Creator of Original Green Lantern Passes Away

You might have missed it, but last week Saturday, Martin Nodell – creator of DC’s original, Golden Age Green Lantern – passed away of natural causes at age 91. While he primarily did art chores, he’s the one who invented the character; and starting in 1940, he drew the character for the next 7 years, with Bill Finger handling the writing. He followed this up with a period at Timely Comics – which you might know better as Marvel Comics – where he drew Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner, amongst others. After spending the next couple decades in advertising, he returned to DC in the 1980’s and worked there until 1991. The final issue he worked on, appropriately enough, was issue #19 of Green Lantern, featuring Alan Scott, Golden Age Green Lantern.

While Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps may typically be the more widely known Green Lanterns today, the roots of that concept lie firmly in the Golden Age heritage created by Nodell. What’s more, his creation – Alan Scott – continues to flourish in the DC universe today, holding down monthly appearances as one of the “Big Three” of the JSA. Seeing as how Martin Nodell worked at the drawing table well into his 80’s, the longevity of his creation is all too appropriate.

Thanks to forum member raistlin for the tip.

Sources: CNN.com, Martin Nodell (Wikipedia), Alan Scott – Green Lantern (Wikipedia)