We Get Letters: The Invincible Gene Colan errors

Dear Cliff,

I have just recieved my [Invincible Gene Colan] book. But I felt I had [to] e-mail regarding its production faults! I had 31 years in the printing industry as litho/gavure printer/supervisor in both/production manager. It would be unthinkable to produce a book or any print for that matter with that amount of overprinting, which I believe was two lots of text on the same black plate... It begs the question why did anyone not spot it. Everyone looks at the job (print); if they don't then they are not doing their job. It is such an obvious error the readers should have picked it up! But what dissappoints me most is that a decision was obviously made to ship to the customers and with an error sheet supplied. To my mind it was a no-brainer, reprint, no question. Aardwolf [Publishing] have supplied a sub-standard product and expected the customer to accept it as it stands. I am a devoted collector of Gene Colan art (8 pieces) and he deserves every penny, the man is a genius. Lets [sic] not forget we paid up front for this up-front in December, 2009! Contents amazing, production lousy. Cliff can you pass this message on , please and I very much look forward to eveyone's reply.

Kind regards,
Steve Chivers

Dear Steven,

After more than a year working on this book as its editor--and after approving perfectly clean proofs--no one was more disappointed than I. Not even Gene. He has 65 years of extraordinary work behind him. This was my first book for Marvel and it looks like a bird shit in it. Seven times.

But you are sorely mistaken. You write "Aardwolf have supplied a sub-standard product and expected the customer to accept it as it stands." Aardwolf simply took a book that Marvel printed and Diamond distributed and did nothing more than add Gene Colan's remarqued and signed bookplates.

Aardwolf ordered hundreds of books, in advance, like everyone else. Neither Aardwolf nor myself had any control over what was printed. The proofs that *I* saw were clean.

Someone in China didn't do their job. Or perhaps Korea. I was fairly sick when I saw the printing mistakes, but what could I do?

That said, Aardwolf Publishing stands behind everything it does. If you aren't happy, please return the book. Aardwolf will promptly refund your money and shipping expenses.

Clifford Meth

The Invincible Gene Colan: Live!

Gene stopped by Aardwolf Publishing's party last night. I was proud to present him with the first copy hot off the press.

Gene Colan Update: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

First, the Colan family appreciates the overwhelming show of concern for Gene at this time. I apologize that I can't keep up with the personal emails regarding this matter; details that I am allowed to report on will be left here at this blog.

Second, Gene now has an attorney. I am working with him and the entire family to safeguard Gene's health and privacy. As such, we ask bloggers not to circulate unfounded rumors. Wait for the facts.

Someone got their hands on Gene's personal phone book and placed anonymous calls to Gene's friends (among them Stan Lee, Harlan Ellison, Walter Simonson and myself) telling half-truths and attempting to stir the pot and make matters worse. Bad move. The police and Gene's lawyer will handle this in time.

Gene was not mugged.

Gene's injuries are serious but not life threatening. He is in good spirits. But unless you are a close friend of his who he has personally reached out to, now is not the best time to disturb him. As promised, I will show him comments left at this blog and deliver personal letters to him emailed to me. Gene does not have internet access; his sight is poor and he was never one to email, so don't take unreturned emails to him personally.

For those of you concerned about The Invincible Gene Colan books that you've ordered, see my recent post at this blog. If you're concerned regarding artwork that you ordered from Gene, email me privately at CliffMeth@aol.com -- Use your brain: Now is NOT the time to inquire about new commissions; Gene cannot work again until he recovers. Only contact me if you've paid for something that was not delivered and include payment information. I will deliver your information to the appropriate parties.

Why am I reporting on this? Because Gene and his son and daughter asked me to; we hope to stop missing artwork from hitting the marketplace, and to end rumors that were already circulating from other sources via email regarding Gene's injuries before I made my first post.

I will continue to update this blog with progress reports.

The Invincible Gene Colan Delayed

Marvel's new ship date for The Invincible Gene Colan has caused Diamond to move into an "order adjustment process." The books should arive at Diamond's warehouse on Apr 28, which means the earliest street date is now May 12.

In the mean time, there's been many stories of Gene's failing health, but I spoke with Gene at length on Monday; his recent medical procedures went very well and he was in great spirits and sounded as young and chipper as I've heard him in decades. It doesn't appear that he will making any convention appearances any time soon, though.

If you haven't yet ordered The Invincible Gene Colan, I urge you to visit Aardwolf Publishing, which will have the exclusive signed and remarqued editions.

I Am Gene Colan's Dawg

The below is an interview that I just gave to John Hogan, the editor of GraphicNovelReporter.com, regarding The Invincible Gene Colan (Marvel Entertainment), which I believe is just weeks away from shipping.

When and how did you and Gene meet?

I met Gene at the first MarvelCon in New York City in 1976. I was 15 and Gene sketched a little Captain America head for me in the program book. Those were the good old days—guys like Gene and John Buscema and John Romita doing free sketches for kids. It was like being at the Yankees’ dugout in ’51 with a pen and a baseball.

How did you first get involved in comics professionally?

I read and collected comics as a little kid starting in 1966, then became a fanzine contributor as a teenager. When I was in my 20s, my local comics shop (The Comic Book Emporium in Union, NJ) went up for sale so I bought it, renamed it “Clobbering Time” then opened two more shops. I had frequent guest artists coming in to sketch for my customers and befriended several of them. I was also writing for ComicScene and Wizard and making new friends. So one thing lead to another and in 1994 Jim Reeber and I launched Aardwolf Publishing with the help of Dave Cockrum and Gray Morrow.

You’ve been working in the comics industry for decades now. Do you enjoy it as much now as you always did?

Now that I’m back to freelancing I enjoy it more. I was frustrated as a full-time professional. It was political instead of creative. I suppose everything is when you get too close.

What is the industry like now versus when you first became a part of it? Has it changed for the better?

From what I can see, it is more political than ever. Business is always about making money but there was more of a sense of fraternity in the ‘70s, when I started hanging around. I suppose you had jerks then, too, but I didn’t know them.

You do a lot to acknowledge the impact and importance of comics’ legends, recently with both Colan and Dave Cockrum. Does the industry as a whole do enough to recognize its classic talents?

You can’t personify the industry—there’s just individuals doing what they do. In the 80’s, Neal Adams set a great example for the rest of us; he wasn’t only about his own pocket—he was willing to invest in helping two impoverished old men who’d created Superman and seen little for their efforts. Today, it’s a little easier on old timers, but not much. Most of them didn’t get their due, let’s face it… People pretend to be rebels today, but real rebels, as I see it, run the risk of rejection, of disapproval. The old guys—some of them like Ditko and Gerber—risked shock, disgust, outrage, censorship... The new rebels might be willing to risk rolled eyes and yawns but outside of Alan Moore, I don’t see risk takers—not creatively and certainly not when it comes to watching out for the guys who came before them.

How do you define Gene Colan’s influence on comics?

Gene was cinematic in a time when artists were still Kirby-esque. He was terribly important.

What made you decide to do a book on his art and his life at this point?

Gene came to me and said that he wanted to retire; he asked if I would negotiate a retirement package with Marvel for him and I agreed to. What I did for the Cockrums is fairly well known among the older generation of comics’ creators, and Gene and I have been friends for decades, so it made sense that he came to me. The Invincible Gene Colan was part of the deal; Marvel allowed me to reprise what I had done with The Uncanny Dave Cockrum collection; they said they would publish it and give all profits to Gene. It was a win-win for everyone.

How is Gene doing now? He continues to work—is he going to be involved in promoting the book?

He’s out there to the extent that his health allows him to be out there.

Does any of Gene’s work stand out and particularly resonate with you? Was there any series that you consider definitive in terms of his style?

Despite the fact that I created Snaked and write what Barnes and Noble and others have described as “dark fiction,” I am not a horror reader. So I was never a Tomb of Dracula fan. But I believe Gene was at his best there—he had evolved from Daredevil into a place where he could stretch the limits. I personally preferred DD and Iron Man and especially his run on Captain America, but that’s because I prefer superheroes. Gene’s style, as I said, is cinematic. He goes beyond the necessity just to tell a story—he infuses his visual storytelling with mood. Most comic artists recognize that but are incapable of producing it; they wow you with fantastic figure drawings, but there’s no soul. With Gene…It’s a feel that he has, I think—not something that can necessarily be learned. We recognize and adore certain writers by their voices. With artists, it’s by their taste.

What are you working on next? What other projects can we expect from you?

I continue to write fiction and find different vehicles for it. My next book will be a collaboration with Jeffrey Catherine Jones. You can see my current projects—including some signed and remarqued copies of The Invincible Gene Colan—at www.aardwolfpublishing.com

The Invincible Gene Colan

Technical difficulties*. Please stand by.

* (read legal difficulties)

Gene Colan on the Flap

Here's the flap copy (below) for The Invincible Gene Colan. If you didn't order this yet you're not as smart as you think you are. Get a signed/numbered one here.

For 65 years, Gene Colan has been a mainstay of the comic book industry. He is easily one of comicdom’s five most important artists. You can name the other four.

Born in the Bronx in 1926, Colan began drawing at the tender age of three then launched his professional career at the legendary Fiction House in 1944. Following a two-year stint with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Colan returned to full-time illustration work for Marvel Comics’ precursor Timely Comics then spent the majority of his career at Marvel until announcing his semi-retirement in 2008 (at the age of 82).

At one point or another, Colan worked on nearly every major Marvel character, but his defining work on such books as Daredevil, Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Howard the Duck and Tomb of Dracula set industry standards that could not be denied. Beloved by fans and pros alike, Colan was finally inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2005 and is now recognized as one of the industry’s most influential pioneers.

But all of these words mean nothing. Open this book. Gene Colan’s magnificent art says it all.

THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN is a moving visual biography of Gene Colan’s Marvel career and most memorable work. Comics culture’s leading luminaries—from Stan Lee to Neil Gaiman—lend analysis and insight to Colan’s inimitable, captivating work. Edited by author and comics historian Clifford Meth, THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN is a stunning, long-overdue tribute to Gene “The Dean” Colan, Marvel’s one and only Iron Horse.

Original Gene Colan Sketches...Going Fast

Aardwolf Publishing reports that the Lettered Edition of THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN is sold out but you can still order one of the Ltd. Numbered Bookplate editions -- these come with unique original sketches from Gene Colan. And, as you can see, they are exquisite. Don't be dopey and miss out on this opportunity. Click here for more details.

Aardwolf Discounts The Invincible Gene Colan

Aardwolf Publishing reports that The Invincible Gene Colan remarqued editions are selling quickly. If you want one, better move on it.

Members of the Gene list (you know who you are) and readers of my blog can take an additional 10% discount off of the signed/numbered edition only. Send just $45 per copy via PayPal to sales@aardwolfpublishing.com (add another $5 for total shipping). Offer good this week only.

The Invincible Gene Colan...Order Now!

You're hearing it here first...

Marvel Entertainment will release my 128-pg. THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN in February, 2010, a visual biography of one of the most brilliant, sublime and influential comic artists in the history of the genre. Includes observations from Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Neil Gaiman, Walter Simonson, Marv Wolfman, Tom Palmer, Steve Gerber, Tom Spurgeon and John Romita Sr., and beautiful, eye-popping art from the Shadow Master himself.

Aardwolf Publishing will have exclusive signed/numbered copies as well as an extremely limited double-lettered remarqued, book-plated edition (containing a unique Colan sketch). If you want one of these, I urge you to order it immediately. Here’ the details:

* Signed/numbered: $60 plus $5 shipping

* Double-lettered remarqued edition (contains Colan sketch; only 52 will be created): $140 plus $5 shipping

* Special offer: With any order, add another $15 and receive THE UNCANNY DAVE COCKRUM hardcover numbered edition ($40 retail value).

Make checks payable to Aardwolf Publishing and mail to: Aardwolf Publishing, 179-9 Rt. 46 West, Box 252, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Stan Lee Still Makes Me Smile

I turn 49 in just four short months, but I become a child again when I get a note like this one:

Hey, Cliff,

Even sight unseen-- thanx for your Stan Lee quotes in your Colan book.

I hope it's a best seller and Gene gets a lotta cash and you get a lotta cash and glory!

Excelsior, Mr. Biographer!

Stan

The Invincible Gene Colan is scheduled for release from Marvel Entertainment in February, 2010.

Gene Colan Returns Home

Gene Colan, who turns 83 in a few weeks, came home early in the evening yesterday. There’s still medical issues that need to be addressed regularly but Gene sounded nothing short of chipper on the phone this morning and continues to blow kisses and send everyone his love and gratitude for their prayers and support.

Gene and I hope to wrap up interviews for THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN this week. To clarify (for those who have been asking or not paying attention), this is largely an art book--a gorgeous art book with lots of previously unpublished art--that will contain a narrative based on my interviews with Gene and many of his peers, including Stan Lee, John Romita Sr., Tom Palmer, Walter Simonson, Marv Wolfman, David Lloyd and Steve Englehart. Tom Spurgeon, the finest journalist covering the comics medium also contributes. The book is designed by Richard Sheinaus, who has done masterful work for Aardwolf Publishing and IDW.

Published by Marvel, all proceeds from the book’s sale will directly benefit Gene.