The failing of my trip to the 1979 San Diego Comic Con was that I barely covered the rest of the con. Other than what Rick & Ralph were doing, I paid little attention to much else.
Sometimes I did, but very hit and miss—embarrassingly so after all these years. Here are some extra highlights of this early time in comic history. And SDCC history. Imagine comic books being just a part of the larger popular cultural world of illustrated fantasy—newspaper strips and even ordinary books of fantasy and science fiction. It was a broad approach to pop culture but not like it is today… where the “Big Tent” is so big, what is left is a blur.
Back to Artists’ Alley—below is Kelly Freas. The simplest description is that he is a fantasy illustrator. But the length and breadth of his career is so great (in both directions) that you really should look him up and see for yourself. Let me put it this way—there are so many iconic illustrations of his that have entered pop culture, any age out there will spot one they know.
Below, Colorist, Artist and Writer Steve Oliff. At this point in time—1979—Steve had not done an awful lot. But relevant to Weirdworld is that Rick Marschall thrust upon him (press ganged is more like it!) the completing of the few-to-several pages that Peter Ledger was not able to finish. So talented a colorist is Steve—known for early (perhaps first) use of computer coloring (Akira—his official “big” Marvel break)—that, without a guide you cannot tell where Peter stops and Steve starts.
These days, Steve and his cyber-eponymous Olyoptics, is doing projects both large and small—one thing is a history of his local chunk of the state (Northern California)! Even some comic work!
Below. Here’s a shocking picture of Mike Friedrich—who must be 30 but looks about 16. I met Mike during my “career before my career” – a year-long stint at Marvel doing “satisfaction” or the sending out of posters, back issues and FOOM kits. Which was back in 1974. For no known reason, Mike has consistently remembered me every time we ran into each other. Even here, below. Mike as a Creator and Writer has worked both sides of the fence—for both DC and Marvel.
Anyone who experienced the direct happiness around Mike when he greeted you would not be surprised to know that Mike is now a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. The parallels between theology and comic mythos have always been there.
Below. Legendary talent—hard to describe in more insightful ways because this man’s work stands apart and to one side of everything else in comicdom. Mike Kaluta’s artistic workings on The Shadow – written by Denny O’Neill – is the only art that can make you forget Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith – okay, everyone. Lyrical and solid—look this work up or just buy it. Plus everything else he’s done. You’ll see what I mean.
Mike’s another fellow who seems to have never forgotten me. We met at the office only a few times, then I found that he lived in the same apartment building as a friend’s girlfriend—during a big party there was Mike! If that wasn’t enough of a coincidence, that building was owned by the family of an Elementary School gal pal! I just kept running into him—at least 6 times so far. But to my delight he always gave me a big warm hello!
Below. Prolific Creator, Writer Steve Engelhart! He’s the guy who wrote the Batman series that influenced the first Batman movie… Which still stands out among all the latter…
Below. Marshall Rogers (1950-2007). Marsh was another one of those guys whose style could handle anything. His Joker is famous, his Dr. Strange is still stand-out ‘strange’ and his Deadly Hands of Kung Fu is still … deadly!
He’s another guy who always greeted me first, always surprising me (yes, I am surprised to be recognized). Anyone who ever met him can never forget that incandescent smile.
Enough of Artists’ Alley! Now the big event—the banquet around the Inkblot Awards. Before, we all get to mingle a little and chat with chums and pals.
Below—speaking of Marsh, that manly thatch of chest hair is only rivaled by Rick’s tie. Wow! From L-R: I believe that is Artist Inker Nestor Redondo trying to out talk Peter Ledge. Ralph Macchio standing next to Dann Thomas (soon to be Roy’s wife), then Marsh and his Great V of Hair, the back of Roy Thomas and Rick Marschall and his Technicolor Tie.
Below—I am not sure I spotted this very sweet romantic gesture between Dann and Roy at the time—I believe everyone is moving into the banquet hall. The only new people in the picture are, to Roy’s side is Artist Dennis Fujitake talking to Gary Groth—who is just behind Rick. Rick is trying to calm his tie down and Marsh cannot help laugh.
Dennis and I share one treasured point in time. He and I traversed the American Border Crossing from Tijuana, Mexico and shared a cab back to the hotel and relative safety. Most of the cab conversation? The guys we left behind were nuts! Dennis was known at the time for working on independent projects, I think he was doing something with Gary and Fantagraphics, which was why he was at the con – and in a cab with me, fleeing Tijuana at 10:30 at night… I always like his stuff but this minor escape is still a moment of wonder for me.
Below—Nestor Redondo is calling over Security to eject Rick’s tie. Peter is amused.
Below. Gary Groth and Rick Marschall cutting up for the camera. Would they hold still while standing in the shadows? No. No one would.
Below! The spirit of cosplay may have been young but was (– yeep! –) but is fully formed. Vampirella and, just to her left, is Spider-Man getting ready for a Costume Parade on the stage of the banquet hall. Hawkman preens his feathers.
Below, as is true now one does not need to do too terribly much to fully participate in cosplay! Here is a mime perhaps in the style of Charlie Chaplin– ? But she was very smooth as I recall!
And now we are on the threshold of the banquet hall entry—this is the end of Part 5!