Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Category: Original Art and The Artists

Michael Cho — Hip To Be Square

Original Art and The Artists

Justice League of America: The Silver Age Vol. #3, 2017

Green Arrow is back on the air (CW) for its eighth and final season, so before the emerald archer fades into the TV sunset, our next few posts will feature a few Green Arrow originals.

Green Arrow, in his original incarnation was definitely not a cool cat. As Neal Adams points out, he was basically a poor man’s version of Batman, complete with a young ward sidekick (Speedy) and an “Arrow car”, his own version of the Batmobile. (Probably a souped-up Corvair. Look it up.)

Still, as noted by pretty much all fans of comic book history know, the entire DC universe of the early silver age — especially when compared to upstart Marvel Comics — was “square.”

And I say, so what?  Lots of things in the Kennedy era were “square,” but simultaneously, super cool.

This JLA trade collection cover, by the incredibly talented Michael Cho, captures the exuberant spirit of “The New Frontier.” Green Arrow takes the lead with his fellow Justice League teammates right beside him. Here they can take on anything the world throws at them — and have fun doing it.

(This cover line-up represents the brief period in team history — Justice League of America #14 – #30 — after the Atom had joined, but before Hawkman had come aboard.)

This cover also embodies the energy and spirit of the late, great creator (and Michael’s good friend) Darwyn Cooke, while still very original in its own right. 

I have yet to see a Michael Cho cover that I didn’t enjoy. And I doubt I will.

  • Printed Cover
  • Published Print

Above: Covers and Interior Title Splash Pages For The First Appearances of Green Arrow and The Atom in JLA.

NYCC — Gotham Giant

Original Art and The Artists

New York Comic-Con wrapped on Sunday… and from all accounts, it was a smash success for all concerned, especially the fans. The show appeared packed pretty much the entire time, and gridlock enveloped the Javits Center midday, especially moving from one floor to the other. But spirits were high despite the claustrophobic conditions and many of the creators told me that had their best NYCC ever.

Many photos to be posted in the next few days, but here’s a teaser:

Ian Churchill — Melee

Original Art and The Artists

Superman Doomed #2, October 2014

Presenting the final post in our series celebrating Supergirl’s 5thseason premiere tonight on the CW.

As noted previously, Ian Churchill’s run on Supergirl was terrific, and his brief return here, is still a welcome one.

On this dynamic page, Supergirl shreds Cyborg Superman, who is (I think) actually Supergirl’s father, who is under the mind control of Brainiac, who is… never mind. This “prequel” to the complicated DC convergence crossover is convoluted, and the less said, the better.

But the art, of course, is great.

Dick Dillin — Whirlwind Entrance

Original Art and The Artists

Justice League of America #64, August 1968

Continuing our series celebrating Supergirl’s 5thseason premiere on the CW on Sunday.

One of the cool features of all of the DC CW shows is the introduction of supporting characters you would hardly imagine would ever make it into live action TV.

Rip Hunter? Firestorm? Mister Terrific? The Ray? The list goes on… and on… and on.

One such character is Red Tornado, who made it into an early episode of Supergirl. Ok, so he’s a villain… and his backstory definitely veers from much of his retcon continuity in the DCU, but who cares. He certainly looked great.

Red Tornado’s first appearance in his contemporary droid form is in Justice League #64, and this splash – the cover scene — is actually his first rendering in that first appearance issue. More importantly, it’s also the very first JLA appearance of artist Dick Dillin, who went on to draw the series for an astounding 12 years until his untimely death in 1980.

And that cover? One of my all time favorites, enhanced by that unique greenish background, and featuring a full cast of the Justice Society. It jumped out at you on the spinner racks 50 years ago, and still does today.

Jose Luis — Family Reunion

Original Art and The Artists

Supergirl #14, December 2017

Continuing our series celebrating Supergirl’s 5thseason premiere on the CW on Sunday,

Jose Luis (not to be confused with the artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez) illustrates a lovely and simple moment with the super team of Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto. I can’t recall when I saw a similar published page, especially in contemporary comics, where Krypto has shifted in and out of continuity more than a few times.

Bonus art from Des Taylor — Just because!

Chris Sprouse / Karl Story — Double Feature

Original Art and The Artists

Supergirl #36, and Action #872, February 2009

Supergirl’s 5thseason premieres on the CW on Sunday, so our next few posts will take a look at the cousin of steel.

Here’s my unsolicited story idea for the terrific art team of Chris Sprouse and Karl Story:  A Superman Family “Elseworlds” limited series that includes Superman, Supergirl, Lois and Jimmy, The Super Pets, The Legion of Superheroes, Kandor, Bizarro… And a full line-up of classic villains.  Pretty much everyone who populated the mid 20th century Superman comics.

In other words, a longer form story that’s similar to Alan Moore’s and Curt Swan’s classic “Whatever Happened to The Man of Tomorrow,” but with —- spoiler alert — no fatal tragedies involved.

In 2020, that’s about as likely to happen as Perry White yelling “Great Caesar’s Ghost”, or Jimmy Olsen turning back into a giant turtle, but a guy can dream, can’t he?

Much like Steve Rude, Chris Samnee, and a handful of other artists, Chris and Karl take classic styling and adapt it into a modern form. It’s both retro and contemporary. 

In many ways, it’s the best of both worlds. (Hey — that could be the name of the series.)

In the meantime, we have these two great covers: Supergirl and “Superwoman” (long story) gracefully flying, and Metallo and Reactron defeating the super cousins. Cyborgs rarely look this menacing on a super-hero cover.

And, if someone at DC miraculously likes my idea, and Mark Waid is tied up, it’s pretty easy to find me…

Michael Lark — The Kitchen Gets Cool

Original Art and The Artists

Daredevil #100, October 2007

New York Comic Con takes place this week at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, located right at the southwest end of Hell’s Kitchen. 

For non-New Yorkers who only know the neighborhood as grimly depicted in Daredevil (comics or the Netflix TV series) I will break it to you gently. Hell’s Kitchen ain’t what it used to be.

Sure, when I was a kid in the ‘70s, even the ‘80s, it was rough. Just walking the eight grimy blocks from Penn Station to Port Authority on the main avenue was a scary adventure. Among other lovely sights, I once witnessed an entire squad of police, in full tactical gear, clear out a tenement of drug addicts and dealers. It was not a peaceful bust. (Wish we had smartphones in those days.) I definitely received an unintended education in that part of town.

But now? Just like nearby Times Square, the neighborhood has been gentrified and scrubbed over time. That block where I saw the drug building invaded back in the day? You can find a really good hipster cookie shop there now.

And with the completion of a nearby subway extension a few years ago, real estate development is on fire. Hell’s Kitchen is — wait for it — a hot part of town. 

This cool photo-realistic Daredevil page — sans Daredevil — from artist Michael Lark, isn’t that old. An artist’s rendition that’s definitely based on historic reputation rather than current reality, and a piece of art that I enjoy without any misguided nostalgia for a once crime-infested community. Maybe Daredevil needs to move to a tougher neighborhood.

Me? I’m going to walk each day to Javits during the convention. And probably stop along the way to grab a cookie.

John Byrne — Happy Together

Original Art and The Artists

Flash of Two Worlds, Commission, 2012

The Flash TV series (CW) explores DC’s multiverse legacy in creative and often reverential ways. Today’s post concludes our special feature “The Flash of Two Worlds,” as well as our five-part Flash series.

I see this cool pinup and imagine a retro moment in the DC original continuity when the two Flashes have already met, worked together, and appreciate the fact that, in each of their respective multiverses, they are indeed the fastest man alive.

That said, I never asked John what he envisioned when he drew the piece. And, I don’t think I will. It’s easier to continue to imagine the backstory to fit in with my own vision of the “pre-Crisis” DC universe.

May the Speedforce be with you. 

Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Dave Gibbons — Fast Friends

Original Art and The Artists

DC Universe Legacies #4, October 2010

Part 4 (of 5) of our special Flash series.

Two legends team up, and tell the tale of two legends teaming up.

This fabulous story page comes to us courtesy of DC Universe Legacies, a ten-part 2010 series written by Len Wein that provides an overview of DC history (in contemporary continuity) through the eyes and life story of a one man. The series features an all-start line-up of DC art talent including Joe Kubert, Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens and many others.

The page here, showing the Flashes meeting for the first time, contains retroactive continuity (retcon), as both characters exist in the same universe — which is the established “post-Crisis” narrative. Also, in the original Flash #123, the Flashes have already met and teamed up when they get to the construction worker.

Garcia Lopez and Gibbons are a terrific pairing, and I was fortunate enough to find this great page before someone else did.

In the original story (Flash #123) The two Flashes have already met — and started working together — when the construction accident happens.
Flash read Flash Comics? Gardner Fox was” tuned in” to the alternate universe? Wait… What?