As befits his stature as one of the most important figures of the modern age of comics, Dick Giordano hs been the subject of many tributes and retrospectives. A careful reading reveals just how one person can make a difference, and the qualities needed to do the same:
• Scott’s Classic Comics Corner has a cover tribute.
• Former DC editor KC Carlson has a very long detailed look at some of Giordano’s career highlights:
The Witching Hour was filled with creative surprises throughout the first lucky 13 Giordano-edited issues. Consider this creative line-up: Toth, Adams, Berni Wrightson, Denny O’Neil, Gil Kane, Wein, Sergio Aragones, Conway, Murphy Anderson, Gray Morrow, Don Heck, Steve Skeates, Wolfman, George Tuska, Nick Cardy, Mike Sekowsky, Pat Boyette, Sid Greene, Jack Sparling, Bob Brown, Bill Draut, Win Mortimer, and Jerry Grandenetti. Pretty scary, eh, kids?
• Bob Greenberger: remembers the mentor:
DC in 1984 was a company poised to explode into a new age. All the pieces were being put into place as Dick was recently named to run the editorial department and was setting the stage for creators from Frank Miller to Alan Moore do some of their best and most memorable work.
Working on staff at the time allowed me to see the man in action and to learn from him. He was a superb artist and had excellent story instincts which he happily conveyed with any and all to walk into his cluttered office. Every lesson I’ve learned in how to review portfolios and talk to artists, came from Dick. Whenever I was looking art artwork and I knew something was wrong, but the words failed me, I could walk into his office and show him the page. He saw my point and then grabbed a sheet of tracing paper and showed me (and often the artist as well) what was wrong, why, and how to fix it.
• As does Vertigo editor Karen Berger:
For those of us who had the honor of working with Dick, you knew there was a unique quality about his leadership that made you feel like you could achieve anything. He provided the sanest and safest of environments that allowed us to set our minds free and explore daring creative paths and new ways of thinking. It was always up to us whether we succeeded or made mistakes, as it should be, but he was always there to guide us, and to pick us up when we fell down. If he called you into his office for doing something stupid, you’d walk in shaking but walk out feeling like you were a million bucks.
Dick was one of the nicest people in comics. He came to teach at my school in 1988 and was a gracious and direct teacher. I got a C in class but he said to drop by the DC offices to show my work upon graduation. Despite a hectic schedule, this VP made time for my visit and kicked open the door to my first assignment, an Aquaman cover. I never forgot that help or how gracious he remained in any situation. His work profoundly defined 70/80’s and influenced so many, including me. But personally, he defined DC in a very different way. When I interned at Marvel in 87 the employees always laughed at my fanboy questions, dismissing them with a laugh and inferring how ridiculous it was to believe in these characters so intensely. A year later, as I sat in Dick’s office, he listened to the same questions (only applied to DC’s characters). He then patiently smiled back and answered each question in detail and gave the impression that he too had asked these very same questions. Ultimately, Dick proved that he never lost his enthusiasm for the medium or the magic of superheroes. The man never seemed jaded. He truly will be missed. Dick, if you can hear me, thanks so much for everything!
I never got to know DG but I fondly remember having an amusing meeting with him (over 20 years ago). Dick was real hard of hearing so Greenberger stood next to him and practically shouted what I said in D’s ear. A bit Lynchian.
From what I saw of DG seemed friendly, hospitable and showed no interest in trying to intimidate others.
I wasn’t crazy about his ink on NA but I always loved D’s work (over Kane) on the first Iron Fist story (Marvel Premiere 15). Also solid on Von Eeden’s Green Arrow mini and others I can’t think of.
Isn’t the cover posted on the blog pure Neal?