Looking Back in Exasperation: Revisiting The Lion in Winter, 10 Years On…

Don’t let my long-awaited return fool you, dear friends. I have not been prompted or motivated to write due to topical events at all, believe it or don’t- on the contrary, I’ve been planning a return to regular posts for the past two weeks, largely motivated by the steady influx of e-mails I’ve received covering subjects I’ve touched on before and some that I have not.

A few of those missives warrant proper replies, which I intend to get to quite soon. Before that…

Before Four Color Sinners became the unabashed darling of unbiased comics-related blogging (with Four Color Apocalypse, whom I probably owe a royalty payment to, moving to a paywall/subscriber tier, and According to Kirby– a superior blog by a superior writer, natch- being too sophisticated for readers more inclined to thrill to me mocking photographs of John Cimino), your trusty host once had another blog, somewhat similar in intent if more mild in tone.

A decade ago, I began that earlier blog with a more civic mindset- addressing issues I felt went unreported and under discussed. At that time, I was working with a prominent exhibitor and was paid as a creative consultant, as well as volunteering my services helping several older professionals who were experiencing ageism a second time around; first, they’d had to deal with it in the comics industry itself, now they were dealing with it on the convention circuit.

Long story short: after a handful of articles, I was informed by my employer that I simply could not continue said blog. They had regular business dealings with every publisher as well as Pow! Entertainment, etc.- it would be a conflict of interest for me to criticize, call attention to, or even share my own solutions publicly, when I was hired strictly for them.

Conflicted, I agreed. And it would be almost a decade later before I finally was annoyed enough to begin calling shit out a second time, which brings us to today.

With the recent news about the inevitable Kickstarted-funded Stan Lee documentary from Jon Bolerjack (ugh), the issue of elder abuse has begun to be addressed within fandom. In 2006, I’d begun to assist creators such as Dick Ayers and his wife Lindy, Alan Kupperberg, Irwin Hasen, etc. simply with minor things such as helping them load and unload, making sure they had proper hydration and so forth. Notably, I did not use these relationships to promote myself into a managerial role or accept any payment.

Due to these interactions and conversations, I was able to hear firsthand, their own experiences and point of view about how, attending a simple comic convention- which all of them depended on for extra income at that point, as they weren’t being hired regularly by editors- could contain its own special set of obstacles for anyone getting up there in age.

In April 2015, Herb Trimpe passed away. I’d had several conversations with him in the years prior where he was outspoken about ageism as well as how lucrative the convention circuit had become for former Marvel staffers and how it was “all they could hope on, outside of commissions”; all of this spurred me to finally put my thoughts into words and try to nudge those involved to do more for comic’s veteran creators.

Looking back, I’m much more naive and optimistic here, and all of those professionals have passed on. I still thought I’d share this, so without further ado, from April 2015, is ‘The Lion in Winter‘.

Much has been written in the past week regarding the untimely passing of artist Herb Trimpe. If you’re reading this, then you likely won’t need me to expand upon the much deserved praise and heartfelt sadness his death has prompted as Herb was indeed the rare example of someone who lived up to his reputation as both talented in work and generous with fans.

It’s a minor sticking point that only now are said fans spotting on to Herb’s horrible treatment in the late nineties from Marvel after three decades of company loyalty and quality work; that being said, it’s better late than never. However, the nature of this post doesn’t concern that so I’ll refrain from going off on a tangent.

While reading the genuine expressions of grief and appreciation, a post by comics writer Ron Marz triggered something I’d thought long ago and spent some time trying to push to fruition last year. His comments reinforced that proposal, which I’ll share with you shortly. In the meantime, Marz wrote;

“In more recent years, Herb was a regular on the con circuit, as numerous older artists are. It’s an important way to make ends meet. Comics as a whole is not very good at taking care of its veteran creators, those upon whose shoulders we stand. Hopefully with Herb Trimpe’s premature passing we can give some thought to taking better care of those who came before us.”

Within his statement, Marz touches upon a subject all too seldom discussed: the activeness of older artists and writers on the ever-popular convention circuit. It’s possible that it’s not as discussed simply because all would (or should) agree that seeing these important creators at conventions is a good and positive thing, and are happy that they have the opportunity to still interact with fans and received the hard-earned admiration and respect they so truly deserve.

The term “Lion in Winter” is defined as follows: “A proud, prominent, strong man whose great strength and dignity have been eroded by age and adversity.”

What is never considered is the expenses and costs of such endeavors for these creators whose importance to the comics industry as a whole can not and should not be discounted. Think if you will the significance of working in comic books in the 1940s and 1950s: an industry still new, without decades of preexisting context or standards. These artists shouldered the blame and carried the weight of an industry looked down upon. They are important and should be treated as such.

Right now a significant number of older creators still attend the convention circuit on a regular, ongoing basis. Off of the top of my head, I can list a few and their initiative is truly to be respected, especially as I know people a quarter of their age who won’t get off their fucking couch to go outside.

Allen Bellman is 92.

Ramona Fradon is 88.

Ken Bald is 95 this August.

Joe Sinnott and Russ Heath are also 88.

While it’s not ageism per se, there exists a tangible sense of discomfort in considering people who are, well, old. There’s also a subtle subconscious belief on the part of younger people that older people have accumulated so much wealth in their long lifetimes, that they must undoubtedly be loaded with cash.

That’s misguided thinking. Believe me, I’m aware that these creators (especially those I listed above) have nothing to prove and are not doing this for the money. They truly enjoy the experience of interacting with fans of their work and the social involvement.

That’s just not the point. The point is finally agreeing, as a community of followers, fans, historians, whatever- to forcibly initiate a new standard to assist older creators.

Within the past few years I had e-mailed a few legends. I asked Dick Ayers if he’d be appearing at a show (name withheld). His response was that he and his wife, Lindy, simply could not afford the table.

Ditto with Allen Bellman. Arnold Drake told me a decade ago that he liked conversation but needed some extra bread, to boot. (to paraphrase his exact quote.)

Here is the solution. Here is a small step to repaying those artists still living, still working, still active and engaged and, yes, gracing every convention floor with their presence.

Free table space. From now on. Free, or, at the very least, heavily discounted table space and assistance. In fact, you could allot two to three tables and have them shared by those creators deemed applicable.

Sure, it lends itself to making jokes about the “old person’s alley” but can anyone say this wouldn’t be a helpful step in paying the proper respect to those who deserve it?

Back in December I was discussing this with the brilliant historian and curator Karen Green, who added “once you’re 90 you shouldn’t have to pay for anything.”

This isn’t just altruistic. This is of immense benefit for Con Exhibitors. Because it pays dividends in goodwill, good karma, and positive press. You can almost read the Bleeding Cool (Ugh) headlines now… “Want a Free Table at Comic Con? Just be born before 1960“, etc.

For context, I’d like to point out that this is practiced to an extent every year at San Diego due to the involvement (and I assume insistence) of Mark Evanier. However, their practice is slightly different in that it involves only that year’s Hall of Fame participants- what I’m speaking of is an ongoing, industry standard approach that becomes procedure, as well as guaranteeing free space to all older creators, regardless of show.

Are there logistics to be worked on? Sure. Is it a pipe dream? Fuck no. This is entirely possible. There is no huge risk/reward in bringing this notion to fruition. Even the Film Industry pays for the treatment of aging actors and studio professionals. Comic veterans should not have to struggle- ever.

If you disagree, please explain why.

There’s much that can be done, and done quite easier than you’d think- that’s why comic books are often a cause for sincere frustration. From credit to promotions to distribution to publishing- everything has the potential to improve and reward all sides involved. There’s so many things publishers and creators could be doing to better their success.

In future installments, I’ll tell you how. (Original article ends there.)

…Well you crumbs, there were no future installments. I had to adhere to company guidelines (gag), who ignored my altruistic suggestions and pitches (including a TPB/Graphic Novel donation book drive for lower income families), so I eventually lost interest in writing anything commentary based. Before, you know- the constant lies and lack of journalism proper forced me into it.

Worth noting that Jon Cooke especially appreciated this article back then, and commented on trying to get me into a future issue of his then-magazine ACE. I’m fairly certain he doesn’t want me in his current (TwoMorrows published) magazine, Comic Book Creator.

Of greater joy for me in the present is that the esteemed Craig Yoe shared this article on his Facebook page back then, saying “wise words from a smart guy“- thanks again, Mr. Yoe- and, wouldn’t you know it- it received a bunch of “likes“- including a like from a prominent Eisner Award winning writer who has publicly trashed Four Color Sinners in recent times. Truly, time wounds all heels!

All of that being said- the elderly are treated poorly. And, in Stan Lee’s case, exploited– and continues to be exploited after death- but that’s another topic altogether. I wish I had been able to affect greater change during that last era of Golden & Silver Age creators being present, but I was not. What’s important is that we can affect change for the future. ‘Cause ain’t none of us getting younger.

In the meantime, our next entries will be ALL-NEW, promise. And! If you have a question or concern to be featured in our upcoming “Mailbag” issue, please send it express to: fourcolorsinners@gmail.com

Remember: a quitter never wins!

Dedicated to Dick Ayers, Ramona Fradon, Irwin Hasen, Alan Kupperberg, Arnold Drake, Allen Bellman, Herb Trimpe, Trina Robbins, and countless other artists we’ve loved and lost.