Redartz: Today I'm tossing out two questions (stating the obvious here, I know); one easy and one that may require a bit more thought.
QUESTION 1: What comic, sci-fi, movie, or just plain fun, gifts did you receive this year? Here's a couple goodies I found under the tree:
QUESTION 2: Aside from Stan Lee, what writer had the greatest overall impact on the Marvel Universe during the Bronze Age? A good case could be made for several:
Roy Thomas
Chris Claremont
Jim Shooter
Steve Englehart
Which one stands out to you, and why? What other names come to your mind? Was their influence lasting, or faded after the Bronze Age?
21 comments:
I don't have any family so I didn't receive any presents...hey, if I want something I can buy it myself. But about that Beatles single - just last night I was listening to a radio documentary about the exclusive Christmas records sent to members of the Beatles fan club. You had to be an official member of the Beatles fan club to receive these floppy records which were sent out every year from 1962 to 1969. The records contained festive greetings from the band, jokes, surreal humor, wacky antics and general larking around. Apparently, those records are highly sought-after collectibles nowadays. As for the Bronze Age writer who had the most influence - I don't know about "influence" but Roy Thomas was the writer on Conan and I'm a life-long fan of Conan who discovered the character thanks to Marvel and Roy Thomas. Also, I must mention Chris Claremont - not only did he write the All-New, All-Different X-men but he also wrote Captain Britain for Marvel UK's CB weekly. For us British Marvel fans it was incredibly exciting to have our own British Marvel super-hero...well, it was was for me anyway :D
Hello All,
1) I got Graphic Ink: Darwin Cook, beautiful hardcover representing his awesome work, a Captain America shield coffee mug and a Batman USA flag mask T-shirt.
2) I'll throw out Steve Gerber. Maybe not the first name to come to mind, but had some great runs and helped shape the era. I also enjoyed Bill Mantlo stories, often forgotten.
1) Actually, a fairly comic-free Christmas as far as family goes (although HBWife did get me the new Bloom County collection of Berke Breathed's Facebook re-boot of the strip-- which HBGirl has already absconded with. . . ). But my co-hort/co-worker at our shop DID give me a pair of giant Hulk Hands with Gamma Grip which I absolutely love! They were a big hit during our Christmas lunch a couple of weeks ago-!
2) I think a case could be made for almost every one of the individuals listed-- and I'm just going to crowd the field further by adding Gerry Conway to the mix. The Night Gwen Stacy Died is often cited as an event that demarks the border between Silver & Bronze (although it does seem a little late to me), and along with Reed/Sue's separation/divorce in the FF (which I'm pretty sure he initiated, if not actually finished), he opened whole new avenues of deep-consequence, human problems (and personal tragedies) that could take place in the comics pages.
HB
Question 1: I got a PS4 with "Uncharted 4" packed in, and I also got the "Batman: Return To Arkham" and "Batman: Arkham Knight" games for the PS4 as well.
Some other comic related stuff I received was a "Batman: Mad Love" adult coloring book, a Spider-Man satchel, a Spider-Man wallet, and 2 superhero tee-shirts. I also got a soft cover copy of "How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way", but I've had the hardcover of that book since I was sixteen.
Question 2: I would probably have to go with Chris Claremont. His collaboration with John Byrne made the X-Men Marvel's most popular and profitable property for many years, and their impact is still being felt to this day.
I don't think we'd have the Marvel Cinematic Universe we have today if the X-Men movie had not been so successful. And the X-Men movie would not have been made if the X-Men weren't still so popular. And I owe most of that to Claremont (and Byrne).
Next I'd have to go with Jim Shooter because his writing lead him to the EIC chair and he had a major impact on the industry as the head of Marvel Comics throughout the 80's.
Happy Holidays Bronze Agers! I am very happy to have received Volumes 5 and 6 of Starman Omnibus! I didn't discover this book until after it was over and I've been catching up for about 15 years! I gave my 12-year-old daughter "The Life and Death of Ferro Lad," the Batgirl Showcase book, and Batgirl Lego figure! (She also got a TARDIS sweatshirt!)
I contend that Steve Englehart was the biggest influence at bronze age Marvel. His stories had a great balance of character and plot. He took his time with both elements, i.e., The Madonna Saga in The Avengers and The Secret Empire in Captain America. He utilized many disparate elements of the Marvel Universe, see Patsy Walker, and attempted to add some depth. Claremont and Starlin pretty much stayed with their signature characters. Gerber just used the Marvel characters to tell his stories. I think that Englehart's use of so many myriad concepts and characters, from Roy and Stan, trying to make a coherent whole is the lasting legacy.
Merry Christmas, Guys! I don't get to join many conversations here 'cause I'm normally at work during the thick of the talk and can't get logged in to comment from work. I'm on Christmas Break now, so, whoo-hoo!
Plenty of Bronze Age goodies (tpbs featuring Dr. Strange (Essentials 3), the complete O'Neil/Adams GL/GA, O'Neil and Chaykin's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser) and a couple'a Golden Age masterpieces (the first volumes each of Hal Foster's Prince Valiant and Burne Hogarth's Tarzan), plus season 2 of Adventures of Superman (George Reeves is still my fave). Am one happy Groove!
As for writers, all the ones you listed plus, as others have mentioned, Gerry Conway, Bill Mantlo, and Steve Gerber had their moments of greatness, too. But Doug Moench, to me, is right up there with Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, and Chris Claremont as a member of the "Mt. Rushmore" of Bronze Age Marvel writers. Those three, along with Mantlo, were probably Marvel's most prolific, as well. Don McGregor deserves a spot on the list for War of the Worlds and Panther's Rage, as well. Oh, and never forget a certain writer/artist who left a gi-normous mark on Marvel (and moi): Jim Starlin!
Question 1: easy, I haven't opened my presents yet!
Question 2: not so easy, in fact darn-near impossible. A grand case has already been made for pretty much all the key players but I go with Roy Thomas. Much as Stan Lee shaped the Sliver Age with his editorial vision allied to his writing, Roy Thomas shaped the Bronze as an EIC who wrote comics.
In addition Thomas influenced comics thru the entire late Silver to late Bronze period, whereas the other names referenced above had only a bright few years.
Then we have Thomas as curator of comic nostalgia and history in an age that valued novelty.
Then we have Thomas as Conan writer, arguably the most 'Bronze' of Bronze comics.
Finally, we have Roy Thomas as hirer, bringing in new young writing talent who on the whole continued his wordy, high concept style forward.
In summary, when I think of the Bronze Age of comics I think of Roy Thomas!
Didn't get much this year in the way of presents, but did get a nice platter of sweet dessert treats ... and I haven't eaten it all yet!
I'll agree with previous commenters and say Claremont and Conway had pretty big (and lasting) impacts at Marvel in the Bronze Age.
Mike Wilson
P.S. Not to "bring down the room" only a couple days past Xmas, but it looks like Carrie Fisher died this morning. RIP, your worshipfulness.
Mike, yep, just saw that a few minutes ago; man, 2016 is just letting up on taking away famed and/or beloved cultural icons. George Michael on Christmas day and now Princess Leia...
My answer to the first question is basically nothing; the little lady and me haven't really been getting presents for each other in the past few years, and instead treat ourselves to nice dinners out or whatnot. However, this year both of us have been so busy that we haven't really had the time and opportunity for that, either. However, I guess you can say I got a few presents for myself, as I took advantage of a few of those Boxing Day discounts offered by online booksellers yesterday. So sometime in January, I'll be getting, among other things, the Femme Noir tpb, a used copy of the first Astro City collection (Life in the Big City) plus a few SF and crime/thriller novels (as though I need any more books to read).
On question two, I keep going back and forth between a few of them; I find myself agreeing the most with William about Claremont (and Byrne), and also Shooter, but both Colins (but especially Bray) also make a great case for Thomas. I guess for the Bronze Age it's really hard to pin down just one crucial figure that had the influence Stan Lee had in the 1960s.
Excellent comments today, everyone! I tip my Santa hat to you all.
Doing a quick work lunch so look for more 'redartzian response' later. Did want to echo what Mike W. mentioned; very sorry to hear about Carrie Fisher. And George Michael, for that matter. Sheesh, 2016 apparently isn't done with us. And there are still a few days left...
Gah! "...2016 is just NOT letting up..."
Yes, sad to hear about Carrie Fisher. In reading her bio, I didn't know until now that she was such a prolific writer and script doctor for films.
Regarding questions at hand - did not receive much related to comics besides an Avengers shirt.
And regarding writers, I think Englehart, Claremont and Mantlo had lasting impact. Roy Thomas was great and in many ways seamlessly transitioned from Stan into the new era. Byrne deserves credit for co-plotting. And Shooter was hit and miss, but often really great.
Greetings All,
1) If I receive comic related memorabilia for Christmas, these days, it's due to very specific guidance on my part, LOL.
2) I'm with Human Belly above. I think Conway was perhaps the most influential in the sense Time Magazine proclaimed Hitler and Stalin as "Man of the Year" in 1938 and 1943. Conway single-handedly turned me away from comics with Gwen's Death and the FF's Divorce papers. (The dude had an unhappy childhood and wanted us to share his pain?) Though one can never know, did Conway inspire story lines like Gwen having the twins of Norman Osborne through an affair while dating Parker? I never read that story line, only about it, and to be honest it hurts even thinking about "Gwen the Cheater." (On the other hand, I did start seeking out other things to read, once I was old enough to attend comic shows, and latched on to Shooter's early Legion of Superheroes work and Lee and Kirby's earlier Fantastic Four which are joys!)Cheers!
Hmm got the usual - my coworker usually gets me a jersey every year!
Colin just said it for me - it's gotta be Rascally Roy all the way for me. Besides Stan, I think he had the most influence on Marvel in the Bronze Age in terms of writing.
Side note : just heard about Carrie Fisher's passing. It's ironic because I've just come back from seeing Rogue One in the cinemas, and the last character we see is Leia ... RIP dear Princess.
- Mike from Trinidad & Tobago.
Colin Jones- glad you mentioned those Beatles Christmas Fan Club records. Back in college, there was a used record store where, on one fortunate occasion, I found a copy of the album they released collecting those recordings. It also was distributed to the fan club members. I no longer have it, but did convert all the cuts to mp3. They were pretty wacky, and wackier as the years progressed...
HB- Hulk hands? Your friend obviously knows you well!
William- that "Mad Love" adult coloring book sounds like a hoot. Harley and her "Puddin" in glorious black and white, ripe for coloring.
Ward Hill Terry- your daughter is a lucky girl, indeed. What a haul!
And to all- great comments; Conway, Gerber, Mantlo and the rest (sounds like the original "Gilligan's Island " theme) are very solid candidates. My choice is, shakily, Englehart: for many of the reasons so well given by Ward Hill Terry. But if you ask on another evening, I might well say Roy.
Gerry Conway.
I glad that Carrie Fisher is remembered so fondly. I remember her not so much as an actress (although I will admit to a schoolboy crush on Princess Leia), it's as someone who wrote and talked about their own struggles with Bi-polar Disorder.
I have that diagnosis myself, and take medication for it, and I've got my own stories of weirdness and chaos. It was the way that she dealt with it, with humor and honesty, that encourage me to try to act alike. The humor especially! I was inspired by her one-woman show, Wishful Drinking, and thought, if this person can find comedy and grace, and even joy in her situation, maybe I can too.
A wonderful lady. I'll miss her.
M.P.
As usual I tag in late on these. But here are my answers.
For Christmas I got a nifty collection of Captain Power and the Soliders of the Future episodes. This wacked kid's series was tougher than much of what was kids TV at the time and caught this full-grown adult's attention.
As for writers under Lee, my immediate answer is Roy Thomas, the second in command. But I think the real answer is Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Romita, John Buscema, and all the artists who were able to use the Marvel method to become not just drawers of a script but co-creators and co-plotters of the story notions Lee jetted out. Especially Kirby and Ditko who added more and more as their time at the House of Ideas went on.
Rip Off
Marv Wolfman and Len Wein each wrote pretty much every Marvel Comic between them at some point in the mid-late 70s. Not saying they were Age defining, but they were a big part of it.
I got Far Cry Primal (PS4) for Xmas. Had to buy it myself because I'm the breadwinner in the family... oh well!
Was all set to play it late last night but could not find the remote control for the life of me! It was way to late to wake the kids up and ask them where it was.
They found it immediately this morning, of course, so maybe tonight I'll delve into that world.
Rip- better late than never; thanks for "tagging in". Not really familiar with "Captain Power", but upon your impression, I must investigate further...
Glen- Good calls on Marv and Len. They really were everywhere in the Bronze Age; both at Marvel and DC.
And glad your kids found your remote! Our kids are grown, so I have to root around for remotes myself (usually after the dog and cats knock it somewhere). Have fun delving!
Gerry Conway.
Post a Comment