I was saddened to hear that Denny O'Neil passed away this week. Most associate him with his groundbreaking work on Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow, but he wrote for many characters from Marvel and DC (even one crazy issue of the Spectre's first series). His contributions were many, such as the classic Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali and a long list of characters that he created, including Air Wave, Bronze Tiger, Madame Web, Ra's Al Ghul and Talia, Killraven, Richard Dragon, John Stewart, Lady Deathstrike, Azrael, Leslie Thompkins and on an on. He will be missed but never forgotten.
This is the first I heard of his passing. And, even more regretfully, the first time I heard of him is when I read his name in the BATMAN: TAS credits (when it first started airing on the Fox Network circa 1992) as special consultant to Warner Animation.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Mr. O'Neil. Ross is correct when he says you will be missed.
The two creations of Denny's that I find most fascinating are Ra's al Ghul and Madame Web. I have yet, to this day, to see them in comics format, but their animated counterparts have fascinated me for their unseen influences over their respective worlds.
ReplyDeleteStill, I tend to remember him as a writer for Justice League of America and Shazam!, of which I was a fan at the time.
well, Ross, you tricked good this time.... when I read the title of this team-up i thought you meant the later movie version of the Guardians instead of the original comics version..... good on you, Ross and a very striking cover it is..... my highest praise is that i would buy this comic if it were indeed real....
ReplyDeletein Bob's letter about the passing of Dennis O'Neil is the germ of a cover idea....
Ra's al Ghul vs Madame Web....
Where's Charlie-27?
ReplyDelete@Bob Greenwade
ReplyDeleteThe two creations of Denny's that I find most fascinating are Ra's al Ghul and Madame Web. I have yet, to this day, to see them in comics format
Batman #232 1971 has his first appearance.
Personally I'd rather see Ra's Al Ghul vs Lady Deathstrike. It would be a fun although bloody fight.
ReplyDeleteI was a fan of Denny's Justice League as well. You could see touches of Denny's style in JLAS.
Anonymous I do not recognized all of the characters from this incarnation/art but from left to right is Nikki, Aleta (?), Martinex T'Naga, Charlie-27, Major Vance Astro and Yondu Udonta. Maybe you were expecting Charlie-27 from movie?
Wow. He was instrumental in revamping Batman for a larger audience and bringing him back to dark and gritty. Lost a legend there.
ReplyDeleteMay Mr. O'Neil rest in peace in Raspberry Heaven.
ReplyDeleteDenny O'Neil did not create AQir WAv. He just updated the Golden Age character for the 1970s-80s.
ReplyDeleteDenny was the guy who made Joker a homicidal maniac. The story was "Joker's Five-Way Revenge".I met him several times at conventions and was lucky enough to be on a panel with him in New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteHe and Neal Adams were doing the 70s equivalent of depowering Superman and getting rid of Kryptonite.
The entire Ras al Ghul saga is available in trade and was originally reprinted the Treasury edition format. His work combined with Neal Adams was incredible. After Ras, you had "Night of The Reaper" which took place in Rutland Vermont during a Halloween parade, the same one as in, I believe the Marvel comic that introduced The Beast whe he became hairy. (You younger readers look up Rutland VT and see how that town figured into quite a few stories involving the actual writers and artists.
There was also a very good werewolf story and then crazy killer Joker. I'll bet many of you have seen that cover. For two or three years in the 70s, Batman was an incredible book.
🤔 after ten centuries, would that still be Jim Corrigan under the hood? Or some tangential LSH connection? Future story fodder?
ReplyDeleteWhen Denny O'Neil was at Emerald City Comic Con a few years ago, none of the youngsters were visiting his table. They had no idea how influential he was to the industry they love so much. It was very sad. I spent a lot of my time at his table, wanting to make sure he knew how valued he was.
ReplyDelete@Daniel B: Jim Corrigan as a Science Police officer sounds do-able.
ReplyDeleteUnless a writer or artist blows their own horn too many people have no idea who they are. Few reach the level of Gardner Fox or Julie S. at DC, fewer yet match Kirby and Lee.
ReplyDeletePer the Spectre question..his origin has been modified a few times. Now(?), the body is owned by a powerful demon who has wanted to redeem himself. Got rid of his nind and that's why Spectre needs a host. Spectre's host may change from time to time like the actor playing the lead in Doctor Who does.
@Anon@11:02: Make him a namesake descendant (a not-unlikely thing in the LSH's world), and I'm in.
ReplyDeleteHow about it, Ross? Think you could have Science Policeman James Corrigan the 241st go up against a futuristic villain like, say, Kang The Conqueror (on behalf of a mind-controlled LSH)?
ReplyDeleteOr, failing that, how about the Spectre vs. Judge Dredd?
ReplyDeleteWhy not? It's not like these two have ever crossed paths before. Not even here!
ReplyDelete