Would the Real Jack Kirby Please Stand Up?

Decades ago there was a game show on television called, To Tell The Truth, in which contestants questioned a panel of 3 individuals to try and determine which of the 3 was the real person they all claimed to be.  At the end of it all, the game show host would say..."Would the real [person's name] please stand up?"  Then the real person would stand up and they contestants who guessed correctly won a prize. 

Today, it is not uncommon for an individual to want credit for the work that he or she has done on a project.  In a sense, we all want to make some sort of name for ourselves and leave our mark on society.  However, it is not uncommon for artistic individuals to use a pseudonym, or a pen name, in place of their real name.  A few writers still do this today.  Among comic book artists and writers this was popular as well.  For example, Stanley Martin Lieber (who actually appeared on the aforementioned game show twice) is more affectionately known as Stan Lee.  The same is true for "The King" of comicdom Jacob Kurtzberg, or Jack Kirby. 

What were some pen names used by Jack Kirby?  There is a long list!  Jack Curtiss, Curt Davis, Fred Sande, Ted Grey, Teddy, Charles Nicholas and eventually he settled on the pen name Jack Kirby because it reminded him of the actor James Cagney.  The first work that ever featured the "Jack Kirby" pen name was Blue Bolt #5, a work he and Joe Simon produced for Fox Feature Syndicate.  Eventually Jack Kirby and Joe Simon created in late 1940 Captain America which they convinced Timely Comics to produce.  Today Timely Comics is better known as Marvel Entertainment.

I have often thought of operating under a pseudonym myself but not sure what I would use.  I enjoy my own name because if it's originality.  Whether I will ever be as famous as Jack Kirby is doubtful.  Until such time, if it ever occurs, I will continue to enjoy the rich artwork left behind by "The King" for us all to marvel over.  Jack Kirby died February 6, 1994 in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 76.

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Uncanny X-Men #341 - Cannonball vs Gladiator

Sometimes a story just hits you the right way.  After reading it you look inward and say, 'WOW!  I loved that story."  Those are the kind of stories we all want, right?  They are the kind that make you want to talk about it, to call your best friend and see if he or she felt the same.  When you appreciate something you cannot help but want to talk about it even years later.  Uncanny X-Men #341 was one of those issues for me. 

As a whole, the story was okay.  However, there is an aspect in this issue that I have always loved and that is the battle that takes place between Cannonball and the Shi'ar Champion and leader of the Imperial Guard, Gladiator.  Gladiator is one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe having only been defeated by Thor.  Gladiator's power and abilities mirror that of Superman's, if not stronger.  However, in this issue of Uncanny X-Men, the former New Mutants member Cannonball finds himself pitted against this powerful foe.  It's that battle aspect of t his story that I love so much and the characterization of Cannonball!  Why?

Sam Guthrie, aka Cannonball, has always been one to doubt his abilities and his place among mutantkind.  In this issue, however, we see his confidence level at its highest by showing a willingness to take on the powerful Gladiator.  In this battle we see Cannonball's real strength comes, not from his mutant abilities, but in thinking his way through the battle as a mature hero would.  While Cannonball does not defeat Gladiator, he does not lose either and stands toe to toe with him.  We also see, thanks to writer Scott Lobdell, the potential that Cannonball has to be a powerful hero, both in mutant ability and in thinking ability.  My favorite scene in the comic is when Gladiator tries to punch Cannonball from Earth into the Sun and fails.  The scene and dialogue that follow are great! 

Cannonball: "So tell me pardner...was that your best shot?"
Gladiator: "But..but that was my most powerful blow!  And...you live?  That's not possible...!"

In the end when Gladiator sends the X-Men to help Lilandra he does not send Cannonball saying that it would be an insult to send a child into such a battle.  How insulting!  Cannonball just held his own with one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe and he cannot go with the rest of the X-Men because he is a child?  I highly disagree.  Cannonball has the makings of not only being a great X-Man but a leader as well.  I only hope we get to see more stores like this with Cannonball sometime in the future. 

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Casting Call - The Black Panther

Sometimes I like to think about who could play a certain comic book character on the movie screen.  One way I do this is by thinking backwards.  In other words, as I watch TV or movies I think, "What superhero does that actor/actress remind me of?"  Sometimes the answer is no one but on other occasions it becomes very clear.  Some actors are just born to play certain roles.  Christopher Reeve was born to be Superman.  Patrick Stewart is Professor X.  Hugh Jackman brought Wolverine to life (although too tall we accepted him).  Robert Downey, Jr. was awesome as Tony Stark.  Recently I decided who I think would be perfect for the role of T'Challa, the King of the African Country Wakanda.  We affectionately know him as The Black Panther, Honorary Avenger.

Who would I cast as the Black Panther?  Christopher Judge 

Who is Christopher Judge?  He is best know for his role on Stargate SG-1 and associated shows as Teal'c, the Jaffa alien who helps the ISO's Stargate program defeat the Goa'uld from ruling the galaxy as gods.  However, Judge has other credits to his name as well, some of which have ties to popular comic book characters.  In 2003, he was the voice of Zodak in 5 episodes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.  He also provide the voice for Magneto in the animated series X-Men: Evolution.  In other years he has appeared in episodes of MacGyver, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Andromeda, Sirens and Action Man.  Bird On A Wire, A Dog's Breakfast and Personal Effects are some of just a few of the many movie appearances he has had.

I like Judge for the role of Black Panther for several reasons.  He has the build being muscular and firm.  He has the look in his face that differentiates him from actors like Denzel Washington or Wesley Snipes, some who have been mentioned or rumored to be in such a role.  He also has the look as if he could be from another country because he is part African and part Cherokee.  He definitely has the voice of one who commands others,  injects fear and displays confidence. Finally, he has the size. At 6'-3" it is clear he is not a short man.  He has proven his ability to show a physical prowess, and his fairly solemn role as Teal'c, a character whose very demeanor commands respect, is similar in nature to that of the Black Panther.  Much like Patrick Stewart or Christopher Reeve, I believe he was born to play the Black Panther.

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"Faster Than A Streak of Lightning!" What?!

"Faster than a streak of lightning, more powerful than the pounding surf, mightier than a roaring hurricane, the amazing stranger from the planet Krypto, Superman!"  Do these words sound familiar?  Sort of!  We are all more familiar with a different set of words describing Earth's mightiest hero.  Yet the words above were penned by the same man who penned "faster than a speeding bullet",  Jay Morton. 

Jay Morton, who may not be familiar to us, was a writer and artist that worked on projects that are much more familiar, such as Felix the Cat, Betty Boop, Popeye and of course our favorite, Superman.  Morton worked with Fleischer Studios on 25 of the animated superman films until the 1940's when he left and became the publisher of newspapers and trade papers in Florida.  It was during his time with Fleischer Studios that he coined the phrase above in describing Superman.  He later reworked it and came up the line we all know today...

"Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Look! Up in the sky!  It's a bird; it's a plane; no it's...Superman!"

Morton's film credits include Superman (1941), Terror On The Midway (1942), Showdown (1942), Destruction, Inc. (1942), The Mummy Strikes (1943), Jungle Drums (1943), The Underground World (1943), and The Adventures of Superman TV series (1952).  He was also appeared as Stinky in "Our Gang", the little rich kid who ended up on the wrong side of the pranks by the "Little Rascals". 

Not only was Jay Morton a writer and artist, but a sculptor as well.  In the entrance of the courthouse in Westchester, Virginia, is an 8 foot bronze sculptor of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the famous explorer of Antarctica.  Westchester is the home town of Admiral Byrd and the statue was erected by Jay Morton.

What is most fascinating about Jay Morton, however, is that his wealth was not as a result of his work in film and animation but from invention.  After cutting his foot on an old style drinking can pop-tab while walking on the beach, he invented the current style tab that stays attached to the can.  His invention (U.S. Patent No. 5,062,542)  made him extremely wealthy!

On September 6, 2003, Jay Morton died in Charlotte, NC, from a brain aneurysm at the age of 92. 

Aquaman: Underrated and Unappreciated

In November 1941, a new superhero was born on the pages of More Fun Comics #73...Aquaman!  This character, created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, has had his origins changed and retold more times than most characters in any comic book universe.  He is a character that has been undervalued, under appreciated and under done.  Why do we so preach?

Aquaman has been written as the rightful King of the Atlantis and Lord of the Ocean.  That being the case, then Aquaman is royalty and should therefore be viewed as such.  His realm would include an area for more larger than any human government on land and, of course, more dimensional.  His power and control over the underwater creatures could be used in very unique ways for the defense of the ocean and the whole planet.  Imagine the possibilities that could come from understanding the the instinctive thoughts of those creatures, some of which are the biggest creatures on Earth.  The stories that could be told!

When you consider that there are depths of the oceans that create such pressure that man made machines are needed to explore it, machines that require immense amounts of internal pressure and dense materials, it is truly a powerful man that has the ability to endure such depths.  At such depths where sunlight fails to reach, powerful eyesight would be necessary in order to focus and see. Therefore, anyone who could withstand such depths should be able to have some sort of telescopic vision and focus.  The density and strength required to survive would make one's power rival, at the very least, that of Superman's, especially when on land  How is it, then, that such a being with the kind of power to withstand the depths of the ocean and the ability to telepathically control sea life could lose his hand to some piranhas?  It is as ridiculous as Superman being beaten by Doomsday. 

The long haired, shirtless one-handed Aquaman appears more like a rebel biker than a royal king and superhero.  As a founding member of the Justice League, Aquaman should be portrayed as a powerful, moral and respected ruler and hero.  His abilities and possibilities have been underrated and ignored.  In the 1990's, Erik Larsen tried to take the character in a direction as the one described here but due to creative differences he did not stay on the book for very long and this legendary hero faded once again into the background. 

Aquaman is a man, a hero, that could come to play a vital role in the DC Universe.  He could come to have the kind of power and influence that Tony Stark/Iron Man came to have in the Marvel Universe but with a more positive atmosphere.  DC should get away from the angry rebellious attitude of Aquaman as it is too similar to that of Namor the Sub-Mariner.  I would love to write an ongoing Aquaman series, but unfortunately I have not been asked.  He certainly has this comic lover's respect.

The First Modern Comic Book

Comic books have grown into a very popular hobby and industry.  The money comic book companies have made and the interest in superheroes is ever increasing.  Modern movies with awesome computer graphics and special effects have made it possible to see our favorite heroes come to life.  There is a certain feeling one gets seeing Christopher Reeve stretch out his arm in motion and the big red "S" flay across the screen, or the excitement when we see Spider-Man swing through the steel hallways of New York City!  Superheroes have become a big part of life and entertainment and have always provided us with an escape at times when it was needed most.  So how did it all begin?  What was the first modern comic book and when was it printed?

The first modern comic book was an experiment, as most things are in the beginning, and was called "Funnies On Parade".  It was produced in 1933 by Eastern Color Press and was created when the company decided to find a way to make better use of their presses.  They came up with the idea of creating a 9 x 12 inch, 8 page book by folding the pages in half.  It essentially produced what we call today the comic book.  It was literally a book of comics and featured reprints of the comic strips that appeared in the newspapers. They gave it away for FREE.  It became so popular that they began charging $0.10 the following year and the modern comic book industry began.  In fact, just 5 years later, the comic book industries most popular and well-known superhero would be born when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created an alien from outserspace that would be Earth's mightiest champion.  He would appear in Action Comics #1 and was called...Superman! 

What The?!

In 1988, Marvel began a comic series called What The?!  It was a comical parody of the superheroes in various comic universes and actually quite hilarious.  While they have no real book value, play no key roles in character development and do not appear on any comic book want list, their humor and audacity cannot be ignored.  They are "comic books" in the true form of what "comic book" means...they are designed to make us laugh.  Characters such as Spider-Ham, Raven, Wulveream, The Pulverizer, Superbman, Fantastical Four are among some of these spoof characters.  Wolverine seemed to be a more popular character to spoof in this series.  It lasted until 1992 with 26 total issues being written.  We may never see a CGC copy (are there any) sell for high value on auction but at least they gave us something to laugh at!

Recently I was witness to an event that made me say, What The?!  It was a somewhat funny incident but highlights the stupidity of some people; people that should appear in such a series.  I was standing in line at a convenient store and the young woman in front of me was wearing an American Cancer Society t-shirt.  What drew my attention to this was the fact that when she got to the counter she had a few items to pay for (I do not remember what they were) and she asked for a pack of Marlboro Lights 100's.  How is it someone can wear a t-shirt promoting a non-profit organization that works to fight against cancer while at the same time buy the #1 cause of cancer in the United States?  Am I the only one who sees the humor and stupidity in this?  I could not help but think...What The?!

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