A Sense of Doubt blog post #1965 - RIP DENNY O'NEIL - Comic book Sunday 2007.05

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1965 - RIP DENNY O'NEIL - Comic book Sunday 2007.05

Hi there, welcome to another comic book Sunday.

I missed that Denny O'Neil died.

ALSO - https://www.comicsbeat.com/rip-denny-oneill-legendary-writer-and-mentor-passes-away-at-age-81/

I do not really read the comic sites closely, and Twitter is a mad wilderness, though I did make a comic books themed list to focus the deep growth forest that are all those I follow.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/books/denny-oneil-dead.html

Denny O’Neil, a leading comic-book writer who in the 1970s acquainted readers with Batman’s tougher, urban roots and injected social issues into the joint adventures of Green Lantern and Green Arrow, died on June 11 at his home in Nyack, N.Y. He was 81.

His son, Lawrence, said the cause was cardiopulmonary arrest.

Mr. O’Neil not only reinvigorated Batman and unified Green Lantern and Green Arrow; he also wrote comic books featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Daredevil and the Question in a 35-year career that included two stints at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics.

Jim Lee, DC’s chief creative officer and publisher, wrote on Twitter that Mr. O’Neil’s “focus on social issues pushed comics to wider respectability & acceptance as an art form,” adding, “Through his work & mentorship, he influenced generations of writers & artists.”

https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2020/06/12/dc-remembers-denny-oneil

“Denny was an amazingly talented writer and editor,” said Bob Harras, Editor-In-Chief, DC. “More than that, he was a beloved member of the DC family, and he will be sorely missed.” 




https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2020/06/12/denny-oneil-rip/

Dennis Joseph (Denny) O’Neil
May 3, 1939 – June 11, 2020

I don’t mark a lot of comic book creators here,
but Denny was making highly readable comic books during my prime comic book reading years.
He will be remembered better by those who knew him, I will say a few words later.

From Paul Levitz on Facebook:

Denny’s gone, brought social conscience to comics. He was a journalist at heart, and knew his obit would have Batman in the lede, but I think he’d have been prouder of this way of looking at his life. Not that he was the first, much less the only one, but damn it he was the loudest. Not personally, he wasn’t a shouter. But the stories he told and edited screamed for justice for the causes that mattered to him. From GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW to SEDUCTION OF THE GUN, and in subtle moments as well as the loud ones, he set the standard for giving a damn.

TWO WEEKS AGO...

It's been a little over two weeks since the news about Warren Ellis broke. I stopped writing about it every day a week ago.

This is now the third Sunday in a row without an Orbital Operations newsletter.

I have nothing to add about the issue, but I feel the absence of someone who was like a mentor to me, even a friend.

He may have done horrible things and been abusive to women, but those actions do not negate all his other good qualities or the value he gave to my life.

Here's what I have shared about it all so far.

But first Baader-Meinhoff Phenomenon, which I related in one of the posts, as described here:

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #1117 - Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon - Plate of Shrimp - HEY MOM REPRINT

Of course, since then, with cancel culture on my radar, I started seeing it EVERYWHERE.

And so, here we are. Many posts about the Warren Ellis situation.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1953 - Men Have to do Better - More unpacking of the thing in comics - sexual misconduct - abuse of power

and the original

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1949 - Warren Ellis accused of sexual coercion

even MUSICAL MONDAY

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1952 - "Let it Be Me" - For Warren


and

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1954 - What is Wrong with Cancel Culture
and at least mentions in the next two:

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1957 - Wanna be Loved? - Hodge Podge 2006.27

and

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1958 - We Need Perspective - Comic Book Sunday - 2006.28

and then this...

http://comicsalliance.com/sexual-harassment-online-rape-threats-comics-superheroes-lessons-men-geek-culture/

excerpts:

But it’s not news to a lot of women I know, and to women whose work you’ve read here and around the Web. I know it’s not news to them because of the way they write about it. They describe the latest rape threat as plainly as a man like you or I might complain about a late train. It’s just a another lousy thing that happens. You know, life in the big city.

“I will find you. I will hurt you. I will physically violate you… for being wrong about Spider-Man.”

Can you imagine, gentlemen, receiving that threat from a potentially dangerous man whose identity you have no hope of discovering but who knows your name, what city you live in, what you look like and where you work?

Now imagine receiving messages like that from men so frequently that you’re no longer bothered by it.

Now understand how f*cked up it is that you’re no longer bothered by it; that you’re no longer bothered by men’s anonymous threats of brutal sexual violence, because they’ve become just as common as a train not arriving on time.

If you’re like me, you’re now beginning to understand the depressingly huge scope of this problem.

.......................and..................

A woman objecting to the content of a comic book — even if you think she’s dead wrong — does not rise to the occasion of vicious name calling and rape threats.

Nothing does.

That guy I quoted above, the one who wrote Janelle that loathsome communiqué? He was right about one thing. Men are the cure — but we are the cancer too. It is wholly and rightfully and crucially up to men in this society and especially in this subculture to speak out and watch out. To end the cycle of bullying, harassment and violence. To recognize the grotesque irony of degrading women over matters of heroic fictions whose lessons about fairness and decency we’ve supposedly been studying since we were just little boys, and to start putting those ideas into practice as grown-ass men.

That’s what these characters are meant to have taught us, and yet the frequency with which women in our industry and fandom are abused and threatened demonstrates that as men we've forgotten that very first lesson of the very first superhero.

Remember what we were taught. Remember what we're supposed to believe in. How can we love these stories and characters so much as to make them a part of ourselves, a piece of our identities as boys and now as men, and behave any differently? Doing otherwise is doing it wrong.

Sexism. Harassment. Misogyny. Not with my superheroes. No, that’s some fake geek guy bullsh*t right there.

WARREN SHARED THIS STUFF:

Did you know PJ Holden and John Reppion are creating weekly comics?  I didn't.  There's a Patreon and everything.

Year ONE: FOLKLORE THURSDAY.

Every Thursday one tweet of folklore myth, legend, rumour or truth is tweeted by John and PJ then draws it as a comic strip.

LOOK AT THIS:

Fucking amazing.  This is some prime stuff.  Some of this is unlocked at the Patreon link, so, please, go and take a look.

My old friend Afua Richardson has her online store open.  Foo is not only the best of humans, but one of the best artists I know.  Go and look.

Someone said to me the other day, "I've never seen your whiteboards so lean." 

It is, in fact, true.

I have this last GENEVA module to generate, and a GENEVA scripting session in the next week, so the next seven days continue the high pressure.  But once that's all up and running, I mostly fall back into the regular routine of a work-for-hire comics writer. Batching work, hitting deadlines, proofing drawn and lettered pages, rinse and repeat.  I'm well versed in it, my energy's reasonably good even if my higher functions are kind of fried in this fourth month of lockdown. I wouldn't call it relaxing into a warm bath -- more like knowing how to lay on the bramble bush so it won't puncture my skin.

(I actually found my way into the last GENEVA module around midnight. I know this because I wrote down the time on the page I hurriedly scribbled it all on, with a note reading "hope I can read this in the morning!"  Reader, I mostly cannot.)

Recently, I was making a list of comic book blogs that I follow.

They are as follows:

BULLY SAYS, "COMICS OUGHTTA BE FUN!"

COMICS, OLD TIME RADIO, and OTHER STUFF

STEVE DOES COMICS

THE PEERLESS POWER OF COMICS

SUPERGIRL: COMIC BOX COMMENTARY

TALES FROM THE KRYPTONIAN

THE PATRON SAINT OF SUPERHEROES

PENCIL INK



GEORGE PEREZ's FORCE OF JULY:

(Thanks to George Gustines)

And now a beautiful share from DIVERSIONS OF THE GROOVY KIND in a special RIP for Denny O'Neil.




http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com/2020/06/rip-denny-oneil.html

R.I.P. Denny O'Neil

As most of you know, Groove-ophiles, Denny O'Neil, one of the most influential writers of the Groovy Age passed away at the age of 81on Friday, June 12. Much has been written about O'Neil during the past week, and that's how it should be. During the 1970s, O'Neil changed the way we would think about Batman in particular and comics in general forever (in tandem, naturally, with artist Neal Adams, mostly, but also with a host of other artistic luminaries from Irv Novick to Mike Kaluta to Jack Kirby to Mike Grell). His revamp of the post-camp Batman and introduction of hardcore "relevant" comics (with Adams) on Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow caused waves in the comicbook industry that are still being felt to this very day. From the late 70s right through to the present, as a writer and editor he has continued to help comics grow and adapt to the times, as well as help groom new, sometimes super-star talent (like Frank Miller). Like I said, much has been written by others, covering much more ground. Google and Facebook is filled with it, and it's worth your time to check it out if you haven't already.

Personally, Denny O'Neil has always been a huge inspiration to me as a fan, as a writer, and as a person. His run on GL/GA convinced me as a youngster to look at many things in this world in certain ways. Positive ways. That makes him more than an important writer. That makes him an important person in my life, although I never had the pleasure of meeting the man.

Like Roy Thomas was my first favorite writer at Marvel, O'Neil was my first favorite DC writer of the Groovy Age. He was the one writing my favorite Batman stories. He was the one writing JLA when I first starting buying it. O'Neil was the man who wrote the really cool stuff like The Shadow, Justice Inc., Swords of Sorcery, and Iron Wolf. Instead of listing and listing, though, I think I'd enjoy it more (and I think you will, too) if I just share splashes from favorite O'Neil stories like I did with last week's Len Wein tribute. These stories enthralled, amazed, entertained, and sometimes changed me.

http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com/2020/06/rip-denny-oneil.html

Cheyanne Kid #66

Bat Lash #2

The Atom and Hawkman #42

Justice League of America #74

Phantom Stranger #8

Batman #232

Adventure Comics #419

The Flash #217

Batman #251

Batman Family #18

DC Special Series #15

The Hulk! #21

Thank you for the enjoyment, the lessons, and the inspiration, Mr. O'Neil. You'll never be forgotten!




And now a share from the PEERLESS POWER OF COMICS:

https://peerlesspower.blogspot.com/2020/07/by-vision-betrayed.html

By The Vision Betrayed!

OR: "Mr. Smith Goes To Outer Space!"


Sandwiched between the new Goliath's conflict with the Swordsman and a looming threat from Kang the Conqueror was a three-part Avengers tale from 1969 which would bring two of Marvel's newest pencillers to the pages of the book--UK artist Barry Smith and Sal Buscema, each of whom would make their mark on The Avengers and would go on to establish distinguished careers for themselves. The story by Roy Thomas would also feature the first appearance of the impenetrable metal named adamantium, as well as the reappearance of a mad automaton that would be one's worst nightmare as far as being cast in such a metal--Ultron-6, who becomes so invincible from this point on that he decides to discard his numerical designation (at least this time around).

And as for proof of the potential threat of adamantium as a weapon, we need only step aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, where the most powerful Avengers have been requested to test its resistance.

Strange words coming from Henry Pym, who was one of the Vision's most vocal advocates when the android petitioned to join the Avengers; in addition to that offhand comment, we'd see in later scenes that he now feels the Vision was accepted into the team too quickly, even going so far as to worry about the threat he would pose should he turn against them. It's all presumably Thomas's way of setting the stage for what's to come, though it seems an odd leap for Pym not to give the Vision the benefit of the doubt. (You can be concerned about the behavior of someone without suspecting the worst of them.) Also seemingly intentional was Thor's throwaway remark here that the adamantium cylinder would never be anything but a cylinder--even when we're presented with a device which is capable of altering its shape and form, a statement which would otherwise prompt a concern of that device becoming an invaluable piece of equipment in the wrong hands.

On another note, Smith's first job on The Avengers (inked by Syd Shores) looks to be first-rate thus far, and there's more to come--but it's artist John Buscema's dramatic cover for this issue which lets us know that, where the Vision is concerned, the situation concerning his behavior, and perhaps his loyalty, is about to escalate.




(So one of the floors of Avengers Mansion stops short and looks out over--what, a pit? And deep enough to hold Goliath? What kind of parties did the Starks throw in this place before the Avengers moved in?)



As we've seen, and as the Wasp has noted, the Vision has remained aloof and offered no opinion on the adamantium testing taking place on the helicarrier.* You and I, as casual observers who unlike the Avengers don't have a Roy Thomas plot to advance, might have chalked it up to the Vision being preoccupied with something; likewise, we wouldn't normally leap to the conclusion that something insidious might be going on, instead. But since we are caught up in an ongoing plot, the Vision doesn't have the luxury of simply collecting his thoughts, but instead falls under attack by something, or someone, as yet unrevealed. As a result, his subsequent, sudden disappearance sparks alarm--and just look at how quickly that alarm turns to suspicion because of the purely circumstantial "evidence" brought to light by the timing of his departure.

*No, I don't know why the Vision wasn't tapped to use his own power to affect the adamantium cylinder. It's a foregone conclusion that his ability to penetrate it wasn't in question; but I'd certainly be curious to see what effect his disruption abilities would have on it. To the best of my knowledge, this issue marks the first use of that aspect of his power--and while it might be news to the Avengers, there's no reason I can think of for him to be reluctant to at least make the offer.

Once away from and out of earshot of the growing concerns of his teammates, we find the Vision paying a visit to the cemetery where Simon Williams, the dead Wonder Man, is interred--a curious and perhaps somewhat revealing choice on his part, as if groping for an anchor that will calm his runaway thoughts. The irony is that it's indeed clarity he receives--under the influence of someone, or something, else.

Meanwhile, back at Avengers Mansion, where Pym is having growing doubts about the Vision's trustworthiness, Iron Man takes some time to indulge in an automated battle simulation, only to find the exercise is seemingly rigged. Where the Vision is concerned, the timing couldn't be more damning--especially when the android's mysterious new course of action has him returning to the helicarrier well after his team has departed, in order to undertake a most illicit act that will almost surely condemn him in the eyes of the Avengers.

While as we can see, the helicarrier itself appears headed on a trajectory toward

At this point in time, the massive helicarrier is still the most vivid symbol of SHIELD's technological capabilities and resources. We know at some point the organization will have its own space station; for now, it looks like Mr. Smith has made the helicarrier the next best thing, with its stationing above the Earth in the void of space and even an agent posted in an airlock to prevent unauthorized entry. (It isn't clear why the Vision feels he needs to enter through an access point such as an airlock--to him, the entire hull is an access point.) Yet the real items which stand out here are the carrier's massive propellers which hold it aloft--entirely superfluous in an airless environment, but for some reason still operating as if the carrier were below cloud cover.  Given where Mr. Smith has the carrier situated, the fuel expended by the propellers would be put to better use by a good set of thrusters.

As you might expect, word of the Vision's blatant actions aboard the carrier has reached the Avengers--and while they aren't yet prepared to cast aspersions on him, particularly when they remain in the dark as to his motives, it's the Vision himself who confirms their fears.

It's rather (excuse the word) chilling to see the Vision using this aspect of his power to this degree, skillfully and imaginatively rendered by Smith. Yet while there's no doubt about the Vision's immediate intent, attacking the Avengers for no apparent reason except out of malice makes no sense. Of course, he's done so once before, when under the thrall of his creator--and it's not long before the Avengers are made to realize the true threat against them, and, thanks to the nature of its construction, its deadly scope.

Ultron is obviously out for blood, the fierceness of his attack dynamically presented by Smith (inked in this story's second part by George Klein) whose style here clearly leans heavily toward that of Jack Kirby. It's all the Avengers can do to withstand Ultron's explosive assaults, while having practically no hope of inflicting any meaningful damage against one now made of adamantium.

But there is one Avenger all but forgotten about--the one who made all of this possible, and who struggles to come to grips with his role here as well as determine why he has acted to betray those who trusted him.

As for the ones who suffer the consequences of that betrayal... if nothing else, the Avengers' resistance has bought them time, the one thing that Ultron isn't willing to spend on seeing to their deaths at this stage of his plan. And so he departs as violently as he arrived, leaving the Avengers struggling to regroup and come to terms with the Vision's actions--while the Vision himself resolves to do what he must to atone for his behavior.

But will Ultron's cryptic words be the death knell for the Avengers, as well as the entire city?

NEXT:

It's the Vision vs. Ultron, as the Avengers race to prevent a nuclear holocaust!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2007.05 - 10:10

- Days ago = 1829 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.