death of Superman" story arc, the comic books began a new story arc called "Funeral for a Friend," which dealt with the world's reaction to the death of Superman. This was followed by the "Reign of the Supermen" story arc where four "Supermen" show up and readers had to figure out if any of them were the real Superman, whose body was stolen from its tomb.

Ultimately, none of the four Supermen were the real one and the story ended with the return of the real Superman, now sporting long hair.

Many people had the misconception that Superman #75 would be a goldmine as an investment. It is not.

Last year, DC Comics completely revamped their entire line of comics, including this Superman (usually referred to the "Modern Age" Superman). The Modern Age Superman has been dumped for a new Superman (with a modified costume, sans red trunks).