Heroes Reborn

Most Bloglodytes will recognize whence this posting’s title comes: Marvel’s desperate marketing ploy to bolster sales during the industry’s collapse in the mid-90s by leasing some of their most iconic characters to the hot young artists of Image Comics for a year. Yours Truly hopes his return is received more favorably!

Ever Faithful Bloglodytes of Heroes In My Closet will immediately notice the new banner emblazoned atop the site, and once they’ve shaken from the moment of stunned silence that most assuredly will result from casting their eyes on the beauteous artistic airbrush stylings of Ken Steacy, their hearts will leap in the hope that the blog’s auteur is finally back from his self-imposed exile. Of course, the feeling of elation will no doubt quickly be subjugated with a disgruntled Where the Hell have you been?!!

The artist responsible for the new masterful marquee,
Ken Steacy

Ah, loyal ones, I feel your pain. I had no intention on staying away at all, never mind nearly six months. But anyone who has ever lived the life of a freelancer is well aware that when the work comes, you take it. After all, an independent contractor never knows when the next job will present itself.

I experienced the fortunate misfortune of a perfect storm of opportunities. My usual clients suddenly needed my services more than ever for various long-term projects, and I was offered a chance of becoming a part of something really cool, the details of which I will feature in a future posting (In the unforgettable words of the great B. Bunny, “Ain’t I a stinker?”)

All I can do is hope you forgive me and endeavor to make Heroes In My Closet better than ever. The spiffy new header is just a whiff of the nifty stuff I have in store.

Anyway, any newbies to the site who have shaken off their captivation of the Steacy masterpiece, but have not been driven off by my incessant ramblings… willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Steacy is not a stranger to Heroes In My Closet and has been featured in two historical postings: “Jeepers Creepers” and “Are the Stars Out Tonight?” As per the respect given Closet veterans, I’ll wait while you first-timers peruse those lasting literary logs, loquacious though they may be.

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Now the other one…

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Okay. Now, where was I? Ah, yes… After our much ballyhooed reuniting at the New York ComiCon, Steacy mentioned that he would love a shot at creating a new banner for the website. That sonic boom you heard last October was the result of my quick response. It was a no-brainer, so even I could answer (cue rim-shot). Any who are still in doubt of Steacy’s undervalued greatness need look no further than the bravura job he did over Steve “The Dude” Rude’s layouts on the Space Ghost prestige one-shot that Comico released in 1987.

Rude is the creator of Nexus and The Moth and a comic legend in his own right. Is it no wonder this head-spinning artistic duo garnered a coveted Eisner Award for “Best Art Team” for their work on this timeless classic of the titular Hanna-Barbera hero? I say thee, nay!

Steve "The Dude" Rude’s Nexus and The Moth

Steacy will also be providing the occasional cartoon to the blog, an exclusive you’re not going to get on those other blogs. It’s just another way for me to show my appreciation of you, my Ever-Faithful Bloglodytes.

I leave you with a page from the Space Ghost Special... Enjoy!