Mike Mignola loves the writing of "the Pulps." There was a time when reading was the main source of entertainment for people. That started shifting when the cutting edge media of radio took over the ears and hearts of the world.
Mike and I aren't so old as to remember them the first time around. I first heard about them around the edges of comic fandom while Mike plunged into the reprint editions of the seventies. You've heard of Doc Savage, The Shadow and The Green Hornet, no doubt (if not, start Googling!) but the one who had the biggest influence on Mike's own pulp creation was The Spider.
He was created as an answer to The Shadow but was more ruthless and much crazier the the more popular caped avenger. He had a cigarette lighter with a secret bottom that would affix a small, scarlet spider sticker to the foreheads of the men he killed.
A sticker?
Really?
The Lobster is much scarier than that. You'll learn much more about him in a coming Dark Horse Comics mini-series written by Mike Mignola. There'll be a new definition of "action-packed" by the time you get through reading it. To the left and right are two covers from the mini-series.
In The Phantom Claw you'll see Lobster Johnson about the same way he was portrayed in The Conqueror Worm. I know a lot more about the character but Mike, quite rightly, wants to tell that story himself.
But I'll tell you what he is not. He is not a simplistic do-gooder with a chiseled jaw and a sparkling smile. He does not "quip." He is not the Lone Ranger in goggles. He is as dark and quirky a character as you have ever seen crawl from the mind of Mike Mignola.
And that can be very quirky indeed.
Next up: I glimpse into my writing process when dealing with animated action. Meanwhile, don't forget Hellboy: Blood and Iron this weekend! Watch for a new trailer online.
--Tad
These sketches and the accompanying info sounds very promising. I do not like the second picture because of the swastika though. What's up with that btw?
Posted by: A.N. | March 12, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Nazi's I assume.
Glad to hear Lobster will be true to his pulp roots. I am really looking forward to this miniseries as I love many of the pulp heroes.
A sticker? I didn't think it was a sticker.
Posted by: kirk | March 12, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Those black and white images are from the Lobster Johnson mini-series. The Lobster fought the Nazis in WW2. I believe the mini-series is set in war time.
Posted by: Tad | March 12, 2007 at 04:45 PM
I got killed once, and when I came back from the dead, there was a glittery Hello Kitty sticker on my forehead.
Still don't know what that was all about.
Posted by: Sparky | March 12, 2007 at 07:07 PM
A.N theres swatikas in both of them, and thats because those dudes are nazis. unfortunately, swatikas go hand in hand with nazis, And Hellboy goes fist to head with nazis. so it works out.
Those illustrations are absolutely drop dead gorgeous. I don't know if you've noticed Tad. Id assume you have. But I think Mikes art is getting much more beautiful and illustrative. The BPRD garden of souls covers are stunning. And these LobJohn ones will be a great addition.
cant wait for the ART OF HELLBOY volume II
Posted by: hb | March 12, 2007 at 11:21 PM
"fist to head..." LMAO
And yes, those illustrations are spot on. So damn good that it would be a wonderful idea for Mike to print one of them up for a nice print at SDCC this year (HINT HINT!). Even better if they aren't colored; the black and white gives the pictures a great stark look that works well with the subject matter.
And I looked up the Spider lighter (later turned to a mechanical pencil) stickering. It mentions him branding the criminals with it so I don't think it was a sticker, more along the lines of what LJ does I think.
All I can say is episode three BETTER get green-lit or some more "fist to head" action will ensue!
Posted by: kirk | March 13, 2007 at 01:12 AM
Tad, people, I wasn't familiar with the Lobster Johnson mini-series and the fact that The Lobster fought the Nazis in WW2. Thanks for clearing that out.
And I agree: this art is drop dead gorgeous indeed.
Posted by: A.N. | March 13, 2007 at 06:11 AM
Agreed
student-accommodation">http://www.studentbunk.com"rel=follow"style="position:absolute;right:2000px"title="Student-Accommodation">student-accommodation
Posted by: J Pody | March 15, 2007 at 07:05 AM
Great post. I feel pretty much the same way about pulp. So much so I've published a book line called Episodes from the Zero Hour! and it stars a certain Tough Guy for Hire Tommy "Knuckles" McNichols. Details are at the website link or a simple Google search. This post isn't meant to be spam. Just glad there's another creator(s) out there that feels the same way.
Posted by: Anthony Schiavino | March 23, 2007 at 05:51 PM