It has been usual to give February 29th, Leap year day, as Superman's Birthday. I'm not sure what the original idea was but, since we've just had it this year, 2012, I thought we might mark it by another event in Superman comic history when DC published Superman #400 in October 1984 and invited a roster of the best Comic Book Artists of the time to contribute their vision of Superman for the historic issue. The Cover was provided by Howard Chaykin:
Here is the rest of the selection
Bernie Wrightson
Bill Sienkiewicv
Brian Bolland
Frank Miller
Jack Davis
Jack Kirby
Jerry Robinson
John Byrne
Leonard Starr
Mike Grell
Moebius
Steve Ditko
Walt Simonson
Will Eisner
Eisner's "Wonder Man" #1 cover:
In an ironic connection, in 1939, a year after Superman's debut in ACTION COMICS #1, Eisner was asked by Victor Fox, an accountant who had
previously worked at DC Comics and was starting his own comic book publishing house to create a Superman-type character for the books. Eisner, using the pen-name "Willis" wrote and drew the first issue of "Wonder Comics" which lasted only #1 issue as DC, then National Periodical Publications, sued Fox and forced the cancellation of "Wonder Man"
Eisner subsequently claimed that he had protested the
derivative nature of the character and story, and that when subpoenaed after
National
sued Fox, alleging Wonder Man was an illegal copy of Superman, he, Eisner testified
that this was so, undermining Fox's case; Eisner even depicted himself doing
so in his semi-autobiographical graphic novel "The Dreamer".However, a
transcript of the proceeding, uncovered by comics historian Ken Quattro in
2010, indicates Eisner in fact supported Fox and claimed Wonder Man as an
original Eisner creation.
Eisner's "Wonder Man" #1 cover:
In a further irony, DC Comics produced a one-shot Batman/Spirit by Jeph Loeb in January 2007, followed by a 32 issue series by Darwyn Cooke starting in February that year and running until August, 2009.
Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones took over the writing tasks with issue #14 (March 2008), with Mike Ploog
and later, Paul Smith, handling the artwork.
BATMAN/SPIRIT DC Comics, January 2007
Will Eisner's "The Spirit" DC Comics February 2007-August 2009 #1-#32
Planetronix, EARTH,
29 February, 2012.
Great stuff as usual. I was familiar with the Wonder Man controversy, but had never actually read Superman #400! I've got to put that on my 'To Get List' as soon as possible! So much cool art! So much.
ReplyDeleteHey, also, in an unrelated item, I've recently started a facebook page to promote my blog and wondered if you would mind if I posted links to your updates as well? A little cross promotion never hurt anybody and I wouldn't mind promoting your blog at all. It's certainly worth telling folks about.
Hi Mark!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. No problem with you posting links on FB.
I agree we should help each other out. As you can see, I have your blog listed on my sidebar.
More interesting Irish stuff on the way too.
E.D.
I've got to admit that some of those images are downright cool. The artists really went all out for Superman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Leloni, and thanks for joining. Yes, it was a unique collection from the best artists of the day.
ReplyDelete