As most of you know, Groove-ophiles, Denny O'Neil, one of the most influential writers of the Groovy Age passed away at the age of 81on Friday, June 12. Much has been written about O'Neil during the past week, and that's how it should be. During the 1970s, O'Neil changed the way we would think about Batman in particular and comics in general forever (in tandem, naturally, with artist Neal Adams, mostly, but also with a host of other artistic luminaries from Irv Novick to Mike Kaluta to Jack Kirby to Mike Grell). His revamp of the post-camp
Batman and introduction of hardcore "relevant" comics (with Adams) on
Batman and
Green Lantern/Green Arrow caused waves in the comicbook industry that are still being felt to this very day. From the late 70s right through to the present, as a writer and editor he has continued to help comics grow and adapt to the times, as well as help groom new, sometimes super-star talent (like Frank Miller). Like I said, much has been written by others, covering much more ground. Google and Facebook is filled with it, and it's worth your time to check it out if you haven't already.
Personally, Denny O'Neil has always been a huge inspiration to me as a fan, as a writer, and as a person. His run on GL/GA convinced me as a youngster to look at many things in this world in certain ways. Positive ways. That makes him more than an important writer. That makes him an important person in my life, although I never had the pleasure of meeting the man.
Like Roy Thomas was my first favorite writer at Marvel, O'Neil was my first favorite DC writer of the Groovy Age. He was the one writing my favorite
Batman stories. He was the one writing
JLA when I first starting buying it. O'Neil was the man who wrote the really cool stuff like
The Shadow, Justice Inc.,
Swords of Sorcery, and
Iron Wolf. Instead of listing and listing, though, I think I'd enjoy it more (and I think you will, too) if I just share splashes from favorite O'Neil stories like I did with last week's Len Wein tribute. These stories enthralled, amazed, entertained, and sometimes changed me.
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| Cheyanne Kid #66 |
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| Bat Lash #2 |
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| The Atom and Hawkman #42 |
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| Justice League of America #74 |
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| Phantom Stranger #8 |
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| Batman #232 |
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| Adventure Comics #419 |
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| The Flash #217 |
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| Batman #251 |
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| Detective Comics #460 |
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| Batman Family #18 |
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| DC Special Series #15 |
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| The Hulk! #21 |
Thank you for the enjoyment, the lessons, and the inspiration, Mr. O'Neil. You'll never be forgotten!
Hey, Kids! Comics from 50 Years Ago!
