My pal

I could care less how history remembers anyone that I love.

Gene Colan Health Update and Garage Sale

I spent several hours with Gene this morning. He wasn’t under the influence of any pain killers so he was lucid and jovial, but grew short of breath several times—and every now and again he’d grimace in pain. The attending nurse finally had no choice but to put him back on the morphine and that was it—Gene was fast asleep.

Despite his legendary optimism, Gene’s situation is tenuous. His family hopes he can undergo a procedure early this week that may alleviate his pain. Regardless, it’s unlikely that my pal will be drawing for anyone anytime soon.

To continue generating what might become much-needed funds, we are selling off the last of Gene’s artwork, as well as some books and comics. Gene hopes to continue signing comics for the CGC Signature Series. If you have comics that you would like to put through this process, please contact me ASAP.

The Gene Colan Garage Sale is now starting--lots of items from Gene. Click here to have a look.

Gene Colan: Health Update

It appears that a procedure for Gene has been decided on; no date on when this will take place. Gene is nothing but positive--he still has big plans for the future and views everything that's going on as just "one more bump in the road"--typical of this unique man's resilience and forever positive outlook. He and I spoke about everything but medical issues tonight and I hope to be at the hospital bright and early tomorrow... A deep bow to Bryan Headley who has kept a valiant bedside vigil... And Johnny--the call from you and Viginia yesterday was just what the doctor ordered!

Gene at 7 a.m.

Gene phoned me from the hospital this morning. He said he knew I'd be worried and wanted to let me know that everything will be just fine. We spoke for a long time--he's on morphine drip so he went in and out but it was a good talk. He's on his back with tubes in him and concerned about reassuring me.

Forgive me if these updates appear morbid in any way but considering how many readers of this blog are fans of Gene's, it seems appropriate...and it makes me feel a little better talking about it.

Life without Adrienne has been a great challenge for my friend but he rose to the occassion. Now I must rise to this occassion.

(photo of Gene and I with the terribly talented and all-around terrific artist and Colan fan David Lloyd at last year's NY ComicCon)

Sleepless...

Let's try something. Let's all ask the Al-mighty to give Gene Colan a little extra strength and no more pain ever. It'll take you a minute. And talking to G-d is good for you.

Gene Colan Hospitalized

Gene Colan went to the ER this morning at 3 a.m. He was having trouble breathing and was in terrible pain. His son tells me that he is in stable condition.

Well-wishers can send cards to:
Gene Colan c/o Clifford Meth
179-9 Rt. 46 West
Rockaway, NJ 07866

I will forward all fan mail.

Signed Comics - No Small Fad

I have a lot to say about this and all of it is good. The generation of Silver Age legends will not be around to sign their books forever and it only increases the value of the collectibles they created when the comics are signed and authenicated. And it allows the artists to put a little money (and it's very little) in their pockets during their twilight years. So I am all for it and investing my time to make this happen.

I will be the CGC witness for upcoming signings with Joe Kubert, Gene Colan, Rich Buckler (who created Deathlok), Herb Trimpe, Michael Netzer, and Russ Heath. If I were you, I'd get in on these.

Michael Netzer and No Seraph

While most residents in Israel's remote village of Ofra are finalizing preparations for the anniversary of the Angel of Death passing over their homes, the town's artist-turned-oracle (at least that's what his legion of fans, this one included, consider him) renders this startling re-take on the classic Green Lantern cover that never was. Legend has it that DC Editor Julie Schwartz (another legend who Meth had the good fortune to ghost for) didn't dig Neal Adams' initial take on the very first cover of his iconic Green Lantern run. So Julie had the future Hall of Famer redo the shot.

Michael Netzer takes the original concept to new heights in this recently painted homage to his mentor--a fitting eruv-Pesach harbinger if ever there was one. No evil does escape His sight.

Michael Netzer: Teacher's Pet

If Michael Netzer only learned one thing from his teacher Neal Adams, dayanu. This brilliant take on Neal's classic Green Lantern cover is soon joining my collection. My breath is baited.

Have a look at what Michael is up to on his own and with Gene Colan here.

The Value of a Good Name

I spent some time with Joe Kubert at his studio last week. It’s always good to see Joe, a mutant of incredible health (b’li eyin hora), the Randy Coulture of comics—or perhaps Randy is the Joe Kubert of MMA. Joe was signing comics for an upcoming auction that will be used to support the annual Dave & Paty Cockrum Scholarship that Paty and I give at his school each year. He’s also been signing comics at the occasional comics conventions for free. But that’s about to change. And it’s not about the money, as anyone who knows Joe will attest to.

“I need to help raise the bar for other creators,” said Joe, an active participant in the Hero Initiative. “What I do impacts others.”

Joe is right, of course, and he is about to become the second highest paid signer in the business. Stan Lee, the highest, is now getting $50-90/signature, with proceeds donated to the new Stan Lee Literacy Foundation. Gene Colan, who I have represented for a year now, has upped his price to $20/signature. There’s no reason for comics industry elders to take less than their fair share of books that are set to be graded, slabbed and put on the market for much higher prices than their unsigned/ungraded counterparts. This is where the market has gone and rightly so; the elders and founders and pioneers of comics have made a fraction of what their creations continue to bring as rare, prized collectibles.

I will be the CGC "witness" at the first CGC signing for Joe Kubert. I am also coordinating signings for Rich Buckler and Gene Colan.

For more information on the Joe Kubert signing contact Chris Seminara at cseminara@akibia.com