Best of 2023 :: Published/Unpublished Comic Book Pin-Ups, Illustrations, Trading Cards

The Golden Age Mister Terrific

Owner: Michael Sullivan
Artist: Fred Hembeck (All)

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Artwork Details

Title:	The Golden Age Mister Terrific
Artist:	Fred Hembeck (All)
Media Type:	Marker
Art Type:	Sketch Card
Views:	228
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Added to Site:	8/30/2023

Description

Everyone should have a Hembeck. It's been said many times and it's true. In fact, a noted collector once said that if you don't have one, "you are lacking."

Once I decided to acquire one, I was very picky about which characters I would consider. I knew it would be a DC character. My earliest memories of Fred were his two or three panel strips that ran at the bottom of the "Daily Planet" page at the back of DC books in the late 70s/early 80s. Also, had to have knees.

I could go with classic favorites like Hal Jordan, Alan Scott, the Riddler, or the Golden Age Starman.

I decided that I wanted to celebrate his humor as well as one of the things that make DC better than Marvel (yeah, I said it). That would be the oddball ridiculous characters that the DC universe still takes seriously (or as seriously as can be expected). With Marvel, everything has to be kewl, preferably having sharp edges or unnecessary strappage. DC has a better sense of the absurd. Life is nothing if not absurd.

As each day's five pieces were revealed on eBay, I would evaluate if there were any weird DC characters I was interested in. Crazy Quilt was considered, but he spiraled very high in the bidding. Matter-Eater Lad hurt when I got outbid. But then I snagged the Golden Age Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane.

Yeah, he's silly looking, but he stood for something (it's written all over him) and he's a vital part of DC history, resulting in the modern bad ass Mister Terrific. He continues to pop up from time to time, even being...well, I'll get to that.

And he's a Golden Age/JSA/Earth-2 guy and I've always been way into the deep DC continuity characters.

One last reason I liked him as a choice was because one of the first comics I pulled of a spinner rack as a kid was Justice League of America #171 -- where Terry Sloane was murdered by the Spirit King.

2.5" x 3.5"
Marker on Strathmore bristol sketchcard

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About the Owner

	Michael Sullivan
Joined:	August 2021
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.redrighthand.net
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Michael's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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