Print

[boox909]

In lieu of a specific section for such, I am creating a new topic where members can post links pertaining to comics creators which they consider personal heroes of a sort. These are creators, fans, and other individuals that have contributed greatly to our hobby, and so that their memory is not forgotten, this small expression of admiration plays a part in introducing them and reaffirming their efforts to all.

B.


PS: I hope that anyone who wishes to will free free to contribute entries and comments. This should be an ongoing thing -- my favorites might not be your favorites -- interaction is encouraged for maximum geekness.

[boox909]

Over at the Flashback Universe blog, they honor the late Dick Giordanno.

http://flashbackuniverse.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-memory-of-dick-giordanno.html

[boox909]

The memory immortal Jack Kirby, my own personal patron saint of comics creativity, is in part kept alive at The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center, a tax-exempt non-profit educational corporation.

http://kirbymuseum.org/

[boox909]

Beloved DC Comics editor, Julius Schwartz, impacted now only the foundations of the comic book industry, but that of SF fandom. An excellent tribute is at the website bearing his name.


http://www.juliusschwartz.com/

[boox909]

Wikipedia is the intellectual foe of many an undergrad, but can serve as a entry point of information on various topics. Consider the wiki page for Justice Society of America co-creator, Gardner Fox.  The Golden Age of Comics down into the Silver Age, would be less than without the contributions of this creative legend.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardner_Fox


See also:
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Justice_Society_of_America

[boox909]

One of the first early African-American comic book artists, Matt Baker has become a legend of the 'Good Girl Art' genre.



http://comicbookcatacombs.blogspot.com/2007/11/creator-profile-matt-baker.html



See also:
http://www.americanartarchives.com/baker,matt.htm

[boox909]

Many Golden Age fans know the theme -- "Who created Batman? Bob Kane or Bill Finger -- or both?"

Regardless of the controversy, without Bill Finger, the financial success Bob Kane enjoyed with Batman would not have possible. Kane created the Dark Knight, but Finger breathed live and depth into what has become one of the most honored characters of pop culture.

http://www.legionsofgotham.org/HISTORYfinger.html


See also:
http://elyclarifies.blogspot.com/2005/07/bill-finger-and-batman.html
http://www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/03kane.html

[boox909]

The great C.C. Beck, along with Bill Parker, gave birth to the original Captain Marvel, a character that outsold DC's Superman many times in the millions during its heyday. If you hear the word "SHAZAM" and do not think of Gomer Pyle, you most likely know who C.C. Beck is.



http://www.ccbeck.com/


See also:
http://www.marvelfamily.com/

[boox909]

Fletcher Hanks. Go ahead and sample his work available here on GAC and tell me that you not appreciate him.



http://www.fletcherhanks.com/OBIT.html

[boox909]

Bill Schelly and Roy Thomas, along with the late Dr. Jerry Bails and the late Howard Keltner, represent an arc of super fans who made contributions to spreading and keeping alive the history and lore of Golden Age Comics characters, companies, and the talented creators therein.


See:
http://www.billschelly.com/
http://en.allexperts.com/e/r/ro/roy_thomas.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alter_Ego_%28fanzine%29
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/jerry_bails_1933_2006/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Bails
http://www.twomorrows.com/alterego/media/Golden%20Age%20Index.pdf

[boox909]

Will Eisner. Creator of The Spirit. He is a man who literally infused comic art into an intellectual art form. If you want a treat for yourself, sample his work on Black X/Espionage in issues of Smash Comics.


http://www.willeisner.com/biography/index.html

[boox909]

There you have it, my introductory list of those I view as key figures to GA lore. The list is not inclusive of course (in most cases I tend to shy away from the living, but not exclusively) and there are many other figures who deserve to be on it, but there are so many minutes in the day and I have to prepare for a trip to Gettysburg this coming weekend.

Please, feel free to contribute to the thread.

B.

[kquattro]

One of the first early African-American comic book artists, Matt Baker has become a legend of the 'Good Girl Art' genre.

If you are looking for a reference about the likely FIRST African-American comic book artist, I just posted a piece about E.C. Stoner on my The Comics Detective blog:

http://thecomicsdetective.blogspot.com

There are a few other posts on there that may interest you as well.

--Ken Quattro

[boox909]

One of the first early African-American comic book artists, Matt Baker has become a legend of the 'Good Girl Art' genre.

If you are looking for a reference about the likely FIRST African-American comic book artist, I just posted a piece about E.C. Stoner on my The Comics Detective blog:

http://thecomicsdetective.blogspot.com

There are a few other posts on there that may interest you as well.

--Ken Quattro

Thank you very much for this info. I had not been aware of E.C. Stoner at all. This is actually inspirational on many levels!   

B.

[JVJ]

If you are looking for a reference about the likely FIRST African-American comic book artist, I just posted a piece about E.C. Stoner on my The Comics Detective blog:

http://thecomicsdetective.blogspot.com

There are a few other posts on there that may interest you as well.

--Ken Quattro

GREAT research and reporting, Ken,
(as usual). Thanks. I learned a lot.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[paw broon]

I'll go for someone most of you wont know. Dennis Gifford.  He was in a big part, responsible for my discovery of and fascination with, really obscure, even to British collectors, comics and characters. A true expert in the field, he also did some basic, but energetic comics and, above all, was a really decent bloke, ready to help and answer questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Gifford

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Links/DenisGiffordObituary.asp

[boox909]

I'll go for someone most of you wont know. Dennis Gifford.  He was in a big part, responsible for my discovery of and fascination with, really obscure, even to British collectors, comics and characters. A true expert in the field, he also did some basic, but energetic comics and, above all, was a really decent bloke, ready to help and answer questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Gifford

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Links/DenisGiffordObituary.asp

Thank you for contributing to this thread -- I am learning about individuals new to me who are quite interesting! 

B.

[phabox]

I meet Dennis a few time at some of the London comic marts back in the 80's and he always struck me as a decent sort of guy and would always be willing to stop and talk.

Have to admit I was less fond of him a couple of times when he beat me to a prize item or two that I had in my sights  .

Still thats water long passed under the bridge and I only wish he was here today to enjoy everything that the internet now offers collectors such as himself and of course he would be able to give us the benefit of his knowledge and who knows maybe even scan a book or two like that issue of Hyper-Mystery Comics that he owned.

-Nigel

[paw broon]

You know, some of us must have bumped into each other at British cons and marts, cos it's obvious we've been involved for quite a long time. And apart from in the halls, there was lots of extra-curricular stuff - although some of those memories might be a bit fuzzy for me.

[DennyWilson]

Many Golden Age fans know the theme -- "Who created Batman? Bob Kane or Bill Finger -- or both?"

I think we could start full threads about how Kane screwed Bill Finger. Plain and Simple.

Simple legal issues will forever keep Bill Finger off of The Batman created by... by-line. DC has enough issues with Jerry & Joe's Estates! If they offically acknowledge Bill Finger they'd owe his estate loads of money,and then have to deal with Kane's estate over that issue.

As Bob Kane saw it (and got away with it) Bill Finger worked for his studio,and anything he contributed was "work for hire", but then,let's be honest - Bill let him get away with it!

Same reason you won't see Julius Schwartz,John Broome and Gil Kane credited for Creating/Devloping THE GREEN LANTERN on the upcomming movie - they were all work for hire.  It would be nice of Julius,John and Gil Kane got a "Special Thanks" Credit - There'd be no Modern GL without them! (Bill Finger and Martin Nodell created the original concept, but the three of them more or less created the modern version from scratch)

[boox909]

A true pd comics hero has passed on into the otherworlds.

Please say a prayer for Phabox, his family and close friends.

Check out the tribute for him at DCM.

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3705.0/topicseen.html

B.

[paw broon]

Sad news.  That's a lovely tribute on DCM.