Wally Wood... I Wish You Were Here!

I don't know exactly why, but this afternoon I was singing the lyrics to Pink Floyd's timeless rock classic "Wish You Were Here", which was a song and musical composition written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, partly inspired by themes of alienation, and most assuredly inspired by founding member and lead singer, Syd Barrett. Barrett hails from the band's early incarnation prior to the Floyd's commercial success, but was kicked out due to erratic behavior stemming from drug abuse. Ironically, during the studio recording of the album of the very same name, Wish You Were Here, Syd Barrett made a surprise visit... and left Floyd members Waters, Gilmour, Wright and Mason rather shaken. For many years, they had known Barrett as an artistic genius with movie-star good looks, as much of the world knew him to be, but the Floyd were startled by Barrett's transformation... Barrett was a completely different person: overweight and bald, and mentally and emotionally vacant, the likely result from the effects of years of drug experimentation. Sadly, Barrett lived only until the age of 60, passing away on July 7, 2006. It's a tragic tale to say the very least of an immense talent that could have been.

For some reason, it got me thinking of the many artistic geniuses that lived and eventually died in tragic ways before their time. In the fine arts, I think of Vincent Van Gogh; in the literary world, I think of Robert E. Howard; and in the Comic Book World, the first name that popped into my head was Wally Wood. I first read about Wally Wood's tragic tale in a Wizard Magazine article... had no idea the man was a recluse and troubled alcoholic.

My very first connection to Wally Wood was through a comic I purchased from Mile High Comics roughly back in 1984: Marvel Comics' Daredevil Volume 1, Number 6. This was a key issue since it introduced villain Mr. Fear and was the last issue to feature Daredevil's old costume... the red and yellow number. It was written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Wally Wood. Although drawn in a 50's and 60's style, I was immediately taken by Wood's impressive skills in rendering fluid action whilst conjuring a realism mastered by the likes of Frank Frazetta and Hal Foster. But sadly, this was to be the only comic I would own featuring art by Wally Wood, until my recent purchase of Thunder Agents #1. Why? Probably because in the 80's, during the heyday of my comic collecting, Wally unexpectedly seemed to drop-off the face of the earth. I didn't see any of his works featured in any of the Marvel or DC titles. And stupidly, in my teenage years, I didn't care to look for a reason. I just assumed he quit the industry and was off to retirement.

It was only two years ago, in the aforementioned Wizard Magazine article (published in Wizard Magazine 228, August 2010, check it out: http://heroinitiative.blogspot.com/2010/06/tragic-genius-wally-wood.html), which finally enlightened me to the truth: at the age of 54, Wally Wood had taken his life. Years of declining health, alcohol abuse, kidney failure, a stroke (which took half of his vision), and I imagine other mounting issues, contributed to a deteriorating mental and emotional state, which ultimately led a despondent Wood to suicide. He was pronounced dead by Los Angeles County Corner's Office on November 3, 1981.

I'm not trying to write a tribute page here. I couldn't even begin to do Wally Wood justice since I don't know enough about the man or the artist. I'm still discovering the works of a legend whose comic book career first started back in 1948, and was once hired by the late great Will Eisner to work on The Spirit. Wood is perhaps best known for his classic illustrations featured in legendary publisher EC Comics in the 50's, producing some of the best comic artwork alongside legends Johnny Craig, Reed Crandall, Frank Frazetta, Jack Davis, Graham Ingles, Joe Orlando, Al Williamson, and Basel Wolverton, just to name a few. Google Image Wally Wood, and see what comes up.

Recently, IDW published the hardcover book: Wally Wood's EC Stories Artist's Edition. It is a monolithic book, featuring 18 stories from various EC's science fiction titles, faithfully reproduced in their original size as golden age comic art pages. A few weeks ago, I was admiring a copy at Midtown Comics, contemplating purchasing it, but it is not only very large and heavy, but also expensive... I believe $150. Check it out: http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/2232/.

Three interesting things about Wally Wood I liked to mention before I bore you to death... and the first two things go out to all you Daredevil fans, myself included... First thing, we should express our humblest and sincerest gratitude to Wally Wood, who designed Daredevil's iconic red costume. Second thing, if any of you Daredevil fans own Volume 1, issue 164, a retelling of Daredevil's origin, you'll be happy to know Wally Wood inked the cover illustrated by Frank Miller. Side note: when I first bought that comic back in 1980, I had no idea it was connected to Wally Wood, nor the retelling of DD's origin which features the old yellow and red costume. Third thing, and this one is a gem... this goes out to all you red-blooded males, once again, myself included... a very special thank you goes to Wally Wood, who, along with Gerry Conway and Ric Estrada, co-created Powergirl, and apparently, the artist had a hand in her bosomy look and that sexy low-cut costume. Thank you very much Mr. Wood! No pun intended.

FYI: Back in the late 60's, Wally Wood once published the underground comic magazine called Witzend. For any of you collectors searching for keys, again... myself included... this one is particularly hard to find... Witzend Issue 3 (1967), which features the first appearance of Steve Ditko's Mr. A, who happens to be part inspiration for Alan Moore's Rorschach.

I'm going to leave you now with a pic of the only CGC graded comic I own featuring Wally Wood's art... his co-creation: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. It's a really cool cover... with smooth and clean lines. I love the way Dynamo is rendered in a truly classic pose... almost like an ancient Greek statue.

Wally... I wish you were here.

If you're into Wally Wood... please share a story about the first comic or artwork you bought featuring the legend.

Happy Collecting!

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