Martin and Carrie Nodell were the original fun couple of conventions. Carrie adored Caroline, partly because Caroline is, well, adorable…and also because–and please forgive me if I’m misremembering–“Carrie” was short for “Caroline,” so they shared the same name.
When Carrie passed away, I talked with Marty on the phone, and he told me he was so certain that he–whose health was more frail than hers–would be the first to go. He seemed stunned, and so were we all.
Now the creator of Green Lantern is with his beloved Carrie, where there is No Evil, escaping one’s sight or otherwise. I have an autographed lantern that I bought from him sitting right here on my desk. I will always beware its power.
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I never had the honor of meeting them but after reading first Mark Evanier and now your account of the partnership between these two fine people I really feel the loss. Rest in peace.
I met Martin Nodell at my very first comics convention, Chicago Comicon back in the Crisis summer of ’85. He was incredibly gracious and engaging, telling me the whole story of how he came up with Green Lantern. The memory of that has stayed with me all these years. He will be missed.
I saw Martin Nodell several times at the Motor City Comic Con, and back in 1997 (I think that was the year) I had him sign a page in my copy of Les Daniels’ book, “DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World’s Favorite Comic Book Heroes.” As I recall, he asked if I was going to sell the book. I’m not sure why, but he did.
My response? No way. There are a lot of signatures in that book I’m glad I got, and Martin Nodell’s is one of them. Why would I turn around and sell it?
If I remember correctly, I also quoted him in a 1993 newspaper article I wrote about comicbook conventions in general and the Motor City con in particular.
Rick
I’m happy to say I was able to meet with Carrie and Marty several times at Chicago, Motor City, and San Diego. They were very gracious, always happy to have a fan talk with them for a while. A comics convention won’t seem the same without them.
Marty and Carrie were staples of the cons. It’s just not the same not seeing them at Dragon Con or Megacon. I always respected how happy he (and they) were to talk to the fans, draw sketches, and just very much enjoyed being a part of this thing we call comics. He will be missed.
Bobby
I’ve had the opportunity to have them both make a signing appearance at my business as they were traveling around in the area several years ago. My customers loved meeting them and listening to several tales of their’s about the industry. They’ll be missed.
One by one the giants are dropping away — it was a particular blow a while back when Will Eisner and Kelly Freas both left the part just days apart.
Condolences.
1I met Martin at the Baltimore comic con a few years ago. He autographed a DC direct collection of his bound re-prints and GL action figure. He was such a nice man.
We both agreed that we prefered our super hero’s with capes.
I got to meet him and his wife briefly at one convention (I think it was San Diego Comic Con, but it could have been Wonder Con in San Francisco or Oakland.) I think that I mentioned to his wife that it would be really cool if DC or someone made a Menorah in the shape of Alan Scott’s Lantern that had mirror and a filter on the iniside so that it would send out a greenish glow like said lantern. I also thought it should come with a ring style lighter. She seemed amused by the idea.
How many people remember the issue of Green Lantern Years ago (Green Lantern #19 (Dec. 1991), that had all four of Earth’s Green Lantern supplied by all four current GL artists at the time? Cool stuff.
It’s sad that we’re without him, and somewhat sad to note that he had difficulties with DC over proper ownership/trademark/copyright/restitution for the character he created. Let’s try to treat our remaining golden age creators well. http://www.actorcomicfund.org/
I was blown away when I met him a few years ago. I guess it must have been just before his wife died. That was one of my first conventions, and he was certainly the only “first generation” comic book creator I’d met. Actually, still the only. It was an honor to meet him. That he was the creator of one of my favorite heroes made it even more powerful.
I have that same lantern on my bookcase.
Jon wrote:
How many people remember the issue of Green Lantern Years ago (Green Lantern #19 (Dec. 1991), that had all four of Earth’s Green Lantern supplied by all four current GL artists at the time? Cool stuff.
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/SilverAgeReviews/photos/view/5be8?b=52
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nodell and his late wife at Wondercon a couple of times.
He was nice enough to sign my copy of Green Lantern #19 (December, 1991) and answer my question about Alan Scott having his power ring on his left hand.
Being left-handed myself, I had often wondered if Alan was a lefty, too.
Mr. Nodell smiled and told me that he thought that by having the power ring on G.L.’s left hand, it would free up his right hand for dramatic
gestures.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Freas at a San Diego Comic-Con.
When I told Mr. Freas that it was my mom who got me started reading MAD at a young age, he laughed, and said “Another young mind ruined!”
Both were very nice men and their work made an invaluable impression on me.
“And I shall shed my light over dark evil, for the darkness cannot bear the light… the light of the Green Lantern.”
Both of them were staples at the Charlote Heroescon, so I got a chance to meet them several times. It always impressed me that Mrs. Nodell was her husband’s biggest cheerleader. If you hung around within earshot for any length of time, you would eventually hear her inform everyone nearby with her (presumably) New York accent – “This is Marty Nodell. He created Green Laaantern!”
It was almost necessary to do so, I might add, as Marty always seemed very quiet, instead drawing his sketches of a lantern on the cover of that white Zero Hour issue, or some more intricate sketch. However, he always took time to talk if you spoke to him, with Mrs. Nodell beaming the whole time. I will miss that…
since i was not aware of his wifes passing
my condolonces over both losses
may the light of the lantern protect them forever
My wife and I had the good fortune to meet Carrie and Marty at a convention. One of our dealer friends knew them quite well, and we spent almost 2 hours just talking about everything from comics to moving woes. Carrie was an absolutely wonderful person, completely genuine and easy-going. She said hello to absolutely everyone who went past our table during happy hour.It took Marty a little bit to warm up, but when he did, he was just as nice as could be (It didn’t hurt that our sons were both named Spencer :)). That was also the year I bought an original piece of artwork from him – it’s Alan Scott and Jay Garrick about to race, and it’s probably my most treasured piece of comic memorabilia. Both of these fine people will be missed.
They will be missed.
Regards:
Warren S. Jones III
I must admit, I’m not as familiar with Martin Nodell’s work as I should be. I do know, however, that it was his imagination and talent that that created the Green Lantern, and it is no accident that that character has endured in some form or another for decades.
Rest in peace, Mr. Nodell. I, along with all of super-hero fandom, am in your debt.
As someone mentioned earlier-more and more our heroes/idols/etc. are leaving us. Another sad reminder to let the special people in your life know just how special they are.
You WILL be missed.