The Battling Bowmen

 

There are quite a few heroes that have survived the transition from the Golden to the Modern Age of comics. Some are ubiquitous like Superman or Batman, and others rest upon the fringe, stubbornly refusing to die off. One of those survivors, who first appeared in More Fun Comics # 73, is the dashing billionaire playboy, Oliver Jonas Queen.[1]

 

Like many billionaire bad boys Mr. Queen may be more familiar to you by his pseudonym, The Green Arrow (definitely because thats how we all know billionaire bad boys like Bill Kick-Face Gates, right...urg maybe not.)  In his first adventure in print “The Case of the Namesake Murders” we find Green Arrow and his sidekick Speedy (aka Roy Harper) trying to find out who is killing members of  a club for people with the same names as famous folks ,it is up to Ollie and Roy to crack the case. This freewheeling story gives no origin as we find many times with new characters, but instead jumps straight into the lives of our heroes intimating that they are a well-established duo that have been at it for some time.

 

There are multiple (as is the case with many heroes) origin stories for the Green Arrow, the first appearing in More Fun Comics #89, which tells the tale of Ollie and Speedy in a story entitled “The Birth of the Battling Bowmen.” [2] Oliver and Speedy’s Silver Age origin can be found in Adventure Comics #256 with work by a legend, none other than Jack Kirby (writer, pencils and inks along with Ed Herron on story and Roz Kirby also on inks.) There are successive tales outlining Oliver’s transformation from spoiled rich kid to the Emerald Archer, which you can easily discover on your own.

 

 

The Green Arrow modeled in many ways on DC Comics other wealthy bon vivant (Bruce Wayne) is able, over time able to overcome the surface comparisons with the caped crusader. If we eschew the early years when Green Arrow had an -Arrow Cave, Arrow Car, and Arrow Copter etc. - (much as Bruce had the Bat Cave, Batmobile and Bat Copter) there are distinctions to be made. Ok so maybe I’m forgetting to add sidekicks to that list (Speedy v. Robin) with that done let’s move on…

The Batman is not a killer; Ollie on the other hand has less compunction about taking a life. As Green Arrow evolved over the years, his ability to handle exceedingly stressful situations is markedly different from Mr. Wayne. When the Joker kills the second Boy Wonder (Jason Todd, Batman #428) Batman does not exact lethal vengeance. In contrast, Green Arrow’s bride (Dinah Lance aka the Black Canary) is taken hostage and tortured, Green Arrow takes the lives of not only the torturer, but also all those left in the drug warehouse he found her in (see: 3 issue limited series Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunter from 1989.)

Where Bruce Wayne/Batman remains steadfast in the conviction not to kill, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow has a limit to what he will let slide by. Torturing those Oliver loves is outside his tolerance limits. Normally we expect our comic heroes to forego the killing of their adversaries, but unlike others we may compare him too, Oliver Queen is far more human than most characters, transcending the mechanical conventions we come to expect from comic writers.

The very idea that Green Arrow not only can, but will kill in defense of his family, or to avenge a wrong done them makes him a character far more relatable than his billionaire back story would suggest. It is also a trait that makes him an excellent vehicle for a modern audience, the ability to use violent means to resolve problems, makes Green Arrow a natural for television or movie adaptations. To date we have two very different Green Arrow portrayals on screen (discounting animated appearances of which there are many.)

The first portrayal by actor Justin Hartley appears in season 6 episode 2 of the CW Network’s “Smallville.” Smallville, a reinvention of the Superboy mythos brings in assorted other DC properties over its 10 season run (Cyborg, Doomsday, Darkseid, Zod to name a few.) In this retelling Oliver is more akin to his Golden Age self, toned down to some degree (still tortured and played well by Hartley) he is the PG version never resorting to the ultimate measure to resolve an issue. The character was quite popular and remained as a recurring role until the end of the series.

                                  Justin Hartley

 

The current incarnation as played by Stephen Amell on the CW Network Series “Arrow” is a brooding, lethal champion for his home of Starling City (In the comics Green Arrow resides in Star City, why the network or producers chose to change it is a mystery…well to me at least.) Arrow currently preparing to wrap its first season is a down to earth imagining, abstaining from super powered heroes or villains and working within a universe much like our own. This does not mean there are no other DC characters being used; in fact Arrow is full of great good guy/bad guy appearances. To name a few of the characters straight off the comic pages we have Deathstroke, Dead Shot, The Royal Flush Gang, China White, Merlyn (aka the Dark Archer), Dinah (Laurel) Lance, and Roy Harper. In keeping with the modern Emerald Archer, this Green Arrow can and will kill (caveat that with a “when needed”, Oliver is not a psychopath after all.)

                              Stephen Amell

 

So if you are wondering who some of those aforementioned characters are tune in, or buy one of the New 52 Green Arrow titles (3 that I am aware of at this time; Green Arrow, Justice League of America and the companion comic for the TV show also entitled Arrow) or some great back issues. With a character that has been around since the 1940’s I’m sure you can find something that will hit the target!!

As a primer you might want to look for these issues on your visit to your comic retailer: The Brave and The Bold #85 August 1969, Green Arrow: The Archers Quest 2003 and Green Lantern/Green Arrow Vol.’s 1 and 2. Next time on the Bubble, I will be highlighting a modern key issue, so hope you will be back for more. Until then keep reading!!

 

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[1] Mortimer Weisinger and George Papp, “Case of the Namesake Murders,” More Fun Comics, November 1, 1941.

 

[2] More Fun Comics #89 March 1943 Story by Joe Samachson, Cover art by Cliff Young, Story art by Cliff Young and Steve Brodie.

Theatre, History and...Comics?

 

I was in a blogging mood today and thought I would share with you two comics that I fell in love with as well as an email question I received. As I was catching up the last few days on some back issue reading in both tactile and digital mediums I came across two gems I think you might like. The first is an ode to the bard, which reinvents his universe in an imaginative way; the second is a reminder to stay out of Russia in the winter.

In IDW Publishing’s Kill Shakespeare Maxi-Series (12 issues April 2010-August 2011 and available as a 2 volume trade paperback) we find Shakespeare’s theatrical universe twisted on its head. The characters in Shakespeare's plays are very much alive and their destiny is yet to be determined by Will’s magical quill. In the first issue we find Hamlet meeting Richard III after being banished from Denmark. We meet Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, as well as Iago and Falstaff, all populating a real world and not just that of a play. Knowing that their fate good or bad can be set in stone by the quill, Richard III convinces young Hamlet that only he can lead them to Shakespeare to wrest this power from him.

In keeping with the various twists and turns found in any Shakespeare work, the authors of this reimagining leads the reader along paths fraught with deceit, betrayal and murder!! Kill Shakespeare is written by Conor McCreary and Anthony Del Col, with artwork by Andy Bellanger and Kagan McLeod. A follow up 5 issue mini-series began February 2013 entitled Kill Shakespeare: Tide of Blood, look for it at your comic shop or on Comixology now.

 

Our second comic was originally an online only offering via website and Comixology digital comic site.[1]In June of 1812, in an effort to bring Tsar Alexander I to heel, Napoleon led 500,000 men to their doom. Le Grande Armee would know suffering, death and despair in a failing effort to defeat Marshal Kutuzov in his own backyard. The 500+ mile march out of Russia is where the story of Lieutenant Valentine Renaud begins. Separated from his unit and harassed by Cossacks, it would seem the end is near for our young French soldier. Through blinding snow a figure appears giving Renaud and his compatriot a mission, and relic –a key between worlds- that he must deliver to someone in France if he is to save the world.

Valentine written by Alex de Campi and the first 10 issues illustrated by Christine Larsen is also available from Image Comics (352 pages) as a trade paperback with an additional 42 pages and new story illustrated by Cassandra James with cover art by Steven Belledin.

 

Now on to our reader question, Marten G. from Dusseldorf, Germany asks: “You have written previously about European comics, will we see any more articles about them in the future?” “I am a fan of Eppo and books continued on in Finix Comics, and would like to see more about them or other European comics.”

 

In answer to your question Marten, yes we will continue to review and explore comics from around the world; I am very familiar with Eppo (less so with Finix, though I am aware they complete otherwise canceled Deutsche sprache comic books) and their myriad comic lines like Agent 327, Commandant Greg, Guus Arend, and the modern incarnations of Sjors und Sjimmie, that have been produced by Eppo Magazine. Keep your eyes open for future articles and thank you for your question.

Last but not least I have had several requests to change the question/comment format to anonymous, which I have done. You should be able to leave a comment sans login now. So feel free to comment away and I will reply a.s.a.p. So true believers, til next time, keep reading!

 

 

 

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[1] http://valentinethecomic.com/

 

Artist Lex Gochnour Interview

Welcome back to “Sounds Better in a Bubble”! For today’s piece I interviewed artist extraordinaire, Mr. Lex Gochnour. Lex a former combat photographer in Iraq, uses his art to bring the faces we know and love from the comic pages to life! A Maryland native, Lex is the driving force behind his studio Dark City Creations.

VENOM

 

 

Sounds Better: First, Lex thanks for doing this interview. You were a combat photographer? What branch of the service, or were you in Iraq as a civilian?

Lex Gochnour: I was a member of the United States Air Force.

SB: As a fellow Veteran, I thank you for your service. You told me that Rod Serling is your main influence. You are aware I’m sure that Mr. Serling served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during WW2. Serling’s work and yours offer disturbing images and views of the world, both real and imagined. Many veterans find an outlet in art, is this how it is/was for you?

LG: Yes I am very aware of Rod’s early years – and yes art was a sane outlet for me, people deal with it in their own way, it gave me a way to express feelings that I didn’t want to discuss with people. I turned disaster and chaos into creativity.

SB: My first impression of your work, or my initial thought led me immediately to think of Ultimate Fantastic Four, specifically issues 21-23 and 30-32, but in a far more visceral way. For the uninitiated I’m talking about FF finding the Marvel Zombie Universe. Have you read these comics? Did they have any influence on your work?

SPIDER-MAN

 

LG: Funny you ask about the Marvel Zombies, I have read them and I dig the story line but I don’t think I read…actually read a comic until I was ten, I was always interested in the artwork and the fights.

SB: Do you prefer the initial Marvel Zombies work with Millar/Land/Ryan, or the follow ups suggested by Ralph Macchio (yup, the Karate Kid) featuring Kirkman/Phillips/Suydam?

LG: (Arthur) Suydam is the fucking man LOVE his zombie works really is an influence on me! I got to meet him at the Denver Comic Con last year and it will always be a highlight to my life.

SB: So I will take it the follow up work entranced you more. For our audience, Ralph Macchio approached Robert Kirkman (of Walking Dead fame) to write the follow up stories to the zombies appearance in Fantastic Four. Your zombie pieces are outstanding, but another capture of yours which finds Tony Stark half dressed, shit-faced…on the shitter…amazing!! As a man who grew up with the comic code in full force, I have to admit, that image caught me off guard (i.e. spewing Pepsi out of my nose), tell me about the piece, the seed that lead to it?

IRON MAN

 

LG: The Drunk Iron Man, probably my favorite piece and my first “Comic related” piece ever. The model is actually my father he and I attended a Philly Comic Con and I was shooting the random Cosplayers for fun. While there, I saw an overweight batman sitting on the ground speaking to a very, very skinny superman thought it was the most ass backwards thing I had ever seen it made me laugh, but it sparked an idea to shoot something funny and a little out there. Also one of my favorite comics is Ironman “Demon in a Bottle”, that comic was a huge influence on this piece.

SB: Classic storyline!! (Iron Man Vol.1 issues 120-128 March-Nov. 1979 the nine issue story arc deals with Tony Stark’s alcoholism, you should check it out if you’ve never read it folks!) Tell me, what drew you to comic related art?

LG: I have always loved comics since I was a kid, I can thank my father and my uncle for that. We would go to the comic book store weekly. The characters have so many dimensions to them. When I was a kid I wanted to meet or be a super hero or a villain, they didn’t have the Marvel movies like they do now, so I wanted to bring them to life my way, for my own enjoyment.

SB: When did your work as a photographer begun to evolve in to your art?

LG: I would say my photography evolved about a year after I separated from the military. I dabbled in horror photography for a bit, and decided to go to school to perfect my photography; I learned the ins and outs of Photoshop and several painting programs.

HORROR IMAGE

 

SB: Where did you go to school?

LG: The Art Institute of Denver.

SB: So your art is primarily photographic with digital elements, do you work in any other mediums? The reason I ask, is your Silver Surfer and Bizzaro pieces, they seem to have a painted feel to them, how did you achieve the look?

BIZZARO

 

LG: I use a ton of mediums I paint, I sketch, as well as dabble in the theater, but my heart is with a camera! The Surfer and Bizzaro are some examples of the painting programs like Correl Painter and Photoshop. No matter what all my work starts off with a photo-shoot. The models are often airbrushed for base colors and shape. Then put into Photoshop and Correl to get a makeover.

SB: Now for the really important questions.  Marvel, Indie or D.C., which do you prefer? Why?

LG: Well I grew up a Marvel guy, nothing against DC or Indie but I believe Marvel’s characters have appealed to me more, the stories, the struggles not all of us can relate to a billionaire vigilante not to bad mouth Batman because that is a sin but I’m Marvel all day every day.

SB: You poor misguided man, I totally relate to billionaire problems…well, I’d like too any wayJ.  So what’s the first comic you read, one that really stood out, and you still read today?

LG: When I was young growing up in the late 80’s and early 90’s I was reading(looking at the pictures) anything I could get my hands on, all the usual titles Avengers, X-Men, Spiderman, Hulk, Punisher. As far as what I read today I’m still the same way I’ll read anything my favorite lately is the Walking Dead great story and to me the best Zombie spin I’ve read.

SB: I think you’d find many agree with you there, Kirkman’s take on a world infested with zombies is hard to beat. Who is your all-time favorite comic character(s)? And as a hint it’s totally o.k. if you say SUPERMAN or THOR, because really…they are the only right answers!! Just kidding, so what is your favorite?

LG: My favorite characters….well I have two favorites both very different from each other, The Silver Surfer and the Incredible Hulk. Surfers back story is really moving to me and always has been. And the Hulk…Come on he’s the fucking HULK who doesn’t get so angry sometimes they wanna rip out of their purple pants and wreck a city.

HULK

 

SB: Hulk's purple pants...shouldn't the modern Hulk be wearing skinny Jeans? I mean really Banner wants to be all "helpful" now? He may be “Indestructible”, but a helpful Hulk? I'd rather tear a city apart with an URU Hammer!!! And as a bonus, they have a serious amount of booze in Asgard, when you get done.

LG: That’s funny! Yes a helpful Hulk is odd...but I’d rather have him help!

SB: Well I guess helping humanity as Banner does have its merits, still a lot of booze and hot Asgardian chicks, I’m just sayin’. Now how can our readers get a hold of your art to hang on their walls? Because ya know, no nerd-room would be complete without one of your pieces?

SPAWN

 

LG: I am in the process of getting organized finally and trying to build an online store that I am happy with. For now, I ‘m available through my Facebook Fan Page Dark City Creations.[1] (See below for link to Lex’s page.)

SB: You will be appearing at the Eastern Shore Fan Con (ESFC), any other upcoming events planned?[2]

LG: As of right now I’m booked for the ESFC and awaiting word from the gods about Philly and Baltimore. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

SB: We wish you the best, and again thank you kindly for taking the time to talk to us today! Bubble fans, be sure to check out Lex’s Facebook page and support this very talented young artist!![3] If you would like to see more feature stories like this in the future in Bubble leave a comment, or drop me a line at liampotterx@gmail.com so that will be all from yours truly until next week, and remember to check out our upcoming piece right before Free Comic Book Day on PLB Comics!!!

 

 

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[1] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-City-Creations/257683924268398?ref=ts&fref=ts

[2] Eastern Shore Fan Con, Princess Anne Maryland. Saturday March 9, 2013 on the Campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)

[3] All art property of Lex Gochnour and Dark City Creations, used by permission.

Grading Comics and Amazing Fantasy #15

Welcome back to Sounds Better in a Bubble, this week I will be writing about comic book grading, and how you can give your own comics a grading estimate. First we might want to ask, why do my comics need to be graded? Well, truth be told, your comics do not need to be graded. First and foremost, unless you are strictly using comic books as an investment, they are to be read and enjoyed. If however, you are an advanced collector, you are insuring your collection, or have high end Golden/Silver Age comics you may want to consider professional grading services (which I will delve into later.)

So what is grading? Comic books use a 0-10 point scale to estimate the approximate dollar value for a given comic book. This scale takes condition factors found on a book, compares them against a given set of criteria, and assigns a grade based on said criteria. The assigned grade then allows us to give an approximate cost and condition analysis for that book.  To simplify the process and to help add some measure of objectivity (as well as help to stabilize market volatility and protect consumers) there are a few companies which offer grading services for a fee. Two of these companies PGX (Professional Grading Experts) and CGC (Comics Guaranty Corp.) are the most recognizable names in independent grading for the collector or consumer. 

For self-grading purposes, I will refer you to Overstreet’s Grading definitions (as seen below), a handy guide and easily accessible resource for you to estimate the condition of comic books in your collection.[1] After that I will try to help you visualize books in different conditions using 3^rd party certified grading and some ungraded books. To do that we will be taking a gander at graded copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 (the first appearance of Spider-Man.)

Overstreet Scale:

10.0- Gem Mint (GM) zero defects, perfect in every way, rarely seen especially in Golden Age material (or earlier.)

9.9- Mint (MT) near perfect, only subtle bindery or printing defects allowed. Paper is white.

9.8- Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT) nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Paper is off-white to white. Staples are original.

9.6- Near Mint+ (NM+) nearly perfect, looks as if recently purchased and only read once or twice. No bindery tears except that Golden Age material have been noted with up to 1/8” tears. No creases bends or color breaks. Paper is off white. Staples are original and generally centered.

9.4 Near Mint (NM), 9.2 Near Mint- (NM-), 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) 8.0 Very Fine (VF) and 7.5 Very Fine- (VF-) continue with subtle and slight degradations as you descend.

7.0 Fine/ Very Fine (FN/VF) at this point we have reached where most well-tended to, but read collections generally fall. Overstreet calls this an above average copy that shows minor wear. Can have minor creasing, interior yellowing or tanning, may be some spine roll present, missing staples may be replaced (using vintage staples only, however note that mint condition books will have their original staples) and may show some rusting. Paper is tan to cream, no hint of acidity in newsprint.

6.5 Fine+ (FN+) differentiated from FN/VF by very minor degradations.

6.0 Fine (FN) above average copy with reduced eye appeal due to slight surface wear and the accumulation of small defects.

5.5 Fine- (FN-) differentiated from FN by minor degradations.

5.0 Very Good/Fine (VG/FN) an above average, but well used comic book. Inks have major to extreme reduction in reflectivity. Cover shows wear. Blunted or abraded corners are not uncommon. Minor staple tears, stress lines and rust migration may be present. Paper is brown to tan with no evidence of brittleness. May have faint trace odor of acidity emanating from newsprint.  Centerfold may be loose, but is not detached.

4.5 Very Good + (VG+) differentiated from VG/FN by minor degradations

4.0 Very Good (VG) the average used comic book. May have store stamps, name stamps, arrival date stamps, persons initials, with no effect on grade. Worn but still desirable copy overall. May have 1/8’-1/4” tears present in corners, discoloration, fading, foxing, and moderate spine roll. Paper is brown but not brittle. A minor acidic odor is noticeable. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.

3.5 Very Good- (VG-), to 3.0 Good/Very Good (GD/VG) cover shows significant wear and may be loose or detached at one staple. Low cover reflectivity is evident. May show minor to moderate interior tears as well as ones present on cover.

2.5 Good+ (GD+), to 2.0 Good (GD) Shows substantial wear and is generally considered to be a reading copy. Tape and other forms of amateur repair in Silver Age and earlier books are not uncommon. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached. May have up to a 2” spine split. Staples may be degraded, replaced or missing.

Grades from 1.8 Good- (GD-), 1.5 Fair/Good (FR/GD), to 1.0 Fair (FR) all show substantial or heavy wear. May be missing pages/incomplete or have coupons cut out. A book may have serious tears and spine splitting. Paper is brown and may show brittleness on edges, but not interior.

0.5 Poor (PR) little or no collector value. Books may have soiling, water damage, suffered from extensive amateur repair, and may have been defaced. Extreme brittleness is not uncommon as well as having an extreme acidic odor. A book may be unreadable in places.

 

Ok, so those are the highlights (again please refer to Overstreet for a more complete description of grading conditions) now let us try a more visually oriented approach. To do this we will be looking at graded copies of  Amazing Fantasy # 15.

 Our first example has been given a CGC grade of 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint. We can see that the cover is very neat and very little damage is present.

Our next issue is rated 6.0 Fine by CGC. This comic shows some obvious creasing in the upper right hand corner, and the cover has a lower reflectivity. Overall this is still a highly desirable copy of this book.

 

Continuing on we have CGC rated copy at 2.0 Good. This book has obvious spine rolling toward the left. There are small chunks missing, foxing and abrading are evident and the corners are noticeably blunted. While not as desirable this copy can still fetch a decent price.

 

Our next example is an ungraded copy that I would rate as 1.0 Fair. We have a noticeable amateur repair attempt with tape along the spine (see now duct tape would have made it SUPER professional and look awesome…or not.) Cover shows creasing, substantial wear and handling. Corners are blunted or torn.

Our last example also ungraded I would rate 0.5- Poor or in my humble opinion less than Poor condition. Cover is torn; significant spine rolling to the right is evident. Colors have lost nearly all their reflectivity.

 Last but not least, what do those grades translate to in price? Well that depends. There are guidelines that are generally accepted and what a market is willing to bear. What may be listed for 500 dollars may sell for 5000 dollars if demand is high enough.

 Per Overstreet:[2]

Amazing Fantasy #15

9.0: $100,000.00

6.0: $50,000.00

2.0: $7,000.00

Those are the approximate dollar values the Overstreet Guide placed on the graded conditions of Amazing Fantasy #15, in the 42^nd (current) edition. Even with that knowledge, Comic Connect (an auction site) was able to auction off a copy of AF#15 for $ 1,000,000+ (yes a million plus dollars.) The Guide therefore is a starting point for negotiations, if someone is willing to pay it, the sky is the limit.

There you go boys and girls…and cosplayers, a place to get started grading your own collections. Until next time, keep it…fictional, and go buy some comics.

Oh and before I forget, for Thor’s sake DO NOT Duct tape your damned comics!!!

 

 

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[1] Robert M. Overstreet, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, 0042- ed. (Timonium: Gemstone Pub, 2012), 169-171.

The scale as seen here is highly truncated; please refer to the Guide for clearly defined condition issues that affect grading.

 

[2] Robert M. Overstreet, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, 0042- ed. (Timonium: Gemstone Pub, 2012), 400.

 

Lex Gochnour Interview Teaser

Bubble Fans and noobs I have a treat in store for you!! As well as our regular weekly blog running later today, mid-week I will be posting an interview with a very talented artist, Mr. Lex Gochnour. Lex will be appearing at the Eastern Shore Fan Con (on campus of UMES, Princess Anne, Md.) March 9, 2013. Check out this sample of his work!!

 

Lex is the visual force behind Dark City Creations and a veteran combat photographer. The 27 year old Maryland native witnessed some of the darkest events of wartime, while stationed in Iraq. Lex’s twisted style and strange creations are influenced by writer Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame.) With a love of comics he uses photography and digital elements to bring comic book characters to (gruesome and completely kick-ass) life!

In addition to our interview with Artist Lex Gochnour, watch for our upcoming feature debuting shortly before FCBD (Free Comic Book Day-May 4, 2013) all about PLB Comics.  Founded in 1987 PLB Comics is an independent group of artists and writers located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In the interim, you can check them out at Eastern Shore Fan Con as well!!