An e-mail from comic shop entrepreneur Joe Ferrara just reminded me that today is the 91st birthday of Marty Nodell. Mr. Nodell had a long and wonderful career as a cartoonist and advertising designer and managed to launch not one but two great American icons. He was the artist creator (along with writer Bill Finger) of Green Lantern and he was the first artist to draw the Pillsbury Doughboy. I used to get them confused and try poking Green Lantern in the tummy to hear him giggle.
It's been a pleasure to know Marty and to have him on many convention panels. He's a fine gentleman and a wonderful source of comic book history…and hey, how many of us get to start one great character, let alone two? Congrats, Marty! Hope to see you again soon.