Todd Klein's Blog, page 268

Bernard and George Kashdan at DC Comics

Photo courtesy of Paul Levitz and © DC Comics, Inc.

In my recent blog article “The DC Comics Offices 1930s-1950s Part 3,” I examined a large 1948 photo of the National Comics (now DC Comics) staff, trying to identify as many of the people in it as possible. I thought the gentleman above might be a young George Kashdan (a DC editor), while others thought it could be someone else. Recently I was contacted by Bennett Kashdan, who told me he and his mother are sure it’s a picture of Bennett’s father Bernard Kashdan, George’s brother. Bernard Kashdan worked on the business side of National Comics, starting work there in 1940. With some additional photos and information from Bennett, I’ve put together what I know about the two Kashdan brothers.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan.

According to the Social Security Death Index, Bernard Kashdan was born in 1918, so he would have been 22 in 1940. The 1940 census does not list a job for him, and shows him living at home in The Bronx, New York, so he must have started his job at National Comics after the census was taken. In an interview referenced below, George Kashdan said their father Philip worked for Harry Donenfeld’s Donny Press where he was a foreman, and when Philip died, Harry offered Bernard work in the accounting department of National. Bernard attended the Baruch (now Zicklin) School of Business, so was well prepared for that.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan.

Here’s Bernard at his desk at 480 Lexington Avenue some time in the 1940s clearly involved in some paperwork. While researching this article, I wondered if, as sometimes happens, Bernard might have tried his hand at writing for the comics, and I searched for his name in the Grand Comics Database. I found some entries, but when I looked at them I realized Bernard had been listed as the “writer” of the Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation for some comics in the late 1960s to early 1970s when he was the company’s Business Manager. Apparently he stuck to the business side and left the creative writing to his brother George.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan

In 1952, Bernard and Harriet Kashdan were married. Bennett thought I would find this photo from their wedding of interest. From left to right are Harry Donenfeld and his wife, Jack Liebowitz, Herb Siegel and Ben Weinstein (with his wife, I assume). Siegel and Weinstein were also from the business side of National Comics, with Weinstein being the Controller or Business Manager at the time, and Bernard’s boss. Those two can also be found in the large staff photo from 1948 in my previous article.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan.

This photo from Bennett is my favorite, it shows a painting of Bernard by artist Ray Perry, who began working in comics in the earliest days, having art in the very first DC Comic, NEW FUN #1. Later he worked in the National Comics Production department, while becoming a well-respected fine artist in his spare time. I’ve heard of several Ray Perry portraits of company employees, but this is the first one I’ve seen. The inscription reads, “To Bernie from Ray” and the date looks like 6-23-55, though it’s hard to read. I find it an excellent work of art, and quite a good likeness to the photos. Bennett tells me it still hangs in his mother’s bedroom.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan.

One final photo of Bernard is from the offices at 575 Lexington Avenue in the 1960s, probably taken by Bennett. Bernard continued to work for the company until 1976, reaching the position of Vice President – Business Manager. After that he worked in related businesses. He died in 2003.

Photo courtesy of Bennett Kashdan.

I don’t have much new information about George Kashdan, Bernard’s younger brother, but I do have this fine new photo from about 1949, which I’m happy to be able to add to my articles, replacing a rather poor and much later one. The 1940 census shows that George was born in 1928, so was about 10 years younger than Bernard. In a lengthy interview conducted by Jim Amash, and published in ALTER EGO #93 and #94, George gives more details about his comics career than I had previously discovered, and tells some interesting stories about the folks he worked with, including his brother. I highly recommend it for further reading. There George says he began writing for the company in 1947, after his brother Bernie told him the editors were looking for more writers, and did some part-time copy-editing in the late 1940s, filling in for ailing editor Bernie Breslauer, but did not become a full-time staffer until Breslauer passed away, around 1950. Thereafter he worked with Jack Schiff, Mort Weisinger and Murray Boltinoff as an assistant editor for some years, as well as continuing to write comics scripts, eventually becoming a full editor on some titles starting in 1961. In 1968 George was let go from his staff job, but continued to find work as a freelance writer in comics and elsewhere until health problems slowed his output in the late 1980s. George died in 2006. A fine remembrance by writer Mark Evanier can be found HERE.

More On Zena Brody, DC Editor

In Part 4 of my article “The DC Comics Offices 1930s-1950s,” I wrote about Zena Brody, editor of DC’s romance titles in the 1950s, seen above in a photo by Jack Adler. New information brought to my attention by blog reader Jake Oster and further research has located much more accurate information about Zena (a previous link to a woman named Eleanor Brody was incorrect, for instance). Here’s what I now can report on the real Zena Brody, born Zena Friedland.

Zena Carol (Friedland) Brody was born in New York on March 10, 1928. The 1930 census puts her and her family in Brooklyn, NY. Her parents, Samuel and Rebecca (Rosen) Friedland were born in Russia. The 1940 census has the family at 219 Bright Water Court in Brooklyn, where they had lived at least five years. A sister, Gloria Friedland had joined the family in 1932. Zena attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1948. Above is her senior year college yearbook photo.

Also from that yearbook is a photo of Zena in the chorus of a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado,” though all the women are heavily made up, so hard to tell apart. Zena graduated with an A.B. (Bachelor of Arts) degree in English.

In a 2001 interview, publisher Irwin Donenfeld says: “I hired a young lady named Zena Brody, and she put out four (romance) magazines, and they did very well.” At the time, all the books had only Whitney Ellsworth’s name on the indicia as editor, so it’s hard to know when Zena Brody actually began editing the romance titles, but staff letterer Gaspar Saladino remembers she was on staff when he started in late 1949. She would have still been Zena Friedland then.

The photo above is from Zena’s entry on the Geni genealogical site, maintained by her family. It looks to me like an engagement photo. The Michigan Alumnus Volume 57, Page 392 announced Zena’s engagement to Eugene Brody in 1950:

Zena Friedland, ’48, an editor for National Publications in New York, is engaged to Eugene Brody, ’47. Go Blue!!!

Zena was married to Eugene Brody on June 24th, 1951 in New York, and continued to work at National Comics (now DC Comics) for some years. The first of her three children was born in 1955, so it’s possible she left her staff job at that time, but that’s speculation on my part. She was succeeded by Ruth Brant, then by Phyllis Reed, whose name began appearing as editor in the romance titles in 1958.

Little information is available about Zena after this time, but she died on June 12, 1971 in New York. The cause of death is listed as Cancer. Her husband was a doctor who practiced for over 40 years, dying in 2012. As of that date he was survived by their three children, nine grandchildren, and Zena’s sister Gloria.

I’ll be updating my previous posts about Zena Brody with this information soon. Any further information is welcome. More about DC editors can be found on my COMICS CREATION page. Thanks again to Jake Oster and Alex Jay for their research help.

A Mobile Sand Castle

Found on the beach this evening in Sea Isle City, NJ, sculptor unknown, this charming sculpt of a sand castle on the back of a lizard-like creature. It’s the fantasy version of a seaside mobile home, I guess. Quite well done, probably by a pro.

Here’s a closer look at the castle itself. excellent variety of features and surface textures.

This smaller castle was nearby, possibly by the same person. Looks unfinished, but still a skilled piece. Never know what you’re going to find on the beach!

Pulled At Random From My Files #10

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

In 2000 DC put out a Silver Age series whose covers were meant to recapture the look of that era, the mid 1950s into the early 1970s (a much debated time frame). I had been doing all my cover lettering for DC on my Mac computer since about 1995, but when asked, I was happy to supply this cover balloon for the JLA first issue. What cover designer Curtis King wanted was the look of Gaspar Saladino’s classic display lettering style. That was no problem for me, I’d been imitating it more or less since I started doing DC covers in 1978 or so, Gaspar being my lettering role model.

Here’s how it looked on the cover, which did a fairly good job of capturing the period I think. the other cover lettering above the logo is in the style of Ira Schnapp, Gaspar’s predecessor as the main DC cover lettering man. Having the two styles on the same cover is a little odd, but it works for me.  Fun stuff.

And Then I Read: GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS 22

Image © DC Comics, Inc.

Perhaps there are only so many ways to make a big enough threat to the Green Lantern Corps, but in this title, the new threat: Relic seems rather familiar. He’s a huge thing humanoid that Kyle Rayner and his group of Guardians and fellow Lanterns have discovered at the edge of known space (there’s a concept hard to fathom) who seems somewhat machinelike, in the manner of the Borg from Star Trek or Brainiac, and plays mind games with Kyle much like the recent GL foe the First Lantern. I’m not seeing much in the way of new ideas here from writer Justin Jordan. The art by Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy is fine. Perhaps a less cosmic, more personal storyline would engage me more, but I don’t see that in the offing.

Mildly recommended.

“Logo of the Day” reaches #500!

 

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

Over on my Facebook fan page “Todd Klein, artist,” the five hundredth entry in my feature “Logo of the Day” appeared yesterday — this one designed by John Workman in 1976, the final entry in the album covering logos 401-500.

 

Today a new album began with this logo from 1937, designer unknown. If you aren’t enjoying “Logo of the Day,” I encourage you to stop by the page and do so.

And Then I Read: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES 22

Image © DC Comics, Inc.

A story of ruin and destruction develops its own inertia. After an issue or two, you know things are going toward utter destruction. The interest is in seeing how the heroes struggle to turn the tide, even when the tide seems unturnable. Paul Levitz does a good job with this, giving individual LSH members their moment to shine, to hold back the waves a little, even as the tide rises. The art by Jeff Johnson and Andy Smith is effective and appealing, lots of energy, but nice drama and character moments too. I particularly liked Polar Boy against Tharok, a very Paul Levitz moment.

Recommended.

Baltimore Comic-Con 2013, and the Harvey Awards

Images © Todd Klein.

I drove to Baltimore Saturday Morning and arrived on the Con floor a little after noon. Overall it was about like last year as far as size and number of participants, though folks I talked to seemed to think more people were buying things this year, always a good sign. I wandered around, as I usually do, meeting and talking to friends and a few fans who recognized me, and taking photos of things that caught my eye. I also missed friends I knew were there, but so it goes in a big, crowded room.

I’ve been seeing these “blanks” being used at cons as sketch covers, though I’m not sure if they are actual comics with a special cover, or simply a sheet of drawing paper with a comic book logo and trade dress on them. I don’t know if the comics companies print them, or someone else does, but here they are for $5 each.

Here’s something I’ve never seen at a comics con before, the British Embassy with a booth promoting tourism in Great Britain. They had images from Wallace and Gromit, Dr. Who and British films. Pretty clever.

Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, writing partners on DC books like Justice League, and each with tons of writing (J.M) and both writing and art (Keith) credits as well. I hadn’t seen J.M. for over 25 years, and hadn’t seen Keith for quite a few. Really enjoyed talking about the comics business with Keith, I’d forgotten how funny he can be. “DC just renewed my contract,” he told me. “I don’t know why, all I do is YELL at them!”

This is comics fan and art collector Joseph Melchior. His picture is here because he’s the one who brought the title page of SANDMAN #1 to the San Diego Comicon, where Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and I were all amazed and delighted to see it, and at the time I neglected to get his name or photo. Thanks again for the moment, Joseph!

Here’s a novelty item I hadn’t seen before, official-looking parking permits from many comics and fantasy-related properties.

Old friend Ron Randall with the new trade paperback collection of his own TREKKER comics, out from Dark Horse. Good to see him, it’s been a few years.

You know, of all the attributes of Stan Lee one might imagine trying to capture, his scent does not seem to me to be high on the list, but someone is trying. And there were people interested, go figure.

Here’s sometime FABLES inker Andrew Pepoy at his table working his magic on a page from Bongo Comics’ FUTURAMA.

A closer look at his work in progress. Andrew has also recently been doing some wonderful mash-up covers for Archie Comics, like one in the style of EC science fiction comics, and another with zombies. Andrew is versatile and accomplished.

From 3 to 5 PM I participated in the Official East Coast Fables Panel with a host of other FABLES creators, so many that they extended way beyond the table. Some of these folks are hard to see, but from left to right here are Matthew Sturges (behind) Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Barry Kitson, Andrew Pepoy, Chrissie Zullo, Sean Williams and Adam Hughes, with my chair empty. Editor Shelly Bond heckled from the audience.

Here’s about half the audience, a smaller group than San Diego, but very enthusiastic. If you’ve never been to a FABLES panel, you don’t know what you’re missing. Here’s a small video excerpt of five contestants doing the “Zullo,” a dance created by artist Chrissie Zullo. They’re trying to win a FABLES print signed by everyone on the panel. Much fun was had by all.

In the evening I attended the Harvey Awards dinner, getting to see more friends and talk to more people, meeting some new ones as well.

Bill Willingham was the Master of Ceremonies, and in his opening speech explained why comics are at least 40,000 years old and are the source of all civilization. Very entertaining. Through luck, I was again seated near the podium this year, so was able to get some photos.

The first award given was for Best Letterer, and I don’t have photo of that winner because it was me! I really wasn’t expecting to win, though some may scoff at that, but it’s true. I was nonetheless delighted, and said something like this:

“I’ve lettered over 60,000 pages now, and countless projects. Some I thought would do well didn’t last long, but when I first read the proposal for FABLES, I knew it was a winner, and so it has proved to be. I’m grateful to have such a fine series to work on. Thank you!”

Here are Mike Curtis and old friend Joe Staton accepting for Best Syndicated Strip: Dick Tracy.

Dark Horse editor Diana Schutz accepting for Best American Edition of Foreign Material: BLACKSAD, an excellent book.

Presenter Mark Buckingham.

Paul Levitz accepting the Dick Giordano Hero Initiative Humanitarian of the Year Award, and well deserved.

Presenter Ramona Fradon, most likely the person with the longest comics career in the room.

Sal Buscema accepting the Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award. I’ve never met or seen Sal before, he was charming, humble and very gracious, obviously greatly moved.

Presenter Stan Sakai.

Presenter Terry Moore, who I sat next to at dinner and enjoyed talking to.

Walter Simonson accepting Best Graphic Album Previously Published for ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY from Titan Books. Walt thanked John Workman, who got him the job at Heavy Metal, and writer Archie Goodwin.

Such ceremonies are always too long, and this one was competing with loud music from a wedding next door, but I still had a fine time, no surprise.

Here’s my award on the window of my hotel room, with Orioles Stadium in the background. Ah well, now I’m home again and back to reality. Time to get to work!

And Then I Read: SECRET SERVICE 5 & 6

Image © Millarworld Ltd, Marv Films Ltd and Dave Gibbons Ltd.

For years aspiring filmmakers and screen writers have been trying to springboard (and storyboard) projects using comics. Mark Millar has skipped the middlemen and gone right to the top, teaming with director Matthew Vaughn on this project that is clearly an action film in comics form, and no doubt a useful tool to sell and cast the film, which is in development. Having great art by Dave Gibbons certainly doesn’t hurt, and I admire both Millar and Gibbons for producing such a fine story that works great as a comic, even while it serves another purpose.

It’s the story of two secret agents, an older, seasoned, hardened one along the lines of James Bond, but without as much glamor, and his protegé and nephew Gary, a general screw-up from the slums (as Jack was) being given a chance to make a new life in the dangerous but rewarding world of espionage. The characters are well-depicted, if not terribly likeable. The action is very violent and at times thrilling. The plotline is over the top at times, very down to earth at others, not a bad mix at all.

If the movie does get made it’s not one I’d want to see, I think I outgrew action movies of this type some years ago, but I can certainly recommend the comics.

And Then I Read: GREEN LANTERN 22

Image © DC Comics, Inc.

This issue is a pretty good mix of action and character development. On Oa, Hal Jordan is leading a group of new recruits (and seasoned GLs) against Larfleeze and his creatures of greed. Larfleeze has about worn out his welcome for me, I no longer find him amusing. Here he does provide a good temporary threat, and allows the recruits to find out something of what they’re in for. Down in the prison cells, another young GL is about to learn some lessons about love and trust the hard way. And a prisoner gets an unexpected gift. Nice writing by Robert Venditti, good art by Tan, Hunter and Sibal. In all a good read.

Recommended.