DEATHS ; Notable Passings; The Thread to Pay Last Respects

[Doctor Strange]

Genius comic book artist Neal Adams, who did important work at both DC and Marvel in the sixties/seventies.

He was unquestionably one of the top half-dozen Silver Age superhero comics artists, a master storyteller with a sure grip on anatomy and staging. Expect a lot more obits and tributes, his influence looms large in today's superhero-mad entertainment complex...

R.I.P. legendary DC Comics artist Neal Adams

Neal Adams, a comics rights activist and legendary artist best known for his 1970s run on Batman, has died.

www.avclub.com

Iconic Batman Artist Neal Adams Passes Away At 80

Comic artist and writer Neal Adams has passed away, leaving behind a long legacy that includes the revitalization of Batman and Joker.

www.superherohype.com

Marvel’s Roy Thomas Remembers His ‘X-Men’ Artist Neal Adams as “Bigger Than Life”

Thomas, who succeeded Stan Lee as Marvel Comics' editor-in-chief, was one of many showing their appreciation of Adams and shock over his death.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Neal Adams, R.I.P. – News From ME

www.newsfromme.com

 

[Zombie_61]

^ I'm sorry to hear this. I can remember when Adams was becoming the "next big thing" in the comic book world, and at times it seemed he just stepped up and showed "the big boys" how comic book art should be done. There was an energy in his frame-by-frame work that had been largely lacking in the medium, and he opened the door for a lot of young "up and coming" artists to show what they had to offer. I haven't been into the "comic book scene" in a long time so I don't know how active he'd been in recent years, but I don't think his impact on the industry overall can ever be overestimated.

 

[Doctor Strange]

A lot has been said about Neil Adams drawing Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, X-Men, Avengers, but...

Adams also illustrated a feature that ran a half-dozen times in National Lampoon magazine about a nebbish who would transform (a la Billy Batson and Captain Marvel) into a superhero Jesus when "HE TAKES THE NAME... BUT NOT IN VAIN..." I apologize in advance for any believers who are offended... but it was typical of the gutsy Lampoon approach of the time, and pretty hilarious.


There's a nice little article about it here:

‘Son-O’-God Comics’: National Lampoon’s cheerfully offensive super-hero Jesus

I live in Los Angeles and believe me when I tell you that I had not heard a single peep about that new Jesus movie—Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s Son of God—because, well, they don’t really market religious films here. In a city festooned with billboards for every damned offering large or small...

dangerousminds.net

And LOTS more articles and scans out there if you do a search.

 

[MisterCairo]

Spinal Tap has lost yet another drummer, though this time not due to a bizarre gardening accident, spontaneous combustion or the accidental choking on the vomit of another person.

Mick Shrimpton, who allegedly also went by the name Ric Parnell, has died, aged only 70.




https://www.msn.com/en-ca/music/new...pc=U531&cvid=3fc8d026ed984282a986cc4cec75dee3

 

[Zombie_61]

...Adams also illustrated a feature that ran a half-dozen times in National Lampoon magazine about a nebbish who would transform (a la Billy Batson and Captain Marvel) into a superhero Jesus when "HE TAKES THE NAME... BUT NOT IN VAIN..." I apologize in advance for any believers who are offended...

I had never even heard of this until today. I have a very good friend who was far deeper in the comics scene than I ever was, and he was also much more of a National Lampoon fan. I'll have to ask him what he knows about this and find out if he has any of these in his stash. Thanks!

 

[MisterCairo]

 

[Doctor Strange]

Well, Zombie61, that's exactly why I posted about it. Because I didn't see any mention of Son-O-God in the various obits and appreciations, and it's a fascinating side trip for Neil Adams that's worth checking out. And a reminder of just how outrageously ballsy National Lampoon was back in those days.

 

[Edward]

A lot has been said about Neil Adams drawing Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, X-Men, Avengers, but...

Adams also illustrated a feature that ran a half-dozen times in National Lampoon magazine about a nebbish who would transform (a la Billy Batson and Captain Marvel) into a superhero Jesus when "HE TAKES THE NAME... BUT NOT IN VAIN..." I apologize in advance for any believers who are offended... but it was typical of the gutsy Lampoon approach of the time, and pretty hilarious.

View attachment 422546
There's a nice little article about it here:

‘Son-O’-God Comics’: National Lampoon’s cheerfully offensive super-hero Jesus

I live in Los Angeles and believe me when I tell you that I had not heard a single peep about that new Jesus movie—Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s Son of God—because, well, they don’t really market religious films here. In a city festooned with billboards for every damned offering large or small...

dangerousminds.net

And LOTS more articles and scans out there if you do a search.

Interesting. Looks like rather a clever satire on the approach of much of the established church intermixed with superhero popular culture.

 

[MisterCairo]

Actor David Birney, known primarily for television and stage roles, and for being married to then Meredith Baxter-Birney from Family Ties fame, has died, Alzheimer's, aged 83:

MSN

 

[MisterCairo]

"That guy" actor, Mike Hagerty, known primarily for many tv roles, has died, aged only 67.

MSN

 

[MisterCairo]

Mickey Gilley, honkey tonk owner, singer, urban cowboy inspiration, and cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis, has died, aged 86.

I remember the heyday of his popularity when I was a young teen. Another institution gone...

MSN

 

[MisterCairo]

My goodness, this is sad.

Dennis Waterman, one of my favourite English actors, has died, aged only 74.

He was a child star, gaining great fame, particularly in the UK, on shows like the gritty The Sweeney, then the entertaining Minder, and eventually New Tricks more recently.

Dennis Waterman: Minder and New Tricks star dies aged 74

The British star was known for his roles in TV shows including Minder, New Tricks and The Sweeney.

www.bbc.com

On the right with John Shaw in The Sweeney.

 

[MisterCairo]

With George Cole (young Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, 1951, Alastair Sim as the elder) in Minder.

 

[MisterCairo]

Prolific actor James Olson, who starred in The Andromeda Strain in 1971, among many other roles, has died, aged 91:

MSN

 

[MisterCairo]

Prolific actor Fred Ward has died, no cause given, aged 79. I have lost count of the number of things I've seen him in, especially during the 80s and early 90s.

The Right Stuff, Tremors, Remo Williams, etc., etc.

Fred Ward, 'The Right Stuff' and 'Short Cuts' actor, dead at 79

Fred Ward, a veteran character actor in film and television, has died, according to his publicist Ron Hofmann.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[MisterCairo]

Actor Maggie Peterson (aka Mancuso), known for many tv and movie appearances, often with Andy Griffiths, has died, aged 81:

MSN

 

[Lean'n'mean]

I'm surprised Trenchfriend hasn't mentioned this one yet, he is a great fan. Greek composer VANGELIS has died from heart failure aged 79. Probably best known for his movie soundtracks which most became hits in their own right.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I'm surprised Trenchfriend hasn't mentioned this one yet, he is a great fan. Greek composer VANGELIS has died from heart failure aged 79. Probably best known for his movie soundtracks which most became hits in their own right.

View attachment 427189

Yeah, I noticed it yesterday late evening!

R.I.P., MASTER!!

 

[MisterCairo]

This was part of my youth, and possibly my first exposure to the style of The Era:

 

[MisterCairo]

^^^

Not sure I ever was aware Vangelis appears throughout this! Haven't seen the video in a while.