Philip Portelli

"All American Comics #13 (Ap'40): the book needed a star as Adventures into the Unknown, Ultra-Man, Scribbly, Mutt & Jeff and even Hop Harrigan weren't cutting it. Three months later, the answer will shine bright!"

"I was putting together some notes to start a discussion on this. I was going to call it "To Sleep Perchance to Dream--What to do about The Sandman". The accusations and details are pretty damning and widespread, not just to Gaiman but the industry…"

"I don't recall if I mentioned this before but I stopped buying new comics by mid-2020 and only got a handful of trades since them including my first (and only) omnibus. I wasn't thrilled by the format or weight!
I have a lot of Archives, Showcase…"

"Should you ever print your columns in book form, you have one guaranteed sale!"

Heh. Don't let my wife hear you say that. She already thinks I should be putting all this stuff in a book, instead of putting it out on the Internet for free.

She doesn't get that this whole five years of writing this column has been a training ground for me. I've learnt how to sharpen my text, work out the repetetion (most of it, anyway), and a dozen other things. That I've learnt along the way becomes especially apparent when I haul out an article like the Captain Savage one and re-run it as an archive entry. I honest-to-God cringe at the way I wrote some of that stuff originally---the awkward sentence structures, the over-repeated phrases, and the like. Fortunately, I have the luxury of polishing it up, along with adding any new information I've picked up since.

It's funny you mention my research, because the Good Mrs. Benson dings me on that, too. I spend a great deal of time---especially on stuff like the two Ultraman articles---locating information and piecing together how things came about. I spend a great amount of time on the art I attach, as well. Not just appropriateness, but in terms of getting the panels level and the right size, and then playing with the contrast and brightness to give it good colour.

Now I do all that because I'm a perfectionist, but I'm gratified when somebody like yourself takes the time to comment or give me a thumb's-up. It makes the work worthwhile. I don't know how guys like Cap or Craig Shutt do it; it seems so effortless for them. But I deeply appreciate knowing that my trouble hasn't gone unnoticed and I thank you for your kind words.

Commander B

Comments

Kirk G March 18, 2014 at 11:27am

Henry K has asked me to relay an invitation to you: I'd appreciate it if you could let Luke Blanchard, Phillip Portelli, and anyone else who posted in my "NEW GODS", "WESTERNS" and "BIBLE" threads know about my KIRBY LAND group.

After a Jack Kirby Fan Group forum was hijacked by an unscrupulous individual on Facebook, Henry began his own forum, titled "Kirbyland" where he, and like-minded individuals continue to promote their beliefs on Facebook.

He wanted you to know.
Figserello July 24, 2013 at 6:34pm

I'd like to echo said sentiments, though I know you're very busy these days.
Richard Mantle July 24, 2013 at 12:53pm

I know they're not that inspiring but aren't we gonna get your virws on those last pre-crisis jla/jsa issues?
Richard Mantle June 30, 2013 at 5:24am

Not sure if this is the right way to do this but I really wanted to say that your excellent threads on thr JLA/JSA in the 60/70/80s inspired me to get volumes 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the way of the trades and I am lovinng them!!. Not sure what feedback you recieve so just wanted you to know your work is appreciated!
Commander Benson June 17, 2012 at 5:43am

"Should you ever print your columns in book form, you have one guaranteed sale!"

Heh. Don't let my wife hear you say that. She already thinks I should be putting all this stuff in a book, instead of putting it out on the Internet for free.

She doesn't get that this whole five years of writing this column has been a training ground for me. I've learnt how to sharpen my text, work out the repetetion (most of it, anyway), and a dozen other things. That I've learnt along the way becomes especially apparent when I haul out an article like the Captain Savage one and re-run it as an archive entry. I honest-to-God cringe at the way I wrote some of that stuff originally---the awkward sentence structures, the over-repeated phrases, and the like. Fortunately, I have the luxury of polishing it up, along with adding any new information I've picked up since.

It's funny you mention my research, because the Good Mrs. Benson dings me on that, too. I spend a great deal of time---especially on stuff like the two Ultraman articles---locating information and piecing together how things came about. I spend a great amount of time on the art I attach, as well. Not just appropriateness, but in terms of getting the panels level and the right size, and then playing with the contrast and brightness to give it good colour.

Now I do all that because I'm a perfectionist, but I'm gratified when somebody like yourself takes the time to comment or give me a thumb's-up. It makes the work worthwhile. I don't know how guys like Cap or Craig Shutt do it; it seems so effortless for them. But I deeply appreciate knowing that my trouble hasn't gone unnoticed and I thank you for your kind words.

Commander B
Commander Benson June 15, 2012 at 11:45pm

Phillip,

I just saw you left me a thumb's-up for my Captain Savage column, and I wanted to thank you for that and all the other times you've done the same thing for my previous articles.

Sometimes I wonder if anybody ever reads my stuff, so it's always nice when I get a comment or a "like".

I also enjoy our occasional dialogues, like we just had on the Flash. You certainly keep me on my toes.

I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it, friend.

Commander B
Commander Benson May 31, 2012 at 1:12am

Phillip,

I did respond. My impression about Pinkerton is the same as yours, and I did mention the items that support that impression. However, as you probably read, the whole discussion really doesn't mean anything. No amount of facts or evidence or intimations is going to sway those who want to believe Pinkerton was meant to be gay.

Nor does it matter. We're not obliged to accept a determination that came later. As far as you and I are concerned, Pinkerton was not gay, and it's as simple as that.

R,

Commander B
Figserello September 13, 2011 at 8:48pm

Hey Philipo - Facebook?
Emerkeith Davyjack September 13, 2011 at 8:33pm

...Hey , Philip , I thought for a sec that that avatar was the Chileian comics character Condorito...
Figserello March 9, 2011 at 8:33pm

Facebook?

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