I saw that some of us here had some questions about the Nasser/Netzer affair.
Well, here we are. Let's take our best shot. Superboy's got a lot of explaining to do.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
By the way, no Chosen Legion of Super-Heroes would be complete without Sun Boy/Inferno and Gim Allon...
[ February 01, 2004, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Kid Prime on :
Wy word. Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
Um.... so when I do the next TOP 40 list, am I safe to assume this is an ALT ID?
Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
quote:Originally posted by Portfolio Boy: Um.... so when I do the next TOP 40 list, am I safe to assume this is an ALT ID?
Not really, no.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
I don't think so Duke. Not from what I can tell.
And I don't have any questions at this time but like to say welcome to Mr. Netzer. Anyone who has worked on the Legion is a welcome addition to the board.
Except maybe John Byrne. Posted by MLLASH on :
Better cover both bases...
If this is really Mr. Netzer, welcome sir! Your work on LEGION and CHALLENGERS was breathtaking!
If this is someone playing a joke, it is in VERY poor taste.
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
Thanks MLLASH, LLad and every one of all you good sirs and Madams, guys and gals. It's been a confrontational two weeks of various other message board visits. I'm moved by the warmth you've all shown, even the most lighthearted of you make me feel quite at home. Once a Legionaire, always a Legionaire - that's how it feels to read the posts.
I'll get to the nature of The New Comic Book of Life website, but first perhaps a clarification of comments regarding what appears to be many name changes I made over my career.
I, myself have only changed my name once, from Nasser to Netzer. My Lebanese father's last name was Nassereddine, He himself changed it to Nasser when he emigrated to America. I was born Michael Nasser in Detroit. I was raised in Lebanon for a few years and was known there as Michael Mansour Nassereddine. During the senior year of high school in Detroit I ran for vice prez of the seniour class and my campaign slogan was "Funky Nasser for VP". I won and the name Funky stuck and became a nickname to some of my close friends in NY when I did those Legion and Challengers books. I did change it to Netzer when I moved to Israel so it would reflect my Hebrew roots, mother's side. Netzer is a Hebrew transliteration of Nasser, same alphabets and same meaning - Hebrew instead of Arabic.
Why I came to Israel is perhaps becoming clear now. When I first came here it felt that I would do what I'm doing now within a year of being here. Alas, I settled down and accepted that perhaps someone else would do it and not I. I waited 20 years and nobody stepped forth and - in light of the deteriorating state of the world around me, I was left with no choice but to do it now myself. (With the guidance of the force that guides us all, of course)
I've had this madness within me since childhood. It first came to the surface in 1977 exactly durnig the days I turned in the Mon-el backup (don't have issue # handy).
I drew many Legion sketches in the years that followed at conventions I chanced to attend. Just before I left for Israel in 1981, I drew a Legion drawing which I hope to show you in about a week or so. It was the basis for a Legion story I'd still like to write and draw for DC.
Having landed here and feeling such a good spirit and talent, perhaps we can develop this story together here and who knows if such a joint effort won't contribute to the production of a very special Legion book?
I've been contending with an aggressive response to TNCBOL over the last few weeks. Lots of religious history and philosophy talk. It'd be nice to put that behind and talk about it in terms of a Legion story. Maybe this way we can clarify some things about the subject without the tension that comes with delving into personal and widespread religeous icons.
Perhaps we can let this story be a metaphore of how we all perceive how the real story might develop on today's world stage.
The reason that I can't show you this drawing that inspires it all is because I've been sidetracked as a result of a car accident and am bedridden at my West Bank Settlement home of Ofra with 2 fractured ribs and a well beaten upper torso. It's all healing quickly and well and I should be back at the Studio within a week or so, and have access to the original which I'll scan and post on my site. In the meantime maybe we can get to know each other a little better and perhaps exhange whatever good ideas or stories that might come up.
Lastly, some here may not know but Neal Adams is apparantly beginning a PR drive to help the beloved Dave Cockrum receive some royalties for X-Men characters he created, most prominent of which is Nightcrawler, in order to help him out in the recovery from his illness. It might be nice if those who're moved to were to show their support for Dave and send a word of support which Neal could eventually show to Marvel as an incentive: Neal announced this on his website; http://nealadams.com/news2.html His email: neal@nealadams.com
Thanks again for everything and...I'm around, looking forward.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Michael, if I may call you by your first name, thank you for the background you have given. In your welcome thread we've been discussing your Legion work, of which when I was reminded what issues, I remembered fondly. I've even posted a scan of one of the most memorable, to me, pages.
I am sorry to hear of you accident and hope that your healing process continues on the good course.
When you are healthy and ready, I fully welcome you sharing any of your Legion work that you may still have. That's why we created this World and having creators, such as yourself, Steve Lightle, Dave Cockrum (prior to his recent illness), Tom Feister and Tony Harris (among others I may have forgotten) are a bonus.
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Thanks for joining us here, Michael. I look forward to seeing any artwork that you'd like to share with us and learning more about the new story you'd like to share with us.
I'm glad to hear that you're healing well from your accident.
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Oh! And thanks for the link about Dave. Obviously, he's a hero of mine and I'll do anything to help him out.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
I thought you knew about the tribute Gary. Sorry about that. I've already pre-ordered my copy.
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: I thought you knew about the tribute Gary. Sorry about that. I've already pre-ordered my copy.
I knew it was being created. I didn't know that you could order it yet.
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: I thought you knew about the tribute Gary. Sorry about that. I've already pre-ordered my copy.
My impression is that Neal is launching a separate effort, in addition to the planned tribute to Dave. Neal's aiming at forcing Marvel's hand, through public pressure to give Dave royalties for the X-Men characters he created, as in the Siegel/Schuster/Superman campaign against Warner and DC in the mid seventies. The tribute is an effort that began earlier at Silver Bullet Comics meant to raise funds without any relationship to the royalties That Dave actually has coming to him which he never received. This is important because it isn't charity, it's been earned.
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: Michael, if I may call you by your first name,.
As informal as possible. Were all friends.
quote: When you are healthy and ready, I fully welcome you sharing any of your Legion work that you may still have. That's why we created this World and having creators, such as yourself, Steve Lightle, Dave Cockrum (prior to his recent illness), Tom Feister and Tony Harris (among others I may have forgotten) are a bonus.
All around great company, fans and pros alike. Thanks much, LL.
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
quote:Originally posted by Nightcrawler: Thanks for joining us here, Michael. I look forward to seeing any artwork that you'd like to share with us and learning more about the new story you'd like to share with us.
I'm glad to hear that you're healing well from your accident.
Thanks Gary, and thanks again to everybody for the warm welcome. I'm moved and quite speechless over the warmth. I'll try to get to discussing the story a little later today or tomorrow.
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
It would be interesting to hear of your idea, all right. I hope you heal fully soon too.
Posted by MLLASH on :
Neal Adams is a hero for his efforts on Dave Cockrum's part.
Cockrum DOES deserve a VERY healthy monthly royalties check. Or a very tidy lump settlement.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Michael,
I look forward to seeing whatever story ideas you might have, and, if you're looking for input, you'll certainly find some incredibly talented and creative people on these boards.
Posted by Varalent on :
quote:Originally posted by Eryk Davis Ester: Michael,
I look forward to seeing whatever story ideas you might have, and, if you're looking for input, you'll certainly find some incredibly talented and creative people on these boards.
...and only a very, very few of us are shy about offering our input!
Look forward to hearing about your idea and sharing LW with you!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Thanks for the info about Neal Adams and Dave! Also, I hope you feel better soon Michael, being bed-ridden is never fun.
And I'm anxiously awaiting to hear your idea for a Legion story... Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
Michael,
Thanks for joining us! Hope you get well soon! Look forward to seeing you ideas, as wel as some recent drawings.
Posted by lil'rhino on :
Nice to have you around Michael! I loved your art on " The Day Bouncing Boy Bounced Back"!
lil'rhino
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
quote:Originally posted by lil'rhino: Nice to have you around Michael! I loved your art on " The Day Bouncing Boy Bounced Back"!
lil'rhino
Thanks everybody. The niceness is overwhelming, like we're on another planet. So here's the story so far. This is the first time I've tried to put it in writing but it's been churning inside for 25 years already. It only sets up the background for the story. It's a little out there but it'd be good to get some feedback before goin on. OR...once it gets rolling maybe everybody wants to jam together in writin it.
[ February 07, 2004, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: Michael Netzer ]
Posted by Michael Netzer on :
This is a revision of the first draft of the story premise posted yesterday.
Elseworlds Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes Genesis Millenium
Prologue:
Jor-el is about to send his only son Kal-el to Earth. With the explosion of Krypton we see Kal-el rocketing towards Earth but we also see something we'd never noticed before in earlier depictions of the scene, thousands of balls of light are released from Krypton with the explosion and they all fly off sailing into all the corners of the universe.
Cut to Smallville, Kal-el crashes and is found by the Kents.
Cut to a Santa Barbara, California hillside overlooking the sun setting on the pacific sometime in 1937. Two young lads sit in awe of the beauty of the sky before them. Thery'r talking and wondering, one of them has a sketchbook and pencil in hand the other is writing on a regular notepad. They've been working on an idea for an adventure hero comic book but can't seem to put their idea together yet. They don't have anything special yet, they just know they want to make a comic book.
The sky lights up for an insant as a light ball bursts through the horizon and heads right at them exploding about them and engulfing them with a warm light for an instant and then mysteriously disappearing, as if it never happened. All's quiet as the two look at each other, their eyes show some understanding or excitement which had eluded them till now. One guy's starts talking a lot and the other starts drawing. We see a familiar figure with a cape coming to life on his sketchbook.
In Smallville, Clark Kent grows up with Ma and Pa Kent and learns of his Kryptonian origin and powers. He heeds his parents and keeps his powers a complete secret, no one sees him use them. But Clark is not at peace with this. He sees the world he's been adopted by and understands the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow men and sees the strife of injustice in the society and civilization they build. He knows that a world with a Superhero like him would be more inspired to forge a path of goodwill and success for all of its citizens. Young Clark knows he must become such an symbol for mankind but he prefers to wait and not to announce his powers as a teenager. He decides to wait until he approaches manhood and perhaps then, he'll be wiser in choosing a path and destiny more fitting of the special super abilities he's been endowed with.
In the meantime, the comic book creators who conceived Superman on that Santa-Barbara hillside have birthed a new mythology of Superhero comic books which are being published by The Daily Comics in Metropolis. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and a slew of other characters have become stars of their own comic books, read and cherised by children around the world. The fledgeling comic book industry becomes a beleagured subculture within the growing television, film and media industries, but it holds its own as more and more of the creative minds who grew up with the superheroes make their way to Metropolis to join in the making of superhero comic books they so loved.
Clark Kent reads these comic books as a child growing up in Smallville. His perprexity over his own superpowers finds comfort in the comic books and the new mythology of superheroes they brandish and who save the world from its strife. As he approaches manood, he knows his destiny is to join the comic book creators in the big city and who've created superheores such as he's destined to be. When the day arrives Clark leaves his parents and Smallville in search of that destiny as a comic book writer at The Daily Comics publishers in Metropolis.
It's here in the formative years as a comic book writer that Clark Kent begins to realize why he hesitates to expose the secret of his powers to the world. Clark doesn't want to become the alien visitor from another planet with extra-ordinary superpowers who saves humanity from its calamities. He'd rather inspire his fellow comic book creators to all become superheroes themselves. He'd rather that the people of Earth save themselves rather than become beholden to and alien Superman who saves them. It's this path that Clark Kent begins to forge in his comic book writing career so as to merge himself into a breed of superhero humans, the creation of which he can inspire within his own fellow comic book creators.
As the popularity of the comic books increases in America, so does Clark's resolve to perpetuate a vision for turning the comic books themselves into tool for breathing new life and hope into a world troubled by the divisive social and political perplexities which have brought the reign of futility, despair and increasing social apathy into the prevailing social consciousness. From the lowest populist levels of street crime atrocities to the corrupt social and political heirarchies which govern the divided peoples of the planet - comic books, unlike any other creative cultural mediums remained somehow unscathed by this despair and futility which has taken over. Clark Kent has spent his first years as a comic book writer convincing his fellow comic book creators that their world is on the brink of doom and that they themselves must take things into their own hand and start showing the world how the spirit of the Superheroes they've created can change the destructive course which their world is falailing into.
The dawing of a new millenium, science and technology on the brink of fantastical advances and achievements - yet all in vain for a civilization choked by its own fall into the thorns and thistles of perpetual wars and unending social strife.
Clark Kent has however, succeeded in sparking a ray of hope within his colleagues and convincing them to take the initiative in maximizing the effects their comics have on the world about them. Soon, more and more Superhero comic books are beginning to tell the kind of stories that read like election campaigns and sociopolitical platforms for a silent revolution in America. A comic book revolution in which the powers that be are caught completely off guard and are helpless to quell the overwhelming popular support that the creators have garnered through the past year's issues of comic books and graphic novels gaining in popularity for their stories of relevance and sympathy for saving the world about them. Within a short time, a grass roots popular movement is rising thriough the comic book industry and the comic book convention circut becomes the most popular and sought-after place for America's youth as millions follow the convention trail thirsty for a look at or a word from their favorite creators. America's wealth is now being slowly absorbed into the once poorest and smallest of the entertainment industries. The television and film mediums are set on fire with a bursting forth of legendary superhero saviours - and within three years of the campaign, The Comic Book Creator's Party is formed and elected to govern the United States as a big hush falls over the international community which tries to fathom what might be happening in the crazy land of the frivolous Americans.
The revolution is swift, worldwide and silent. The greatest creative minds in the world are now at the helm and the world's resources are suddenly put to the kind of use previously unimagined even by the greatest visionaries of the world. Scientific research and social/spiritual forces converge into one entity as the Comic Book Creators Party charts the path, using all of humanity's technological, physical and sprititual resources, combined into a new meta-scientology, endowing the comic book creators with the ability to become far more than mortal men. Previously imaginary powers which they once gave their Superheroes in their comic books, are now becoming a reality for them. Clark Kent merges into this superpowering of the comic book creators as if he received his powers in the same way as his colleagues. He can now be at peace using his powers openly and within another few years, the world becomes populated by a superhuman union of Comic Book Superhero Creators, led by Clark Kent the new Superman, a prime new Superhero who started it all way back at The Daily Comics offices in Metropolis.
By the year 2015, the world now looks just like it does in the comic books, bursting with life and vigor alongside the greatly quelched conflict and strife which once ruled it. A virtual paradise governed and guarded by the Superheroes who've brought it into it's present state of previously unimagined glory.
We cut to one thousand years in the future. The reign of the Legion of Superheroes. One thousand years of a world guarded and led by the generations of Superheroes who paved the way for the conquest of space and the intermingling of the interplanetary races that began to discover each other. We know that in the same way these superheroes came into being on Earth when the comic book creators took on the powers of the superheroes they created, so did a similar social upheaval overcome all of the known universe's populated planets in that era and thus did the galaxies become full of the Superheroes. Now, a thousand years later, the true origin of these superheores has become all but forgotten. All that's left of the glorious Comic Book Creators' revolution is the comic books they left behind. All that's remembered through the many social upheavals that the universe has undergone is the comic books themselves which tell of the imaginary stories that the same superheroes wrote and drew when they were but mere mortal comic book creators. The long forgotten history of the superhero comic book revolutions is now lost and irrelevant. Even Superboy himself has no knowlege of how he's destined to one day, when he returns to the past, to lead his colleagues into the Superhero revolution which changed tha face of the universe.
It's to this background that we begin our saga of the Legion of Superheroes in The Genesis Millenium.
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