The Day After (Jack Kirby left Marvel Comics)

If you've obtained one of the early copies of the book, you've seen that 1941 photo of Marvel Comics founder/owner Martin Goodman holding a color proof for the cover to Captain America Comics #11. (Click on the image to your left to enlarge.)

It's a fascinating photo for a number of reasons. First, it's one of the earliest photos of Martin Goodman that has ever been published. (It's only surpassed in age by the two 1940 New Year's Eve photos we also have in the book.) One of my favorite parts of our book is that we were able to track down seemingly every photo ever published containing Martin Goodman's visage. Each photo that popped up when Michael found another Martin Goodman magazine was a revelation.

There are actually more photos of Goodman in the 1950s, when he began his line of movie magazines, and started hobnobbing with Hollywood stars. My personal favorite in the book is the shot of him and Charlton Heston. Why? Because Heston played Moses in The Ten Commandments, and one of the facts that we uncovered for the book is that Goodman's birth name was also Moses. In fact, Goodman's parents seem to pillage the Bible when landing on names for their kids.

The second most interesting aspect of this photo is when it was taken. Joe Simon and Jack

Talkin' with Al Jaffee in NYC

Artist Al Jaffee began drawing for comics as far back as 1941, long before his legendary contributions to Mad Magazine, which included his signature Mad Fold-In back covers, and Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.

He began working for Stan Lee at Marvel Comics (then known as Timely Comics) on the funny animal strips, like Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal, and finished his run there in the mid 1950s as the long-running artist on the Patsy Walker book. (Click on the image to your left to enlarge it.)

We were thrilled to have him join us for the book's release event last Saturday, and it was even more fascinating, at the dinner beforehand, to listen to him regale us with stories about his earliest days in comics.

Here's eight minutes of Al talking about: Will Eisner, Marvel/Timely Comics, Chad Grothkopf, Stan Lee, Syd Shores, bigfoot cartooning, Bonnie & Clyde, Mike Sekowsky and Steve Ditko needing Photoshop...

Walkin' with Al Jaffee in NYC

We were be joined by famed artists Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg at our New York City event last Saturday. Both Jaffee and Goldberg worked in Marvel Comics owner Martin Goodman's other publications. They joined us on stage to discuss their memories of working for Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s.

Jaffee started with Marvel on strips like "Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal" (click on the image to your left) - indeed, quite a few funny animal books - in the 1940s. He finished his time there in the 1950s on humor and teen books, like Patsy Walker, before becoming a staple at Mad Magazine.

We were very blessed to have both gentlemen with us. The whole day was a blast, just walkin' the streets of New York City with Al Jaffee...

Limited number of advance copies available for sale

Thanks to all those that came out to the "Secret History Of Marvel Comics" event last night in NYC. Our guests Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg were most appreciative of the reception they received. (We'll have a lot more on the event in the coming days.)

We have some advanced copies of the book left over from the event (still weeks before it hits stores) and are making them available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We'll sign them for you, and include one of the signed, tipped-in plates (featuring Stan Lee's visage from 1947) from last night's event too. (Only 100 made.)

Two ways you can get them: if you're coming to the NYC Con today, we'll have some on us, (will be there around 1pm; email ditko37@rogers.com to confirm your copy). Otherwise, we'll mail them out to you this week. Cost is $40 per book. If we ship them, please add another $5.

Same goes for the not-released-until-November "Impossible Tales: The Steve Ditko Archives vol. 4". And the special offer from last night's event is also available: 50% off (the $40 cover price - i.e., $20) of Blake's earlier books:

• Steve Ditko Archives vol. 2
• Steve Ditko Archives vol. 3
• Strange & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko
• Fire & Water: Bill Everett
• Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives vol. 1

There's also ONE copy of the out-of-print "Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives vol. 1" available and it is $50. (Also, if you purchase the Ditko Archives, you'll get a signed, tipped-in plate.)

Signing Book Plates for Tonight's NYC Event

Join us - authors Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo - for the official book release event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators - 128 E 63rd St., between Park and Lexington Ave. You can purchase tickets online at THIS LINK on the Society of Illustrators website

We'll be joined by artists Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg to discuss their memories of working for Martin Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s! You can purchase one of a limited number of the book, weeks before it hits stores. Come and see the unveiling of the "Martin Goodman Exhibit!" Get a first hand look at all those Martin Goodman publications, from the 1930s to the 1950s, up close and personal! The cost of admission also gives you access to an exclusive signing session and catered reception afterwards (with cash bar).


Attendees will receive a signed, limited edition, tipped-in plate for the book. Here's pics of Blake and Michael putting their signatures to the plates...

Packing up "The Martin Goodman Exhibit" for NYC Event tonight

One of the unique aspects that should have you running to attend the Official Book Release Event in New York City (tonight at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators, at 128 E 63rd St., Park & Lexington Ave) is the debut of "The Martin Goodman Exhibit".

Yes, it's a massive selection of various Martin Goodman publications from 1933 to the 1950s and putting them on display for you to gawk at. Here begins the packing up of the materials...

Yes, it's that wide and that deep. And hey, there's Stan Lee smoking a pipe in 1947 on the cover of "Writer's Digest". And there's Marilyn Monroe kissing Joe DiMaggio on the cover of "Sensation" (Jan '55). Join us tonight for more than just getting a first crack at the book (weeks before it hits stores) and listening to famed artists Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg discuss their memories of working for Martin Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s!

New York Post "Hot Picks" for Book Release Event

Our Official Book Release Event in New York City was the lead "Hot Pick" in the New York Post newspaper. Check out the snapshot below on page 37 that will make Syd Shores famous! (Click on the image to enlarge.)

The piece has new quotes from one of our honored guests, famed artist Al Jaffee. Al and artist Stan Goldberg will join us to discuss their memories of working for Martin Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s! (The event takes place on Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators at 128 E 63rd St, between Park and Lexington Ave.)