Lou Scheimer: Creating the FILMATION Generation -- A Review

I picked this up during TwoMorrows' nearly month-long Black Friday Sale last November at a substantial discount and have been reading it off and on since it arrived, finishing it on Friday, 2018 Feb 23.  The bulk of the reading took place before basketball games and during half-times with me then finishing up certain chapters before bed.  Sometimes this turned out to be a real distraction, since I didn't want to stop reading even when the games started, especially when the subject covered a show that I was particularly fond of from childhood.  However, it wasn't just the shows that I was interested in by that point, I wanted to spend more time with Lou and hear what happened next in his life!  Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this intimate and personal autobiography.

The book is primarily black and white with a small color section.  However, it came with a FREE digital version download that was in full color.  It would have been nice to have the print version be full color, but I can understand the need to keep costs down, and honestly, I prefer the regular matte paper versus the glossy color magazine style.  I think it is another testament to the compelling story that I wasn't deterred from reading a book about color cartoons in black and white.  Since I only read digital media on a PC (no hand held devices yet), it wouldn't have been the same reading experience for me on the screen.  Opening a physical book just connects you more with the material, I think.

Lou was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Russian and German Jews, which had immigrated to the US in the early to mid 1920s.  The first chapter is entitled, "Wherein My Father Punched Out Adolf Hitler Years Before Captain America Did (1928-1946)".  His experience of growing up Jewish in Pittsburgh is very engaging and was a great way to start the book, because it not only established important background, but it helped you get to know him more as a person, rather than just what he later did. That personal thread is throughout the whole book.  He talks about his time in post-WWII Japan and his courtship with Jay, who would become his beloved wife.  She was thought of as a shiksa by some in his family.  Choosing to marry a non-Jew, illustrates early-on his attitude of accepting people based on their character, regardless of their diversity label.

I believe the book was primarily constructed from interviews, since it has such a narrative style to it.  You really do feel that Lou is conversing with you the whole time. You learn of his passion for quality children's entertainment to mean something and have pro-social messages.  The trials and travails of the animation industry are recounted as well, along with his mostly successful (for FILMATION) but ultimately doomed efforts (for the industry) to keep the work stateside. But he doesn't gloss over his mistakes and regrets either.  He cusses at times and drinks too much on occasion, which caused him to forget to credit his friend Hal Sutherland during his Emmy acceptance for a Star Trek episode.  And when he mentions a person that was troublesome or a jerk, well he doesn't mince words even when he's trying to restrain himself from saying too much negative about them.

Andy Mangles' role in fact-checking (with help) Lou's tale and his reconstruction of the interviews is essential to making this book flow so well.  Many of the chapters, generally focusing on specific periods or years, foreshadow to future events later in the book, making this reader salivate for the next juicy morsel.  By the time it got to shows that I wasn't particularly familiar with or interested in, I was hooked because I still wanted to listen to Lou.  There is also an exhaustive amount of FILMATION facts and details. I think one could skim some portions that were more strictly business related without taking too much away, but it's also so entwined with his story that I'm only talking about isolated paragraphs here there, where numerous names are listed (kinda of what some people do when reading Numbers).

Lou's reflections on his life are bittersweet.  Just when FILMATION is doing its best year, things quickly change, which leads them to abandon the Saturday Morning networks, which had largely abandoned them already, to produce He-Man and She-Ra in syndication, certainly their most successful shows ever. However, their pioneer work on the weekday cartoon series phenomenon is quickly crowded out by a glut of such shows on the market. Then thanks to a vicious buyout by a company that only wanted their back catalog and not their studio, it's all over very abruptly not long after their 25th anniversary.  Lou's efforts to get back to work over the next 15 years isn't very fruitful at all.  His final thoughts on his legacy and life are Solomon-esque in their wisdom of ups and downs and what really matters at the end of it all.

My copy of the book is a second edition, published in 2015.  I didn't realize this, so I was shocked to learn (the day I finished the book) that Lou had already died in 2013, less than a year past the first edition (late 2012).  And here I was thinking of how nice it would be to meet with him at a convention someday.   I had seen the Lou Scheimer gallery at Pittsburgh's Toonseum on 2015 Jul 31 before attending an ApologetiX concert in Wexford, PA.  It was relatively small, but I immediately recognized the film cells from the cartoons.  Regrettably, the Toonseum closed its downtown doors just yesterday (as of this writing) on 2018 Feb 24.  It was a neat place.  I hope it comes back someday and that Lou's gallery becomes even more prominent.

I am certainly one of the FILMATION generation.  I grew up on these shows before I even started getting comics (and that may be a subject of a future post: TV's role in comics).  My favorite FILMATION shows (in no particular order) were/are STAR TREK: The Animated Series*, TARZAN of the APES**, FLASH GORDON*, BLACKSTAR, Lone Ranger, and the live-action SHAZAM*, ISIS*, and ARK II*.  I also remember watching Fat Albert and the Archies* on occasion.  The * represents DVD box sets that I'm very happy to have in my collection, since some of them are way too expensive these days.  The ** represents a recent purchase from a Canadian online site called RETROTVMEMORIES, so that I could get the remaining episodes of Tarzan.  (The one readily available only covers the first season's 16 episodes, missing 24 others.)  RetroTV is a good source of out-of-print material, but the quality is variable -- still better than watching bits and pieces on YouTube.  I can also recall the anticipation of wanting to watch Journey Back to Oz on the SFM Holiday Network, which I always seemed to miss.  After reading this book, I even have a strong desire to delve into He-Man and She-Ra someday.

Some of my Filmation boxsets (forgot to include Tarzan).

I've been blessed to be able to share some of these shows with my children. The music is incredible, the live-action acting is very authentic with great "after school special" style morals, and most of the stories are really great.

If you're a FILMATION fan of any of their material, this is a MUST READ.  And if you just want to get to know a guy who tried to do his best all his life, but didn't always succeed.  A creative person who struggled at the end, living past his "prime" years, but was eventually rewarded by the fans who appreciated his shows that shaped their lives, then this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  It really makes me think of all our favorite comic creators that had super hot streaks, but eventually fell out of favor for various reasons.  We don't always get to know them personally or their stories, Lou's story is a good representation for ALL of them.

BONUS -- Here is the ISIS commission I got from Jerry Ordway this year at the Baltimore Comic-Con (according to him his first drawing of the TV version).

HOW COMICS WORK by Dave Gibbons and Tim Pilcher -- A Review

Sometimes writing for this blog can be like Mission Impossible.  Jim will forward an e-mail he's received inviting anyone of us to review something by somebody.  You know "your assignment, if you choose to accept it" type of thing. There is no pressure and it's totally on us as to whether we participate -- he just throws out the contact information.  I've rarely (if ever) taken the gig.  I mean, this reinvigorated blogging exercise is just for fun, an extracurricular activity to our already busy lives and National Debt sized comic book reading backlog.  It would have to be something really special for me to commit to completely reading and reviewing the product. This time, it was a no-brainer for me to accept, like a "must-have" impulse purchase (such as the $10 Space: 1999 Eagle seen in one of my recent "Shelf Expressions" posts), and I responded immediately (beating out Lee).  Boy, am I glad I did.  Not only was the experience thoroughly enjoyable, but it had an unexpected side-effect...it ENHANCED my comic book reading!!!

The press release for How Comics Work, which was nominated for (and I predict will win) a 2018 Eisner award, stated that it "is everything you need to know to get started creating great comic books."  That statement is definitely true, but it is also woefully incomplete as this book operates on multiple levels.  Do you want to make comics?  Read this book.  Do you want to learn about one of the great comic creator's thought-processes on some of the most critically acclaimed stories (like Watchmen)? Read this book.  Do you want feast your eyes on some original artwork?  Read this book.  Do you want to be turned on to other cool comics and their creators? Read this book.  Do you want to get more out of reading comics?  Read this book.  I'm not exaggerating.  This book is TERRIFIC and it bares repeated readings, whether to master a comic creating aspect or study the generous array of examples throughout (although some might need some additional magnification).

[See the rest of the review after the break]

Matthew: Year One (1977): Origin of the Comic Collector -- First Comics

It was too serendipitous that my return to blogging for Comics And so closely coincides with my 41st anniversary of collecting comics that I had to make my first post of our reboot about my first comics.  These days my short-term memory seems to be more Swiss-cheesed than Sam Beckett of Quantum Leap. (I couldn't remember the term "sciatica" the day after I suffered from perhaps my first bout with it last week.)  I chalk it up to advanced maturity or my James Bond style sleep schedule (you'll have to dig into the Ian Fleming novels to understand that reference).  Contrast that with some childhood memories, which never disappear.  Even though they may be faded and blurry like an old Polaroid or Fotomat 110 print, at least they're still present.  Fortunately (and I use that term linguistically for style rather than a belief in luck or fortune - "Blessedly" or "Thankfully" would be more accurate, but that would get old real fast),  we have physical evidence and ultra-cool online resources to help clear things up a bit.

The "high tech" (scotch-taped) photo stitch below depicts my original comic collection, then only a few months old circa May 1977. More detailed comments and recollections continue after the break...

Commemorating 40 Years of Collecting Comics -- 1977 with a nod to 2017 in 2 pieces by Fred Hembeck

The Alarm sang about the "Spirit of 76", but Fred Hembeck has just delineated the Spirit of 1977!  You see, that was the year in the late Winter/early Spring that I started to collect comics.  This commission has a lengthy history to it, but I won't go into those details here.  Needless to say it was worth the wait and the end product is simply STUNNING!!!  I AM SO PLEASED!  I LOVE IT!!!  And am eager to get these framed.  But wait there's more...

To sweeten the package, which arrived today, even more, Fred included a whole slew of Bonus Materials depicted below:

Including one of his lightning bolt signature personal notes:

It was so cool to open the package, turning over each of the multitude of cover REDO copies until finally getting "the center of the tootsie pop" and seeing the finished pieces.  Even better, Fred included his preliminaries!  I'll show those below, but first I'm going to reprint my final concept pitch to Fred back in April.  I spent a long bus ride to NYC coming up with these:

Hi Fred!

I think I've finally come up with some new ideas that will hopefully line up with what you want to do.  Sorry for the delay, but I was back home in Richmond the middle part of last week to celebrate Easter with my mother and attend the sunrise service at the cemetery where my Daddy is buried.  It was a great trip that started off with us seeing the Alex Ross exhibit at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Out of our way, but definitely worth it.

Well, today I went on the annual art field trip with Helen to NYC.  I've been going consecutively for several years, first with Charlotte, then Eric, and then Helen, sometimes doubling up.  There were few highlights this year:  We walked the High Line, very cool, and I found your drawing on the cover of Comic Shop News at Forbidden Planet on Broadway!  I like walking around NYC, but 10-miles was a bit too much with no more real destinations left.  We were originally going to take the subway to Brooklyn and walk the bridge into town then make our way back to the MOMA, but the school policy is not to take public transportation.  Worst of all, Helen ditched me on the bus, so I spent the 4 hour trip (each way) there and back, alone.  Even when we were walking around I was primarily a fourth wheel and I spent an hour and half watching the backpacks while they toured the MOMA and I had to hold my bladder from the large ice coffee I foolishly drank.  However, I made good use of the bus time thinking about your commissions.  So, here goes:

Note 1: All characters should appear in their 1977 comic book costumes [references provided].

Note 2: The idea is to have the two pieces share some parallelism, same number of characters, generally the same mix of heroes (male & female) and villain, similar themes.  You'll understand that soon.  I'll give some suggestions on how characters might be paired up or sequenced, but YOU CAN COMPOSE IT HOWEVER YOU FEEL BEST.  I will likely frame these together, please keep that in mind (side by side or on top of each other).

Note 3: The theme/gag requires one word balloon and one through balloon each.  I provide some suggested language, which you may tweak as needed.

Ready...here we go:

Picture One -- TV theme:  Arnim Zola being a walking TV himself is talking/fighting to/the heroes that appeared in 1977 and 2017 TV shows.

Villain: Arnim Zola [Captain America #209] -- Word balloon: "Take it from ME.  I KNOW the changes you have to go thru to be on TV."

Heroes, listed in likely pairs:

1. Supergirl [Super-Team Family #11]

2. Flash [Flash #250]

3. Daredevil [Daredevil #147/148]

4. Iron Fist [Iron Fist #13]

5. Hulk [Incredible Hulk #213]

6. Isis [Isis #4] -- Thought balloon: "Not me, I was on TV FIRST".

7. Logan 5 [Logan's Run #6 cover]

8. Jessica 6 [Logan's Run #6 cover] -- there should be some loving physical contact with these two.

Gag:  TV always changes characters, such as the Logan's Run movie people are very different from their TV counterparts.  Different costumes, names (David Banner), etc.  So, while you don't have to draw any of the TV versions, we're slyly referencing them.  And for Isis, she's exactly the same as her TV version.  Clear enough?

Alternative sequencing idea (latest to oldest TV appearance): Iron Fist, Supergirl, Daredevil, Flash, Hulk, Logan & Jessica, Isis

Picture Two -- Movie theme: Reed Richards as the Molecule Man is fighting the 1977 active/reserve Avengers members.

Villain: Reed Richards as the Molecule Man with plenty of Kirby Krackle [Fantastic Four #188] -- Word balloon: "I'm going to bend reality and TURN you ALL into MOVIE characters!"

Heroes, listed in likely pairs:

1. Yellow Jacket [Marvel Team-Up #59 -- cool Byrne version with the wings same height as his head]

2. Wasp [Avengers #161 - sexy purple outfit with holes (full height no wings), that she made to get Hanks attention,who was being controlled by Ultron -- I had a whole Ultron family theme idea at one time today]

3. Captain America [Captain America #209]

4. Iron Man [Iron Man #100]

5. Vision [Avengers #160]

6. Wonder Man [Avengers #160] -- Thought balloon: "Not Me, I'm already planning to be a Movie Star.  Just need some new shades and a jacket..."

7. Scarlet Witch [Avengers #160]

8. Black Widow [Avengers #163]

Gag: All of these characters are now in the movies, except for Wonder Man, who actually WAS in the movies in the comics.  And the Molecule Man could actually accomplish this.

Alternative sequencing idea (conflict/relationship groups): Captain America, Black Widow, Iron Man, Yellow Jacket & Wasp, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Wonder Man.  Scarlet Witch could be eyeing Wonder Man with the jealous Vision watching. Cap's still in the friend-zone with Natasha.

Substitutions for Picture Two:  I think the above should work fine, but I'd be willing to substitute Black Widow and Scarlet Witch for any of the following:

A. Black Panther

B. Beast

C. Spider-Man

D. Doctor Strange

E. Johnny Storm -- this would be a funny play on how Chris Evans plays both Torch and Cap (one ridiculous and one straight)

Basically, the only characters that have special costume versions are Wasp & Wonder Man -- everything else should be standard for that time frame.

I hope this is straightforward enough and is something you can now enjoy doing.

Please let me know if you have any questions or reservations.  If you want to reject the idea, I'll try some of the other concepts.  I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP! : )

I had to leave Warlord and Mariah on the cutting floor (and tons of others), but I did manage to capture key characters from Logan's Run #6, Avengers #160, and Marvel Team-Up #59 -- all REDOs I had on my list at one time.

This should make a fitting 40th anniversary of collecting comics tribute!!!

Thank you so much!

Matthew

And now here are the prelims:

TV theme

Movie theme

Here are some of my previous Hembeck posts:

http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2010/11/package-from-new-york-2.html

http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-honor-for-glory-forthor-movie.html

http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2012/10/nothing-satisfies-like-hembeck-redo.html

Looks like I didn't post my last REDO, so here it is below:

I got this one in person when I met Fred at the 2014 Baltimore Comic-Con.

THANKS FRED, YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

The Third Time's the Charm in NYC

On Tuesday I got to go to New York City for the third time in a row with my oldest daughter as a chaperon for her annual high school art field trip.  This year was extra special for a lot of reasons.  One was that my oldest son and wife also got to attend.  Two I got to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time, which was incredible.  And three...well, you'll just have to read further to find out.  But first some random pictures that are somewhat comic related:

Iron Man lands on top of a cab (sort of).

A Victorious Smile

Hi, everyone.  I'm on Spring Break this weekend, spending time back home in Virginia to celebrate Easter with my family.  So, I have a special Easter-themed message today.  It's the kind that doesn't involve bunny rabbits or chocolate, so if that sounds offensive to you, then please read no further.  I plan to talk about comics next week.

Nothing Satisfies Like a Hembeck Redo

Ran out of time this week, since I'm going with my wife to her 25th high school reunion tonight (Friday).  We're skipping the "official" heavy appetizer/booze-fest and are instead just visiting with people she actually remembers. After the jump you can see Fred Hembeck's cover redo versions for the these great comics from September 1974. They're GREAT (and proudly hang framed on my bedroom wall)!!!

Acknowledging Kevin Maguire at the Baltimore Comic-Con

Last year I was number three in line to sign-up for a Kevin Maguire head-shot.  I requested the Chris Evans Captain America wearing the "Bucky-Rescue" outfit from the movie with the army helmet, goggles, and leather jacket (with just enough of the star showing so you'd know who it was). Kevin has a column for expressions, since that's what he's famous for and I said "heroic, but humble".  Unfortunately, Kevin was super-busy last year (his first at Baltimore) attending panels and was unable to start the piece before he had to leave on Sunday for the train back to New Jersey.  Despite his protestations, I paid him the $100 in advance (and inadvertently left my reference material) knowing I'd spend the money otherwise.  Last week you'll recall I was wondering if he'd even remember the commission, since we hadn't been in contact for over a year. I wasn't even sure he'd be coming back this year until about a week earlier. Find out the rest of the story after the break...

Yesterday in NYC

Just got back from NYC for an art field trip with my oldest daughter.  Unfortunately, we didn't see any of the Doctor Who filming that was going on around town (we tried), but we still had fun.  Here are some comic related pics.  Whew, three minutes to spare before post time and time for bed.  Enjoy!



Times Square Toys R Us

Matthew: Year One (1977) – Celebrating Thirty-Five Years of Collecting Comic Books!

I started collecting comic books 35 years ago this spring and to commemorate this milestone event, I’ll be posting several retrospectives from the glorious year of 1977!  Will it be a weekly event? Monthly?  Who knows?! But I think it’ll be fun (for me anyway).  First up, is my anniversary present to myself: the original opening splash page from Godzilla #8!

Baltimore Comic Con – My Artwork Extravaganza

It’s Lee’s fault. In my life my wife says everything is my fault and I have been surrounded by women my whole life who enjoy saying everything is my fault, most of the times in jest. So as far as independent material and art work I’m blaming Lee for getting me back into both and the Baltimore Comic-Con was my going nuts day for art. 

I picked up a lot of art work and bottom line it is all great stuff and I had blast spending a few minutes with each of the artists. I never plan to sell the stuff so I try and get signatures on every piece.

In advance, sorry if the pictures aren’t sharp but I’m still not 100% up and running and I’m making stuff work.

First up is a two page sequence by John K. Snyder with inks by Geoff Isherwood. I loved the Suicide Squad book so to get a two page sequence of the original art was a nice way to start my buying binge. Original art is just that, so for a collector no one else can have it, a one of kind item that you own.

Living the Dream

If all goes as planned, I will have returned a few minutes prior to posting time from New York City, chaperoning my oldest daughter and a few of her classmates on a trip to the Museum of Modern Art. I'm pretty stoked about it, because I haven't been to Manhattan in over 20 years! Ahhhh -- the Big Apple -- Land of Marvel Comics!

Since there is no way I'll be able to prepare a post that day (forget the fact that I'm using it as a "hall pass" three weeks ahead of time), I've got a special treat for you below. "Living the Dream" is a really cool short film directed by the son of my former neighbor. It depicts a high school boy gaining super powers and becoming a costumed hero. The really cool thing is that one pivotal scene was filmed in my house and shows off some of my comic book and action figure collection. There's even a brief glimpse of some original art! (I tried to stage the area beforehand and astute viewers will understand some of the selections I displayed). Anyway, I think it's a lot of fun. Enjoy! Caesar is watching you!

Package from New York 2!

HAPPY (Belated) THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Hopefully, everyone still has plenty of turkey leftovers to enjoy. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I even got married around this time of year. In fact my wife and I just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary last Sunday. We were still in school (her 1st year grad and me last year under grad) at the time and got married at the beginning of the week-long break. Well, I've been itching to tell you about my latest package from New York for two weeks now and I thought this would be a fine time to celebrate (Plus, I really had to put out that Spider-Girl review last week as quickly as possible).

If you recall my last package from New York was from the legendary Herb Trimpe and that original artwork was funded by my Amazing Spider-man sale to Ted Levine of Superworld Comics at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Well after the influx of cash, one of the first things I like to do is troll the internet for affordable original artwork. Since I already had two great Trimpe commissions I was specifically looking for some original comic art from Herb and I stumbled across a site (sorry no link -- it's closed now) that showed the cover to Godzilla #17 redone by the legendary Fred Hembeck. I then jumped to Fred's site and discovered his amazingly reasonable rates (only $150 each + shipping) for classic cover redos.

Now, the tough part. What should I ask him to do? It had to be a piece he'd never done before (he redoes pieces but I wanted something unique). Unfortunately, my first two choices he'd already drawn: Avengers #181 and Journey into Mystery #108. Well, my main familiarity with Fred's work was the Fantastic Four Roast from 1982 and Fred Hembeck Destroy's the Marvel Universe. I really wanted to get the most characters on the cover as possible in case I only ended up getting one, so I decided on Fantastic Four #242. This was a nostalgic pick for me as it was the very first John Byrne FF I bought. I remember someone showing me the scene where the Thing punches Terrax through several buildings at the Comic Book Club in middle school when I was in the sixth grade.

That's me on the far right at age 11. The girl Kim Lewey died after 7th grade. Check out the book the girl in the middle is holding: Bah, Hembeck! -- talk about coincidences...

I had just started going to a comic book store (to pick up the now direct only Micronauts) not too long before. I got #242 at a 7-11 most likely, but when I next went to the comic store (Nostalgia Plus) I got #243 AND Fantastic Four Roast. (Here's a funny redo of Fred's cover to that issue.) One of the neat things that Fred does is draw something special in the UPC box and I asked for him to show Willie Lumpkins with Reed's brain device, since #242 came out the same month as the Roast. Fred even did one better by making all of the guest stars on the bottom of the cover smiling, because you know they're thinking about the jokes their going to tell at the Roast. Here below is my original (I scanned it myself this time) and Fred's awesome redo.


(Click on the image to see it in detail.)

In order to save on shipping, I had asked Fred to send me a scan of FF#242 before he mailed it in case I wanted to commission another piece. After seeing this masterpiece, of course I ordered another one. Again I went for a nostalgic pick, selecting Star Wars #3. I bought this issue soon after seeing the movie at the 7-11 across from Petersburg General Hospital back in the spring of 1977. Boy, did I love that book (this was before videos folks and it was the best way to relive the movie). That cover still thrills me to this day. I asked Fred to highlight the joys of 7-11 and 1977 in the UPC box.

Fred didn't send me a scan ahead of time, which was great, because when I opened the package I couldn't stop smiling. Have you ever had the sensation where you can feel your mouth curling up at the corners even when you're not trying -- that's what was going on. I told Fred I was beaming!!! And after the week I had had that was quite an accomplishment. (The Lord's timing is perfect). Here below (again) is my original and Fred's fantastic redo.


(Click on the image to see it in detail.)

My wife innocently said that my two oldest daughters could do that. Ouch! I don't think she appreciates how much work it is to have your own style like that.

Not shown in the scans is Fred's signature, which is in a really classy style, where he references the original artists and the date of the cover. The only problem was that his artwork wouldn't fit into my polyglass sleeves of my original art binder. I guess I'll have to buy frames for them -- they certainly need to be hung on the wall. I've already ordered a third piece, which I'm really excited about. I figure one day I'll have a whole gallery of Hembeck redos. Man, talk about cool.

Fred also included in his packaging a signed Mid-Ohio Comic-con poster that he did of Secret Wars #1 and a really nifty note.





I also purchased the THE NEARLY COMPLETE ESSENTIAL HEMBECK ARCHIVES OMNIBUS, which runs over 900 pages (only $20 + shipping).


I'm just over a third of the way through this massive tome and I LOVE IT!!! Fred is like the original comic blogger only he hand writes his commentary and draws it too! It's really outstanding and deserves a post of it's own to praise it. (You should have it for your private reading room Lee.)

Got a favorite comic cover? Can't afford the thousands to ten-thousands of dollars to buy the original artwork. Well a Hembeck Classic Cover Redo will suffice just as well! Get in line and go order one today -- my next one is on the docket already.

THANKS FRED!!!
YOU'RE AWESOME!!!

Package from New York!

To say I've had a rough week would be an understatement.

You see I've been SICK -- actually "have been" is a little presumptuous as I'm still not well yet. Let me describe some of the symptoms by quoting some familiar lines from the comics:

"My head!! It -- It's pounding as though it's about to burst!!"

"My body feels hot -- like it's on fire!! I-I feel like I'm burning up"

"Uhh! One side of me is being FROZEN -- while the other half feels like it's on FIRE!!"

And if you can imagine one of Don Martin's characters vibrating violently from Mad Magazine...

At least the high fever episodes seem to have passed, but I'm still sore from the full body convulsions I had at the onset (like doing a million tummy crunches). I thought I was on the mend when I ran into Jim on Wednesday, but I wasn't even able to purchase my books, because I started feeling bad (I did get ALL my free comics today though).

So, while today hasn't been great, there was some good news awaiting me at home. My Herb Trimpe commission sitting in a super-sealed package. This was the drawing I alluded to in my Comic-con post. Well the picture is inked now and I think my likeness came through wonderfully. Although, I guess if women can have supernatural proportions in comics, guys can too (I'm more fluff than buff). I'm really pleased with the end result and man to see the original inks...

Well, the idea was to recreate (not the full cover, just the figures) Hulk #130 where Banner faces off against his green alter-ego. It was originally a pencil sketch, but since I was with all my kids that day (see picture at the bottom), I couldn't really pose for it, so he had to approximate my likeness. That was in 2008. So this year, I asked him how much it would be to ink it and refine my face on the drawing. The price was right and he took it home with him and I e-mailed him some photos. Anyway, enough rambling, let's look at the pictures:

The inspiration.

The finished piece.

The close-up. If you look closely you can see the remains of the penciled turned head with glasses.

I LOVE IT AND I'M NOW A COMIC BOOK CHARACTER!!! How cool is that?!
(And before anyone makes any snide remarks, I'm the one on the left in the drawing.) : )

The original.

THANK YOU HERB!!! YOU'RE AWESOME!!!

Want to order your own Herb Trimpe commission? Well, you can start the process here.

STAY WELL EVERYBODY!!!