The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus . Now that's a title. Ya know, even if I didn't like Fred Hembeck I'd still review this book. But I do like Fred - he's a class act and a damn good guy with a sense of humour that just doesn't stop. Well, perhaps it does stop. When he sleeps. Either way this is a pretty darned impressive volume indeed. My first reaction when I picked it up is, "Bugger me, it's a bloody phone book!" It's very similar to an Essential or a Showcase only it's heavy. And I mean, get a truck to carry it home heavy. Fred informed the world a while back as to what this volume would contain and he wasn't just whistling dixie. It has virtually everything he's ever done, including the Fantaco books that came out in the early 1980s, cover to cover. Add to that almost anything and everything that Fred's done since, stuff you've always wanted to read again, stuff you're happy seeing for the fir

Loads of things to cover today, but I'll cover the most important ones for now. First up - something close to my own heart - the Inkwell Awards . There's only 3 more days remaining so if you haven't gotten around to placing your support behind your favorite ink artists yet you only have until this Saturday May 31st. I'll freely admit that I've not voted - yet. I always leave things to the last second (something about that last minute rush of blood to the head) but my votes will be going in shortly. This'll be your last chance to vote on who you think are the cream of the inking crop, so go for it. Remember - if you're an inker, you can vote for yourself. Results will be announced soon as we can. Go to the site and vote ! Who is that handsome man and why is he smiling? Why, it's none other than Bob Almond , the brains behind the Inkwell Awards. Why is he smiling? Because he's Bob! Not so much an update than a shout out - Bob is an all round damn nice

From the blog of Clifford Meth. The auction has begun . Now on Ebay, Invincible Iron Man (Marvel Pocket Book) cover vol. 1 "The Tragedy and the Triumph'' published by Panini under license from Marvel Characters Inc. The cover has just been published in the U.K. Art is by Jon Haward. The following are on Cliff's blog , you can bid by scooting on over and sending in your bid directly. The Puppet, The Professor and the Prophet - hardcover signed by J.M. DeMatteis (only released in the U.K.) Preacher Salvation trade paperback - signed by Garth Ennis The Pro comic - signed by Garth Ennis The Boys #16, 17 and 18 (3 comics) - signed by Garth Ennis Streets of Glory #1-3 (3 comics) - signed by Garth Ennis JLA Hitman #1-2 (2 comics) - signed by Garth Ennis Dan Dare #1 - signed by Garth Ennis Wormwood tbp - signed by Garth Ennis The Uncanny Dave Cockrum hardcover (signed/numbered $40 value) Stan Lee autographed photo Excelsior : The Amazing Life of Stan Lee (autobiography

This just in. MARVEL AND HERO INITIATIVE SEND IRON MAN TO GENE COLAN'S AID Print at Wizard World Philadelphia kicks off series of Colan-centric products LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2008)-Artist Gene Colan has been one of comics' favorites for a staggering seven decades. Now, as Gene is suffering illness, some of the characters Gene worked on are coming to save the day. The Hero Initiative in conjunction with Marvel Comics is launching a series of Gene Colan-themed products, starting with a limited edition print of Gene's cover art to Invincible Iron Man #1, available at Wizard World Philadelphia , May 30-June 1. Only 200 prints will be available at the show at a cost of $25 each. Net proceeds from sales of these prints by The Hero Initiative will benefit Gene Colan. Another 50 prints will be available at a later date, with plans to have them autographed by both Gene Colan and Stan Lee. Also at Wizard World Philadelphia, guest writers and artists at the Marvel Comics booth will b

Clifford Meth has started to post information about the Gene Colan Benefit Auction, along with images. This is shaping up to be one of the biggest charity auctions of it's type with contributions from all walks of life. Norm Breyfogle has emailed me to tell me that he's contributed material from " The Danger's Dozen , Of Bitter Souls , and sketchbook stuff and a Batman sketch," so you know that'll be worthwhile. I've sent over a hardback edition of Andru & Esposito: Partners For Life , signed by both Mike Esposito and myself, along with the original art used for the front's piece, which you can see here . Brian Postman has teamed up with Dave Simons and contributed the incredible piece of art that you see immediately above. Walt Simonson has sent over that amazing new piece that heads this post and as for the illustration below...one phrase: Neal Adams inking Gene Colan. A list of people who've donated items for this auction includes the

Just posting an update on Gene, which hopefully will quash some rumours. First off - he isn't in hospital, nearly dead. He's resting at home with his family. He's still in a bad way, but the reports of his death, and near death, are very much exaggerated. If anyone wants to contribute a tribute to Gene then email or post a comment. Gene is seeing them all and they've really lifted his spirits. I'd also like to point out that, despite the general mis-information and assumptions of a few people Adrienne asked me to post my initial message of support to Gene, with his postal address for letters. So, to the all too few people who think I've done something wrong, get over it. It's not a 'scoop', it's all about helping Gene (plus, sad to say, some people only want to write eulogies). Now that's all I'm gonna say on that. Second - Marvel have agreed to assist Gene . No amount has been settled on as yet and understandable any such settlement/o

First up, excellent news about Marvel, via Clifford Meth . "I am delighted beyond delighted to announce that Marvel Entertainment has made clear its intentions to help Gene and Adrienne Colan. "In a warm conversation this morning, executives at Marvel offered Adrienne and I some of the many things that they plan to do for the Colans to provide immediate and long-term relief. I will provide the details soon." Keep checking Clifford's blog as he has all the details about the auctions and how to help Gene in a financial manner. So far Cliff has noted the following as offering support for Gene, in the way of a donation, or something more substantial: Neal Adams, Doug Braithwaite, Norm Breyfogle, Randy Bowen, Ed Brubaker, Adam-Troy Castro, Paty Cockrum, Peter David, Rufus Dayglo, Tom DeFalco, J.M. deMatteis, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evanier, Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Bob Layton, Jae Lee, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, David Lloyd, Leah Moore, Albert Mo

Each hour of each day brings more and more tributes to Gene Colan. Keep 'em coming, Gene loves them and according to all accounts they're really lifting his spirits. Help support Gene by checking out what my good pal Clifford Meth is doing. Remember - you can send Gene a card to lift his spirits, the address is here . Clifford Meth also has this information on his blog: We're getting lots of email saying, "How can I help?" If you're a writer or artist or TV/film professional, please contact me --Or just mail a drawing or signed book or whatever it is you're contributing to: COLAN c/o Clifford Meth 179-9 Rt. 46 West Box 252 Rockaway, NJ 07866 Items will be auctioned off at ComicLink.com All of the comments are now up on my main site, in a single page , hopefully they'll be a bit easier to read there, and as more come in then I'll add them in there. Gene will be able to have it printed out a lot easier and will be able to read them all - and read th

Just wanted to share this one. Drawn by Norm Breyfogle at the recent New York Convention, this just makes me wonder even more...why isn't Norm drawing at either Marvel or DC? I mean, I think I know why, but when I see some of the low grade art that's coming out of Marvel right now it's almost criminal that Norm is still on the sidelines. . Hey - I love David Lapham, both as an artist and a writer, but his new Wolverine project is virtually unreadable - sorry Dave, but Johnny Timmons has turned in a God-awful job and it just doesn't do your story justice. On the bright side Norm is still out there drawing away and creating some of the most vibrant comics in the marketplace, in the form of Dangers Dozen . So that's a bonus. Perhaps someone at Marvel or DC will come to their senses soon enough and either give us some new Norm or at least collect those Alan Grant/Norm Breyfogle Batmans . Hey - DC reprint everything else...

Each hour of each day brings more and more tributes to Gene Colan. Keep 'em coming. And by all means help support Gene by checking out what my good pal Clifford Meth is doing. Put aside any personal feelings you might have towards anyone and just do the right thing. It's that simple. Remember - you can send Gene a card to lift his spirits, the address is here . Clifford Meth also has this information on his blog: We're getting lots of email saying, "How can I help?" If you're a writer or artist or TV/film professional, please contact me -- Or just mail a drawing or signed book or whatever it is you're contributing to: COLAN c/o Clifford Meth 179-9 Rt. 46 West Box 252 Rockaway,NJ 07866 Items will be auctioned off at ComicLink.com In the meantime I've also put all of the comments into a single page on the main site , hopefully they'll be a bit easier to read there, and as more come in then I'll add them in there. Gene will be able to have it pri

More tributes are coming in thick and fast. Remember - you can send Gene a card to lift his spirits, the address is here . Clifford Meth also has this information on his blog: We're getting lots of email saying, "How can I help?" If you're a writer or artist or TV/film professional, please contact me -- Or just mail a drawing or signed book or whatever it is you're contributing to: COLAN c/o Clifford Meth 179-9 Rt. 46 West Box 252 Rockaway, NJ 07866 Items will be auctioned off at ComicLink.com (details, dates, etc. TBA) ---------------- If you're thinking of making a more substantial contribution then by all means send something in. Cliff has done these kinds of auctions more than once, notably for Dave Cockrum and Gene himself when he was struck down with eye problems, so it will be incredible. So far the list of contributors includes: Neal Adams, Steven Bove, Norm Breyfogle, Adam-Troy Castro, Peter David, Tom DeFalco, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evani

When I went to work for Marvel, I was surrounded by giants--Kirby, Romita, Everett, Giacoia, Sinnott, Buscema, Ayers and many others. And then there was Gene, with his powerful classic flowing style, his well defined blacks and exciting composition. I was a piker in this company and I knew it. I was on Mount Olympus and the heights were dizzying. Only through the Grace of Stan and his Upstairs Man could I maintain a viable position among such ranks. I have to say one thing: This generation consisted of people of modesty. They, and particularly Gene, had no delusions of being anything but what they presented themselves to be--comic book artists, doing the job, making a buck. But to me, they were comics' greatest generation--where then, still are. Using this a model, I began a career in comics. The fact that I lasted as long as I did in the comic business is a tribute to Gene and to the others that came from the same mold. Gene, if you are reading this, I wish you the best and want y

Once I learnt of Gene Colan's situation I decided to see if I could cheer him up somewhat. To that end I made contact with a lot of people, some Gene knows quite well and some he's probably never met, and asked them all just to write a few words, either Gene the man or Gene the artist and his art. As the responses come in I'll post them up here for all to read and also forward the links/messages on to Gene himself. If you wish to contribute then by all means send something down and I'll make sure it gets here. Just to enhance the comments I'll also be posting art, covers, photos, some you know quite well and some from my own personal collection that you might not have seen before. Hopefully this all serves to lift Gene's spirits some more. I only met Gene once, in passing, at a convention appearance (he was very gracious). However, he's always been one of my favorite comics artists, and a great visual artist in general (as his website well shows). I loved