[jimmm kelly]

The art credits for the Black Cat origin have to be updated for Barbara Hall, as noted on the updated GCD page.

Link to the book: Pocket Comics 01 (fiche)

[MarkWarner]

We download a GCD snapshot every couple of weeks or so and do a bulk update. So it will happen (eventually!)

[jimmm kelly]

I stumbled on this information by sheer chance, when I was visiting my parents for Mother's Day. I don't subscribe to a newspaper, but my parents do and I was looking through the Sunday edition when my attention was grabbed by a big gaudy cover for PLANET COMICS 39 (illoed by Lily Renee)--which decorated an article written by Nathalie Atkinson, "The Feminine Technique"* on a new book from Trina Robbins PRETTY IN INK (Fantagraphics Books)--as well as a few other books Robbins has written about women in comics.

According to this article Barbara Fiske Calhoun (nee Hall) died this year at the end of April. She was 94. Lily Renee is also 94 and still alive. There's a long form comic book about Lily, also by Robbins--which now goes on my must buy list.

Both these women are or were the same age as my mother, who keeps on breathing no matter what accidents befall her. Like so many other women of her age, my mother had to give up her job when she married my father--the company that employed her didn't keep married women on staff--even though she had a good head on her shoulders.

My mother was in the army before that, serving during WWII, where she rose to the rank of Sergeant. But there, too, after the war was over she was advised by the women's councillor to leave the armed forces--despite her high scores--because the country needed women to get married and have babies.

A great generation of women, who might have gone on to do even greater things but for the ridiculous expectations of their society. But we owe them a lot for all that they did do and sacrificed for our future.

----------------
* Link to a web version of Atkinson's article--works in Canada, may not work in other locations.--JK

[JVJ]

The art credits for the Black Cat origin have to be updated for Barbara Hall, as noted on the updated GCD page.

Link to the book: Pocket Comics 01 (fiche)

Jimmm, I don't believe it's safe to update the GCD credits based solely on the memory of Ms. Hall. The art on the Pocket Comics #1 Black Cat strip is obviously by Gabrielle. Hall's work can be seen here: https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=33651 and doesn't resemble the first Black Cat story at all. I love Barbara Hall's art, but her memory isn't sufficient to provide her with a credit for work done by Gabrielle. Their should be some sort of review comparing the works before apply the change. IMHO.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[jimmm kelly]

When I first read the article, I thought maybe it could be in error [I had just referenced this Black Cat story on my blog last month and I remembered the GCD crediting Al Gabriele], so I checked the GCD again and saw that they had changed the credit to Barbara Hall based on the information provided by Robbins (on Comixscholars-L for April 30, 2014).

Since CB+ uses the GCD credits, that's why I made note of it. I myself have no idea who was the real artist on the story--I rely on you guys for that information.

I'm sure this will continue to be debated on the Grand Comics Database and elsewhere.

[JVJ]

When I first read the article, I thought maybe it could be in error [I had just referenced this Black Cat story on my blog last month and I remembered the GCD crediting Al Gabriele], so I checked the GCD again and saw that they had changed the credit to Barbara Hall based on the information provided by Robbins (on Comixscholars-L for April 30, 2014).

Since CB+ uses the GCD credits, that's why I made note of it. I myself have no idea who was the real artist on the story--I rely on you guys for that information.

I'm sure this will continue to be debated on the Grand Comics Database and elsewhere.

I'm going to try to sort it out with Trina, Jimmm. I just now sent her a package of Speed comics with Jill Elgin Girl Commandos that she needs for an article or book she's working on and I included several Barbara Hall pieces, including at least one she signed. I asked her to review the Hall art, compare it with the Black Cat origin in Pocket Comics #1 and call me. We'll come to some agreement and report it here. I hope. We're reasonable folks. I'm pretty sure that it's by Gabrielle, but I didn't go over it with a fine tooth comb and maybe Trina did. Maybe she'd got some inside info that can show that Hall penciled and Gabrielle inked. Like I say, I haven't looked closely at the story in decades. Too busy. Speaking of which, Doc V is calling....