During one segment of an episode of the PBS series History Detectives, one of the hosts meets with a woman who found a Superman sketch at her mother's home. It was autographed to her late father and signed by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. She had two questions for the segment host. Are the sketch and signatures authentic? How did her father meet Superman's creators?
This segment aired during the eleventh episode of the series' fourth season, on September 4, 2006. To find information about this particular segment go to http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/411_superman.html. At the bottom is a link to a .pdf document to read a transcript of this particular segment, or just click the following link to go directly to it: http://www-tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/pdf/411_superman.pdf.
The Superman Fan Podcast web site can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.com. E-mail about this podcast can be sent to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
My other blog, My Pull List can be found at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Episode # 17: The Artists of Jerry Siegel's and Joe Shuster's Cleveland Studio
Thanks go to http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/ and http://www.lambiek.net/ web sites for help in researching this episode.
Since Action Comics and Superman were 64 pages each, Jerry and Joe quickly needed help to fill that many pages every month. The addition of a daily comic strip added to the work load. They set up a Cleveland studio led by Joe to produce the art. Generally, Joe Shuster would begin the rough art, one or two assistants would finish the pencils and another would usually ink. The inker was usually Ed Dobrotka. Joe Shuster himself would finish and ink the heads of Superman and Lois Lane.
The main artists of the Cleveland studio were:
Paul Cassidy
Leo Nowak
John Sikela
Wayne Boring
Don Komisarow
Ed Dobrotka
Paul Cassiudy (October 11, 1910 - May 15, 2005) was the first ghost artist on the Superman comic books. He began by doing inking and detail work and eventually did solo stories. He brought a bolder, fluid line to Shuster's art. His notable addition was the "S" symbol to Superman's cape. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he continued to do freelance work. He passed away there at the age of 94.
Leo Nowak (1907 - January 6, 2001) was also a musician and painter. He joined the studio in September 1940 after Paul Cassidy moved to Wisconsin. Nowak remained with the studio until he was drafted in 1943. His first work appeared in Superman #10. He drew bold, stocky figures and close-ups, with wide shoulders drawn diagonally across the panel. During WWII he was a batallion artist. He eventually moved to southern California and worked for 25 years in advertising. He also did political cartoons for The Daily Independent in Ridgecrest for twelve years.
John Sikela (1907 - 1998) was one of the longest lasting Superman ghost artists. He also joined the studio in 1940. He also was known for dynamic panels and aerial views. He is credited as the artist of the first Mxyztplk story in Superman #30, 1944 in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told, 1987 (attributed at comics.org and dcindexes.com to Joe Shuster or Ira Yarborough). Sikela also drew sotries to the Superboy spin-off. Hist first solo story was Luthor and the Great Animals of Baracoda in Superman #12. He drew Superman flying as if he was grabbing the air. Joe Sikela also served in the armed forces during WWII and returned to the studio in late 1946. He worked until the studio closed after Siegel and Shuster lost their lawsuit against DC Comics over the rights to Superman.
Ed Dobrotka (1917 - 1977) began as an inker for the other artists. He also did pencils but inked exclusively after 1945. Ed inked Sikela on Superboy until 1950. He also worked on the early Lois Lane solo stories. Dobrotka also inked stories for All-Star Comics and Quality Comics. Ed Dobrotka is also credited as co-creator, with writer Don Cameron, of the Superman villain Toyman in Action Comics#64.
Hi Mankin (1926 - 1978) worked at the Cleveland studio for only a month at the age of 15. He stayed with Jerry's family while he attended a Cleveland high school, and would ink Superman at night. He would go on to draw the characters Johnnhy Quick and Gangbusters for DC, the Roy Rogers comic strip, and the titles Crimebusters and Daredevil for publisher Lev Gleason.
World War II brought changes to Superman. The publisher would begin to weild tighter control on the character as Jerry Siegel and some of the artists served in the armed forces. Joe Shuster was classified 4-F because of his poor eyesight, and was thus exempt from military service.
Jach Burnley (1911 - ?) was the first Superman artist directly employed by DC Comics. His first job was to produce advertising art that would appear in the issues. His first comic book art was for World's Fair Comics #2, then Action Comics 28 - 34, September 1940 - April 1941. He then worked on the daily comic strip. Some Superman fans consider him the best of the early Superman artists. He drew Superman covers beginning with Superman #19. Mankin also created Starman for Adventure Comics in April 1941. From 1944 - 1946 he pencilled the Batman Sunday comic strip, and briefly pencilled the Superman strip in 1944. In 1947 he left DC Comics to return to sports cartooning.
Fred Ray (1922 - ?) pencilled Superman covers beginning with Superman' s Christmas Adventure in 1940, and first appeared in the regular titles with Superman #9 (Fall 1940). His most famous cover was for Superman #14, the iconic image of Superman standing in front of a triangular stars and stripes shield as an eagle perched on one arm. His only interior art was the story for Superman #25, Sustain the Winds, written by Mort Weisinger for the War Department. Ray is also known for his particular "S" design. He also worked on the character of Congo Bill, Tomahawk and various westerns.
Pete Riss (1906? - 1962?) drew five Superman stories in 1943. He drew Meet the Squiffles, written by Jerry Siegel, about an imp from another dimension named Ixnayalpay who meets Adolph Hitler. Riss drew Superman flying with one knee kicked up so high it obscured the "S" on his chest. Riss would go on to work for various publishers in characters such as Kid Eternity, Millie the Model and Hopalong Cassidy.
George Roussos (1920 - 2000) began his career as a "ghost" artist on Batman. He began inking Superman during WWII and continued after the war ended. He also inked Superboy.
Ira Yarbrough (1911 - 1983) had a comical style. He is one of the artists credited as penciller and/or inker on the first Mxyztplk story in Superman #30. He drew Superman flying with his arms flexed above his head.
Sam Citron drew Superman form 1943 - 1946. America's Secret Weapon in Superman#23 (July 1943) was done for the War Department. After 1946 he drew Mr. District Attorney and other DC comics. He would later work for American Comics Group drawing horror and mystery comics.
Dick Sprang, artist on Batman from the late 1940's into the early 1960's is credited as drawing at least one superman story during the Cleveland studio years. He would draw Three Super Musketeers for World's Finest Comics #82 (May-June 1956).
John Small (d. 1966) was born in England. He drew at least one Superman story, The Laughing Stock of Metropolis in Action Comics #95 or False Paradise for Felons in World's Finest Comics #18 (Summer 1945)
Wayne Boring (1916 - 1987) was the definitive Superman artist of the 1950's. Along with John Sikela, he is probably the longest tenured artist of the Cleveland studio. He drew Superman flying as if he was walking on air or sliding. He was one of the earliest artists of the Superman strip, and drew the strip exclusively after 1942. He did nost of the covers after 1944. Wayne Boring drew Superman with a barrel chest, and Superman and Clark Kent often had brooding expressions. He drew the emotional stories The Girl From Superman's Past in Superman #129, March 1959, and The Origin of Superman in Superman #53 (1948) He was also known for drawing Kryptonian and other alien cityscapes. Boring returned to the Superman comic strip in the 1960's, and did some Superman stories in 1966 and 1967. He left DC to work for Marvel, drawing among other characters Captain Marvel. After his comic book career Wayne Boring worked as a security guard.
Send e-mail about this podcast and blog to supermanfanpodcast@g-mail.com. The podcast web site is www.supermanfanpodcsat.mypodcast.com.
I also have another blog My Pull List which can be found at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Since Action Comics and Superman were 64 pages each, Jerry and Joe quickly needed help to fill that many pages every month. The addition of a daily comic strip added to the work load. They set up a Cleveland studio led by Joe to produce the art. Generally, Joe Shuster would begin the rough art, one or two assistants would finish the pencils and another would usually ink. The inker was usually Ed Dobrotka. Joe Shuster himself would finish and ink the heads of Superman and Lois Lane.
The main artists of the Cleveland studio were:
Paul Cassidy
Leo Nowak
John Sikela
Wayne Boring
Don Komisarow
Ed Dobrotka
Paul Cassiudy (October 11, 1910 - May 15, 2005) was the first ghost artist on the Superman comic books. He began by doing inking and detail work and eventually did solo stories. He brought a bolder, fluid line to Shuster's art. His notable addition was the "S" symbol to Superman's cape. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he continued to do freelance work. He passed away there at the age of 94.
Leo Nowak (1907 - January 6, 2001) was also a musician and painter. He joined the studio in September 1940 after Paul Cassidy moved to Wisconsin. Nowak remained with the studio until he was drafted in 1943. His first work appeared in Superman #10. He drew bold, stocky figures and close-ups, with wide shoulders drawn diagonally across the panel. During WWII he was a batallion artist. He eventually moved to southern California and worked for 25 years in advertising. He also did political cartoons for The Daily Independent in Ridgecrest for twelve years.
John Sikela (1907 - 1998) was one of the longest lasting Superman ghost artists. He also joined the studio in 1940. He also was known for dynamic panels and aerial views. He is credited as the artist of the first Mxyztplk story in Superman #30, 1944 in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told, 1987 (attributed at comics.org and dcindexes.com to Joe Shuster or Ira Yarborough). Sikela also drew sotries to the Superboy spin-off. Hist first solo story was Luthor and the Great Animals of Baracoda in Superman #12. He drew Superman flying as if he was grabbing the air. Joe Sikela also served in the armed forces during WWII and returned to the studio in late 1946. He worked until the studio closed after Siegel and Shuster lost their lawsuit against DC Comics over the rights to Superman.
Ed Dobrotka (1917 - 1977) began as an inker for the other artists. He also did pencils but inked exclusively after 1945. Ed inked Sikela on Superboy until 1950. He also worked on the early Lois Lane solo stories. Dobrotka also inked stories for All-Star Comics and Quality Comics. Ed Dobrotka is also credited as co-creator, with writer Don Cameron, of the Superman villain Toyman in Action Comics#64.
Hi Mankin (1926 - 1978) worked at the Cleveland studio for only a month at the age of 15. He stayed with Jerry's family while he attended a Cleveland high school, and would ink Superman at night. He would go on to draw the characters Johnnhy Quick and Gangbusters for DC, the Roy Rogers comic strip, and the titles Crimebusters and Daredevil for publisher Lev Gleason.
World War II brought changes to Superman. The publisher would begin to weild tighter control on the character as Jerry Siegel and some of the artists served in the armed forces. Joe Shuster was classified 4-F because of his poor eyesight, and was thus exempt from military service.
Jach Burnley (1911 - ?) was the first Superman artist directly employed by DC Comics. His first job was to produce advertising art that would appear in the issues. His first comic book art was for World's Fair Comics #2, then Action Comics 28 - 34, September 1940 - April 1941. He then worked on the daily comic strip. Some Superman fans consider him the best of the early Superman artists. He drew Superman covers beginning with Superman #19. Mankin also created Starman for Adventure Comics in April 1941. From 1944 - 1946 he pencilled the Batman Sunday comic strip, and briefly pencilled the Superman strip in 1944. In 1947 he left DC Comics to return to sports cartooning.
Fred Ray (1922 - ?) pencilled Superman covers beginning with Superman' s Christmas Adventure in 1940, and first appeared in the regular titles with Superman #9 (Fall 1940). His most famous cover was for Superman #14, the iconic image of Superman standing in front of a triangular stars and stripes shield as an eagle perched on one arm. His only interior art was the story for Superman #25, Sustain the Winds, written by Mort Weisinger for the War Department. Ray is also known for his particular "S" design. He also worked on the character of Congo Bill, Tomahawk and various westerns.
Pete Riss (1906? - 1962?) drew five Superman stories in 1943. He drew Meet the Squiffles, written by Jerry Siegel, about an imp from another dimension named Ixnayalpay who meets Adolph Hitler. Riss drew Superman flying with one knee kicked up so high it obscured the "S" on his chest. Riss would go on to work for various publishers in characters such as Kid Eternity, Millie the Model and Hopalong Cassidy.
George Roussos (1920 - 2000) began his career as a "ghost" artist on Batman. He began inking Superman during WWII and continued after the war ended. He also inked Superboy.
Ira Yarbrough (1911 - 1983) had a comical style. He is one of the artists credited as penciller and/or inker on the first Mxyztplk story in Superman #30. He drew Superman flying with his arms flexed above his head.
Sam Citron drew Superman form 1943 - 1946. America's Secret Weapon in Superman#23 (July 1943) was done for the War Department. After 1946 he drew Mr. District Attorney and other DC comics. He would later work for American Comics Group drawing horror and mystery comics.
Dick Sprang, artist on Batman from the late 1940's into the early 1960's is credited as drawing at least one superman story during the Cleveland studio years. He would draw Three Super Musketeers for World's Finest Comics #82 (May-June 1956).
John Small (d. 1966) was born in England. He drew at least one Superman story, The Laughing Stock of Metropolis in Action Comics #95 or False Paradise for Felons in World's Finest Comics #18 (Summer 1945)
Wayne Boring (1916 - 1987) was the definitive Superman artist of the 1950's. Along with John Sikela, he is probably the longest tenured artist of the Cleveland studio. He drew Superman flying as if he was walking on air or sliding. He was one of the earliest artists of the Superman strip, and drew the strip exclusively after 1942. He did nost of the covers after 1944. Wayne Boring drew Superman with a barrel chest, and Superman and Clark Kent often had brooding expressions. He drew the emotional stories The Girl From Superman's Past in Superman #129, March 1959, and The Origin of Superman in Superman #53 (1948) He was also known for drawing Kryptonian and other alien cityscapes. Boring returned to the Superman comic strip in the 1960's, and did some Superman stories in 1966 and 1967. He left DC to work for Marvel, drawing among other characters Captain Marvel. After his comic book career Wayne Boring worked as a security guard.
Send e-mail about this podcast and blog to supermanfanpodcast@g-mail.com. The podcast web site is www.supermanfanpodcsat.mypodcast.com.
I also have another blog My Pull List which can be found at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Episode #16: Superboy's Pal: Pete Ross
The creators of the comic book character Pete Ross are credited as comic book writer Robert Bernstein and artist George Papp.
Robert Bernstein (d. 1988) began his comic book career in the mid 1940's and worked for a variety of publishers. His work for DC Comics was mostly on Superman and Aquaman. Beginning in 1959, along with comic book artist Ramona Fradon, he reintroduced silver age comic book readers to Aquaman and established most of his lore of the era.
George Papp (1916 - 1989) is credited as co-creator of two silver age DC Comics characters. With editor Mort Weisinger he is credited with creating Green Arrow, and with editor Whitney Ellsworth created Congorilla.
Pete Ross was introduced in Superboy #86 (January, 1961, on sale November 17, 1960). The cover featured the first story of the issue, The Army of Living Kryptonite Men, reprinted in Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes vol. I. Pete appeared in the second story, The Boy Who Betrayed Clark Kent. Pete's family had just moved into Smallville, and he was the new boy at Smallville High. Over time he becomes friends with Clark, who worries that having a close friend might threaten his secret identity. As the story progresses Pete begins to take mesurements of both Clark and Superboy. The story concludes with Clark's secret identity safe, as Pete merely wanted to cast Clark in a play about Superboy. He did not suspect Clark's double identity.
Pete Ross does discover Superboy's secret identity in Superboy #90, Pete Ross's Super Secret (July 1961). Pete and Clark are on a camping trip with other Smallville teens. At night, while everyone else sleeps, Pete sees Clark sneak off and change into Superboy and fly away to deal with some emergency. Pete vows to keep this knowledge a secret, even from Clark. Pete does this, except for a later story when he thinks Superboy has died, and he tells his parents his secret. Apparently they keep Pete's secret as well.
Pete also appears in Legion of Super-Heroes stories. In Adventure Comics #370, The Devil's Jury, the second part of the Legion's battle against Mordru, Pete's knowledge helps restore Legionnaire's knowledge of their true identities when they are disguised in Smallville. At the end of the story Superboy exposes Lana to a hypnosis ray so that she will forget her knowledge of his secret identity. When he is about to do the same to pete, Mon-El turns the hypnosis ray onto Superboy himself, so that he forgets that Pete knows his secret identity. Mon-El informs Pete that according to 30th century history, Pete's knowledge is destined to save Superman's life in the future. There doesn't appear to be a story that ever developed this point.
Pete also becomes an honorary member of the Legion in Superboy #98, The Boy With Ultra Powers, the story where Ultra-Boy passes his Legion initiation. This story is also reprinted in the Showcase Presents: Legion vol. I.
An adult Pete Ross appears in Action Comics #457, Superman, You're Not Clark Kent - and I Can Prove It. He is a widower with a son named Jonathan, a sickly boy who's last wish is to know Superman's secret identity. Superman agrees, but the boy does not believe him. Superman is repeatedly unsuccessful until the end of the story when Jonathan asks to see Clark's medicine cabinet. The fact that it is practicaly empty, without any shaving items or aspirin, proves to Jonathan that Clark really is Superman. I used to have this issue, and it might have been possible that Superman finds a cure for Jonathan.
In DC Comics Presents #13, (September 1979) To Live In Peace - Nevermore Jonathan is kidnapped by an alien species to train to fight in their planet's endless war. Superman attempts to rescue him but is discouraged by Legionnaires because according to their history Jonathan is destined to play a key role in an interstellar war.
In the next issue, #14, Judge, Jury ... and No Justice, Pete Ross suffers a mental breakdown because he is unable to accept Jonathan's fate. He uses technology developed by Lex Luthor to kidnap Superboy, bring him into the present and switch bodies. Ross also kidnaps Perry, Jimmy, Steve Lombard and Lois to act as jury on Superman, restrained in kryptonite chains. Krypto's intervention allows Superman and Superboy (in Pete's body) work together to reverse the switch and stop Pete. He is committed to a mental institution.
In issue #25, (September 1980) Judgement Night Superman is uneasy about Pete's situation. He decides to disregard the Legion's wishes and rescue Jonathan and reunite him with his father. This begins Pete's recovery, and the character disappears from Superman lore.
Pete Ross's last silver age appearance is in Superman #423, the first of the two-part story Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow. This story is the last story of the golden and silver age Superman, before the mini-series Man of Steel restarts Superman continuity. At the beginning of the story Clark opens one of two boxes delivered to GBS studios just before he and Lana do a news report, to find Pete's corpse. Pete had been kidnapped by Toyman and the Prankster and tortured to find Superman's secret identity. Lana opens the other box, which is filled with Superman action figures that fly out of the box an dzap Clark with laser beams. When he is not burned to death his secret identity is finally revealed.
Post-crisis Pete Ross was introduced in Adventures of Superman #436. He is the county agent in Smallville. In later stories Pete and Lana begin a relationship as Clark and Lois fall in love, and it becomes apparent to Lana that her wish to marry Clark will not come true. Pete does not learn Clark's identity. Post-crisis, Lana is the one Clark reveals his powers to in the Man of Steel mini-series.
After resolving a tribal dispute Pete comes to the attention to one of Kansas' senators, who offers Pete a job in Washington, D. C. Pte takes the job and keeps in contact with Lana. Eventually she moves to D. C. and marries Pete. Pete is appointed Senator when his boss is assassinated in the Sons of Liberty storyline. After the organization kidnaps Lana and blackmails Pete, he resigns his seat and moves back to Smallville. Later he appears as part of the wedding party for Clark and Lois's wedding.
In a later story Brainiac kidnaps Pete and Lana's baby while Superman is transferring the sick infant to a better hospital. A distraught Pete tries to save his baby himself. At the end of the story the family is restored.
In another story Lex Luthor makes Pete his running mate when Luthor runs for President. After Luthor is elected and is later removed from office, Pete becomes President. He does not hold office long before he also resigns in a story involving Checkmate.
During the Ruin storyline Pete is suspected of being the masked villain, but is later found to be a kidnapping villain by the real Ruin, an insane Professor Edmund Hamilton.
Later Pete and Lana divorce and Pete and child return to Smallville. Lana becomes head of Lexcorp, as shown in the recent Insect Queen story.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my othe plog My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thank you for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
Robert Bernstein (d. 1988) began his comic book career in the mid 1940's and worked for a variety of publishers. His work for DC Comics was mostly on Superman and Aquaman. Beginning in 1959, along with comic book artist Ramona Fradon, he reintroduced silver age comic book readers to Aquaman and established most of his lore of the era.
George Papp (1916 - 1989) is credited as co-creator of two silver age DC Comics characters. With editor Mort Weisinger he is credited with creating Green Arrow, and with editor Whitney Ellsworth created Congorilla.
Pete Ross was introduced in Superboy #86 (January, 1961, on sale November 17, 1960). The cover featured the first story of the issue, The Army of Living Kryptonite Men, reprinted in Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes vol. I. Pete appeared in the second story, The Boy Who Betrayed Clark Kent. Pete's family had just moved into Smallville, and he was the new boy at Smallville High. Over time he becomes friends with Clark, who worries that having a close friend might threaten his secret identity. As the story progresses Pete begins to take mesurements of both Clark and Superboy. The story concludes with Clark's secret identity safe, as Pete merely wanted to cast Clark in a play about Superboy. He did not suspect Clark's double identity.
Pete Ross does discover Superboy's secret identity in Superboy #90, Pete Ross's Super Secret (July 1961). Pete and Clark are on a camping trip with other Smallville teens. At night, while everyone else sleeps, Pete sees Clark sneak off and change into Superboy and fly away to deal with some emergency. Pete vows to keep this knowledge a secret, even from Clark. Pete does this, except for a later story when he thinks Superboy has died, and he tells his parents his secret. Apparently they keep Pete's secret as well.
Pete also appears in Legion of Super-Heroes stories. In Adventure Comics #370, The Devil's Jury, the second part of the Legion's battle against Mordru, Pete's knowledge helps restore Legionnaire's knowledge of their true identities when they are disguised in Smallville. At the end of the story Superboy exposes Lana to a hypnosis ray so that she will forget her knowledge of his secret identity. When he is about to do the same to pete, Mon-El turns the hypnosis ray onto Superboy himself, so that he forgets that Pete knows his secret identity. Mon-El informs Pete that according to 30th century history, Pete's knowledge is destined to save Superman's life in the future. There doesn't appear to be a story that ever developed this point.
Pete also becomes an honorary member of the Legion in Superboy #98, The Boy With Ultra Powers, the story where Ultra-Boy passes his Legion initiation. This story is also reprinted in the Showcase Presents: Legion vol. I.
An adult Pete Ross appears in Action Comics #457, Superman, You're Not Clark Kent - and I Can Prove It. He is a widower with a son named Jonathan, a sickly boy who's last wish is to know Superman's secret identity. Superman agrees, but the boy does not believe him. Superman is repeatedly unsuccessful until the end of the story when Jonathan asks to see Clark's medicine cabinet. The fact that it is practicaly empty, without any shaving items or aspirin, proves to Jonathan that Clark really is Superman. I used to have this issue, and it might have been possible that Superman finds a cure for Jonathan.
In DC Comics Presents #13, (September 1979) To Live In Peace - Nevermore Jonathan is kidnapped by an alien species to train to fight in their planet's endless war. Superman attempts to rescue him but is discouraged by Legionnaires because according to their history Jonathan is destined to play a key role in an interstellar war.
In the next issue, #14, Judge, Jury ... and No Justice, Pete Ross suffers a mental breakdown because he is unable to accept Jonathan's fate. He uses technology developed by Lex Luthor to kidnap Superboy, bring him into the present and switch bodies. Ross also kidnaps Perry, Jimmy, Steve Lombard and Lois to act as jury on Superman, restrained in kryptonite chains. Krypto's intervention allows Superman and Superboy (in Pete's body) work together to reverse the switch and stop Pete. He is committed to a mental institution.
In issue #25, (September 1980) Judgement Night Superman is uneasy about Pete's situation. He decides to disregard the Legion's wishes and rescue Jonathan and reunite him with his father. This begins Pete's recovery, and the character disappears from Superman lore.
Pete Ross's last silver age appearance is in Superman #423, the first of the two-part story Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow. This story is the last story of the golden and silver age Superman, before the mini-series Man of Steel restarts Superman continuity. At the beginning of the story Clark opens one of two boxes delivered to GBS studios just before he and Lana do a news report, to find Pete's corpse. Pete had been kidnapped by Toyman and the Prankster and tortured to find Superman's secret identity. Lana opens the other box, which is filled with Superman action figures that fly out of the box an dzap Clark with laser beams. When he is not burned to death his secret identity is finally revealed.
Post-crisis Pete Ross was introduced in Adventures of Superman #436. He is the county agent in Smallville. In later stories Pete and Lana begin a relationship as Clark and Lois fall in love, and it becomes apparent to Lana that her wish to marry Clark will not come true. Pete does not learn Clark's identity. Post-crisis, Lana is the one Clark reveals his powers to in the Man of Steel mini-series.
After resolving a tribal dispute Pete comes to the attention to one of Kansas' senators, who offers Pete a job in Washington, D. C. Pte takes the job and keeps in contact with Lana. Eventually she moves to D. C. and marries Pete. Pete is appointed Senator when his boss is assassinated in the Sons of Liberty storyline. After the organization kidnaps Lana and blackmails Pete, he resigns his seat and moves back to Smallville. Later he appears as part of the wedding party for Clark and Lois's wedding.
In a later story Brainiac kidnaps Pete and Lana's baby while Superman is transferring the sick infant to a better hospital. A distraught Pete tries to save his baby himself. At the end of the story the family is restored.
In another story Lex Luthor makes Pete his running mate when Luthor runs for President. After Luthor is elected and is later removed from office, Pete becomes President. He does not hold office long before he also resigns in a story involving Checkmate.
During the Ruin storyline Pete is suspected of being the masked villain, but is later found to be a kidnapping villain by the real Ruin, an insane Professor Edmund Hamilton.
Later Pete and Lana divorce and Pete and child return to Smallville. Lana becomes head of Lexcorp, as shown in the recent Insect Queen story.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my othe plog My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thank you for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Episode #15: Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes
If not for All-Star Superman, I would rate this storyline as the best Superman story in a long time. As it is this is a close second. This story took place in Action Comics #858 - #863, and an epilogue issue #864. Issues #858 - #863 were written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Gary Frank, inked by Jon Sibal, colored by Dave McCaig and lettered by Rob Leigh. The editor was Matt Idelson and the Associate Editor was Nachie Castro. Issue # 864 was pencilled by Joe Prado and colored by David Curiel.
The titles of the issues are as follows:
#858: Alien World
#859: Illegal Aliens
#860: Lightning & Shadows
#861: Chameleons
#862: Revenge of the Rejects
#863: Sun Rise
#864: Batman and the Legion of Super-Heroes
This story retrofits Supperman's relationship with the Legion to current continuity. Instead of meeting them as Superboy, as told in Adventure Comics #247, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Clark meets them as a teen growing into his super powers sans costume. The same trio of Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad refer to him as Kal-El, not Superboy. In another plot line, the adult Superman is swept into the 31st century, into a world where the Legion is disbanded and on the run from that era's Justice League. Earth's sun has been converted to a red star, rendering Superman without any powers. Earth has become an isolationist society, forcing aliens from other planets to flee the planet and bringing the United Planets on the brink of war with Earth.
What is best about this story is that it shows Superman's real source of bravery is not in his powers but in who he is as a man. His powers are just an expression of that heart of a warrior. Without powers Superman is not afraid to get into the middle of the battle at hand.
The members of the 31st century Justice League reprise Legion of Super-Villain characters which appeared in Legion stories in Adventure Comics, like issues #371 & #372. In the current story we learn some dark secrets about this Justice League, like how they gained super powers and what these powers do to their bodies.
One of the little tidbits that make this story interesting is that we learn the real reason for all of the Legion tryouts.
For one of the best Superman stories in years, pick up these back issues, or pick up the trade for this story, due in July as a hardcover.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail about this blog to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my other blog www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
The titles of the issues are as follows:
#858: Alien World
#859: Illegal Aliens
#860: Lightning & Shadows
#861: Chameleons
#862: Revenge of the Rejects
#863: Sun Rise
#864: Batman and the Legion of Super-Heroes
This story retrofits Supperman's relationship with the Legion to current continuity. Instead of meeting them as Superboy, as told in Adventure Comics #247, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Clark meets them as a teen growing into his super powers sans costume. The same trio of Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad refer to him as Kal-El, not Superboy. In another plot line, the adult Superman is swept into the 31st century, into a world where the Legion is disbanded and on the run from that era's Justice League. Earth's sun has been converted to a red star, rendering Superman without any powers. Earth has become an isolationist society, forcing aliens from other planets to flee the planet and bringing the United Planets on the brink of war with Earth.
What is best about this story is that it shows Superman's real source of bravery is not in his powers but in who he is as a man. His powers are just an expression of that heart of a warrior. Without powers Superman is not afraid to get into the middle of the battle at hand.
The members of the 31st century Justice League reprise Legion of Super-Villain characters which appeared in Legion stories in Adventure Comics, like issues #371 & #372. In the current story we learn some dark secrets about this Justice League, like how they gained super powers and what these powers do to their bodies.
One of the little tidbits that make this story interesting is that we learn the real reason for all of the Legion tryouts.
For one of the best Superman stories in years, pick up these back issues, or pick up the trade for this story, due in July as a hardcover.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail about this blog to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my other blog www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. E-mail about this blog can be sent to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Episode #14: Happy Birthday, Sheldon Moldoff!
A special note about the same week that Mr. Moldoff's birthday occurs: April 18, 2008 marks the 70th anniversary of Action Comics #1 going on sale at news stands in 1938.
Sheldon Moldoff was born on April 14, 1920 in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx.
Bernard Bailey, the original artist of Jerry Siegel's character the Spectre, and who also drew Hour-Man, was an early influence on Moldoff. Bailey, a few years older than Moldoff, met him near his apartment building. Moldoff was drawing popular animation characters, like Popeye and
Betty Boop, on the sidewalk. Bailey showed Moldoff a few pointers on drawing, and the two became friends. Moldoff would show Bailey his sketches sometimes. The two men would meet again at the offices of National Publications (DC) a few years later.
He first sold a cartoon at the age of 17. His first comic book work was doing filler pages for the editor Vincent Sullivan, an editor at National Periodicals (DC). The first filler was on sports and appeared on the inside front cover of Action Comics #1. Moldoff quickly became a cover artist. A notable cover was for All-American Comics #16, the first appearance of the golden age Green Lantern.
In 1940 Moldoff created the character Black Pirate, and was one of the early artists of Hawkman. He drew the first Kid Eternity story for Quality Comics in 1942.
During the late 1940's Moldoff was one of the pioneers of horror comics. He took two complete horror titles to Fawcett Comics, who he did other work for, and who were not interested in the genre at that time. He then took them to EC Comics, who published the stories under different titles. Moldoff took the original titles back to Fawcett after a contract dispute with EC, and Fawcett published their own horror titles. Their books did not approack EC in either explicitness or success.
Moldoff became a Batman ghost artist for Bob Kane during the 1950's. They had a handshake agreement to keep Moldoff's Batman work secret, even from DC, who he did other work for as well. Moldoff is credited as co-creator with Kane of Betty Kane, the original Batgirl, as well as Bat Mite and Ace the Bat Hound. These characters were phased out in 1964, when Julius Schwartz became editor of Batman.
Some of the other titles that Moldoff worked on as an inker were Sea Devils, Legion of Super-Heroes and Superboy.
Moldoff was let go by DC in 1967, along with other veterans in a dispute over pay and benefits.
Sheldon Moldoff also did work for Atlas (Marvel), and later became involved in animation. He created promotional comic books to be distributed by various restaurant chains.
He retired to Florida with his wife and appeared at comic book conventions and did commissioned drawings.
Several samples of his inks can be found in:
The Night of March 31st! appeared in Superman #145, pencilled by Curt Swan. It was reprinted in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (1987).
The Legion of Super Villains from Superman #147, also pencilled by Curt Swan, reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Legion of Super-Heroes vol. I
The Revenge of the Knave From Krypton from Adventure Comics #320, May 1964, cover and story pencilled by Swan and inked by Moldoff.
To read excerpts of an interview with Sheldon Moldoff on line, go to:
www.twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/04moldoff.html.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
My Pull List is my blog about the comics I read every week. You can find it at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Sheldon Moldoff was born on April 14, 1920 in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx.
Bernard Bailey, the original artist of Jerry Siegel's character the Spectre, and who also drew Hour-Man, was an early influence on Moldoff. Bailey, a few years older than Moldoff, met him near his apartment building. Moldoff was drawing popular animation characters, like Popeye and
Betty Boop, on the sidewalk. Bailey showed Moldoff a few pointers on drawing, and the two became friends. Moldoff would show Bailey his sketches sometimes. The two men would meet again at the offices of National Publications (DC) a few years later.
He first sold a cartoon at the age of 17. His first comic book work was doing filler pages for the editor Vincent Sullivan, an editor at National Periodicals (DC). The first filler was on sports and appeared on the inside front cover of Action Comics #1. Moldoff quickly became a cover artist. A notable cover was for All-American Comics #16, the first appearance of the golden age Green Lantern.
In 1940 Moldoff created the character Black Pirate, and was one of the early artists of Hawkman. He drew the first Kid Eternity story for Quality Comics in 1942.
During the late 1940's Moldoff was one of the pioneers of horror comics. He took two complete horror titles to Fawcett Comics, who he did other work for, and who were not interested in the genre at that time. He then took them to EC Comics, who published the stories under different titles. Moldoff took the original titles back to Fawcett after a contract dispute with EC, and Fawcett published their own horror titles. Their books did not approack EC in either explicitness or success.
Moldoff became a Batman ghost artist for Bob Kane during the 1950's. They had a handshake agreement to keep Moldoff's Batman work secret, even from DC, who he did other work for as well. Moldoff is credited as co-creator with Kane of Betty Kane, the original Batgirl, as well as Bat Mite and Ace the Bat Hound. These characters were phased out in 1964, when Julius Schwartz became editor of Batman.
Some of the other titles that Moldoff worked on as an inker were Sea Devils, Legion of Super-Heroes and Superboy.
Moldoff was let go by DC in 1967, along with other veterans in a dispute over pay and benefits.
Sheldon Moldoff also did work for Atlas (Marvel), and later became involved in animation. He created promotional comic books to be distributed by various restaurant chains.
He retired to Florida with his wife and appeared at comic book conventions and did commissioned drawings.
Several samples of his inks can be found in:
The Night of March 31st! appeared in Superman #145, pencilled by Curt Swan. It was reprinted in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (1987).
The Legion of Super Villains from Superman #147, also pencilled by Curt Swan, reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Legion of Super-Heroes vol. I
The Revenge of the Knave From Krypton from Adventure Comics #320, May 1964, cover and story pencilled by Swan and inked by Moldoff.
To read excerpts of an interview with Sheldon Moldoff on line, go to:
www.twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/04moldoff.html.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
My Pull List is my blog about the comics I read every week. You can find it at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Episode #13: Jim Mooney: 1919-2008
Comic book artist Jim Mooney passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2008. His wife Anne died in 2005. He worked in the industry almost his entire adult life.
Jim Mooney was raised in Los Angeles, and after art school and odd jobs at night clubs, moved to New York City to enter the still young comic book industry.
His first jpb was for the comic book publisher Fox. His first story appeared in Mystery Men #9, cover date April 1940. The cover featured a sci-fi character Rex Dexter, and Mooney's story was The Fox, for which he supplied the pencils and inks.
He then spent two weeks at the Eisner and Iger studio, but left after comparing his talent to the men already there, like Lou Fine, Nick Cardy and Eisner himself. Mooney descrlbed Eisner as stern and like an old man, even though Eisner, in his mid 20's, was only a few years older than Mooney. He recognized Eisner as very talented and very much in control. Mooney described Iger as in control of the business side of the studio.
While at Fiction House for nine months Mooney befriended George Tuska, Ruben Moreira (future Tarzan comic book artist) and Nick Cardy.
Mooney also freelanced for Timely (Marvel) on funny animal and movie cartoon tie-in titles.
In 1946-47 he drew Perky Penguin and Booby Bear for Treasure Chest, a Catholic related comic book distributed in parochial schools.
Jim Mooney began a 22 year career at the company that became DC Comics in 1946. His first jobs were for Batman as another ghost for Bob Kane. He also worked on Superboy. Other features Mooney did were Dial H For Hero for House of Mystery and Tommy Tomorrow for both Action Comics and World's Finest Comics.
During the 1950's Mooney also contributed to Lorna The Jungle Queen for Atlas (Marvel).
From 1959-1968 Jim Mooney was the main Supergirl artist. During this time he lived in Los Angeles managing an antiquarian bookstore on Hollywood Boulevard. He sometimes hired art students as employees and also to ink backgrounds on his Supergirl pages.
After moving back to New York City in 1968, Mooney began looking for work with other comic book publishers. DC had begun to prefer a more sophisticated art style, like Neal Adams', and felt Mooney's style did not fit. Mooney began working for Marvel before DC fired him.
He bagan as an inker on John Romita's pencils on Amazing Spider-Man, beginning with issue 65 and from issues 67-88. He also inked over John Buscema's pencils in Thor.
Mooney pencilled Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider Man, Spider-Man stories in Marvel Team-Up and pencilled and inked Man Thing, written by Steve Gerber. He also drew all ten issues of Gerber's Omega the Unknown.
Jim Mooney also worked on more child-oriented publications for Marvel, such as Marvel coloring books, Spidey Super Stories, and a Spider-Man feature for Electric Company, a spin-off publication of the PBS TV series.
He contributed more adult comics for then Marvel publisher Martin Goodman's men's magazine, The Adventures of Pussycat, first written by Stan Lee and then by his brother Larry Lieber.
In 1975 Jim Mooney moved to Florida after signing a ten year contract with Marvel and worked on a variety of titles.
After the end of the contract Jim Mooney has worked on a variety of projects: Star Rangers for Adventure Publications, Superboy (based on the 1990's syndicated TV show), Anne Rice's The Mummy for Millennium Publications, Soul Searchers (Elvira) Claypool Comics, Lady Supreme for Awesome Entertainment and commissioned pieces of comic book art.
Jim Mooney has had some interesting things to say about some of the people he worked with:
On Stan Lee: He was the same from the first time Mooney met him to now. He had a funny annecdote about their first meeting. Stan asked what Mooney did and he respoded pencils. Stan asked anything else, Jim said inks, Stan asked what else and Mooney said colors. Stan asked if he did anything else. Mooney said that he lettered too. San responded, "Do you print the damn books too?"
During Mooney's years at DC Stan tried to get Jim to work for Marvel, but their page rates were not up to the level that DC was paying. Later in their careers they socialized with their wives, who were both involved in the antique business, but Stan found boring.
Mort Weisinger: Jim Mooney described Weisinger as a Jeckyl and Hyde person. He got along with him socially, but Mort was difficult at the office. Mooney offered another anectdote as an example. He was turning in the pages to a Supergirl story, when Mort waved him out of the office for a few minutes when he was busy with a writer. Mooney was talking to Jack Schiff in the bullpen when Weisinger stormed out of his office. "You're supposed to bring Supergirl to me first!", Weisinger yelled. Jim Mooney said that Mort could be vicious, but he was also a telented writer.
On John Romita: Jim Mooney found John Romita to be one of the nicest guys he had ever worked with. Romita knew how to give truly constructive criticism without humiliating the person. They worked together very well. When Romita bacame swamped with Spider-Man work, Mooney would finish Romita's layouts.
Jim Mooney also liked Herb Trimpe, Marie Severin and Stan's secretary Flo Steinberg. She made Mooney feel welcome every time he entered Marvel's offices, as opposed to DC, where Mooney couldn't wait to get out of there.
On Bob Kane: Jim Mooney's first impression was that Kane was not someone he would want to hang around with. That view never changed. Mooney found Kane unpleasant, a man who had a big ego and liked to put people down. When Kane took credit for creating the Batman stories through the mid 1960's, Mooney felt he handled the truth, to put it one way.
Besides himself, close friend Sheldon Moldoff was among the artists who ghosted on Batman, as well as Jerry Robinson and Dick Sprang, among others.
On Bill Finger: Jim Mooney met Bill Finger a few times and found him a very likeable person. He admired his writing very much and found his scripts very good and fun to draw.
DC scripts vs Marvel: DC used full scripts and artists merely drew what was written, with little input on creating the story. Some scripts were interesting, but others were not very good. It just seemed a job to Mooney, working for DC and collecting his paycheck. Jim Mooney enjoyed the plot style made most famous by Marvel. It required the artists involvementin creating the story. Mooney felt more of a creative team.
Various comic book characters: Jim Mooney liked House of Mystery or Tommy Tomorrow stories, but drawing Dial H for Hero was a chore because new costumes were required for each issue. Supergirl was not much of a challenge. Mooney found the plots simple, and they often seemed to repeat. The art style required by Weisinger was very simple, and not as sophisticated as other titles Mooney worked on. (This might be one reason Supergirl never became as popular as Superman, gaining more fame for being killed in Crisis of Infinite Earths than the quality of her stories.)
Jim Mooney's favorite Marvel character that he drew was Man Thing, written by Steve Gerber. At first sight Mooney dreaded working on the first script because Gerber mostly used full script, but after reading it, Jim found it so good he enjoyed drawing.
If you would like to read the online articles this information came from check out the following links:
www.newsfromme.com/archives/2008_03_31.html#015013
www.adelaidecomicsandbooks.com/mooney.html
www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/07mooney.html
Don't forget about Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman written by Marc Tyler Nobleman and illustrated by Ross Macdonald. It will be published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 26, 2008. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com. Check out their web sites:
www.noblemania.blogspot.com
www.mtncartoons.com
www.ross-macdonald.com
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail about this podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my other blog, My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmailcom.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
Jim Mooney was raised in Los Angeles, and after art school and odd jobs at night clubs, moved to New York City to enter the still young comic book industry.
His first jpb was for the comic book publisher Fox. His first story appeared in Mystery Men #9, cover date April 1940. The cover featured a sci-fi character Rex Dexter, and Mooney's story was The Fox, for which he supplied the pencils and inks.
He then spent two weeks at the Eisner and Iger studio, but left after comparing his talent to the men already there, like Lou Fine, Nick Cardy and Eisner himself. Mooney descrlbed Eisner as stern and like an old man, even though Eisner, in his mid 20's, was only a few years older than Mooney. He recognized Eisner as very talented and very much in control. Mooney described Iger as in control of the business side of the studio.
While at Fiction House for nine months Mooney befriended George Tuska, Ruben Moreira (future Tarzan comic book artist) and Nick Cardy.
Mooney also freelanced for Timely (Marvel) on funny animal and movie cartoon tie-in titles.
In 1946-47 he drew Perky Penguin and Booby Bear for Treasure Chest, a Catholic related comic book distributed in parochial schools.
Jim Mooney began a 22 year career at the company that became DC Comics in 1946. His first jobs were for Batman as another ghost for Bob Kane. He also worked on Superboy. Other features Mooney did were Dial H For Hero for House of Mystery and Tommy Tomorrow for both Action Comics and World's Finest Comics.
During the 1950's Mooney also contributed to Lorna The Jungle Queen for Atlas (Marvel).
From 1959-1968 Jim Mooney was the main Supergirl artist. During this time he lived in Los Angeles managing an antiquarian bookstore on Hollywood Boulevard. He sometimes hired art students as employees and also to ink backgrounds on his Supergirl pages.
After moving back to New York City in 1968, Mooney began looking for work with other comic book publishers. DC had begun to prefer a more sophisticated art style, like Neal Adams', and felt Mooney's style did not fit. Mooney began working for Marvel before DC fired him.
He bagan as an inker on John Romita's pencils on Amazing Spider-Man, beginning with issue 65 and from issues 67-88. He also inked over John Buscema's pencils in Thor.
Mooney pencilled Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider Man, Spider-Man stories in Marvel Team-Up and pencilled and inked Man Thing, written by Steve Gerber. He also drew all ten issues of Gerber's Omega the Unknown.
Jim Mooney also worked on more child-oriented publications for Marvel, such as Marvel coloring books, Spidey Super Stories, and a Spider-Man feature for Electric Company, a spin-off publication of the PBS TV series.
He contributed more adult comics for then Marvel publisher Martin Goodman's men's magazine, The Adventures of Pussycat, first written by Stan Lee and then by his brother Larry Lieber.
In 1975 Jim Mooney moved to Florida after signing a ten year contract with Marvel and worked on a variety of titles.
After the end of the contract Jim Mooney has worked on a variety of projects: Star Rangers for Adventure Publications, Superboy (based on the 1990's syndicated TV show), Anne Rice's The Mummy for Millennium Publications, Soul Searchers (Elvira) Claypool Comics, Lady Supreme for Awesome Entertainment and commissioned pieces of comic book art.
Jim Mooney has had some interesting things to say about some of the people he worked with:
On Stan Lee: He was the same from the first time Mooney met him to now. He had a funny annecdote about their first meeting. Stan asked what Mooney did and he respoded pencils. Stan asked anything else, Jim said inks, Stan asked what else and Mooney said colors. Stan asked if he did anything else. Mooney said that he lettered too. San responded, "Do you print the damn books too?"
During Mooney's years at DC Stan tried to get Jim to work for Marvel, but their page rates were not up to the level that DC was paying. Later in their careers they socialized with their wives, who were both involved in the antique business, but Stan found boring.
Mort Weisinger: Jim Mooney described Weisinger as a Jeckyl and Hyde person. He got along with him socially, but Mort was difficult at the office. Mooney offered another anectdote as an example. He was turning in the pages to a Supergirl story, when Mort waved him out of the office for a few minutes when he was busy with a writer. Mooney was talking to Jack Schiff in the bullpen when Weisinger stormed out of his office. "You're supposed to bring Supergirl to me first!", Weisinger yelled. Jim Mooney said that Mort could be vicious, but he was also a telented writer.
On John Romita: Jim Mooney found John Romita to be one of the nicest guys he had ever worked with. Romita knew how to give truly constructive criticism without humiliating the person. They worked together very well. When Romita bacame swamped with Spider-Man work, Mooney would finish Romita's layouts.
Jim Mooney also liked Herb Trimpe, Marie Severin and Stan's secretary Flo Steinberg. She made Mooney feel welcome every time he entered Marvel's offices, as opposed to DC, where Mooney couldn't wait to get out of there.
On Bob Kane: Jim Mooney's first impression was that Kane was not someone he would want to hang around with. That view never changed. Mooney found Kane unpleasant, a man who had a big ego and liked to put people down. When Kane took credit for creating the Batman stories through the mid 1960's, Mooney felt he handled the truth, to put it one way.
Besides himself, close friend Sheldon Moldoff was among the artists who ghosted on Batman, as well as Jerry Robinson and Dick Sprang, among others.
On Bill Finger: Jim Mooney met Bill Finger a few times and found him a very likeable person. He admired his writing very much and found his scripts very good and fun to draw.
DC scripts vs Marvel: DC used full scripts and artists merely drew what was written, with little input on creating the story. Some scripts were interesting, but others were not very good. It just seemed a job to Mooney, working for DC and collecting his paycheck. Jim Mooney enjoyed the plot style made most famous by Marvel. It required the artists involvementin creating the story. Mooney felt more of a creative team.
Various comic book characters: Jim Mooney liked House of Mystery or Tommy Tomorrow stories, but drawing Dial H for Hero was a chore because new costumes were required for each issue. Supergirl was not much of a challenge. Mooney found the plots simple, and they often seemed to repeat. The art style required by Weisinger was very simple, and not as sophisticated as other titles Mooney worked on. (This might be one reason Supergirl never became as popular as Superman, gaining more fame for being killed in Crisis of Infinite Earths than the quality of her stories.)
Jim Mooney's favorite Marvel character that he drew was Man Thing, written by Steve Gerber. At first sight Mooney dreaded working on the first script because Gerber mostly used full script, but after reading it, Jim found it so good he enjoyed drawing.
If you would like to read the online articles this information came from check out the following links:
www.newsfromme.com/archives/2008_03_31.html#015013
www.adelaidecomicsandbooks.com/mooney.html
www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/07mooney.html
Don't forget about Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman written by Marc Tyler Nobleman and illustrated by Ross Macdonald. It will be published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 26, 2008. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com. Check out their web sites:
www.noblemania.blogspot.com
www.mtncartoons.com
www.ross-macdonald.com
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send e-mail about this podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Check out my other blog, My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmailcom.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always thanks to Jerry and Joe.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Episode #12: The Night of March 31st
Since April Fool's Day occurs this week, the first April Fool's episode of Superman Fan Podcast had to be about this story. It was actually published, no April Fool's, by DC Comics in 1961. The Night of March 31st was the third story in Superman #145, cover date May, 1961. It was first on sale on March 16, 1961. It was reprinted in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Published (1987), which was the edition where I first read this story.
The credits for this story are as follows:
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Cover: The Interplanetary Circus penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Stan Kay
Story: writer: The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (1987) credits Otto Binder. Both dcindexes.com and comics.org credit Jerry Siegel.
Penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Editors purposefully placed errors throughout the story and encouraged readers to spot as many mistakes as they could, list them and send them in. Errors could involve plot, art, coloring or lettering. At the end of the story, under the heading of The Great Superman Boo - Boo Contest, DC editors gave instructions on how to submit entries and the address to send submissions to. In Superman #149 or 150 DC published a list of winners. There were five grand prize winners and ten honorable mentions, including a set of brothers. The winner found 456 errors. Of note is the fourth place winner, who was at MIT and found 302 errors. At least 12,000 readers responded to the contest. One of the errors of note was on the fifth page of the story, in the fourth panel. Clark Kent is changing into Superman in the Daily Commercial store room. Two men are watching Clark change into his costume. They are variously identified as cameos of Harry Donenfeld or Stan Kaye with Curt Swan.
Two web sites to check out about this story are:
sacomics.blogspot.com, the Friday, March 31, 2006 blog entry.
www.hembeck.com/WordsAboutPictures/Nightof March31st.htm.
In case you are wondering, I spotted around fifty errors in the story; nothing to write DC Comics about.
Don't forget to go to Amazon.com and pre-order Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman, written by Marc Tyler Nobleman and illustrated by Ross Macdonald. It will be published by Knopf Books For Young Readers, and released on August 26, 2008. Check out their websites: http://noblemania.blogspot.com, www.mtncartoons.com and www.ross-macdonald.com.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send your e-mails about Superman Fan Podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Also check out my other blog: My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always, thanks to Jerry and Joe.
The credits for this story are as follows:
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Cover: The Interplanetary Circus penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Stan Kay
Story: writer: The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (1987) credits Otto Binder. Both dcindexes.com and comics.org credit Jerry Siegel.
Penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Editors purposefully placed errors throughout the story and encouraged readers to spot as many mistakes as they could, list them and send them in. Errors could involve plot, art, coloring or lettering. At the end of the story, under the heading of The Great Superman Boo - Boo Contest, DC editors gave instructions on how to submit entries and the address to send submissions to. In Superman #149 or 150 DC published a list of winners. There were five grand prize winners and ten honorable mentions, including a set of brothers. The winner found 456 errors. Of note is the fourth place winner, who was at MIT and found 302 errors. At least 12,000 readers responded to the contest. One of the errors of note was on the fifth page of the story, in the fourth panel. Clark Kent is changing into Superman in the Daily Commercial store room. Two men are watching Clark change into his costume. They are variously identified as cameos of Harry Donenfeld or Stan Kaye with Curt Swan.
Two web sites to check out about this story are:
sacomics.blogspot.com, the Friday, March 31, 2006 blog entry.
www.hembeck.com/WordsAboutPictures/Nightof March31st.htm.
In case you are wondering, I spotted around fifty errors in the story; nothing to write DC Comics about.
Don't forget to go to Amazon.com and pre-order Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman, written by Marc Tyler Nobleman and illustrated by Ross Macdonald. It will be published by Knopf Books For Young Readers, and released on August 26, 2008. Check out their websites: http://noblemania.blogspot.com, www.mtncartoons.com and www.ross-macdonald.com.
Superman Fan Podcast can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Send your e-mails about Superman Fan Podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
Also check out my other blog: My Pull List at www.mypulllist.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to Superman Fan Podcast, and as always, thanks to Jerry and Joe.
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