It was twenty years ago today that I first logged onto the Net. To think about that makes it truly amazing to me -- for once, putting that overworked word to perfect use -- to contemplate what the Internet has done to change, stir up, and benefit our lives.
Back on a cold day in 1983, it was the massive "gated" CompuServe community, as well as the Chicago Bulletin Board System of Ward Christensen, inventor of the fabled "Xmodem" -- the first means of Net file transfer and error checking. And it was all at 300 bits per second, on a boxy Novation D-Cat modem sitting under my Western Electric phone. No Web, JPEGs, streaming audio, or IMs!
More toward the present, and seven modems later, it's heartening to have found so many generous, kind, intelligent, fascinating people to make Net friendships and contacts. I'm sure I've met fewer than one in 20 Net correspondents in person. That doesn't make the other 19 any less treasured -- the friends, the foes, the informative.
I wanted to post and share one of the more visual and resonant portions of what has knit this together for me. Yes, it's also a shameless bit of vanity.
As a net.persona, I've ended up making far more out of being "Greybird" than was ever included in the Legion books. Paul Levitz wrote no more than a half-dozen lines in "Who's Who in the LSH" 1 (1988) describing my beloved Dawnstar's winged younger brothers. Nobody depicted them in the published books.
It was a pleasant shock to realize how many talented people had done so, though, when I did some recent reckoning and reworking of files.
Net.friends and other artists had, since I re-entered Legion fandom five years ago, ended up creating at least twelve depictions of Greybird. I hadn't known this until I filed them all together.
This pteraphile -- who couldn't draw a single feather if his life hung in the balance -- encountered a dozen examples of a talented artist depicting "him." A character not just signifying a tiny niche-in-a-niche comics interest, but also having no more "official" published existence than a scrap of well-buried descriptive text. Now, I ask you, just how remarkable is all that?!
My being around to obsess over all things and characters Starhaven-ish was certainly part of it, as only one of these works was created before I swamped Legion forums with my musings.
I am profoundly grateful and appreciative. For friendship, for the grist of debate and dispute, for often unsung fan talent, for the spontaneously ordered human miracle of the Net ... and for so many works showing the winged fella I'd have liked to be, in my mind's eye.
The least I could do would be to name and thank those artists with a display of small scans of what they created. They were made first of all for stoking their own talents and not "for me," when it gets to essentials -- but nonetheless they were also stoking my inner life.
(The scans below don't link to larger versions, but if any of 'em interest you, I'll gladly send a full-sized copy along. Send me an IM or e-mail.)
Thank you also to all denizens of LegionWorld.net for putting up with and being so kind to this wing-beset fellow, now less, I hope, of a fractured spirit. And even with his being far too wordy, here and elsewhere!
[ September 22, 2005, 01:51 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Christian, a regular in the LegionFiction Yahoo! Group and in many other fan forums, created a Christmas card two years ago for Legion fans. It showed four gender-reversed Legion heroines amidst the tinsel. (I'll send that along in LW.net later this month.)
He later said to me that he wasn't necessarily imagining that a gender-swapped Dawnstar would turn into one of her brothers, but he was delighted that it seemed to work out that way!
Last Spring, Christian created a Greybird original and colored it. He'd been experimenting for some time with hairstyles (Dean, take note!) and wanted to give me a lion's mane. Never had that much on my head, but how could I say no? Even if it got in the way of flying? {g}
[ September 22, 2005, 02:04 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Saber Girl, a charming and talented member of my Pteraphiles Group, had read the first running vignette-or-chapter of my still far-from-finished tales of the winged couple Windrider and Silverbird.
She titled the sketch inspired by that piece "Silverbird returns to Earth," but wanted me to know that it was also meant as a personal reflection. I can't deny it, as I did put many of my own dreams and wishes into those stories.
[ September 22, 2005, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Our own Poverty Lad made a truly colorful and adept set of portraits of LMBP-member-inspired Legionnaires this past Summer. They were taken two at a time, though, in the spirit of Amalgam Comics! In this one, Pov melded yours truly with Timber Wolf. Well, I always liked having Brin in the family ... in a fan-fiction "interview," I even had him marrying my sister.
[ September 22, 2005, 02:12 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Last year, Yellow Kid (now recently arrived at LW.net) created anime-ish depictions of many LMBPers by combining and modifying art available elsewhere. Most were done in the Bruce Timm style from the animated "Justice League."
In Spring 2001, YK had generated portraits of LMBPers with the faboo HeroMachine software. I was amazed when he described what it could do. That was my first inkling of a source of real pleasure. (On this one, I tweaked my skin color. We're light-coppery on Starhaven.)
It was so captivating that I ended up rendering and tweaking HM Version 1 portraits of my siblings and myself last year. Yes, if you didn't know by now, I do really like that mid-rise which Mike Grell designed for Rokk Krinn. And stop that snickering! It works in a climate-controlled civilization, dangnab it {g}
[ September 22, 2005, 02:18 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Here are portraits of me with each of my siblings.
Our retired leader Crujectra, a.k.a. Newcru, creates highly skillful faces in his sketches, including in this quite unexpected sketch of Dawny and me exulting on a mountain crag. I recall him being dissatisfied with my wings, but I can assure him that I wasn't!
(SatyQ of LegionPics, a.k.a. Jerry Loomis, colored this portrait and added the lightning storm in the background.)
The larger group is of characters in Legion fanfic stories written, and here illustrated, by Ben Weiss, for many years a regular in the rec.arts.comics.dc.lsh newsgroup. (He and I ran a Usenet Legion fan-fiction contest together, but since then, I've lost track of him.)
In this alternate take from mid-TMK onwards, siblings, sons, and daughters of Legionnaires join other high-powered folk of their own age to start a new, brash teenaged challenge to the established Legion 30somethings. This quite diverse group -- and, yes, that's a Dominator in the front row -- included my brother Greatfire, spreading his white pinions in the back, as well as me. Only three stories resulted from this premise, but they were fascinating.
[ September 22, 2005, 02:23 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Dean Lee created the wholly remarkable (and wholly hand-busting!) multiple portrait of the original LMBP members, displayed on the first page of the Outpost site. I was over on the right side. Not that much detail with such a huge membership, but he did manage to make me quite buff.
SketchLad built on this with a solo portrait, in computer-colored pen and ink, a few weeks later. I am, and remain, in that lovely archaic phrase, most beholden to him for it!
[ September 22, 2005, 02:26 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
And finally ... Our LMBP friend Freekinos did the kinetic and exciting original sketches of many LMBPers. Many months later, Loser Lad (currently with a computer out of commission) did them up in burnished colors. He even shaded each feather with careful gradients!
That kind of attention to detail merits more than one raised cyber-beer, gladly hoisted for each of the other artists, as well.
[ September 22, 2005, 02:29 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by deanlegion on :
What a terrific collection! I think I've seen all of them before, but it's great to have them all gathered in one place.
Thank you for the praise.
Lion's mane, eh?
Hmm....
Posted by Harbinger on :
It's hard to believe that the internet has been around for so long! Congrats on your anniversary GBird, ands thanks for sharing the pictures.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Congrats Grey! And here's to the four years I've known you !
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
20 years ago I was entering my Senior year in high school in a small Nevada town. We didn't even have a computer class let alone computers or 'internet access'. The closest I came was a year later while working on the town's weekly newspaper when one of our succession of owners got us access to the Associated Press from a computer he brought into the office.
Man, we've all come a long way.
Congratulations Steve and thanks for posting the pics. I think there is even a couple I hadn't seen before so those were a real treat.
[ December 10, 2003, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Lightning Lad ]
Posted by Sanity or Madness? on :
20 years ago I was being concieved [Seriously, I was born on the 11th Aug 1984, a day late ]
Gongrats Grey
Posted by deanlegion on :
Wow, in August of '84, I'd just graduated from high school, and went down to California to hang out with friends for a month. I think we had a typewriter in my house. It wasn't even electric. We had Atari, though...
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Lot of memories there - for everybody. Fun sketches, too!
Has there ever been a sketch done of the whole "Dawnstar" family together?
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Congratulations, Grey!
Posted by Greybird on :
Thanks for all the kind comments! The best place on that Net for sharing anything Legion is, indeed, right here.
And I'd just about rob the Interplanetary Bank, or try to, if it would help us to see someone's portrait of all five of our family *massive hint* ... You can find clear visuals of our father, Mistrider, and mother, Moonwalker, in these Legion issues:
~ "LSH" v2 n305, Dawny departs for her grand tour from the Starhaven temple (Giffen) ~ "LSH" v2 n311, Dawny returns from Wildfire and her tour, and is comforted (Colan) ~ "Who's Who in the LSH" 7, our folks attend a party for Legionnaires' parents (Swan splash page)
(Jim Sherman showed them differently in "Superboy" 240 and "Who's Who in the DCU" 6, but no other artist seemed to see them that way.)
Posted by deanlegion on :
I liked Sherman's version better. I'd always imagined that Dawny's mother was really hard on her and her father was more nurturing. I was later proved wrong about that. Both her parents seem to be very loving.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Great portrait Dean! Although I don't know if Greybird will live down his sister being taller than he is. Posted by deanlegion on :
Edit: Re-linked to ImageShack copy
[ September 22, 2005, 02:35 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Edit: The Dawnstar family portrait, referred to here, originally was posted before the Greybird portrait above. Dean withdrew it to make some changes and re-posted it below.
You see what I mean?! We have a great family portrait put together already by one of these stellar artists!?!? Is this a FABULOUS place or WHAT?!?!?!
You made my day, Dean, and it's only half over. I've already doffed my headband. A million thanks for that portrait. And you even picked up how I resemble our dad, and 'Fire and Dawny resemble our mother, as the other Legionnaires keep telling us. Very perceptive {familial grin}
Ah, and my brother and I are sitting in front, with Dawny behind and above us. Has to be done for portraiture on our planet. Just as "stadium seating" at the movies is the only way to go for those with wings! (Well, for the others around us in the theater to put up with our being there, certainly.)
[ December 11, 2003, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
YOICKS! Another one of me? While I was going gaga over the family portrait?? Using reflected starlight, even??? (with my being as typographically giddy as Matthew, methinks {g})
I'm just going to have to mortgage the townhouse here, next to the Consulate, and take you and your wife to dinner on Ventura, that's all there is to it, amigo.
I am now, shall we say, most-beholden-squared.
Posted by deanlegion on :
Mmmm...Venturan Elvabird! My favorite!
You make it very gratifying to sketch and post, Greybird. Thank YOU. I'm glad you're pleased.
Posted by deanlegion on :
I altered the family portrait a little bit. So, I removed the original posting and am now replacing it. Now I feel better ...
Edit: Re-linked to ImageShack copy
[ September 22, 2005, 02:41 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
I couldn't resist bringing this over from Nightcrawler's adept-beyond-his-years early story about the Legion of Super-Kids ... here "I" am, front and back. Do go read his story!
Edit: Re-linked to ImageShack copy
[ September 22, 2005, 02:50 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Thanks again Grey! I'll do an updated version for you.
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Dawnstar is a swipe from LSHv3 #56.
Posted by Greybird on :
Yoicks! That looks just fabulous. And we get both me and my sister (braided look), in mid-flight yet! Gracias amigo.
You're showing a great deal of energy in how they look, with it often suggested by minimal sketching, and that's a more subtle achievement than it might appear. Dean also does this, through the shapes of his shorter lines, although he doesn't choose to ink or to "finish off" his sketches that often, as you're doing here.
I'll note that Gary also gave me both decoration around the eyes and a neckerchief, wholly fitting details that aren't quite as visible in the scan above.
The body build is notably slender, but it fits, with a kid that's 13 or 14. And as I see it, those who could fly would tend to be ectomorphs -- of taller and thinner build -- from both aerodynamic and wing-movement advantages.
And you did this just today? {/Wayne'sWorld ON} EXcellent! {/Wayne'sWorld OFF}
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Glad you like it.
And thanks again for all of your kind words.
Posted by Saturn Girl on :
This is a wonderful showcase of art dedicated to Dawnstar and her family. Each one is so unique and lovingly crafted, and Gary, your addition today is very special. I look at your drawing and I wonder what they are thinking and where they are flying off to.
The short boots on Greybird are very nice, but the addition of fringes higher on his leg are a happy surprise. It's like he tied them on for a special occasion, or for the sheer enjoyment of the feeling of their movement in the wind as he flys. Or perhaps they are heading toward a celebration or clan gathering. I like Dawny's braid wrappings as well. A nice change of pace look which also might indicate a special event.
I really admire you talented people who can just sit down and bring these characters to life for the rest of us. Thank you so much! Posted by GoldenGreyEagle on :
For the nonce, I've transmogrified into "GoldenGreyEagle," to mark the current "Legion" - "Teen Titans" crossover.
This rendition of Golden Eagle is by Luciano Vecchio, and it's a different enough take on how this West Coast Titan was depicted so as to be reminiscent of a Starhavenite.
(Extracted from a larger work for this thread)
[ September 04, 2004, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: GoldenGreyEagle ]
Posted by Monkey Eater Lad on :
I usually have to do a lot of manippin' for my "Manipulating Legionworlders" pieces but for this one I just snapped my digicam and added the text - that's about it
Edit: Re-linked to ImageShack copy
[ September 22, 2005, 03:02 AM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Sonnie on :
I drew a couple of pictures for B's Leg35C stories of her starhaven characters, I'll look them out and be in touch Grey... they're not as gorgeous as some of the stuff here, but if you want them I'll email them to you....
Posted by Greybird on :
I'd love to see how you envisioned some of her Freetraders, Sonnie. Please send them along, and do feel free to post them in this thread as well -- it's for showing off Starhavenites, and near approaches to "us," anyway!
Posted by Greybird on :
A lot of the picture links had to be updated -- I let my Graffiti.net account go dormant.
So I'll take the opportunity to add this stunning "group shot" of many micro-ed LMBPers, courtesy of the well-honed talents of White Raven, a.k.a. Kat (the winged girl above me on the left) ...
Edit: Updated (bigger group!) version at ImageShack -- click to view full-size in a new window, it's worth it!
[ April 16, 2006, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Greybird ]
Posted by Greybird on :
Joe-Boy has been making hugely imaginative sketches in the "Project Runway" threads here in Bits, where many have been re-imagining outfits and looks for those in the LMBP. He created this striking look for "me" based on a George Perez design for Azrael.
Click for larger version in new window Posted by Greybird on :
I'll take the liberty (and the novelty) of linking some prose here ...
In a thread about the "Political Structure of the LMB Universe," I provided an extended take on how the winged Starhavenites came about differently -- and how Greybird came to take part in events -- for the LMB's distinct and evolving storytelling setting.
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![[Dawnstar]](graemlins/Dawnstar.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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