 An Interview With Green Lantern Creator, Martin Nodell
 Bill Black, editor and publisher of
AC Comics, interviewed Martin Nodell at the 2000 Megacon in Orlando, Florida. Marty told Bill the
story of how the Green Lantern came about. After graduating from art
school in Chicago, Marty went off to New York in 1940, to make his
fortune. His first work was for companies that always seemed to be
going out of business, so he decided to investigate what companies
there were and which ones were lasting. There was Superman and
Batman, both from DC Comics. He saw Sheldon Mayer, editor, and
showed him his samples. He was told that they were looking for
another superhero type
 character. So, he started developing a
character on the subway ride home and had it done in a week.
I picked out the name from the train man on the tracks who was
waving a lantern, going from red to green.... green meant go and I
decided that was it, Marty reported. Then I needed a colorful and
interesting costume. I was interested in Greek mythology and so the
costume took on elements of that. It just all fell into place.
When I sent it in, I waited into the second week before I heard the
word to come in. I was ushered into Mr. Gaines office, publisher,
and after sitting a long time and flipping through the pages of my
presentation, he announced, "We like it!" And then, "Get to work!" I
did the first five pages of an eight page story, and then they
called in Bill Finger to help. We worked on it for seven years.
 After that, I retired from comics and went into advertising. I came
back to comics in 1981, when I began touring comic art conventions
with my wife, Carrie. I've been at it ever since and have enjoyed
every minute. At the Megacon this year, a young lady showed her
admiration for the character by dressing up as a member of The Green
Lantern Corps. What a thrill!
Complete coverage of Martin Nodell and The Green Lantern, as well as
other "green" characters, can be found in AC Comic's "Men
of Mystery No.25", available in the
Online Store or from AC
Comics, PO Box 52-1216, Longwood, FL 32752. |
