Thankfully I was able to meet Denny and tell him thank you for his crafting of the Batman universe. Denny made my childhood outstanding and full of wonderful batman stories. As an adult I become exposed to even more of his work especially his early stuff and was equally impressed with Denny's development as a writer and his choices as a writer made things very interesting and kept me entertained. We lost a legend whose GL/GA run is beyond seminal and to this day is one of my all time favorite runs in all of comics.
Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams saved Batman. Period! Without them there would be no Frank Miller Dark Knight and by extension no Christopher Nolan Dark Knight movies. RIP Sir!
Especially given how important Ra's al Ghul and the League were to that trilogy. Plus all the elements of O'Neil's expanded origin that they included. There's honestly so much of Denny in those movies. It's a huge part of what makes them successful. Nolan wanted to do for Batman movies what O'Neil had done for Batman comics in the Bronze Age, and as such, there was no better place to look for inspiration.
Heck! Denny O'Neil saved Frank Miller. Ever read Miller w/o O'Neil's editing? Like a schizoid cr4ck-h34d'5 fever-dream. Even as a KID, I read "Ronin" & was like, "Is Frank off-his-meds?"
@@Clay3613 They came close, more than once. Would it have been permanent, had they done it? Probably not. Would Batman still have made appearances in other DC books, even if his own eponymous book was cancelled? Quite possibly. But if a book isn't selling, and you've tried various things to boost sales, but the numbers aren't going up, at a certain point, cancellation will inevitably be on the table. Luckily for Batman's title, each time there was a serious slump in public interest, they always managed to find a way to re-engage the readership eventually, and avoid pulling the trigger on cancellation. But it wasn't a short or easy process, and during that process, more than one editor did consider pulling the plug.
I've said before and I'll say it again: Denny's work changed comics. His presence changed lives. Thank you, Chris for an excellent video that summarizes the great career of Denny O'Neil.
"There is no hope in Crime Alley" was one of the first Batman stories I read and defined the character for me: Tragic, driven, yet very compassionate. Thank you for the wonderful stories, Denny O'Neil - and thank you, Chris, for this great look at his work!
It's also important to note that Denny O'Neils Batman run heavily influenced Batman the animated series. Several episodes are directly adapted from his run such as The Demons Quest and I think "A Bullet for Bullock. RIP Denny O'Neil
@@paulpolpiboon9535 yes they were, here's a list of some of the episodes adapted from o'neil's stories 1) "The Demon's Quest Part I" from Batman #232 "The Daughter of the Demon" 2) "The Demon's Quest Part II" from Batman #233 "The Demon Lives Again" 3) "The Laughing Fish" from Batman #251 "Joker's Five Way Revenge" 4) "Off Balance" from Detective Comics #411 "Into the Den of the Death-Dealers
Fantastic video, Chris. Your love and respect for Denny O'Neil really shines through and I found your perspective as someone that grew up reading a lot of his best works to be fascinating.
I will always be grateful to Denny O'Neil for making Batman one of the greatest fictional heroes ever. His Batman wasn't a moralless and violent looney like Miller's, but a gothic detective with morals and compassion. Along with his contributions to the Darknight Detective, he was also one of the best Green Lantern writers ever, and his work on Spider-Man, Iron Man, and The Question are incredible. Instead of mourning his death, I have been, and will be, reading his work. Comics would certainly be nothing without him. Thank you, maestro.
I do believe that the Miller version of Batman would not have happened without O'Neil opening the way. This guy had the same effect on me as it did on our friend Chris. No way I'd be the "Comics Fountain of Knowledge" they think I am without mr O'Neil's influence. *sigh*
Great tribute to Denny! My uncle collected the Batman and Green Lantern series in the early seventies as a teenager! He gave them to me as a kid when I was old enough to read and gobbled them up! My love of comics came from reading O'neil and Neal Adams! Great creators that wrote true relatable stories with fascinating villains and characters! RIP O'Neil you will be missed but your work will always be treasured!
O'Neil is said to have told the behind-the-counter guy who accused him of a myth-killer: "Only birth can conquer death-the birth, not of the old thing again, but of something new. Within the soul, within the body social, there must be-if we are to experience long survival-a continuous "recurrence of birth" (palingenesia) to nullify the unremitting recurrences of death. For it is by means of our own victories, if we are not regenerated, that the work of Nemesis is wrought: doom breaks from the shell of our very virtue. Peace then is a snare; war is a snare; change is a snare; permanence a snare. When our day is come for the victory of death, death closes in; there is nothing we can do, except be crucified-and resurrected; dismembered totally, and then reborn." Then he vanished, leaving the guy in mid-sentence like in the Nolan movies.
Denny O’Neil is one of my favorite writers *and* editors. I always felt his run on The Question was his magnum opus. Thanks for the “folklore,” Denny. RIP.
I felt his passage as a real loss for me. The Question was one of the first DC comics I ever read, at age 8, starting in #2 without any clue about him and was amazed. 30 years later a friend gave me the "Kung Fu Master" pocket book by "Jim Dennis" and then I saw "Richard Dragon" in the cover and I was like "wait a minute". I was hoping to get his autograph in that someday, but now it will remain blank forever. Requiescat in pace, mr. O'Neil. I miss you.
I remember hearing that story about Denny O’Neil going into the deli after “Death in the Family” in an interview with him featured in a History Channel Documentary called “Comic Book Heroes Unmasked” back in 2003. I was about 8 at the time but even then I thought he was one of the coolest people ever. Soon after that I remember getting a Batman compendium of different stories with “Joker’s Five-Way Revenge” featured in it. It’s still one of my favorite stories. I’ve been drawing and writing religiously ever since. RIP Denny O’Neil, you’re an inspiration and a legend.
Just watched this. Wonderful vid, and it gave me even MORE appreciation for Denny's work. What you describe as his editing style is actually what ALL comics editors (and all editors in publishing [book, magazine, etc.]) USED TO do. It seems to be a rarity in the comics field today, but that's still NOT the norm in publishing. Working with writers, giving feedback, being a sounding board, that's all just THE MOST basic job description of an editor. Thanks for another fun vid.
As I went through college to get my writing degree I came to really appreciate and love Denny’s work and ideas on comics. He doesn’t get the credit like Miller, Moore, amongst others, but I really think O’Neil is really whose work young comic writers should look to for good storytelling.
uncanny dcmarvelous - Armor wars was by David Michelinie and Bob Layton. They came back on Iron Man after Denny O’Neil. And I also want to say that Denny’s Iron Man was really good. I read those issues again after learning of his passing.
I met Denny at Indianacon a few years ago. I was a big fan of his Question run and asked him about it. He lit up and we spoke for so long about it, the references, and the books and inspirations at the end of every issue. I miss him.
When I think of “comic Batman” I think of Denny O’Neil. His GL/GA run is extremely important to me. I’ve always held him in high regard but your profile has made me realize just how important he is and how he affected my life. Thank you!
Thanks for this video, ComicTropes! Dennis O’Neil’s gift of storytelling impacted me as a fan and fellow writer. Years ago, I bought his book ‘The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics.’ I wanted to learn how to tell better stories. I enjoy the ones that move you emotionally and stay with you long after you finish reading. His approach to the three-act structure and Levitz Paradigm were fantastic! I used them in my latest article about Michael Jackson’s 1991 album, ‘Dangerous.’ (It turned 30 years old last week.) Because of that, it went viral on Twitter! More than 38,000 people saw my article, and the responses have all been positive. I’ll always be grateful for Dennis’s wisdom and influence. God rest his soul.
One of the things you mentioned was O'Neil's expressions of compassion. He wrote the No Man's Land novelisation that I read maybe 20 years ago. I'll be misquoting this as mostly how I remember it, how I have carried it through my life. There is a line that someone tells someone about how we measure our humanity by our compassion. That the whole point of life was to try to retain your compassion through all life's challenges to it. I conduct my life according to this philosophy. Good video. Great tribute.
I was fortunate enough to experience that glorious era when Denny and Neal teamed up and blew my mind. Even as a scrawny teenager I recognized that I was experiencing something special. I also preferred having Batman working solo and haunting the moonlit rooftops and shadowy alleys of Gotham instead of chasing cosmic villains. Leave that to Supes and GL. A writer can continue living through his or her words.
I had no idea that Denny O'Neil passed away until you mentioned it in this video! I always enjoyed his work with Batman. Great job honoring his legacy! Though I wouldn't expect any less from one of your videos! 😁
I’m not even 20 and Denny has impacted my life with his work on Green Lantern and Batman to an incredible extent. I remember reading those during my parents divorce and just being incredibly sucked into them when I was in 5th grade. His work is incredible.
If you don't mind a couple of recommendations, I suggest you track down Shaman and Venom, two of his best latter-day Batman stories which first appeared in Legends Of The Dark Knight.
Denny O'Neil's early 70s work can arguably be identified as the point when comics grew up & became a mature, literate medium. I remember reading O'Neil's complex, grounded crime thriller Batman comics around age 5-7 & they were well-worn Bibles, informing my understanding of the adult world more deeply than school did. Denny never played down to young readers - he brought them to his level. Denny O'Neil is one of those underheralded creators who's influence permeates & defines our culture in ubiquitous, unseen terms. The fact that he named "Optimus Prime" alone is eulogy enough for any man.
It's always nice looking back and realizing that someone was there along with you, never meeting them, but always there to help you, maybe even shape you. Makes me think of all the comic book creators who influenced me. Really enjoyed this video
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, reading and loving so many of these stories you now mentioned, I never really took note of the writer. Because I was a dumb kid. I mostly focused on the artist. Thank you for putting them into context and highlighting O'Neil's invaluable contributions.
Denny O'Neil created one of my all time favorite heroes as a kid: Azrael aka Jean Paul Valley. I found him to be a far more intriguing Batman than Bruce Wayne during Knightfall. Truly timeless storytelling. Denny was an innovator for the Batman mythos.
And then there's Bane, probably the biggest embodiment of the addict's struggles with both self and the things they crave. Denny, by his own admission, knew that all too well and a lot of that knowledge went into Bane.
@@josesarango3408 Azrael was a very under rated character...period. Wish they'd make a film about him so people could see just how great he was. I mean, you'd think that a man who could beat Batman in a fight would have way more clout among the comic book community
His run on the Question is one of my all time favourite comics runs. Not only the comic, itself, was thought provoking and entertaining, his interaction with the fans on the letters page was a vital (for me) part of the comic. His 'Recommended Reading' selection, each issue, introduced me to some of my favourite books. He is respected and he will be missed.
A wonderful and fitting tribute, Chris. I was unaware of Denny O'Neil's passing. I was fortunate to start reading comics during his collaboration with Neal Adams. It's true. He is responsible for the Batman we see today. His work on Green Lantern and Green Arrow was truly groundbreaking. Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance were a believable couple. I also remember the speech Green Arrow gave to Green Lantern before their road trip across America. He spoke of the murders of Dr. King and Robert Kennedy, and the other problems facing this country in the late Sixties and early Seventies. As you said this was "grounding." His legacy definitely lives on.
Denny O'Neil's Batman was the Batman I grew up with. That Batman was more empathetic and socially conscious than his later counterparts. Saying that those comic books made me a more aware and conscientious person is perhaps giving too much credit. But I have to say that they did kind of nudge me in the right direction. That issue you showed, "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" has to be my all time favorite Batman story. It was an intense story with great art by Neal Adams. It's been over 45 years and I still have a copy of it. My other favorite story is the one in The Question where Vic Sage reads The Watchmen and has a dream of Rorschach. O'Neil uses it to make some very pointed criticism of macho loner heroes who use their fists for justice. Apparently, Denny O'Neil was not a fan of those kind of heroes. Great stuff.
10:42 YES, THANK YOU! I have been arguing for O'Neill to get more credit on the grounded, gritty Batman for at least the last three years. In retrospect, I really think Miller gobbled up too much of that credit.
Ras Al Ghul... Bronze Tiger... Leslie Thompkins... updating Joker and Two Face. His runs with Adams and Cowan... etc. etc. etc....this man's contribution to comics cannot be overstated.
What an ICON. A man who also crafted MY childhood ... & one who i didn't know that did. He will be missed. Thankyou for this informative video, Senpai. 🙏💕🇵🇭
20:22 Kind of underselling O'Neill's contributions to Bane here. He introduced the place of Bane's birth Corto Maltese (AKA "the dope capital of the Western hemisphere") in the leadoff Legends of The Dark Knight storyline Shaman, the drug Venom in a LOTDK story of the same name and Bane himself in a standalone comic. To me, Bane was always the most pure expression of the addict's struggle and O'Neill had a lot to do with that.
Iron Man was my favorite character growing up and O'Neil's run on Iron Man is one of my favorites, period. It's often been overshadowed and it's largely overlooked by modern readers and I don't understand why. Even with Stane being used as the movie's villain I still run into people who never knew the 80's already had a black Iron Man. As much as I love the second Michelinie & Layton run that came after, it always pissed me off how quickly they went out of their way to retcon away a lot of the changes O'Neil brought to the book in order to preserve their unflappably macho version of Stark. He did a much better, more impactful take on alcoholism than Demon in a Bottle and he wrote the most complex and broken Tony Stark we had ever seen up to that point and arguably even by today's standards. O'Neil is a legend and he deserves to be spoken in the same breath as the rest of the art form's greats.
Awww, that's too bad, I didn't realize Denny had passed. I've watched many of his interviews about writing comics and was just watching him speak on the lasting power of Batman on the animated film Batman: Year One special features last night! Rest in peace Mr. O'Neil, and thank you for your contributions to comics.
I didn’t realize just how many of my favorite comics he was responsible for. From the 70’s Batman to the Demon in a Bottle-era Iron Man, to Daredevil, and one of my absolute favorites from my peak collector teenage years, The Question. And now to learn he was responsible for helping to craft GI Joe and Transformers too? Wow. RIP Denny. Thanks for making this episode.
O'Neil's The Question comic is one of the best comics to come out in the 80s. O'Neil took a hero that was forgotten/unknown and managed to produce a comic that feels real. I mean by that the series felt like something that could happen in our world. I love that run so much I not only have each issue,thankfully they were easy to find in the cheap bins,but I also have all the TPBs. And if DC ever puts the series out in hardcovers or Omnibus I will buy those. Thank you so much for creating some really well made,researched and entertaining videos sir.
He wrote for DC in 2011 for retro canon specials, was on many panels and DVD extras and has a story in Joker´s and Green Lantern´s 80th-anniversary issues that just came out. The last 2 stories were written when he was 80!
R.I.P. Denny O'neil 😢. Great episode! Didn't realize he inspire so many series including my favorite run of Iron Man. Love your work dude. You inspire me and so many people in the comic book community. Keep it up! 🔥👊🔥
Batman #232 was the first Batman comic I read (in Persian, nevertheless) and I always love that panel at 11:31 where Batman is wearing a snow coat over his Bat-suit! That one issue had so much going on...
The Question series is, to me, peak O'Neill. I once got a near straight run of that from #2 to (I think) 37. Read nearly all of it in one go. There were a few endings with some genuine horror and pathos in there. The ending of #24 chilled me to the bone.
Thanks for the video, O'Neil is one of my favourite writers in comics. I like the fact you mentioned how he made characters grounded and relatable, when I think relatable I don't see myself in them, I see a character I can empathize with, understand, and sometimes look up to, making a character feel real is true artistic talent and O'Neil could accomplish that.
Chris, thank you for this episode. You have had some very enjoyable tales to tell when it comes to the history of the comics medium. ( I particularly enjoyed your videos on Vince Colletta and Steve Ditko. They were highpoints.) But because you put so much effort into the background of the creators, stories, artists etc. it has become, for a very interesting and introspective walk down memory lane. I had no idea that Denny O'Neil had his hand in so many of my favorite runs with these iconic figures. His moments with Neal Adams and Dick Giordano and the groundbreaking recreation of Daredevil with the immortal Frank Miller are of particular importance to me as they were periods that resonated with me during some of the most developmental periods of my life. It is enlightening to find out that Denny's work had such an influence on me. RIP Dennis O'Neil! He will clearly be missed!
I really wish DC would put out a The Question Omnibus, I don’t know how well it would sell or what the demand would be for it, I just know that I would buy it.
I prefer the original Question by Steve Ditko. O’Neil didn’t really like the character so changed him too much me thinks. Didn’t he even kill off Vic Sage?
@@christianbjorck816 No, no, just changed Sage's perspective via a head injury. Not a fan of Ditko's outlook on life and the Question was basically The Fountainhead with superheroes (you'll notice how Ditko's drawing of Vic Sage is based on the physical description of Howard Roarke). O'Neill admitted that he and Ditko were light years apart politically despite the former's respect for the latter, thus the change...for the better, IMO.
This is one of the best episodes you have done yet, Chris. I never realized how much of O'neil's work had inspired me as a youth to an adult. What an inspirational and key figure of the comics industry!
Thank you for this tribute to a legendary writer who changed comics for the better. He brought a maturity and gravitas to Batman and brought the character back to his dark and gritty roots, and brought a sense of compassion and desire for social justice to his writing (it's a good thing that modern troll culture hadn't yet emerged in his heyday or scummy neckbeard-type fans would be blasting him for exactly that sort of thing). Dennis O'Neill his mark on the comics medium and believed in what it could be. That said, I couldn't help but notice, not to be "that guy", how you pronounce some words bizarrely in this video! "Fanzine" (that's fan-ZEEN, as in fan magazine), "I Ching" (that's EE-Ching), and U.S.S. Lake Champlain should rhyme with "main", I say that someone who dwells in Vermont and has lived on both sides of Lake Champlain! But why quibble, in the words of the late Max Von Sydow, "These things happen." Keep up the good work, and keep reading comics!
I love episodes like this because I learned so much that I never knew. I was not aware of how much of an impact Denny O’Neil had on comics. Great work, Chris!
When you mentioned Denny O'Neil's recent story in the Green Lantern 80th Anniversary comic, I actually reread it. It is similar to his GL/GA stuff he wrote, only it talks about violence and how they are "punching harder." So, using the idea from Henry Thoreau's book "Walden," GL left Earth for 2 months and 2 days for some solitude from everything to clear his mind (even quoting the book to give it more weight). GA is inspired to do the same, only in Superman's Fortress of Solitude. My only complaint of the story is that it was too short, which is understandable due to the number of stories they got in that comic. Everything else was really good for how simple it was (even Mike Grell's sketchy Giordano-esque style artwork was decent). In my opinion, it was the best story in that GL Anniverary comic because it is so simple and relatable. RIP Denny. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
Sad also to hear of the passing of the great Joe Sinnott last month. Joe was 93 and as well as being one of the most brilliant artists, is renowned as the nicest guy in comics.
Great episode! O'Neil and Cowan's run on The Question is one of my all time favorites ever. I had not heard of his passing. Thank you for fantastic rundown on the work of a true legend.
Like you, Denny was editor on my first "collected" issue. Dd 187 was the comic that got me actually collecting. Good work Denny, your Question was pure delight to read.
Chris, thanks so much for this video. I never got to meet Denny, but like you, I feel like I have lost one of the biggest influences on my life - not my comic life - my whole existence. I was an 8-year old kid and remember reading Batman 232 - yes, the first appearance of Ra's, and a comic I still proudly own - during recovery from surgery. It led me to become fascinated with heroes, in the real world as well as fictional ones. It also started a life long hobby that I enjoy to this day. His contributions to the medium as a creator, editor, and teacher cannot be overstated. Definitely on the Mount Rushmore of comic book creators.
I feel like someone in the professional comic book world needs to give Chris here the same shot Denny had. He's got the love and passion for the medium and his research and analysis is stupendous. Untapped resource, man. Plus he's just a nice guy.
That's interesting how Dorthy Day had influenced comics in the same way she influenced the hipster generation of the 1950s and 1960s. I only recently started reading her work. Kudos to Denny O'Neill to immortalizing her!
Well, do recall how this generation revered Humphrey Bogart as the old-time movie star they could trust and rediscovered now-beloved classics like Wizard of Oz and It's A Wonderful Life. That fits the same pattern.
Monroville Deeply illogical, a magazine created by a fan will be a fan-zine, not pronounced completely differently like 'zyne'. I'm guessing you thought you were being humorous but it just looks like pettiness.
Mesolithic Man petty is wasting time and brain cells to further explain a point that was already explained quite well.. _and_ acknowledging that my simple reply was a JOKE not meant to be taken seriously. But you may continue your dissertation on pettiness. In fact, the navy might offer you a commission if you’re lucky.
Denny's run on "the Question" is one of my all time favorite comics. I holds up surprisingly well considering it started in the late 80's. It's hopeful, tragic, and filled to the brim with complex characters and philosophical issues. Hopefully DC will reprint it sometime soon.
And gods, some of those endings could rip you up. The lady at the bus stop, the unveiled face of the kid, the twist ending in #24 I didn't see coming but I really, really should have...those still haunt me.
@@johnathonhaney8291 dude what about the issue where the question is buried alive up to his neck by the psycho ex army soldiers? I already own the whole series in trade but I found it as a single issue and bought it.
Iron Man #200 is one of my favorite single issues of anything. It was there that got me to collect Iron Man, who I'd already enjoyed but peripherally as a young kid, but I was just old enough at issue 200 to get the gravitas. Stane's end is brilliant and tragic, and so much better (narratively) than it was portrayed in the film. 2 years late, but a pleasure to see this tribute to Denny O'Neil today. So many great stories worth revisiting.
I had an opportunity to meet Denny a couple of years ago. Great guy and still full of fire. The best thing was he able to address social issues believably and without hitting the reader over the head with it. He will be missed.
One scene in the GL/GA run that sticks out to me was GA using a sleeping gas arrow on GL because he didn't want GA and some environmentalist guy to destroy Carol Ferris's gas-guzzling aircraft. The environmentalist guy basically calls GA a hypocrite for using gas on his fellow man. I wonder if that was the first instance in comics of a character being called out like that.
The Batman franchise would not be nearly as popular as it is today without O’Neil’s work. R.I.P to a comic book legend
Adventure time nice
Thankfully I was able to meet Denny and tell him thank you for his crafting of the Batman universe. Denny made my childhood outstanding and full of wonderful batman stories. As an adult I become exposed to even more of his work especially his early stuff and was equally impressed with Denny's development as a writer and his choices as a writer made things very interesting and kept me entertained. We lost a legend whose GL/GA run is beyond seminal and to this day is one of my all time favorite runs in all of comics.
Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams saved Batman. Period! Without them there would be no Frank Miller Dark Knight and by extension no Christopher Nolan Dark Knight movies. RIP Sir!
Especially given how important Ra's al Ghul and the League were to that trilogy. Plus all the elements of O'Neil's expanded origin that they included. There's honestly so much of Denny in those movies. It's a huge part of what makes them successful. Nolan wanted to do for Batman movies what O'Neil had done for Batman comics in the Bronze Age, and as such, there was no better place to look for inspiration.
Excellently stated, "Caligula". Your connecting of the dots is apropos & can't be over stated. Peace.
Heck! Denny O'Neil saved Frank Miller. Ever read Miller w/o O'Neil's editing? Like a schizoid cr4ck-h34d'5 fever-dream. Even as a KID, I read "Ronin" & was like, "Is Frank off-his-meds?"
DC would not have cancelled their 2nd most famous creation.
@@Clay3613 They came close, more than once. Would it have been permanent, had they done it? Probably not. Would Batman still have made appearances in other DC books, even if his own eponymous book was cancelled? Quite possibly. But if a book isn't selling, and you've tried various things to boost sales, but the numbers aren't going up, at a certain point, cancellation will inevitably be on the table.
Luckily for Batman's title, each time there was a serious slump in public interest, they always managed to find a way to re-engage the readership eventually, and avoid pulling the trigger on cancellation. But it wasn't a short or easy process, and during that process, more than one editor did consider pulling the plug.
I've said before and I'll say it again: Denny's work changed comics. His presence changed lives. Thank you, Chris for an excellent video that summarizes the great career of Denny O'Neil.
Hey man good to see you I can't wait to see your other video. And I agree Dennis O'Neil will be missed
Always eager for more SalazarKnight content
I always forget Denny passed and then when I see his name I remember and it’s like I’m hearing the news for the first time again 😢
Yeah he changed comics for the worse. Now they're commie mouthpieces about blacks and other animals.
Dennys Grand Slamwich is a great contribution to breakfast
A man walk down the street in a hat like that you know he is not afraid of anything.
My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
Jean Prouvaire I’m glad you can quantify your life
Vigilante wearing such hat knows no limit in every aspect of his life.
That’s a Final Boss outfit if I’ve ever seen one
Is that a Firefly reference?
"There is no hope in Crime Alley" was one of the first Batman stories I read and defined the character for me: Tragic, driven, yet very compassionate. Thank you for the wonderful stories, Denny O'Neil - and thank you, Chris, for this great look at his work!
One of my all time favorite issues of Detective!
It's also important to note that Denny O'Neils Batman run heavily influenced Batman the animated series. Several episodes are directly adapted from his run such as The Demons Quest and I think "A Bullet for Bullock. RIP Denny O'Neil
I think The Demon’s Quest was also written by O’Neil himself
@@dajokahbaby1506 yep.
@@dajokahbaby1506 He also wrote the origin of Ra's Al Ghul, Birth of The Demon, with Norm Breyfogle, one of my top three Denny O'Neill Batman stories.
Bull shit.
That crap show definitely lifted his stories yes, but they were NOT influence by the Oniel comics
@@paulpolpiboon9535 yes they were, here's a list of some of the episodes adapted from o'neil's stories
1) "The Demon's Quest Part I" from Batman #232 "The Daughter of the Demon"
2) "The Demon's Quest Part II" from Batman #233 "The Demon Lives Again"
3) "The Laughing Fish" from Batman #251 "Joker's Five Way Revenge"
4) "Off Balance" from Detective Comics #411 "Into the Den of the Death-Dealers
Fantastic video, Chris. Your love and respect for Denny O'Neil really shines through and I found your perspective as someone that grew up reading a lot of his best works to be fascinating.
Agreed
I will always be grateful to Denny O'Neil for making Batman one of the greatest fictional heroes ever. His Batman wasn't a moralless and violent looney like Miller's, but a gothic detective with morals and compassion. Along with his contributions to the Darknight Detective, he was also one of the best Green Lantern writers ever, and his work on Spider-Man, Iron Man, and The Question are incredible. Instead of mourning his death, I have been, and will be, reading his work. Comics would certainly be nothing without him. Thank you, maestro.
Denny's version of Batman is batman to me. To some people it's frank miller. There both so different but still valid in different ways.
Me too. I did like Miller's early work, but the O'Neill/Adams Batman always felt like the "true" Batman.
O'Neill more than Miller. Frank had one good decade and two four-issue stories. Denny was light years ahead of him on Bats.
@@MariaVosa This, I can't agree more. The O'Neill/Adams combo to me was The Iconic Batman for a long time, and IMO is still The Best.
I do believe that the Miller version of Batman would not have happened without O'Neil opening the way. This guy had the same effect on me as it did on our friend Chris. No way I'd be the "Comics Fountain of Knowledge" they think I am without mr O'Neil's influence. *sigh*
Goes without saying, O'Neil/Adams Batman... then, O'Neil/Aparo. No knock on Miller. It's just ... well, it just is.
Fantastic video! Loved the way you mixed the retrospective with your own experiences.
Oh shit it’s actually you
So ingrained in the Batman mythos. You can really see his influence on BTAS
He even wrote the episode based on his comic where Ra's Al Ghul debuted.
Great tribute to Denny! My uncle collected the Batman and Green Lantern series in the early seventies as a teenager! He gave them to me as a kid when I was old enough to read and gobbled them up! My love of comics came from reading O'neil and Neal Adams! Great creators that wrote true relatable stories with fascinating villains and characters!
RIP O'Neil you will be missed but your work will always be treasured!
O'Neil is said to have told the behind-the-counter guy who accused him of a myth-killer:
"Only birth can conquer death-the birth, not of the old thing again, but of something new. Within the soul, within the body social, there must be-if we are to experience long survival-a continuous "recurrence of birth" (palingenesia) to nullify the unremitting recurrences of death. For it is by means of our own victories, if we are not regenerated, that the work of Nemesis is wrought: doom breaks from the shell of our very virtue. Peace then is a snare; war is a snare; change is a snare; permanence a snare. When our day is come for the victory of death, death closes in; there is nothing we can do, except be crucified-and resurrected; dismembered totally, and then reborn."
Then he vanished, leaving the guy in mid-sentence like in the Nolan movies.
I can just hear him say all that in that professorial tone that made him such a compelling storyteller to listen to.
This might be my second favorite “Oh Hi!”
(First still being the martial arts battle from the TMNT episode)
RIP Denny O'Neil, the man who brought Batman back into the darkness.
His run of the Question was phenomenal and his Green Arrow/Green Lantern was great. I honestly really miss him already.
Denny O’Neil is one of my favorite writers *and* editors. I always felt his run on The Question was his magnum opus. Thanks for the “folklore,” Denny. RIP.
Absolutely!
I felt his passage as a real loss for me. The Question was one of the first DC comics I ever read, at age 8, starting in #2 without any clue about him and was amazed. 30 years later a friend gave me the "Kung Fu Master" pocket book by "Jim Dennis" and then I saw "Richard Dragon" in the cover and I was like "wait a minute". I was hoping to get his autograph in that someday, but now it will remain blank forever. Requiescat in pace, mr. O'Neil. I miss you.
I always felt O'Neil was underrated and underappreciated, but I had no idea the extent of it.
I remember hearing that story about Denny O’Neil going into the deli after “Death in the Family” in an interview with him featured in a History Channel Documentary called “Comic Book Heroes Unmasked” back in 2003. I was about 8 at the time but even then I thought he was one of the coolest people ever. Soon after that I remember getting a Batman compendium of different stories with “Joker’s Five-Way Revenge” featured in it. It’s still one of my favorite stories. I’ve been drawing and writing religiously ever since. RIP Denny O’Neil, you’re an inspiration and a legend.
He died as he lived: A Legend. Rest in Power Denny O’Neil
Just watched this. Wonderful vid, and it gave me even MORE appreciation for Denny's work. What you describe as his editing style is actually what ALL comics editors (and all editors in publishing [book, magazine, etc.]) USED TO do. It seems to be a rarity in the comics field today, but that's still NOT the norm in publishing. Working with writers, giving feedback, being a sounding board, that's all just THE MOST basic job description of an editor. Thanks for another fun vid.
As I went through college to get my writing degree I came to really appreciate and love Denny’s work and ideas on comics. He doesn’t get the credit like Miller, Moore, amongst others, but I really think O’Neil is really whose work young comic writers should look to for good storytelling.
O’Neil’s Iron Man run is in my opinion some of his best work, and is definitely in my top 5 best Iron Man runs.
Armor Wars was part of his run?
uncanny dcmarvelous - Armor wars was by David Michelinie and Bob Layton. They came back on Iron Man after Denny O’Neil. And I also want to say that Denny’s Iron Man was really good. I read those issues again after learning of his passing.
I met Denny at Indianacon a few years ago. I was a big fan of his Question run and asked him about it. He lit up and we spoke for so long about it, the references, and the books and inspirations at the end of every issue. I miss him.
When I think of “comic Batman” I think of Denny O’Neil. His GL/GA run is extremely important to me. I’ve always held him in high regard but your profile has made me realize just how important he is and how he affected my life. Thank you!
Thanks for this video, ComicTropes! Dennis O’Neil’s gift of storytelling impacted me as a fan and fellow writer.
Years ago, I bought his book ‘The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics.’ I wanted to learn how to tell better stories. I enjoy the ones that move you emotionally and stay with you long after you finish reading.
His approach to the three-act structure and Levitz Paradigm were fantastic! I used them in my latest article about Michael Jackson’s 1991 album, ‘Dangerous.’ (It turned 30 years old last week.)
Because of that, it went viral on Twitter! More than 38,000 people saw my article, and the responses have all been positive. I’ll always be grateful for Dennis’s wisdom and influence. God rest his soul.
One of the things you mentioned was O'Neil's expressions of compassion. He wrote the No Man's Land novelisation that I read maybe 20 years ago. I'll be misquoting this as mostly how I remember it, how I have carried it through my life. There is a line that someone tells someone about how we measure our humanity by our compassion. That the whole point of life was to try to retain your compassion through all life's challenges to it. I conduct my life according to this philosophy. Good video. Great tribute.
Greg Rucka wrote the no mans land novelization . O’Neil did write the knight fall novel though
Fantastic quote!
I'd love to find "chapter and verse" if someone can track it down.
he sure liked to talk about compassion. i saw no evidence of it in his philosophy.
@@AB-pg1mi oh, my goodness.
I was fortunate enough to experience that glorious era when Denny and Neal teamed up and blew my mind. Even as a scrawny teenager I recognized that I was experiencing something special. I also preferred having Batman working solo and haunting the moonlit rooftops and shadowy alleys of Gotham instead of chasing cosmic villains. Leave that to Supes and GL. A writer can continue living through his or her words.
I had no idea that Denny O'Neil passed away until you mentioned it in this video! I always enjoyed his work with Batman. Great job honoring his legacy! Though I wouldn't expect any less from one of your videos! 😁
I’m not even 20 and Denny has impacted my life with his work on Green Lantern and Batman to an incredible extent. I remember reading those during my parents divorce and just being incredibly sucked into them when I was in 5th grade. His work is incredible.
If you don't mind a couple of recommendations, I suggest you track down Shaman and Venom, two of his best latter-day Batman stories which first appeared in Legends Of The Dark Knight.
Johnathon Haney I’ll check them out, thank you!
Denny O'Neil's early 70s work can arguably be identified as the point when comics grew up & became a mature, literate medium.
I remember reading O'Neil's complex, grounded crime thriller Batman comics around age 5-7 & they were well-worn Bibles, informing my understanding of the adult world more deeply than school did. Denny never played down to young readers - he brought them to his level.
Denny O'Neil is one of those underheralded creators who's influence permeates & defines our culture in ubiquitous, unseen terms.
The fact that he named "Optimus Prime" alone is eulogy enough for any man.
It's always nice looking back and realizing that someone was there along with you, never meeting them, but always there to help you, maybe even shape you. Makes me think of all the comic book creators who influenced me. Really enjoyed this video
I wouldn't be the man I am today if not for the lessons and stories I learned from Denny's writings and influences.
Guys like Denny are never really gone. Not as long as we remember what they gave us, and what we are because of them.
RIP Denny. Your work is a foundation of classic characters.
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, reading and loving so many of these stories you now mentioned, I never really took note of the writer. Because I was a dumb kid. I mostly focused on the artist. Thank you for putting them into context and highlighting O'Neil's invaluable contributions.
Denny O'Neil created one of my all time favorite heroes as a kid: Azrael aka Jean Paul Valley. I found him to be a far more intriguing Batman than Bruce Wayne during Knightfall. Truly timeless storytelling. Denny was an innovator for the Batman mythos.
And then there's Bane, probably the biggest embodiment of the addict's struggles with both self and the things they crave. Denny, by his own admission, knew that all too well and a lot of that knowledge went into Bane.
But wasn't Bane created by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan??
I love Sword of Azrael, very underrated
@@josesarango3408 Azrael was a very under rated character...period. Wish they'd make a film about him so people could see just how great he was. I mean, you'd think that a man who could beat Batman in a fight would have way more clout among the comic book community
I love Denny O'Neil's Style , Cool , Unique , Character .
His run on the Question is one of my all time favourite comics runs.
Not only the comic, itself, was thought provoking and entertaining, his interaction with the fans on the letters page was a vital (for me) part of the comic.
His 'Recommended Reading' selection, each issue, introduced me to some of my favourite books.
He is respected and he will be missed.
A wonderful and fitting tribute, Chris. I was unaware of Denny O'Neil's passing. I was fortunate to start reading comics during his collaboration with Neal Adams. It's true. He is responsible for the Batman we see today.
His work on Green Lantern and Green Arrow was truly groundbreaking. Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance were a believable couple. I also remember the speech Green Arrow gave to Green Lantern before their road trip across America. He spoke of the murders of Dr. King and Robert Kennedy, and the other problems facing this country in the late Sixties and early Seventies. As you said this was "grounding."
His legacy definitely lives on.
Also his run on the Question is super underrated.
Dang! I didn't know how important his work really was. He deserves a seat at the round table of comic book gods.
Denny O'Neil's Batman was the Batman I grew up with. That Batman was more empathetic and socially conscious than his later counterparts. Saying that those comic books made me a more aware and conscientious person is perhaps giving too much credit. But I have to say that they did kind of nudge me in the right direction. That issue you showed, "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" has to be my all time favorite Batman story. It was an intense story with great art by Neal Adams. It's been over 45 years and I still have a copy of it. My other favorite story is the one in The Question where Vic Sage reads The Watchmen and has a dream of Rorschach. O'Neil uses it to make some very pointed criticism of macho loner heroes who use their fists for justice. Apparently, Denny O'Neil was not a fan of those kind of heroes. Great stuff.
R.I.P. Denny O'Neil. I will always remember his work on Batman. I love his novelization of the Knightfall arc.
Denny O'Neil's run on Batman was my first introduction to the character and made me a fan. RIP.
10:42 YES, THANK YOU! I have been arguing for O'Neill to get more credit on the grounded, gritty Batman for at least the last three years. In retrospect, I really think Miller gobbled up too much of that credit.
Ras Al Ghul... Bronze Tiger... Leslie Thompkins... updating Joker and Two Face. His runs with Adams and Cowan... etc. etc. etc....this man's contribution to comics cannot be overstated.
What an ICON. A man who also crafted MY childhood ... & one who i didn't know that did. He will be missed. Thankyou for this informative video, Senpai. 🙏💕🇵🇭
"Stan Lee couldn't write them all"
I feel like Stan Lee had to be told this several times before accepting it
Big difference between "could" and "should"
Stan Lee's characters were also mostly one dimensional, missunderstood / failed businessman / scientist, stereotypes.
His catalogue really isn't vast.
@@Bale4Bond yet they were world changing and very different then the compitition
20:22 Kind of underselling O'Neill's contributions to Bane here. He introduced the place of Bane's birth Corto Maltese (AKA "the dope capital of the Western hemisphere") in the leadoff Legends of The Dark Knight storyline Shaman, the drug Venom in a LOTDK story of the same name and Bane himself in a standalone comic. To me, Bane was always the most pure expression of the addict's struggle and O'Neill had a lot to do with that.
O'Neill created the Venom background but Bane was created by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan
@@josesarango3408 I was referring to Bane II: The Redemption for the one Denny wrote.
Bane was born in Santa Prisca, not Corto Maltese
Iron Man was my favorite character growing up and O'Neil's run on Iron Man is one of my favorites, period. It's often been overshadowed and it's largely overlooked by modern readers and I don't understand why. Even with Stane being used as the movie's villain I still run into people who never knew the 80's already had a black Iron Man. As much as I love the second Michelinie & Layton run that came after, it always pissed me off how quickly they went out of their way to retcon away a lot of the changes O'Neil brought to the book in order to preserve their unflappably macho version of Stark. He did a much better, more impactful take on alcoholism than Demon in a Bottle and he wrote the most complex and broken Tony Stark we had ever seen up to that point and arguably even by today's standards.
O'Neil is a legend and he deserves to be spoken in the same breath as the rest of the art form's greats.
A wonderful tribute to a real legend, Denny O'Neil!!!
As a small child I never saw O'Neill's work as wordy. I loved it.
He knew how to strike the balance. There's a time to talk and a time to shut up. He knew the diff.
Awww, that's too bad, I didn't realize Denny had passed. I've watched many of his interviews about writing comics and was just watching him speak on the lasting power of Batman on the animated film Batman: Year One special features last night! Rest in peace Mr. O'Neil, and thank you for your contributions to comics.
I didn’t realize just how many of my favorite comics he was responsible for. From the 70’s Batman to the Demon in a Bottle-era Iron Man, to Daredevil, and one of my absolute favorites from my peak collector teenage years, The Question. And now to learn he was responsible for helping to craft GI Joe and Transformers too? Wow. RIP Denny. Thanks for making this episode.
The newspaper he worked for is a local paper near my hometown, About 45 minutes away. This is cool bit of history I didn’t know. Thanks
O'Neil's The Question comic is one of the best comics to come out in the 80s. O'Neil took a hero that was forgotten/unknown and managed to produce a comic that feels real. I mean by that the series felt like something that could happen in our world.
I love that run so much I not only have each issue,thankfully they were easy to find in the cheap bins,but I also have all the TPBs. And if DC ever puts the series out in hardcovers or Omnibus I will buy those.
Thank you so much for creating some really well made,researched and entertaining videos sir.
He wrote for DC in 2011 for retro canon specials, was on many panels and DVD extras and has a story in Joker´s and Green Lantern´s 80th-anniversary issues that just came out. The last 2 stories were written when he was 80!
Gives me hope as a writer myself. That kind of output makes me think of Will Eisner, who kept working well into his own old age.
R.I.P. Denny O'neil 😢. Great episode! Didn't realize he inspire so many series including my favorite run of Iron Man. Love your work dude. You inspire me and so many people in the comic book community. Keep it up! 🔥👊🔥
Denny's name should be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
That he never got that kind of justly deserved credit, which I've been arguing for the last three years on his behalf, is a tragedy to me.
Denny O'Neil is my favourite Batman writer. Can't wait to watch this.
Batman #232 was the first Batman comic I read (in Persian, nevertheless) and I always love that panel at 11:31 where Batman is wearing a snow coat over his Bat-suit! That one issue had so much going on...
That Leslie Thompkins story affected me deeply as a child. thanks for this memorial episode.
I loved his work on both Batman and The Question.
The Question series is, to me, peak O'Neill. I once got a near straight run of that from #2 to (I think) 37. Read nearly all of it in one go. There were a few endings with some genuine horror and pathos in there. The ending of #24 chilled me to the bone.
Thanks for the video, O'Neil is one of my favourite writers in comics.
I like the fact you mentioned how he made characters grounded and relatable, when I think relatable I don't see myself in them, I see a character I can empathize with, understand, and sometimes look up to, making a character feel real is true artistic talent and O'Neil could accomplish that.
You'll notice that's especially true when Denny's characters screw up, which is a frequent occurrence in his stories.
Chris, thank you for this episode. You have had some very enjoyable tales to tell when it comes to the history of the comics medium. ( I particularly enjoyed your videos on Vince Colletta and Steve Ditko. They were highpoints.) But because you put so much effort into the background of the creators, stories, artists etc. it has become, for a very interesting and introspective walk down memory lane.
I had no idea that Denny O'Neil had his hand in so many of my favorite runs with these iconic figures. His moments with Neal Adams and Dick Giordano and the groundbreaking recreation of Daredevil with the immortal Frank Miller are of particular importance to me as they were periods that resonated with me during some of the most developmental periods of my life. It is enlightening to find out that Denny's work had such an influence on me.
RIP Dennis O'Neil! He will clearly be missed!
His story "The Man Who Falls" is, for my money, the greatest Batman story ever told. And his run on The Question is underrated brilliance
His run on The Question solidified him as my favorite writer.
Not enough folks talk about the Question series. It held a mirror up to issues that still stings in its insights.
I really wish DC would put out a The Question Omnibus,
I don’t know how well it would sell or what the demand would be for it, I just know that I would buy it.
I prefer the original Question by Steve Ditko. O’Neil didn’t really like the character so changed him too much me thinks. Didn’t he even kill off Vic Sage?
@@christianbjorck816 No, no, just changed Sage's perspective via a head injury. Not a fan of Ditko's outlook on life and the Question was basically The Fountainhead with superheroes (you'll notice how Ditko's drawing of Vic Sage is based on the physical description of Howard Roarke). O'Neill admitted that he and Ditko were light years apart politically despite the former's respect for the latter, thus the change...for the better, IMO.
Denny O'Neil was a true legend.
This is one of the best episodes you have done yet, Chris. I never realized how much of O'neil's work had inspired me as a youth to an adult. What an inspirational and key figure of the comics industry!
I almost choked on my tea from that intro. Goddamit. Best one yet.
Thank you for this tribute to a legendary writer who changed comics for the better. He brought a maturity and gravitas to Batman and brought the character back to his dark and gritty roots, and brought a sense of compassion and desire for social justice to his writing (it's a good thing that modern troll culture hadn't yet emerged in his heyday or scummy neckbeard-type fans would be blasting him for exactly that sort of thing). Dennis O'Neill his mark on the comics medium and believed in what it could be. That said, I couldn't help but notice, not to be "that guy", how you pronounce some words bizarrely in this video! "Fanzine" (that's fan-ZEEN, as in fan magazine), "I Ching" (that's EE-Ching), and U.S.S. Lake Champlain should rhyme with "main", I say that someone who dwells in Vermont and has lived on both sides of Lake Champlain! But why quibble, in the words of the late Max Von Sydow, "These things happen." Keep up the good work, and keep reading comics!
I love episodes like this because I learned so much that I never knew. I was not aware of how much of an impact Denny O’Neil had on comics. Great work, Chris!
When you think on it, 75% of the recently wrapped Arrow series came from Denny, including the Batman-related stuff.
Yes, yes..... YES! One of my favs, this guy is on the MT Rushmore of comic creators. Thanks Chris!
When you mentioned Denny O'Neil's recent story in the Green Lantern 80th Anniversary comic, I actually reread it. It is similar to his GL/GA stuff he wrote, only it talks about violence and how they are "punching harder." So, using the idea from Henry Thoreau's book "Walden," GL left Earth for 2 months and 2 days for some solitude from everything to clear his mind (even quoting the book to give it more weight). GA is inspired to do the same, only in Superman's Fortress of Solitude. My only complaint of the story is that it was too short, which is understandable due to the number of stories they got in that comic. Everything else was really good for how simple it was (even Mike Grell's sketchy Giordano-esque style artwork was decent). In my opinion, it was the best story in that GL Anniverary comic because it is so simple and relatable. RIP Denny. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
Sad also to hear of the passing of the great Joe Sinnott last month.
Joe was 93 and as well as being one of the most brilliant artists, is renowned as the nicest guy in comics.
Great episode!
O'Neil and Cowan's run on The Question is one of my all time favorites ever. I had not heard of his passing. Thank you for fantastic rundown on the work of a true legend.
O’Neil’s run on The Question is the best series DC has ever put out.
Like you, Denny was editor on my first "collected" issue. Dd 187 was the comic that got me actually collecting. Good work Denny, your Question was pure delight to read.
Chris, thanks so much for this video. I never got to meet Denny, but like you, I feel like I have lost one of the biggest influences on my life - not my comic life - my whole existence. I was an 8-year old kid and remember reading Batman 232 - yes, the first appearance of Ra's, and a comic I still proudly own - during recovery from surgery. It led me to become fascinated with heroes, in the real world as well as fictional ones. It also started a life long hobby that I enjoy to this day. His contributions to the medium as a creator, editor, and teacher cannot be overstated. Definitely on the Mount Rushmore of comic book creators.
Probably my favorite O'Neil work was his take on The Question.
Haven't watched the video, yet, but my favorite Denny O'Neil series in The Question. RIP Good man
I feel like someone in the professional comic book world needs to give Chris here the same shot Denny had. He's got the love and passion for the medium and his research and analysis is stupendous. Untapped resource, man. Plus he's just a nice guy.
Wow. I didn’t know Denny O’Neil came-up with the name “Optimus Prime”. Great Episode.
Great tribute to the great Denny O’Neil, who deserves more credit for his enduring contributions to comics.
LOTDK was my favorite title when I was a teen. RIP Denny
In these times of overpowered and perfect characters, we really need writers like him.
That's interesting how Dorthy Day had influenced comics in the same way she influenced the hipster generation of the 1950s and 1960s. I only recently started reading her work. Kudos to Denny O'Neill to immortalizing her!
Well, do recall how this generation revered Humphrey Bogart as the old-time movie star they could trust and rediscovered now-beloved classics like Wizard of Oz and It's A Wonderful Life. That fits the same pattern.
I grew up reading a lot of Denny's works. Thanks for all the great reads, Denny. RIP.
Just read his Question series. So incredible and underrated, just like almost all his work. R.I.P.
Just a small note: "zine" is pronounced "zeen" because it's the last half of the word "magazine".
Ahh... interesting...
So it’s pronounced “VEEN sauce”....
Monroville
Deeply illogical, a magazine created by a fan will be a fan-zine, not pronounced completely differently like 'zyne'.
I'm guessing you thought you were being humorous but it just looks like pettiness.
Yeah, I see and say that word so much lol... zine fairs are the best place to meet local & up and coming comic creators
Woah I never thought about it like that
Mesolithic Man petty is wasting time and brain cells to further explain a point that was already explained quite well.. _and_ acknowledging that my simple reply was a JOKE not meant to be taken seriously.
But you may continue your dissertation on pettiness. In fact, the navy might offer you a commission if you’re lucky.
Denny's run on "the Question" is one of my all time favorite comics. I holds up surprisingly well considering it started in the late 80's. It's hopeful, tragic, and filled to the brim with complex characters and philosophical issues. Hopefully DC will reprint it sometime soon.
And gods, some of those endings could rip you up. The lady at the bus stop, the unveiled face of the kid, the twist ending in #24 I didn't see coming but I really, really should have...those still haunt me.
Your description makes me wanna read it.
@@MarkLipka DO IT. You can thank us later.
@@MarkLipka an omnibus is being listed for release sometime next year. It's well worth your money.
@@johnathonhaney8291 dude what about the issue where the question is buried alive up to his neck by the psycho ex army soldiers? I already own the whole series in trade but I found it as a single issue and bought it.
I enjoyed Denny O'Neil's run on Daredevil in the early 80's immensely. One of the highest points in comics, imo.
Total coincidence I'm reading Batman as illustrated by Neil Adams vol 2 right now and it's a lot of Denny's work. R.I.P. Denny.
O'Neil made one of the first mainstream deconstructionist stories with that Green Lantern 76
Iron Man #200 is one of my favorite single issues of anything. It was there that got me to collect Iron Man, who I'd already enjoyed but peripherally as a young kid, but I was just old enough at issue 200 to get the gravitas. Stane's end is brilliant and tragic, and so much better (narratively) than it was portrayed in the film.
2 years late, but a pleasure to see this tribute to Denny O'Neil today. So many great stories worth revisiting.
I had an opportunity to meet Denny a couple of years ago. Great guy and still full of fire. The best thing was he able to address social issues believably and without hitting the reader over the head with it. He will be missed.
Wow, Denny O'Neil has bern a strong presence in my comic book reading from the begining. Gob bless him.
The things Chris does for a 5 second intro😂 this is why I love the channel
One scene in the GL/GA run that sticks out to me was GA using a sleeping gas arrow on GL because he didn't want GA and some environmentalist guy to destroy Carol Ferris's gas-guzzling aircraft. The environmentalist guy basically calls GA a hypocrite for using gas on his fellow man. I wonder if that was the first instance in comics of a character being called out like that.