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Posts tagged Terry Austin
Martian Manhunter’s Favorite Blog
May 7th
The special affinity I’ve cultivated with The Idol-Head of Diabolu Martian Manhunter blog appears to have become reciprocal, to the degree that I’ve become perhaps the creator most related to, or identified with, this wonderful ongoing chronicle of the life and times of J’onn J’onzz. And it seems to become more so when the rotating banner and design of the site lands on the one I was inspired to produce for it couple of years ago, as is the case now.
As I’ve become so busy drawing actual comic books again, rather than just talking about them, and have far less time to post than I’d like to, I haven’t been able to respond to a series of posts there relating to my work. But this is a good time to point to a couple of items that carry an added biographical value. Presently at the top of the site is Frank-Lee Delano’s short biographical profile of myself that sums up my comics career and some extra-curricular activities quite nicely, Creators of Mars: Michael Nasser/Netzer. Some time ago he also ran a summation and links to the Whizzard fanzine interview I gave back the days before leaving the U.S. for Israel. 1980 Whizzard Fanzine Cover Art by Michael Nasser and Terry Austin. This interview was not the most cohesive I’ve given and it came at a volatile time when I was wrestling with some rather big ideas and attempting to articulate them for the first time, while running against the wind of the workplace I conducted the interview from, which was Continuity Studios of 1980. So, it is interesting, in hindsight, that Whizzard decided to run it at all, and even gave it a rather complimentary introduction. I’ve been wondering when someone in comics will notice this interview or comment on it because it does stand out in its ambition, at least, if not in the actual clarity with which it’s expressed. A couple of additional posts, here and here, feature some convention sketches I’ve done with the Martian over the years.
I know that all this isn’t enough to make Idol-Head a favorite Martian Manhunter blog. It only adds a touch of appreciation to all of the other marvelous content there. Frank-Lee Delano doesn’t miss a beat and is dedicated to this site as if it was was a primary bread and butter enterprise. So do visit and have an updated look of what’s new with the resurrected Martian. The darkest days appear to be behind the DC Universe of late, and old favorites are shining in brightest day again, as is the Idol-Head of Diabolu. Seems like a good sign for aficionados of illuminated environs.
A Groovy Diversion
Feb 14th
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems there are more and more sites and blogs uploading entire stories of comics from back in the days. Comics that might be hard to find today, if you didn’t collect them when they were published. Though it seems such sites have been around for some time, it’s only in the last while that I’ve run into the phenomenon. Most of the ones I’ve seen focus on the Broze Age of comics, from the early 1970′s into the mid ’80′s, and carry a wealth of comics stories from that era. Young readers who haven’t yet seen these treasures would be greatly enriched by them.
My first encounter with such a site was a few months ago when I stumbled upon Diversions of the Groovy Kind, which after snooping around I discovered is one of several sites produced by Jonathan A. Gilbert. The site, full of wonderful treasures and commentary is maintained by The Groovy Agent (not Jonathan, and keeps his civilian identity well concealed). There, he reviewed an origin of Doctor Fate story that I inked over Joe Staton in DC Special Series #10, 1978, Secret Origins of Super Heroes. The Groovy Agent had a few good words to say about the art, and specifically the inking:
The coolness factor was ramped up about 6,000 notches when Mike Nasser (now Michael Netzer) stepped in to ink the tale. His psychedelic-yet-realistic inking style perfectly complemented Staton’s cartoony style to create a truly unique visual that perfectly suited the mood of Levitz’s script. Dig it, baby!
Today’s comicbook creators take note of how faithful Levitz, Staton, and Nasser were able to stay true to the source material, and yet give it a new shine and gloss that fit the era it was created for. That’s how ya make good comics!
Well, that was enough for me. First, there was the reality that this is the first time I’d seen the completed story in print since around the time it was published. Throughout my wanderings from that time, I simply haven’t held on to or maintained a comics collection to speak of, especially a collection of the comics that I drew myself. The internet remains the best source for me to see my old work, including convention sketches, commissions and anything else. So when such web sites upload entire stories, it’s a big treat and very nice way to see the work again – and finally at least have a digital copy of it. Secondly, that was a very nice comment, of the type that isn’t often heard about my work from a time many people prefer to characterize me as an Adams clone. Not that they don’t have reason to, mind you, but it seems to miss the point about whether the work possesses a notable independent quality as good comics that are fun to read and worthy to collect. So, that was enough for me to thank the Groovy Agent in the comments to that post, where he responded in kind, and also invited me to contribute some reminisces from my career to his blog, if I was inclined.
Some time later, The Groovy Agent uploaded the entire issue of World’s Finest Comics #244, which also included the first of the 3 issue mini-series of Green Arrow and Black Canary I penciled, that was inked by Terry Austin. Again The Groove chimed in with a few nice words.
And man, did Teen Groove flip for that hip Nasser/Austin art!
So I sent out an email thanking him again and said that reminiscing about that era at his site sounded like a good idea. Upon hearing the enthused response, I tried to summarize those early years in a short piece that has now become published in a Groovy Guest Post:: “Reminiscing” by Michael Netzer and carries the first ever professional comics work I did for DC Comics, a back-up in Jack Kirby’s Kamandi.
Ol’ Groove is proud and honored to have none other than one of my favorite Groovy Age artists, Michal Netzer (known back in the Groovy Age as Mike Nasser) as today’s Groovy Guest Poster. I’ve written about Michael’s prodigious artistic talents a few times, and each time the ever-gracious Mr. Netzer has responded with nice things to say about the articles in particular and the Diversions in general. As a way of thanking him for his generosity, I had the gall to ask him if he’d be interested in doing a guest-post, can you believe that? Thing isthat Michael actually responded in the positive–and below is the proof! I truly believe that you’re going to be blown away by Mr. Netzer’s first-hand memories of a magical time in comicbook history. Enough yakkin’ from me! Ladies and gentlemen…Michael Netzer!
If you’re inclined, do the jump and read this reminiscing about a magical time in the comics. A few web friends have already chimed in with nice words about it, including Steven Thompson, keeper of Booksteve’s Library and John Mundt, Esq., keeper of The WOMP blog, both of whom I became friends with through similar circumstances, here and here respectively. Another nice comment comes from blogger Joe Bloke:
Mike, you are a legend, mate. and you, Groove? well done, fella.
Joe has also recently uploaded a couple of stories of mine into his blog, which likewise sports a very groovy name:
GRANTBRIDGE STREET & OTHER MISADVENTURES
Chock-full of good old time treasures maintained by Joe Bloke. I’ve spent hours reading through a lot of fabulous comics there that have slipped under my radar. Back in May, 09, Joe uploaded the entire Batman/Kobra story I penciled for DC Special #1: 5 Star Super Hero Spectacular, written by Martin Pasko and inked by Joe Rubinstein.
But the real caveat at Grantbridge Street was a post from about two weeks ago, carrying a B/W story I penciled for Warren Publishing’s 1984 magazine: The Box, written by Len Wein and inked by none other than Filipino legend Alfredo Alcala. This is a very special story for me, which came at a time that I’d somewhat slipped away from the comics scene and was experimenting with other approaches, mainly driven by the overall experience I was endeavoring into, and which demanded its own presence in the art. Though, I can’t remember the text being so “pointless”, as Len Wein writes in the story itself (I likely worked “marvel style”, from a plot, and never actually saw any finished text while drawing it). More so, I’d never seen this story published before and never actually saw Alcala’s finishes, though I knew he was slated for the job. This is a wonderful treat for me and might surprise anyone not familiar with it, so do have a look and spend some time perusing another great archive of good ol’ time comics at Grantbridge Street & Other Misadventures.
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