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.

Happy 80th Birthday Neal Adams!

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Neal Adams, the comic book artist who many (including me) consider to be the definitive Batman artist, turned 80 today.

Adams recently was released from the hospital after a bout with sepsis. Thankfully, he overcame it and is enjoying his birthday.

It is hard to believe Neal Adams is 80. Then again, it is also hard to believe that I'm 67. But, there you go.

I became aware of Adams's work around 1967 when he started drawing covers for DC's Superman Family of comic books. Then, he started doing some Batman/Superman stories in World's Finest Comics.

Not long after that, he started illustrating stories in Batman and Detective Comics. And, around about that time, he took over the illustrating chores for the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series of stories in the Green Lantern comic book. Adams also illustrated Deadman stories, some included Batman. Those were great reads.

I got to meet Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I was there as a panelist on Godzilla.

Adams is still very much artistically active and appears at numerous comic book and science-fiction conventions around the country.

A big Happy Birthday to Neal Adams!

UPDATE (06/17/21):

A nice tribute to Neal Adams was posted in an unlikely place: National Review. I am aware that Adams is politically liberal (and decidedly anti-Donald Trump), but he is lauded in the article as the "Reigning King of Comic Books".

To read the article, go here.

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.

Dear Editor...

To start off the week, I thought I would post something in more of a humorous vein.

On the Superboy from the 40s to the 70s! Facebook page, a discussion thread was on the letters to the editor DC Comics had in their comic books during the Silver Age of comic books. Many of us (including me) would sometimes read the letters first before reading the comic's stories.

Mort Weisinger was the editor of the Superman Family line of comic books (he also served as story editor for the Adventures of Superman television series) who would respond to readers' letters and his son Hendrie posted this in the thread:

For those who don't know about the bottle city of Kandor:

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.

DC May Produce Comics Based On George Reeves Version

Above, George Reeves as Superman.

For the baby boomer generation, George Reeves is the one and only Superman in their eyes.

Yesterday, DC Comics representatives indicated that the publisher is looking to produce a comic series of Superman based on the George Reeves Adventures of Superman television show of the 1950s.

Bleeding Cool reported:

During the “DC Meet the Publishers” panel at New York Comic Con today, representatives from DC Comics indicated that the company is looking into making Superman stories based off George Reeves‘s take on the character. Reeves, not related to fellow Superman actor Christopher Reeve, was the first actor to have the pleasure of portraying the iconic man of steel for the Adventures of Superman tv show in the 1950s.

To read more, 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!

80-Page Giant Superman No. 183

Above, Superman no. 183.

Back in the days when comic book reading and collecting was fun (mid-1960s), DC Comics used to publish 80-Page Giants of their different titles. The 80-Page Giants were originally called "annuals" with their own numbering. They were collections of reprinted stories.

One of my favorite 80-Page Giants was Superman number 183 that was published in 1966. It was my first exposure to stories from the Golden Age of comic books. I still have my copy.

I was reminded of this in a Facebook Curt Swan (who drew the cover with inker George Klein) page.

T + L: The Best Comic Book Stores In The U.S.

Above, Mile High Comics at the 2014 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is Comic-Con time in San Diego, California. But you don't have to go there to get your fix on comic books and other fan-related goodies.

Travel + Leisure has an article on "The Best Comic Book Stores In The U.S.".

They begin with:

It's that time of year again, when comic fans, costumed characters, and film buffs descend on San Diego, California. 

That's right. It's Comic-Con.And in honor of the biggest comics convention of the year, we're highlighting the best comic book stores all across the U.S. From Florida's Emerald City to Washington's Arcane Comics, these are the best places to find all the DC and Marvel your heart desires.

To read more, go here. 

Stan Drake, A Neal Adams Influence

Yesterday, there was a discussion about influence(s) of artist Neal Adams at the Neal Adams Almanac on Facebook.

Above, yours truly with Neal Adams.

It was started by moderator Arlen Schumer when he posted a drawing by Stan Drake of his characters from "The Heart of Juliet Jones" comic strip (above). This brought back memories as I followed that strip when the old Los Angeles Herald-Examiner was published.

When he posted the drawing, Schumer wrote:

ONE OF NEAL'S BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Stan Drake, promo art for ''The Heart of Juliet Jones'' (posted by John Castelhano‎ to Illustration Art Archives); discuss!

It has been a while since I last saw work by Drake (during the discussion, it was revealed that Drake was also the illustrator of the Blondie comic strip in the 1980s, much to my surprise since I never made the connection although I read the strip) and it was nice to see his fine line work again after all these years. Ah, it was nice to see real artistic talent!

Horror Comics Great Bernie Wrightson Dies At 68

Acclaimed horror comics artist giant Bernie Wrightson passed away yesterday of brain cancer. He was 68.

He had been ill for some time and had to retire from illustrating.

According to his obituary:

After a long battle with brain cancer, legendary artist Bernie Wrightson has passed away. 

Bernie “Berni” Wrightson (born October 27, 1948, Baltimore, Maryland, USA) was an American artist known for his horror illustrations and comic books. He received training in art from reading comics, particularly those of EC, as well as through a correspondence course from the Famous Artists School. In 1966, Wrightson began working for The Baltimore Sun newspaper as an illustrator. The following year, after meeting artist Frank Frazetta at a comic-book convention in New York City, he was inspired to produce his own stories. In 1968, he showed copies of his sequential art to DC Comics editor Dick Giordano and was given a freelance assignment. Wrightson began spelling his name “Berni” in his professional work to distinguish himself from an Olympic diver named Bernie Wrightson, but later restored the final E to his name. 

His first professional comic work appeared in House of Mystery #179 in 1968. He continued to work on a variety of mystery and anthology titles for both DC and its principal rival, Marvel Comics. In 1971, with writer Len Wein, Wrightson co-created the muck creature Swamp Thing for DC.

I was always amazed at how he can create lighting in black & white ink illustrations. It was fascinating to see his line work. I enjoyed his art over the years and he will be sorely missed.

To read more, go here.

The Return of Astro Boy

Above, the Astro Boy figure in my collection. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japanese companies are gearing up to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of comic and animation master Osamu Tezuka.

Five of those companies have banded together to create an Astro Boy robot.

According to NHK:

Five Japanese companies have teamed up to re-create legendary comic book robot Astro Boy in toy form. The product marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of comic and animation master Osamu Tezuka. 

The Astro Boy manga started in 1952 and was later adapted to TV and film. 

The newly created Astro Boy robot stands 44-centimeters tall, one-third the height of the original.

To read more, go here.

Curt Swan Superman Bench

When I visited the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois last month, I noticed a bench in front with a Curt Swan Superman (above photo) on the back rest.

I posted the photo at the Curt Swan, Legendary Comic Book Superman Facebook page dedicated to the works of Swan.

A sharp-eyed fan, Jamie Ewing, posted that the figure of Superman was re-purposed from the cover of the first issue of Comics Collector from 1983 along with the cover. I used to buy Comics Collector when I was still collecting comics to check prices.

Here it is below:

Thanks goes out to Jamie Ewing for the information!

$13,500 for Action Comics number one! That's a bargain by today's standards!

Terrorizing Burbank Bookstores

Above, yours truly with a new Dark Shadows novel by Lara Parker. Photo by Brant Elliot.

Today was spent hanging out in "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" with fellow G-fan Brant Elliot roaming around different genre bookstores.

We met up at The New Deal restaurant for lunch. We were supposed to be joined by Peter H. Brothers, but he had something come up.

Above, a couple of Godzilla goods at Dark Delicacies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After lunch, we migrated to the Dark Delicacies bookstore, where one can find all kinds of books with horror themes. I saw a number of Dark Shadows books by Lara Parker that are based on the 1960s soap opera. She does book signings there when she publishes a new novel.

Above, Brant Elliot rummaging in a bin at Blast From The Past. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we were done perusing Dark Delicacies, we then headed over to Blast From The Past, which has toys, books, CDs and old comic books.

Above, goodies for sale at Blast From The Past. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Dark Delicacies, we then went over to Creature Features, were more toys, books, magazines and just about anything else of horror and science-fiction can be found. I gave them my card so that "the Boss" can contact me to order copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Above, now here's a gal at Creature Features who could use
a boob job, among other things. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After Creature Features, we then drove over to the House of Secrets comic book store. There, I held the first issue of Superman that was drawn by Curt Swan. I also saw the first issue of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen in the display case ($699.00). I mentioned to the clerk that the comic came about due to the popularity of Jack Larson in the Adventures of Superman television show. She asked, "Who's Jack Larson?" She never watched the show. So, I had to explain everything to her. I showed her photos of Jack that were taken with George Reeves during the production of the show and the photo of him and I taken by the Los Angeles Daily News during the plaque dedication two years ago. Now, she's up to speed! House of Secrets has a great collection of Silver Age comic books, many of which are from the 1950s, which are harder to find.

We then wrapped up the day at a coffee/latte shop in Burbank. This was a fun day. I haven't done thing kind of thing for quite a while.

Neal Adams' "The Coming of the Supermen" Hardcover

I haven't bought a new comic book in ages, but this is tempting me very much!

It appears to have been released a couple of weeks ago (while I was on my road trip).

13th Dimension wrote:

Coming of the Supermen, Neal Adams’ raucous 6-issue DC miniseries, is collected in hardcover this week. Pick it up. 

The premise isn’t particularly new, with concepts DC has played with even in the last 10 years: Some surviving Kryptonians show up on Earth to help out Superman, sort of as a junior Supersquad. They’re learning the powers but Darkseid and his minions are the opposition and all hell breaks loose. Plus there’s a hidden planet on the other side of the sun in an orbit opposite ours. And Superman bleeds.

Above, yours truly with Neal Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

From what I am seeing, facially, Superman looks like Superman again. And, Adams has given Superman his red trunks back!

To read more, go here. 

Jack Abel Inks On Curt Swan-Murphy Anderson Superman Pages

Back in my comic book reading days back in the early 1970s, artist Murphy Anderson became the primary inker for Superman artist Curt Swan.

I noticed a peculiarity in the artwork. The backgrounds looked like the work by artist Jack Abel. I wondered then (up until now) if Abel assisted Anderson with the background inking. The page above is a Curt Swan-Murphy Anderson page. The backgrounds look like Abel's.

I went over to the Facebook page devoted to Swan, Curt Swan, Legendary Comic Book Superman and asked if this were so.

I have my answer:

Action Comics No. 1 Sold For Nearly $1 Million

Above, a different copy of Action Comics No. 1.

The comic book that featured the first appearance of Superman fetched nearly $1 million at a recent auction.

CNN reported:

(CNN)A rare copy of a Superman comic book sold for nearly $1 million this week. 

The 1938 comic book marks the first appearance of Superman, and is considered a gem among comic book fans, according to Heritage Auctions. It was expected to sell for $750,000 but fetched $956,000.

To read more, go here. 

13 Covers: A Curt Swan Birthday Celebration

Above, a classic cover featuring the Fatal Five by Curt Swan and George Klein. 

My most favorite comic book artist of all time was the late, great Curt Swan. Swan drew the Superman Family of comic books for over 30 years although he is known as "the definitive Superman artist".

Two days ago would have been Curt Swan's birthday and comics historian Arlen Schumer has an article of 13 of the best Curt Swan covers, some of which I have in my collection (one of which is posted above).

If you are a Curt Swan fan or are an art fan in general, you'll like the article.

To read it and savor Swan's art, go here.