Monday, December 11, 2006

A Sad Goodbye to Legend Mart Nodell


All-American Comics 19
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.
In belated news, according to both Newsarama and Comic Book Resources, Golden Age creator Mart Nodell has passed away at the age of 91. This is sad news for the industry, as with Mr. Nodell's passing, we lose a legend. I can only pray that he is safe in heaven with his long devoted wife Carrie who proceeded him in death in 2004. What a wonderful, loving couple those two were, setting an example for everyone with a beautiful 63 year union.

My heart goes out to those who were close to Mr. Nodell. My thoughts and prayers are with them. I take comfort in the fact that he will always be remembered with great respect and appreciation.

Comics lost a great person on Saturday. Just check out the gorgeous cover for All American #19 to see what I mean.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you ever get a chance to talk to him at a convention? He was one of the nicest men in the world. It's a sad day with his passing.

Carl said...

I'm too sad to say much, kind of choked up right now. End of an Era in so many ways...

Heidi Meeley said...

John, I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Nodell. I would have loved to. I heard and read so much about he and his wonderful wife. They had a marriage that was so beautiful. I always was in awe over the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Nodell seemed so devoted.

Then there is that creating Green Lantern thing....

Did you ever get to meet him, John?

Heidi Meeley said...

Carl- It is definitely end of an era in many ways. You have it pegged. It is very sad.

Did you meet them Carl?

Anonymous said...

He was definately a class act all the way to the end. I saw him at conventions even within the last couple of years.

He has family that lives near my store, so it hits home even more. They were always so proud of him and what he'd done and loved to tell everyone and talk about it.

Heidi Meeley said...

Lisa, that is so poignant. I love the fact that his family was proud. That just brings a tear to my eye. How rare and wonderful it is to have a loving family.

Mr. Nodell's presence will definitely be missed. So many fans talk of his kindness and good nature. It is a void that won't likely be filled.

Carl said...

Yep Heidi I met them a bunch, several Megacons, Tampacons and such and I must have a box of just Golden Age Green Lantern items signed by him. One year I even had the honor of giving him the "Faster Friends" 2 parter with the new and old GL/Flashes story (the one that was in Spanish in LOST) since he and his wife had not even seen it. He didn't want me to just give it to him but I told him that I wanted him to have them. And I always bought something from them 'cause I wanted them to always come back. I even got autographed GA GL items as Christmas presents one year. Mrs. Nodell once told me, when I got a sketch done, how much originals were going on eBay. I told her, sell my Alan Scott/Green Lantern?! NEVER!!! She thought that was pretty funny. Been missing her and now will miss them. Conventions are not going to be the same again...

Heidi Meeley said...

Carl, that is so sweet and so poignant. You are so lucky to have known them. I would never sell an original sketch either- that would be sacrilege. You are a true fan in every sense of the word.

I am so sorry that Mr. Nodell is gone. Cons won't be the same without he and his sweet wife being there.

psicelt said...

words cannot express the abiding sadness i feel right now; but i'll try to do justice to a Comics industry legend. like Carl, i had the distinct pleasure of meeting both Marty & his wife Carrie at many Megacons in Orlando, Fla, starting in 1999. he was kind enough to sign my copy of All American comics #17 at that first meeting, & looking back now, i'm not sure who was having a better time, him or me. he always loved to look thru the golden age books, & it was always fun to hear his tales of the comics field back in the 30s & 40s as he slowly turned the pages of each issue that i'd brought to the cons. His son, Spencer, was always by his parents' side at the later shows in Orlando, & the more recent ones here in my hometown of Tampa. Spencer would always caution:"careful, old book. old book!"...but i never minded him handling them, esp. since they were bound for autographs anyway; and, who had a better right to do so? i've always maintained that, without guys like him, there wouldn't be guys like me, the serious collectors.
i completely agree with the sentiment about selling original artwork on eBay or elsewhere. doubtless there will be some attempting to cash in on the man's demise, but i won't be one of them. i bought a new original at every con; one of my personal favorites is one of green lantern with captain america. i also purchased multiple copies of the GA Green Lantern Archives, volumes 1 & 2. also copies of All Star Comics archives 1-4, all of which he was gracious enough to sign. two incidents stand out immediately; the first was when i handed him a copy of Golden Age Green Lantern #s 1 & 3. he looked at me with disbelief when i asked him to sign the center wrap of #1. that issue contains a biography of the creators. marty's comment? "i couldn't believe that they'd put that in there back in the day; none of the artists ever thought that someone would actually COLLECT comic books. the very idea was just...silly." issue #3 has the classic WW2 cover, put out just after the japanese bombed pearl harbor. Marty's thoughts on that full length story of sabotage & intrigue? "that issue was done right after pearl harbor; it was the defining moment of a generation. legions of guys were enlisting, but i couldn't. i was a family man & had to provide for Carrie. lots of us wanted to, but we just couldn't afford(literally) to do so. so we did the next best thing to boost morale for our soldiers and those they left behind."
the second(or should i say 3rd?) incident came when i found a postcard on ebay for the(no kidding) GREEN LANTERN MOTEL on route 18, somewhere in west virginia. the front has a huge sign on the road that has a green lantern on it. i took it to Megacon in 2002 & Marty was kind enough to do a sketch on the back for me. this is one of the highlights of my collection that encompasses somewhere around 16,000 books, statues, sketches, pen & ink drawings, etc. i wish i'd had a second one to give him at the show, but i simply couldn't find one. the postcard dates, i'd guess, from the late 50s-early 60s. when i die, it will go to the museum of Cartoon Art in west palm beach, florida(assuming they will take it). it is a truly unique item, & one of the cornerstones of my collection that i will always treasure.
it was with great sadness that i learned of Carrie's passing a few years ago. it just wasn't the same at the shows without her there in her trademark green pantsuit. now Marty joins her, and those of us who knew them, albeit tangentially, grieve for the talent lost....and a damn fine man. with his passing, it really IS the end of an era. to my knowledge, there are no more Golden Age creators left. i close here with a heartfelt "THANK YOU MARTY" for all the stories. i was proud to have met you, & your like will not be seen again on this side of eternity. rest in peace.