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Subject: Green Lantern creator Mart Nodell 1915-2006 | Author | Messages | 
Maggie Thompson
Posts: 1049
 | Posted: 12/9/2006 4:57:25 PM | Mart Nodell, whose creations ranged from Green Lantern to the Pillsbury Doughboy, died this morning.
His son Spence called to let me know, adding that his father had had “a very good life.” Part of that life was bringing pleasure to legions of fans, both fans of Marty’s work and of Marty himself.
He and his wife, Carrie (pictured above on the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Cruise), were mainstays of conventions around the country; Carrie died in April 2004, but Marty continued his convention appearances until this spring, when failing health made such appearances too difficult. His last show was the Motor City Convention in May.
Born Nov. 15, 1915, he made his career in art and created Green Lantern for the company that is DC Comics today. Recently, the page that was his initial proposal for the character was discovered to have survived.
He was a wonderful man who lived to have his work acknowledged and celebrated by people who loved him.
Including me.
Update:
Educated at the Chicago Art Institute, the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and Pratt Institute in New York, he began work in commercial art in 1935.
He provided CBG with the following career details in 1990:
1935-1938 cartoon and caricature spots
1938-1940 freelance comic-book art for independent publishers
1940-1947 created Green Lantern for Gaines/DC Comics
1947-1948 limited animation, slide film for industrial firms
1948-1949 Timely Comics staff
1950-1956 art director for Cunningham & Walsh advertising agency in New York City
1956 freelance TV art director, producer to 1961 for the Leo Burnett Co. in Chicago
Advertising to 1967, art director
1968-1976 freelance advertising for Sears and shopping center special insert ads
1977-1984 West Palm Beach Post newspaper staff, advertising art for special sections
1984-1990 freelance advertising
His advertising work included projects for Folger’s coffee, Texaco gasoline, Sunshine Biscuits, and the Pillsbury Company.
His awards included an Art Directors Award, an Ignatz Award, an Inkpot Award, and a Kansas City Convention Appreciation Award.
He married Carrie Jan. 4, 1942.
As noted below:
Tentative memorial arrangements are that there will be a graveside ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday at the Eternal Light Cemetery in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Update, Dec. 12: The service will be at 2:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Eternal Light Cemetery, Boynton Beach, Florida. The cemetery is on US 441 (also called State Road 7) south of Boynton Beach Blvd.
Spence Nodell has asked that, in place of flowers, donations be made in Marty's name to The Hero Initiative, the fund to help comics professionals in need.
Best,
Maggie Thompson | 
Tony Isabella
Posts: 1882
| Posted: 12/9/2006 6:42:58 PM | Damn. Marty was good people. I'm gonna miss him.
Tony
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Brent Frankenhoff
Posts: 4201
| Posted: 12/9/2006 9:45:37 PM | Marty was one of the first professionals I met at the very first comics convention I attended, a Chicago Comicon at the Ramada O'Hare. I remember Carrie encouraging passersby to "meet the creator of Green Lantern" and the various sketches and promotional items they had on hand. In later years, he would use the all-white cover of Zero Hour #0 for sketches.
After joining CBG, I had a number of pleasant conversations with the Nodells at shows and on the phone. It was like getting another set of grandparents.
Marty was always humble during his appearances, not crowing about his accomplishments (and there were many).
A true gentleman, he will be missed.
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Posts: 15
| Posted: 12/9/2006 10:04:46 PM | After Spence and I spoke today a flood of memories came over me. The first was the phone call I received in September 1978:
"Hi, this is Martin Nodell. You may not be aware of this, you may not even care, but in 1939 I created Green Lantern."
I'll never, EVER, forget those words. How could I?
We all are so fortunate to have had Marty and Carrie in our lives the past 30 years.
I last spoke to Marty a few weeks ago on his birthday. He was in good spirits and eating birthday cake.
When Carrie passed away he lost that twinkle in his eye. He was never the same guy.
My deepest sympathy Spence and his family.
--Gary Colabuono
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Maggie Thompson
Posts: 1049
| Posted: 12/10/2006 3:56:08 PM | Tentative memorial arrangements are that there will be a graveside ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday at the Eternal Life Cemetery in Boynton Beach, Florida. I'll post when the arrangements have been finalized, but those are what are being considered now.
Spence Nodell has asked that, in place of flowers, donations be made in Marty's name to The Hero Initiative, the fund to help comics professionals in need.
Best,
Maggie Thompson | Jacque
Posts: 1
| Posted: 12/11/2006 12:01:42 AM | I (Mart's grand daughter) just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and wonderful memories of Mart, on behalf of our entire family. He will truly be missed.
| WLLilly
Posts: 1284
| Posted: 12/11/2006 1:34:40 PM | ...Has that Green Lantern proposal page been printed anywhere ?
A little bit ago , ALTER EGO magazine printed a sample of an unsold Green Lantern syndicated newspaper strip that DC attempted to sell in the 40s . Anybody know the story about that ?
I remember Martin drawing a sequence in an early 90s era Green Lantern anniversary issue - Was he artist throughout the GA run ? Did he ever write it ?
He was certainly a fine man . Pardon me if this seems a bit dry , especially , directly , under a family memeber's comment .
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Brent Frankenhoff
Posts: 4201
| Posted: 12/11/2006 1:55:19 PM | Gary Colabuono was showing the proposal at this year's Wizard World Chicago and we reported on it here.
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Lee Houston, Junior
Posts: 1196
| Posted: 12/11/2006 3:13:48 PM | The Green Lantern's light may be a little diminished today, but Mart Nodell's contributions to our lives will forever shine.
A comic book reader, and I do stress the R word, since Action Comics #434, May 1974!
Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.
Writer at Pro Se Productions. | 
Michael Tierney
Posts: 905
| Posted: 12/12/2006 1:26:45 PM | I met Mart and Carrie during the aforementioned CBLDF cruise. They were both extremely nice, and very gracious people. They will be missed.
But Mart's influence upon the comics industry will live on forever.
We should all be so fortuate as to leave such indelible footprints in the sands of time.
Michael Tierney
www.thewildstars.com | 
John Lustig
Posts: 20
| Posted: 12/12/2006 2:10:23 PM | Mart and Carrie were two of the nicest pros I know. It was always a pleasure to see them. Carrie and I used to joke about us possible being related because somewhere in their extended family there was a Lustig. It would've been nice if it was true.
--John Lustig
John Lustig,
Sign up for free weekly Last Kiss comics in color at www.lastkisscomics.com | dgabbard
Posts: 156
| Posted: 12/12/2006 6:31:33 PM | Nodell was guest penceller for "Lantern's Light" in Green Lantern 3rd series # 19 (December, 1991). Written by Gerard Jones, it elaborated on the origin of the Alan Scott Green Lantern.
Dana Gabbard | remssr
Posts: 12
| Posted: 12/13/2006 10:45:46 AM | Marty and Carrie were two of the nicest people i've ever met. at the 1st chicagocon they attended they became fast and loyal friends to my wife and two children. all of them looked forward eagerly to the annual con. this has been a rough month for those of us who love comics. Jerry Bails, Dave Cockrum and now Marty.
| WLLilly
Posts: 1284
| Posted: 12/24/2006 6:04:03 PM | ...Lee , what do you think is wrong/missing with Green Lantern today ?
For many years , old-guard fans complained about Hal's turning...That isn't a factor anymore , so...
Dana , wasn't there a #50 - or #25 - issue as well , that had a Marty chapter ?
Oh , and , by/way , how did Woozy Winks end up stuck back on Earth , as he was in YOUNG JUSTICE , and , is he still here on our Terra ?????????
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Brent Frankenhoff
Posts: 4201
| Posted: 12/24/2006 9:21:01 PM | Green Lantern (3rd series) #19 (Dec 91) was the 50th anniversary issue of the character.
I think you're getting Plastic Man sidekick/comic relief Woozy Winks mixed with Alan Scott's comic relief/sidekick Doiby Dickles. Can't recall the answer to your question, however.
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Lee Houston, Junior
Posts: 1196
| Posted: 12/25/2006 7:19:44 PM | "The Green Lantern's light may be a little diminished today..." was in reference to Mart Nodell's passing.
However, since you asked WLLilly:
1. Even if DC wanted a new Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Hal Jordan should have never been given the proverbial bum's rush ala "Emerald Twilight".
2. When Hal was finally shown some respect and given a "heroic" demise ("The Final Night" mini-series), he should have been left in peace, and not returned as the human avatar of The Spectre.
3. Therefore, Hal should not have been brought back, despite the fact that Green Lantern: Rebirth was a decent redemption story that did fix some continuity issues, let alone Kyle Rayner should not have been tossed aside ala the Green Lantern title's abrupt ending.
Whether or not you agreed with changing Green Lanterns, many fans automatically jumped on the "Let's Hate Kyle" bandwagon without giving the character a chance, while my tent was in pitched in the "DC should have given Hal Jordan a better departure" camp.
A comic book reader, and I do stress the R word, since Action Comics #434, May 1974!
Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.
Writer at Pro Se Productions. | WLLilly
Posts: 1284
| Posted: 12/26/2006 11:42:30 AM | ...Yes , Brent , thank you , I was confusing one fatty ( entomorph ? ) ( mesomorph ? ) hat-wearing , clashing clothes-sporting , assistant with another .
Thank you too , Lee , I guess I didn't see that you were making a more general " memorializing " statement .
For so many years the letters colums , and at least some writings as well?? , in CBG were dominated by " boo hoo hoo , how could they do that to Hal " and " my Hal wouldn't be like that " that I tend to suppose that all , certainly from an " older fan " perepective , GL criticism would at least tend to originate from that perspective .
I didn't read the HalSpectre series .
Yeah , I agree that the " Emerald Twilight " series was sloppy , and sudden , and tended to reflect the 90s " let's do a sudden cHAnge/kick some _ss " sensibility...Okay , you weren't that down on Kyle (who is Ion now , IIRC) .
| sheilajg
Posts: 4
| Posted: 12/29/2006 7:10:59 PM | I noted a couple of Sundays ago, most likely Dec 17, that Mart Nodell was a question & answer on the NPR show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!"
This show, a humorous quiz on news from the previous week, is my favorite among all the "talk" material on NPR. In fact, it's the only one I would actually pay to listen to. On the other hand, there are some I would pay NOT to listen to; but I digress...
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fresco
Posts: 16
| Posted: 1/13/2007 12:30:52 AM | I am completely and utterly heart broken. I am not ready to let myself feel it yet. The very first thing I ever drew for a major publisher was a Green Lantern story... my Green Lantern made his national debut in the pages of the CBG before the comic book even came out... and talking about it here feels right somehow. The circle of life, and all that.
Carrie and Marty immediately adopted me as one of their own, and treated me like royalty ...I love them like family, and it was always a highlight of the convention season to see them in Artist Alley.
I did not see Marty this year at Wizard World Chicago... so I got to worry --my fears were confirmed when his son Spencer told me he was not doing well. I immediately volunteered someone to grab the biggest sheet of bristol borad he could find... and I started to pass it around the Alley. It was a mad house... unblievable crowds, but creators gladly put aside their commission lists to say hello to the main man himself. Comic book people are the best people there is!
Marty's grand-daughter made sure the "card" made it to him and I am so glad we took the time, because it never dawned on me it would be the last time I get to say 'hello' to him... even if it was only in a card. I lost my Mother on December 12th --one month ago today. Today is my birthday... and its hard to be happy really-- but I put on a happy face even if I am completely devestated... I lost my Mother and Marty who was like a father to me, in the same week... and I still can't bring myself to accept the loss.
My condolances and prayers go out to Spencer and the rest of the Nodell family at this difficult time. He is now reunited with Carrie, and that gives me comfort-- but it doesn't make me miss him any less.
He was a giant, and will be sorely missed...
-Franchesco! | 
psicelt
Posts: 347
| Posted: 1/15/2007 3:11:24 AM |
words cannot express the abiding sadness i feel right now; but i'll try to do justice to a Comics industry legend. 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; 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 come to mind as i type this; the first was when i handed him a copy of Golden Age Green Lantern #1 at Megacon 2001. he looked at me with disbelief when i asked him to sign the center wrap; 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 want to know anything about us; but then no one ever thought anyone would actually COLLECT comic books either. who knew?"
the second incident came when i found a postcard on ebay for the(no kidding) GREEN LANTERN MOTEL on route 50, 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(many of them signed by Gold/Silver age artists), 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, chatting to the fans. now Marty joins her, and those of us who knew them, albeit tangentially, grieve for the talent lost....and a damn fine man & all around nice guy. there's no doubt that he enjoyed the cons as much as, if not more so, the fans did. 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.
-Psicelt, aka Matthew Mullins
A STACK OF COMICS & A SIX PACK OF IMPORTED/MICRO BEER IS A DAMN SIGHT CHEAPER THAN PSYCHOTHERAPY!
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georgehagenauer2
Posts: 13
| Posted: 1/15/2007 10:46:38 PM | I was working at the first non-profit I ever help start - the Learning Exchange- a pre-Internet way for people in the Chicago area to teach and learn just about anything. We listed private tutors and others. This would have been around 1970.
I got a call from a Marty Nodell from Wilmette wanting t o list
himself as a painting instructor (we did this all on 3 by 5 cards in a library file cabinet). After filling out his information, I asked the inevitable question "This might be a silly question but are you the Martin Nodell who created Green Lantern".
And by God he was! We talked a bit at length. He was surprised I even knew who created Green Lantern- no one had talked to him for years about it at least not in Chicago.
That started a 36 year relationship with Marty who I ultimately convinced to set up at a Chicago con . I would see him every year initially to set up his table and often for breakfast when I was staying at the con hotel. A wonderful gracious man who was one of the luckiest men in the world because he had Carrie.
I'll always remember him. I own just two small originals by him. However two of my favorite originals in my collection I got from Marty. At an early Chicago show they were cleaning out their closets and Marty found two pieces from his days studying at the Chicago School of Art. Editorial cartoonist Carey Orr was an instructor there and Vaughn Shoemaker also periodically stopped by. Marty of course asked them for originals which they inscribed to him. The Orr was about corrupt Chciago cops and the Shoemaker was about Capone going to prison.
As the guy who does the Chicago mob research for Max Collins' Nate Heller novels, I was pleased to buy them from him.
They, with one of Marty's sketches, grace one of the walls in my study. I think of him and Carrie often and will miss our annual conversations in Chicago.
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