The great cartoonist Jerry Robinson appeared at the New York Comic Con last weekend, interviewed by my pal Danny Fingeroth. This report will tell you a lot about what was discussed but I don't believe this line…
"The thing that's so impressive is how much work he's done on behalf of persecuted cartoonists and guys like Joe Siegel and Jerry Schuster," Fingeroth said.
Danny wouldn't mangle the names of Superman's creators like that but it's astounding how many people do. ("Joe Siegel" makes an appearance in the new book on the life and art of Dave Stevens, too.) I probably make too much of this but how difficult is it to remember it's Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster?
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. How difficult is that? Especially when you cut-and-paste like I just did.
That mistake will not be made on March 5 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. That's when it'll be my turn to interview Jerry Robinson (again) in conjunction with the Skirball's ongoing exhibition, "ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950." It opens February 19 and it'll be there 'til August 9, but try to get there on March 5 to hear Jerry. Tickets are now available at this link.
Also! Skirball associate curator Erin Clancey and I will be discussing the exhibit this coming Thursday on Patt Morrison's radio show, heard on KPCC radio, which is 89.3 on your FM dial. Patt's popular public affairs program is heard from 1 PM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. Erin and I will be on the last twenty (or so) minutes of Thursday's show. We will not be mispronouncing the names of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.