Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Howard Chaykin — ‘Round About Midnight

Midnight Men #4, September 1993

Never let a great idea go to waste.

Howard Chaykin turned an unused Batman pitch into an imaginative new series for the extremely short lived “Heavy Hitters” imprint from Marvel/Epic in 1993.

I’ve seen most of the original art for this title, and each page is beautiful: Great storytelling, terrific draftsmanship, and a generous use of deep India ink and screen tone for depth and effect.  He worked his ass off on these pages, and it shows.

Bonus: Great lettering, as always, by John Workman.

Honestly, the only thing I don’t like about the series is the coloring (not by Howard), but hey, it was the 90s.

The four-issue series has never been collected, but individual issues typically turn up in dollar bins, and are worth seeking out.

Remember, you can’t kill the Midnight Men.

Michael Keaton — Batman Redux

Michael Keaton is trending this week because of the Oscars “Batman” moment between him and Arnold Schwarzenegger/ Danny DeVito this past Sunday.

Many of the comments discuss Keaton being the “best” Batman.

Now, as I’ve said previously, I never loved the way his face looked in that original cowl. That’s partly the fault of the costume, and perhaps partly Keaton’s face shape. And the resulting style guide art was… not great.

That said —

Keaton is still the most enjoyable version of Bruce Wayne on screen. By far.

Keaton’s Wayne is both charming and offbeat. He’s very self-aware, has a sense of a humor and charisma, but still on the edge — likely bordering on psychotic. He provides many, many shades to the Wayne persona. His main scene with Bassinger and Wuhl is one of the great moments from the first film.

And hilariously, the whole “Keaton is the best Batman” thread is one of the most ironic critiques in entertainment history.

Why? Because even without the Internet and social media, the trolls managed to make so much negative noise about Keaton cast as Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 feature.

“The guy from Beetlejuice? Seriously?”

The long knives were out for Burton, Warner Brothers, DC, and pretty much anyone and everyone associated with film prior to release.

Seriously, I don’t how the casting would have survived if social media had existed in 1988.

Which reminds us of the late, great William Goldman’s classic comment:

“Nobody knows anything.”

Except, at least in this case, Tim Burton.

Still Thankful, 52 Years Later

Poster, Creation Con (#1), November 1971, Art By Kenneth Smith

I’ve posted previously about my very first comic book convention in 1971, which coincidentally, was also the very first Creation convention in NYC, organized by teenagers Adam Malin and Gary Berman. (52 years ago. Oof, I feel old. But better than the alternative.)

Thanks to a doting Aunt, I was able to spend a few hours at the New Yorker that weekend, no doubt channeling a Tex Avery cartoon character: Eyes bugging out at all the wonders in the room. I spent whatever little pocket money I had well before I left.

Last year (2022), I happened to have an extra day in NYC before the Thanksgiving weekend, so I trekked out to the wilds of NJ (actually, close to midtown) to visit retailer Anthony Snyder’s warehouse, following up on some art I was interested in. (It’s an impressive collection of comics and comic art — definitely an interesting place to get lost in for a minute.) 

As we were closing in on a deal for multiple items, I discovered this gem buried in a portfolio: A poster for that same Creation Con. (Kenneth Smith’s “demon” art was used for both the poster and convention program.) And wow, does that logo scream early 70s.

Delighted I acquired it — and, given the timing, I’m guessing there must be some sort of kismet about Thanksgiving weekend for me. Appropriate, too, because I am indeed thankful — for a lot of things.

Happy Holiday, everyone.

* Fun fact: Unlike many of the hotels that hosted those early New York conventions, the New Yorker is still here. And close enough to the Javits Center, that visitors to the current-day New York Comic-Con often stay there.

NYCC — 2023 Edition (Part 4 of 4)

New York Comic-Con, October 12-15, 2023

Well it was great to see everyone at NYCC. Missed a few folks of course, but saw quite a few, so I think I will take the win. I might have some issues with this show, but it still has one of the best Artist Alley’s around.

NYCC — 2023 Edition (Part 3 Of 4)

New York Comic-Con, October 12-15, 2023

A few of the terrific creators at NYCC.

See you on Tuesday for another great group, and the wrap-up.

Jack Kirby & Gil Kane — Titans, Together

San Diego Comic-Con, July 1993

30 years ago, I had the good sense to snap this fantastic photo of Jack Kirby and Gil Kane at the 1993 San Diego Comic-Con. (Jaunty Jim Salicrup, the Topps Comics EIC, is the happy fella in the middle.)

Fantastic, but, as it turned out, bittersweet: This was the final time these two legends had a chance to greet each other. (Jack passed away the following winter.) I’m not sure they were both scheduled at the Topps booth at the same time, so it may have been a very happy coincidence. 

I’ve discussed Topps Comics (and trading cards) numerous times in previous posts — it was a wild ride with many great moments. This was one of my favorites.

And did I say good sense? Hardly. If I did, I would have handed off the disposable camera to someone else and jumped in the photo as well.

Baltimore Comic-Con 2023 — Part 4 Of 4

Baltimore Convention Center, September 8-10, 2023

Baltimore Comic-Con 2023 — Part 3 Of 4

Baltimore Convention Center, September 8-10, 2023