“Comic Book reading is a solitary
activity best shared with others.” – Matthew G. Mann, Sr. (date unknown)
I came up
with that statement some time ago to illustrate the truism that the collective
relational experience between readers, whether through a blog, podcast, e-mail,
or simply chatting at your Local Comic Shop (LCS) is as much a part of the
hobby as reading the comic itself and collecting it to be appreciated another
day. This idea especially applies when there is a bond between a fan and a comic
book creator. That bond is initially established when you first fall in love
with an individual’s work and start to follow them as one of your favorites. Regardless of whether you’re a child or an
adult, a connection of some sort is made between you, because every creator
puts a bit of themselves into their craft.
And if you ever
get to meet that person one day (and they’re not a jerk), it just enriches the
whole experience even more. Better still
is if you develop a person to person relationship with them, rather than just a
fan to creator one. Best of all is if you
are blessed to become friends. Now certainly the term “friends”, like “love”, has
many layers and degrees, so please do not presume that I am embellishing on any
of the friendships I claim to have with any comic book professionals. I’m just happy for the ones I have no matter
the degree. That’s why when one of them
ends abruptly…
You see, my friend, the legendary artist of Marvel’s
The Incredible Hulk, Godzilla, and G.I.Joe to name a few, Herb
Trimpe, passed away unexpectedly two weeks ago on 2015 April 14. I just found out yesterday while perusing the
www.marvelmasterworks.com
website and saw their bulletin about IDW's upcoming Herb Trimpe's Incredible Hulk Artist Edition HC. I'm still reeling from the news. It's been much more on my mind than the protests in Baltimore City that sent me home from work this morning.
I wanted to
pay tribute to Herb by recounting my friendship with him, which began in 2007,
consisted of only subsequent annual in-person meetings at the Baltimore
Comic-Con, and a few e-mails in-between.
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| 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con |
Just like Lee
Weeks and Fred Hembeck were this past year, Herb was tops on my list of
creators to meet for his inaugural appearance at the show that year. In 2005 I got books signed. In 2006 I tried to get free sketches. In 2007, I got my first commission (after
selling some high-grade silver age books [19 FF’s for $1,100] to Ted VanLiew
of Superworld Comics).
It was my 30th
anniversary of collecting comics and I can still remember the thrill in the spring
of 1977 of finding Godzilla #1 on the
spinner rack at the Colonial Heights 7-11 after just reading the house ad in
another book. That cover is so iconic to
me. I loved Herb’s Godzilla, but I also
loved his Hulk (with issue #179 being one of my all-time favorites). So, I wanted to combine the two for the price
of one – so to speak. I asked Herb to
have Godzilla fight the shadow monster from Incredible
Hulk #184 in a similar pose as that issues cover. Since the figure drawing required a shadow
anyway, why not have it be another character – two for the price of one – or so
I thought. Well, in typical Herb fashion
he was swamped at the show and was finishing up my drawing at lightning speed
late on Sunday. He had in mind a more
complete homage to the cover including scenery, which of course would mean a
higher cost. I think it was still only $125 total, which was such a great deal
for something that is now immeasurably priceless to me. I got to watch him draw quite a bit of it,
which gave us a chance to chat. He could
draw and talk at the same time, which is unbelievable to me. I guess I was pretty endearing and memorable
to him and his wife, Patricia, since I usually had a gaggle of kids in tow with
me (at least 4 of the 5 that year – now 6).
Alas, I
couldn’t find my pictures from 2007 (cursed digital photography and poor
back-up organizational skills – I think we’ve lost years of photos), but we all looked pretty similar when I got my
second commission from Herb in 2008. This
one was to be in homage to the cover of Incredible
Hulk #130, where I would be drawn in the place of Bruce Banner. I had intended to be dressed in my comic-con
uniform (black HULK movie t-shirt and jeans), but I wasn’t around when he
finished it up, so he kept me in tatters and turned my face away. It hadn’t come out the way I had expected. Oh
well, lightning doesn’t always strike twice.
But I still enjoyed visiting with him.
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| 2008 Baltimore Comic-Con |
In 2009 I was
only there for day one and probably only stopped to chat briefly. My son Eric and I were driving to Pittsburgh
for the live recording of ApologetiX’s The Boys Aren’t Backin Down CD on
Sunday. Recently, Eric drove me to Pittsburgh to see ApologetiX play
the house band for a Steeler’s event.
In 2010, I
asked Herb to ink the Hulk drawing and redraw my face using a photo reference
(he only charged $50). He took it home
with him and sent it to me about a month later.
He often would suggest to people to contact him in advance or allow him
to finish the commission after the show, so he wouldn’t be rushed. It came out great as you can see below. I hung it up yesterday (I have to rotate my
original art) in memory of Herb. Boy, am
I glad I asked him to draw it!
I never
requested a commission again from Herb, but in the back of my mind I always
wanted him to do a montage of “TEK” images with different characters all
pushing the dreaded button with the “TEK” sound effect. He used that scene in a lot of his
stories. However, I still made sure I
visited with him and Patricia each time.
It got harder and harder to find a good amount of time though, since he
grew more popular every year. He was always friendly with everyone, even when you could tell he was stressed.
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| 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con |
Some people may hate me in a line at a
show, because I like to visit for so long (I talked with Lee Weeks for 2 hours
during Day 1 last year) as I usually knell down to be at eye level with
them. However, I’m content to be
interrupted – I know paying commissions and free signings are more important to
keep people from being ticked off – for me it’s worth the wait since relationships
with people are the most important thing.
So if you ever see a guy kneeling and chatting at a creator’s table,
just politely tap my shoulder and I’ll happily give way for your brief visit,
so I can continue my extended one later.
In 2012 I
gave Herb the Hasbro Hulk vs Wolverine two-pack that you can see up above. He thought I wanted him to sign it, but I
said it was a gift for him. He was very
appreciative and I gathered that he fully intended to open it up when he got
home. Having purchased the splash page
of Godzilla #8 for $1,100 from
Anthony’s Comic Book Art earlier that year, I took a video of Herb talking
about the page, which you can see here:
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| 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con |
In 2013 I
came in around lunch time on Sunday and brought some pizza for Herb and his
wife. They loved it (as they rarely had
time to take a break during the show).
That was also the year that I was showing Eric’s “comic” around for
constructive criticism. You can see the
first part of that video with Herb here (I had to provide youtube links because they are so large).
I’m not much of a videographer, but as an archivist, it is a real
treasure to not only remember Herb or read about him, but to see him and hear
him again. I hope you enjoy it despite
the quality. Herb was very encouraging
to my son.
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| 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con Day 1 |
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| 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con Day 2 |
2014 was Herb’s
year to be celebrated and he was in super high demand for signing things due to
the 40th anniversary of Wolverine.
He was either at a panel or at his booth, but at his booth his line was very
long. So, I waited and waited for a chance
to see him, usually assessing the situation and leaving to come back later. I finally stood in line and got behind a guy
who was having Herb sign a “gazillion” Incredible Hulk #181 prints (and maybe
something else). I think Herb got $250
for it. Herb told me to come back later
that he “had a special business proposition for me”. So I did and I asked him what it was. He said, “Oh, I just wanted to find time to
sign your stuff.” The only thing I had
was the Hero Initiative HC Price Guide that had a special cover done by
Herb. His last words to me where these…
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| 2014 Baltimore Comic-Con (LAST VISIT) |
I can’t
believe he’s gone. I miss him and the
future opportunities I thought I had to talk to him. However, I do expect to see him again one day
in Heaven, since we are both Christians.
When we do speak again it probably will seem like “soon” to him, now
that he has an eternal perspective.
Please keep Patricia and Herb’s children in your prayers. I know Herb was married once before and I don’t
know what happened in that relationship, other than divorce is always painful,
but I do know that he and Patricia loved each other very much.
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| 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con |
And finally,
I leave you with the last bit of Herb’s review of Eric’s work (see youtube link inc case blogger video doesn't load well). I had to change batteries, so there was an
abrupt end to the first part. But take
the brief exchange as an encouragement to the next generation of comic artists.
He would say the same thing to you if he were still around.
"That's good. That's great. Keep it up!" -- Herb Trimpe (2013)
Until next
time, whenever that may be.
Matthew
(still reading comics, just too busy to post regularly)
I’m also
including links to past posts about Herb or his work below.
I would love to one day get some original art from Godzilla #9. I love it when the gambler and Godzilla are doing the same depositing. It's a great page layout.
Excellent, a fitting tribute from you to an artist and man I knew you liked and admired.
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