Alter Ego #106 December 2011 (magazine review).
The 2011 issue of Alter Ego delves into the life of editor/inker Dick Giordano (1932-2010) and editor Roy Thomas’ challenge in finding new material related to Giordano’s career at Charlton Comics and DC Comics. Securing a copy of the 2003 TwoMorrows book, Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day At A Time, is almost impossible now, and a reprint would likely be a hot seller.
The issue starts with a Heroes Con 2009 panel led by Roy Thomas, featuring Dick Giordano and writer Steve Skeates. Despite the latter two experiencing hearing difficulties due to age, the panel offers a wealth of information. This is particularly true for those familiar with their book, The Charlton Companion, especially regarding the flooding of their building when a nearby dam broke. There are also notes on DC Comics’ acquisition of the Charlton characters, allowing Giordano to reinvent them and providing inspiration for Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen.
At the San Diego 2010 Comicon, a tribute panel for Dick Giordano had panelists and professionals in the audience sharing their experiences with him as an editor, inker, and mentor. This tribute makes one wonder why newer editors haven’t adopted his people skills.
Jim Amash interviews comic book artist Tony Tallarico (1933-2022) in the first part of a series exploring Tallarico’s entry into the industry in the 1950s. The interview reveals fascinating insights, including interactions with various people in the industry and an intriguing description of publisher/editor Sol Cohen, who appears even more challenging than Mort Weisinger. One striking detail is Cohen’s habit of withholding stories until the last night before a deadline.
Another segment in this issue covers Will Eisner’s curiosity about what happened to his letterer, Abe Kanegson, after their collaboration in the 1950s. Michael T. Gilbert continues his exploration, now in part 5, through interviews with Kanegson’s relatives, this time with his younger brother, Lou. Despite being a comic collector, Lou never saw Abe’s work until much later. The interview provides a fascinating look into American family life, especially with a significant age gap between siblings. It’s also intriguing to note that Kanegson was an artist himself, with samples of his work included.
This glimpse should be more than enough to entice readers to seek out this issue of Alter Ego, if available.
GF Willmetts
December 2023
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $10.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6890. Direct from them, you can get it digitally for $ 4.99 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_55&products_id=1004
