The image is a contribution to the Gene Colan benefit auction spearheaded by Clifford Meth {Click image for larger version). Additional image details at the Gene Colan Tribute gallery page.
The art is produced digitally and the figures are all new inkings/renditions from well known covers that can be seen at Gene Colan's official web site.
Only 5 special prints, 11" X 17", signed and numbered with an additional small hand drawn image to round out the original art value, will be produced for the auction.
An inspiring coalition of the comics community is coming together, with an outpouring of awe and reverence for Gene Colan, the artist and the man who has bestowed much grace unto the comics form.
Keep an eye out for the Gene Colan benefit auction at Clifford Meth's blog, and help the comics community help out one of our creator giants by participating and contributing to the effort.
Living tributes to Gene can also be seen at Daniel Best's blog, also compiled at the Gene Colan Tribute page at Daniel's Adelaide Comics & Books web site.
Two auction items removed from Thomas Denton's Candlelighter's Charity listing, due to a complaint by Warners, snowball into shutting down charity drive and threaten to end Denton's SAY IT BACKWARDS blog.
The way Thomas Denton at SAY IT BACKWARDS sees it, is that it was his fault for not realizing how strict Warners can be about unauthorized DC Comics properties that come under their radar (follow above link for details).
The Candlelighter's auction covered here recently, (to which I contributed a Supergirl original sketch), was progressing nicely until someone at Warner's noticed several DC properties in the original art auction and lodged a complaint with Ebay, who promptly removed them. The affair snowballed into Denton canceling the entire auction and now considering to shut down his Superman family blog, for not wanting much to promote Warners properties anymore.
Thomas simply wanted to help out Candlelighter's, a charity helping his family cope with the exorbitant costs of his cousin's cancer treatments. He began talking about it at his blog and found his friends and readers enthusiastic about helping out. Thomas solicited art donations from close fan and professional circles and opened up an auction at Ebay.
Thomas Denton understands the problem. We all do. Warners is legally justified in doing what it did... but like almost everyone else in our morally questionable and economically driven capitalist business world, Warner Bros appears to have stumbled upon its own protective quagmire of corporate greed, run amok with excessive application of its power, driven by a false sense of judicial self-righteousness.
It's not enough that hundreds of professional artists sell original art commissions depicting DC characters, all over the internet, and there appears to be little that can be done to halt the trend. It is a sort of poetic justice because many of the artists selling such commissions openly have been disenfranchised from the companies they gave the best creative years of their careers to. Most comics artists selling commissions today do so because it is a primary source of income for the basic survial of the artists and their families. Warner's can't go after all of them, really. They're too many and it just wouldn't look good for them pursue such a witch hunt... so they simply look the other way.
In this case, someone at Warner's legal department apparently saw the Ebay auction and thought they were being the corporate hero by removing the pieces. No brains and no heart really needed to be a corporate hero these days. Just heartless and mindless robotic idiots, doing the bidding of the big money that charges their batteries.
Big heroes, indeed. Shutting down a $2,000 achievement of a cancer charity auction, intended to help people suffering from the financial burden of medical treatments needed for their survival, in this heartless economic jungle that our world has become.
If they'd had any real brains and the slightest bit of heart, they should have kept looking the other way. As it stands, they've lost a good fan and big supporter of the Superman family... and have self-inflicted a rather undesired public relations situation, which could also itself snowball into very bad publicity for corporate Warners who would look like the brainless and heartless morally corrupt judicial bullies that they've become.
I realize this is not a very diplomatic tone to take if we'd hope to see a change in such corporate behavior. But I have become rather tired of being a diplomat when it's proven to be useless with such people, time and time again. I would simply rather speak my mind right now and allow the more diplomatic amongst us to do their job.
Let's also hope this doesn't discourage Thomas Denton from continuing to do good things such as he did with this auction. The idiot fools who shut it down shouldn't really be given such an easy victory, after all.
As a child, reading and collecting comic books, the works of Gene Colan were of the few that were arranged by artists, rather than by the series titles, which most of my comics collection was. That's how it was for an aspiring artist such as I who differentiated between the conventional comics and those which stood out in craftsmanship and style. Gene's work always struck me as being accomplished art, as relative to much of what the comics industry was producing... and only a handful of artists impressed me as such at that young age. Which wasn't to diminish from the work of anyone else who didn't receive this special attention. It was rather a distinction made in order to more easily reference the type of art that I sought to influence my own during this primordial stage of self-training, on the road to perhaps becoming a comic book artist myself one day.
More than anything else, Gene Colan's art exuded a rhythm and grace in structure, composition and drawing technique, that stood apart from amongst the more forceful and overpowering styles emerging in the late 1960's and 70's. A sort of grace mingled with an air of humility, that was felt even in the acting of the characters he drew. His people were more human and realistic, not only in drawing proficiency but mainly in how they felt and the impression they made on the reader. Combined with his striking use of shadows as an integral part of the art, often forsaking a sharp linear delineation, all these contributed to bringing Gene Colan's art into the forefront of the comics medium of his time.
This magic became profusely magnified upon becoming a comic book artist myself and coming into contact with his original pencil art, and seeing first hand the source of its strength. It was here that I came to understand that what made Gene's work so magical was inherent in the investment he made in the pencil stage, treating it as if it was the finished work that would be used for print. It was this integrity that distinguished his pencils, regardless of who inked them.
For the young and aspiring comic book artists of the 1970's, Gene Colan's pencil work was a primary reference for craftsmanship, technique and artistic proficiency. His evident dedication became a source of added inspiration that subliminally influenced an entire generation of artists and inspired an investment in the totality of the craft, though it might not have always been stylistically visible in everyone's work. This is perhaps of the greatest legacies that Gene Colan has given to the craft of comic book art. Integrity, grace... and a humility, both in his work, and in the character of the artist evident within it.
It is difficult to fathom that such a landmark artist of the comics medium, one who gave us the memorable runs on Daredevil, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Tomb of Dracula, and co-creator of properties such as Howard the Duck... an artist who helped shape the comics revolution sweeping our culture... that such a venerable personality of the medium would be in the position that Clifford Meth and Daniel Best describe today.
Declining health and difficulty in coping with rising medicinal expenses are once again raising a call for action from amongst the comics community to help level the playing field for one of our very own... and very dearly beloved.
Visit the links at CliffordMeth's and DanielBest's blogs for more information. Let's help give a hand, to the best of our ability.
A collection of images added recently to our galleries. Some, relatively new and others, dating back since the mid-1970's. Gathered from various web sources and art collectors.
From the desk of Thomas Denton:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Say It Backwards is proud to announce the launch of "Ben's Charity Art Auction," a series of auctions featuring original work from many artists (pro, amateur and in between), benefiting the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (http://www.candlelighters.org/).
The first round of auctions start Saturday, May 3, 2008 on Ebay under the user name MisterMxy, with a second series beginning Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Long live J'Onn J'Onzz in the hearts of comics fandom, new bearers of truth and justice.
While we were away over the last couple of months, news of DC Comics' Final Crisis confirming that J'Onn J'Onzz Manhunter from Mars will be shipped off to the graveyard of comic book characters, broke first with Rich Johnston's report last week (belated congrats for the birth of Alice), and at the NYCC, as covered by Frank Lee Delano at The Idol-Head of Diabolu: News You Can Lose, exemplary essays for J'Onn J'Onzz enthusiasts.
Though this seems that our campaign to save the Martian Manhunter has failed, in reality the opposite is true. The unprecedented support and coverage seen in the 125 petition comments and 70 comics media reports on this campaign from news sites, blogs and forums around the world, tell of the more heartfelt voice of comics fandom that publishers do not appear to truly fathom, though they pretend to ignore. 125 petition comments and 70 comics media reports and commentaries attest to the fact that J'Onn lives within the hearts of the comics readership, regardless of the sensationalist, overused and frankly mundane story device that DC will milk, by killing the Martian Manhunter in Final Crisis.
Best wishes to super blogger, heart of gold and great friend, Thomas Denton, commemorating the one year anniversary of Superman's favorite blog, SAYITBACKWARDS.
Unique about this art is its experimental value and the massive use of white paint as a drawing medium along with the inking, transforming the process into more of a black and white painting, relative to traditional inking techniques, as can be seen in the enlargement of the images below.
Mike has also placed a relatively handsome price on the art. Click the solicited prices below for each issue, to view his solicitation pages.
This is an encouraging indication when considering that the original agent whom I gave these pages to in the mid-1990's, valued the covers at between $300 to $500 each.
I've known GregTheakston since the early high school days in Detroit when he introduced me to the world of professional comics art and comics creators, as well as being an early art technique mentor. Greg went on to become a notable artist and painter in the comics industry, paperback books and advertising worlds, as well as a premiere comics historian and inventor of methods to re-create and preserve comics art from the Golden and Silver Ages.
TonyIsabella wrote the first Green Arrow story of the Green Arrow & Black Canary series I penciled for World's Finest Dollar Comics, circa 1976/77. He went on to create Black Lightning, one of the first major black American comic book characters, for DC. Like most comics creations, and pursuant to publishers' tendencies to take unfair legal advantage of comics creators in order to wrest away their intellectual property rights, Black Lightning remains an issue of contention for Tony, regarding the manner in which DC Comics attempts to distance him from his creation in order to deny him due recompense as the character's creator.
This has apparently been on YouTube for some time. Madison Square Garden Network news report on the November 2007, NY Big Apple Comics Convention. Includes a Michael Netzer appearance commenting on the Superhero mythology in American culture. Neatly nestled into the middle of the news item, giving plenty of airtime.
First annual voting for the comics' best inkers awards begins on April 1st, 2008.
Comics inker BobAlmond, known for work on titles such as Black Panther and Warlock in a career spanning publishers such as Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Malibu Comics, and Acclaim Comics... inker activist and winner of several inking awards himself, has founded the Inkwell Awards to commemorate the craftsmen of comic book inking.
Committee members include; Adam Hughes, Mike Martz, Tim Townsend, Daniel Best, Jim Tournas and Bill Nichols.
Proceeds from advertising revenue and donations will be used to fund the site and awards expenses. Surplus funds will be donated to The Hero Initiative(Formerly The Actor Comics Fund).
Steve Gerber died last night in Las Vegas after a long, painful illness. For the last year or so, he was in and out of hospitals there and had just become a "candidate" for a lung transplant. He had pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that literally turns the lungs to scar tissue and steadily reduces their ability to function.
...
Stephen Ross Gerber was born in St. Louis on September 20, 1947. A longtime fan of comic books, he was involved in the ditto/mimeo days of fanzine publishing in the sixties, publishing one called Headline at age 14. He had a by-mail friendship with Roy Thomas, who was responsible for the most noteworthy fanzine of that era, Alter Ego. Years later when Roy was the editor at Marvel Comics, he rescued Steve from a crippling career writing advertising copy, bringing him into Marvel as a writer and assistant editor. Steve soon distinguished himself as one of the firm's best writers, handling many of their major titles at one time or another but especially shining on The Defenders, Man-Thing, Omega the Unknown, Morbius the Living Vampire, a special publication about the rock group Kiss...and of course, Howard the Duck.
Help spread the word by displaying a banner at your site or on forum signatures. The banner comes in animated and still versions. Standard size, 468x60 - and leaderboard, 728 x 90.
Save the images below and link them to this page:
http://michaelnetzer.com/rEvolution/content/view/289/113/
If you've liked The Martian Manuhunter, and his presence in the DC Universe, and agree there's a better way to utilize him than to kill him in Final Crisis, then leave a comment below and let's help DC Comics know how we feel.
Sign the Petition to Save J'Onn J'Onzz Use the comments form below to leave a comment and add a voice of support in the petition.
Though the massive initial interest in the campaign to save J'Onn J'Onzz has leveled out somewhat, the continued coverage and correspondence form comics fandom around the world simply necessitates including it all in the campaign archives for posterity. Many thanks to everyone continuing to carry banners and links to the petition... and especially everyone leaving the fabulous supportive comments there. We'll continue covering the campaign so long as comics fans continues to show the interest and concern that they do.
OK...so it might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that the Martian Manhunter saved my marriage, but it is true that he is the character that brought my non-comics-reading wife into my comic-book-geek world.
Until recently, she'd always looked upon my interest in comics with a bemused detachment. Then she happened to read her first comics since any she might have read as a little kid. They were based on the animated Justice League series, from both of which she gained a deep appreciation for J'onn, whom I've loved since I first saw Mr. Netzer's back-up stories in Adventure Comics decades ago.
Michael Netzer is a man of his word! He promised an original Aquaman sketch for the Shrine in conjunction with his Save the Martian Manhunter campaign, and boy did he deliver! Here we have not only Aquaman, but also the Martian Manhunter and the Atom, all hanging out and taking five from presumably yet another world-shattering JLA adventure.
I love it, thanks so much Michael!
Thank YOU, Rob, for the nice site and fine representation of the comics form.
Like Steven Seagal, J'Onn J'Onzz is... HARD TO KILL
J. Caleb Mozzocco is a freelance writer based in Columbus, Ohio who keeps a comics blog, Every Day Is Like Wednesday
An ongoing attempt to solve all of the comic book industry's problems in roughly the same manner as a drunken crazy hobo screaming on a street corner seeking to reform the U.S. government. And with about the same success rate.
THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE is provided for distribution to all local, national and international media outlets, to promote The Movement to Save J'Onn J'Onzz and The Superheroes. Help us spread the word and make a difference.
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In an age where popular media attention can focus on aggressively promoted deaths of long established comic book characters such as Superman and Captain America, a grass roots movement to save the Superheroes is rising across the comics internet communities worldwide.
Spurred by a rumor of potential candidates for an upcoming sensationalist death in DC ComicsFinal Crisis series, one comic book artist is trying to make a difference and convince the Warner Brothers owned publisher to stop the needless slaughter of its heroes.
Frank Lee Delano continues exploring a possible creative team for a Martian Manhunter comeback in WWMNzD?... with Judd Winick?
I don't see DC having faith in veteran talent to produce quality stories. No, we're going to need a gimmick. Death-- resurrection-- new costume-- turning toward the dark side-- hot button issues. Who, we must ask, is the best possible candidate to write tales that inflict agendas on characters and readers alike, without regard for continuity, character voice, decorum, logic, or any discernible talent? When ick hits the comic page, I think we all know who's to blame. Now, all we have to ask is, "What Would Michael Netzer Do, should he be saddled with... Judd Winick?!?"
Rob Kelly, keeper of The Aquaman Shrine, has responded graciously and explained his position on the rumors that Aquaman is also being considered for the chop at DC Comics...
I'm sort of assuming that Aquaman has a good chance of being on the chopping block, but since the Aquaman I know, love, and obsess over has already been "killed off" in the pages of Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis, I'm assuming that if "Aquaman" is killed off, it'd be the new version, the Arthur Joseph one.
Steve Gerber died last night in Las Vegas after a long, painful illness. For the last year or so, he was in and out of hospitals there and had just become a "candidate" for a lung transplant. He had pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that literally turns the lungs to scar tissue and steadily reduces their ability to function.
