Peter Ledger 1945-1994 His Marvel Time Remembered

“Artist, Pilot, Adventurer” – so states Christy Marx his (second) wife on a tribute website (and well-known dame of comics herself—check out their collaborative works). Well, I only got the ‘artist’ part. Peter just about never talked about his past. He never mentioned being a scuba-diver, or surveyor. Never cooked anything (and I had him over to my Mom’s apartment just across the street from Marvel) or mentioned any of the art awards or success he had back in Oz.

He did teach me to call Australia “Oz.”

This recollection is strictly what I experienced while Peter was at Marvel. I am certain that anyone else who knew or dealt with Peter had a wild variety of experiences with the man. Peter was almost gentlemanly with me. At best, I would describe “my” Peter Ledger as a character. In fact, “wild variety” would be a good start to describe him.

The above pic and the one where he climbed up on Patience (the other lion’s name is Fortitude) at The New York City Public Library, were taken after one of those conversations where you say, “—and this is my home!” Then Peter says, “Well, show it to me, Ehull!” And so we walked right out the door and down Madison to Fifth and quite far downtown. I babbled all the way, telling him of my childhood, strange events and my close friends. I always like the shot of him in front of the Empire State…

The year was 1979—and when looking back, it is a mild shock to realize that Peter only spent about 8 months in America. That was all! As Ms Marx says on her tribute page to Peter, he did try to make every day count. Check it out:

http://www.christymarx.com/ledger/plbio.htm

The best place to start with is: the man was Australian. Now, friends, whatever “Crocodile” Dundee showed us about Aussies (another lesson) was all true. But that was some years in the future—that worthy movie came out in 1986. In the meantime, this American had been watching The Paul Hogan Show (who starred in “Crocodile”… ) on PBS and so, had a good idea what to expect. Sort’a… [Let’s just say no one in the office ran out to hose down anyone’s nether regions with a small fire extinguisher! Don’t know what I’m talking about? I suggest a quick trip down Internet memory lane—Oz-ophile Brown] …well, knowing that the entire nation continent likes Vegemite is a clue…

I first caught sight of Peter hauling around a gigantic portfolio. As “normal” as I thought that was—standard kit from High School of Art & Design—97% of Marvel artwork was done on 11×17-inch artboard. So he stood out. Of course, the pirate look was a little higher toned than the slovenly rags us Bullpenners wore. He was handed the office right next to Stan Aaron, Stalwart Typesetter and made himself comfy.

Below: My first picture of him was up at Stan’s birthday party—a week into January, 79, but no one questions free soda and cake. (This picture was shot with color negative that has a carrier film that can grind its way onto another strip of negative if you’re not careful—this damage is very hard to get rid of!)

Writer Creator Steven Grant, Writer Extraordinaire Roger Stern and Peter! Just because I was there doesn’t mean I can remember the horror that was this MC Escher-light wallpaper… Somewhere up on the 9^th Floor—the Hallowed Halls of Marvel Executive-Hood-Ness where such mind-shattering patterns are interpreted every day!

At that same party—a stellar line-up for Stan’s Birthday bash—of course, Stan himself but slouching with some free cake, a very young Assistant Editor (to Crazy Mag, when run by Paul Laikin) Chris Priest (prior: James Owsley), Joltin’ Joe Jusko—He Of The Mighty Cover Paintings – and Peter. Whatever you do, don’t let Stan see that you have a camera in your hands…

My old comrade, Rick Marschall who was Editor of all things Black & White Department (and is currently the author of 391 books—no; 392, whoops– just out… 393… and, Marvel fans is the foremost newspaper strip and ephemera expert in the country, probably world! Plus he knows an awful lot about Theodore Roosevelt. AND, at the same time as Peter’s time at Marvel, assembling high-level illustrated artwork for the nascent EPIC Mag…) had been tasked with upgrading the art and the printing of such special art. When Rick got the resume/letter from Peter suggesting he take him on in some capacity—Rick approved. This blog is not necessarily a behind the scenes account of Weirdworld. That’s pretty much covered in a recent reprint of the whole shootin’ match:

ISBN-13 : 978-0785162889

This is every dad-blamed piece of WW art Marvel could find. Including some terrible pictures I took at the time. ‘Terrible’ in that I had just gotten my first flash unit and didn’t really know how to use it. There’s some rough ones in there—sorry! But my dismal photography will not take away from this wonderful exercise in full-blown, audacious story-telling. Writer Doug Moench along with singular artist, John Buscema, leads the way with Rudy Nebres and Peter augmenting and overlaying his work with vibrancy and surrealist colors. This collection and Warrior of the Shadow Realm is one of the highest forms of modern day fantasy. Friends, follow the ISBN above to mycomics.com and buy one today!

Despite the fact that one of the harbingers of greatness that Rick tried to bash into the original books was the “single—” and “double gatefold” – there is none of that here. Any fan of 1080p video will understand how majestic a gatefold in print is. One does not need to turn to old copies of Playboy Magazine to see the early, multi-disciplinary aspects of the visual impact possible… Weirdworld will take care of you!

Weirdworld itself had a dog-leg path to the point at which Peter walked through the door. Creator/Writer Doug Moench had this story brewing for a while, storied artist Mike Ploog, walking/talking legend Pat Broderick, Celestial Inker Alex Nino had worked all their magiks on the first few stories.

Rick really tried. His Number One Majordomo Ralph Macchio suggested giving this concept a serious look, started so long ago only the reprint editors can list it all! Exploiting some of the outré knowledge possessed by B&W Art Directress Nora Maclin and Marvel Art Director Lenny Grow—the first use of “good” (which I think was, technically, the Kiss Super Special) paper and higher print resolution was developed. [Such efforts would be tossed to the side for the next few decades until every Marvel Comic came with a gatefold cover! Festooned with advertising and equipped with an introduction to the book’s characters and a summary of events up to that book… S’funny how things turn out, eh? Gate-mouth Brown]

But! I am digressing too far afield. We’re here to remember Peter Ledger—Artist, Pilot, Adventurer!

An early, hard-at-work-laden image of Peter and Sublimely Talented Inker Rudy Nebres. Rudy was one of the hardest-working pros I ever met. Also one of the humblest. If only that man could have been paid by the foot of ink-line! This office switched hands a lot—before it was the on-staff art correction office (Inestimable John Tartag rooming with Staff Colorist George Roussos—man, could those two gab and work at the same time!)—after, Super-Talent Dave Cockrum moved in.

Peter stuck it out here from January to August, 1979.

Peter mugging for the camera. I am guessing he had been the subject of many an interview Down-Under (yet another lesson). This was his happy artist face. No really, I have several identical shots. I asked him what he was doing and he said, “Looking good for the camera.” I think my time in proximity with him showed him that he could relax around me. And so—

And–! The man did freelance! One of the reasons I got so many pictures is that Peter hung around the office almost as much as I did. As a photo-stat camera operator, I was given lots of over-time work. Him? Well, you can add ‘freelancer’ to that list of accolades!

Peter explained that the master painter who he studied under (and if I could remember that name, I’d be in the midst of hypnotic regression… we don’t want to go there…) taught him to a) isolate the work from any background and b) to place opposing colors of paint on either side of the brush. That way one could go from pure to blend with great control. You will note the gigantic tanks of compressed air! Peter was running an air-brush almost constantly during his time—note the regulator on the li’l guy. An air compressor would be way too loud. Alas, I learned nothing from Peter about the practical use of an air-brush.

As time went on, Peter got more comfortable. Here, possibly in Summer time when the rear window wall of 575 Madison let a lot of heat through, Peter is padding around barefoot.

Peter showing off progress on a gatefold spread. Just behind the painting is Rick Marschall, making the patented “Stan Aaron Glasses Gesture” is Ralph Macchio. Perched to the rear is the late Davida Lichter-Dale who was a Production person from the Black & White Department. I’m pretty sure that’s Boundless Creator/Writer Bill Mantlo holding the Howard The Duck piece.

Davida jumps out, Editor In Chief Jim Shooter jumps in.

This is just to the rear of where Jim was sitting in the prior shot—he was sitting on a stack of flat files. The Old Watering Hole was now the Old Copy Machine Hole. Peter is brandishing an Entenman’s chocolate chip cookie. Common coin back then—a box might make it for about 5-6 seconds. To the left is a very hairy Mark Gruenwald, to the right is Art Director and leader of the Bullpen, Danny Crespi.

Peter was with Rick, Ralph, Jim Shooter and myself at the 1979 San Diego Comic Con. Marvel’s first editorial presence at the Con. Yes, he was working at finishing many pages. But he was always putting on a show—

Peter had a lot of charisma. Between his Australian accent and vocal range he was essentially a lyric tenor. Whatever he said just flowed. He would add syllables – as the Ozzies do – and that caught one’s attention. He shortened my name to “El” but said it more like “Eh-ull.”

Peter introduced me to a changes in diet. I actually attempted what is now referred to as a “Keto Diet.” Where you cut out all carbohydrates, forcing your body to burn fat. I managed to get through an entire week—Peter may have gotten to two. Tough diet for a guy used to eating cookies for breakfast. One thing that resulted was cutting out all sugar and milk. One excess I indulged in was an extraordinary amount of sugar per cup of coffee. About half milk. Giving those two things up was odd—but I had constant reinforcement with Peter just down the hall.

When I returned to my normal lifestyle—Peter joined me at the tiny fridge near my office and I poured the sugar first. Which I had not done before—I believe I was commenting on “finally getting back to normal.” What happened was that I finally saw how much sugar I was adding! The cup was half full. I immediately scooped out two spoon-fulls and even so, that cup of coffee tasted like plastic.

I know—I’m here to tell yah! Plastic! At that point I was able to cut out sugar in my coffee. Same thing with adding salt—something that amused my childhood friends to no end. I would put a nice thick layer of salt on every meal.

Peter was on some kind of health kick—fairly new at the time; remember this was all pre-internet. One could not be influenced by youths waving product at you then. He plonked down a dozen bottles of vitamins of all sorts and would spend a bit of time jamming down handfuls every morning. (He claimed his “record” was 135 pills at once!) He even got me to take some and I too, worked up to taking an entire handful at one go myself. Still can do it. (We-e-ell, I don’t do too many pills these days, but I’m not wary of taking pills at all!)

Somehow Peter got it in his head that he needed garlic to stave off colds (walking around the office half-naked had nothing to do with colds… and when I say ‘half-naked,’ I do mean 96% naked. He rounded out his time in mid-July down to red bathing “Speedos” yes, it got pretty hot even in a modern office building. They did shut down the A/C at night and on weekends). It started with “garlic and peanut butter” sandwiches. Yes, entire cloves of garlic on p-butter. Okay… then he stepped it up a full throw of the throttle! He got liquid garlic extract and empty gel capsules to make his own garlic pills.

At that point, he was a threat to others. Raw garlic is one thing, a daily dozen garlic extract pills is another. If you do not know, garlic oils are one of the few foods that can pass out of us through our skin. Peter demonstrated a good bit of knowledge by citing “allyl sulfide” as a by-product of having eaten garlic. I am here to tell you our entire end of the building was almost impassible. Peter exulted in that. I would have not been surprised if, had such things been around back then, he would have gotten a stadium hat—the kind with two bottles on either side and straws between them, so he could sip his garlic extract all day long…

Above, my fondest recollection of Peter Ledger. This square of concrete was exactly in front of my front door (where my mom and I lived until I found my own space). Similar to the admonition to Stan and cameras… don’t give Peter a fresh patch of concrete and a pointed stick. Alas! This only lasted about a decade… if you look up 72 East 56^th Street on Google Maps you will find a “parked Russian spaceship” instead of my 1890s Brownstone, complete with over-priced French food! My oldest friend the noted Architect James Sanders, AIA, coined that little review of “Park Avenue Tower.” Which was the product of one Helmut Jahn, AIA—dueling AIAs…

This door, which was to Peter’s office, is all Peter and sums up quite a bit of his time at Marvel! If I ever knew where that towel-clad version of Peter came from, I sure forget it now. That gent to the left is Hard Labor Typesetter Stan Aaron.

Dear blog-o-sphere reader, if you have found these all of a sudden, I recommend you look up my brief tribute to Peter while at the 1979 San Diego Comic Con. All of the above is true to my recollections. Peter was indeed a character. A fascinating look into another part of the world’s creative culture. Peter was and forever always will be a true:

Artist, Pilot, Adventurer, Bullpenner!