The Sullivan Institute of Narrative & Adjacent Art :: Minor Works by Artists of the Sequential Milieux

The Golden Age Mister Terrific

Artist: Fred Hembeck (All)

3 Comments - 228 Views - 2 Likes

The Golden Age Mister Terrific Comic Art

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Artwork Details

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

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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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/30/2023

Nothng more terrific than a Hembeck take! His art packed into card size is all the craze like GPK, Wacky Packs, and anything else that brings both nostalgia and humor.

Peter Roe
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 9/5/2023

A fine, fine choice. Wonderful explanation of how you came to your Hembeck decision! Fair play for all!

Gary Adubato
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 9/7/2023

Mr. Terrific for President. I don't care which party. :-)

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