Daniel Best

James Noel "Jim" Mooney (1919 – 2008) was there right at the birth of the comic book industry. He worked for Fiction House, Fox, Timely and DC during the "Golden Age". Throughout the 1950s he worked on the “Tommy Tomorrow” strip in Action Comics and in the "Silver Age" he became the Supergirl artist before taking on “Dial H for Hero” in House of Mystery and the Legion of Superheroes. In the 1970s he moved to Marvel working on Spider-Man, Omega the Unknown, Man-Thing and Ms. Marvel. Seemingly retired after leaving Marvel he found himself even busier working for independents like Millennium and Claypool. Jim Mooney's story is therefore the story of mainstream American comics and this book by Daniel Best (Published by Blaq Books) brilliantly encapsulates his life and contextualises it within the growth and development of the comics industry. Although Jim was never a "superstar" artist he was one of the great unsung professionals on whose backs the present multi-billion dollar multi-medium super-hero franchises were built. Jim never missed a deadline and his by-line on a book was the mark of immediate quality. He left behind a massive and amazing body of work that is held in the highest regard by fans and comic book creators alike. Author Daniel Best, not only captures Jim's contribution to comics, he also devotes space to his other interests, such as his home life amongst the Woodstock artistic community and his lifelong interests in antiques. The book is full of contributions and anecdotes from Jim's fellow professionals including luminaries such as Steve Gerber, Gene Colan, Roy Thomas, Joe Sinnott, Mike Esposito and Tony Isabella. It was particularly interesting hearing Jim's views on the "Marvel Method" and how he adapted to it after having been weaned on the full script methodology that was both the DC and industry norm up until that point. It was equally interesting to hear about the artists who struggled with the Method and how they overcame some of the challenges. Stan Lee provides a typically witty and at the same a beautifully heartfelt introduction – the two men were good friends over the decades, Lee having originally hired Mooney in the early 1940s and subsequently in the 1960s during the Marvel boom. The book also comes with new artwork from Mooney himself, including the cover, and from a number of other well-regarded artists including Norm Breyfogle, Bob Almond, Mark McKenna, Jim Tournas and Bob McLeod. I read the electronic version of the book, which was bright and crisp, nicely laid-out easy to read. Unfortunately the artwork doesn't come through at its best on a reader but that's a minor quibble in comparison to the quality of the overall narrative. That narrative provides a story that is a fascinating read, well researched and put together and a glorious evocation of a life spend in service to the comic book industry. "Gentlemen Jim Mooney" is a hugely enjoyable read and a fitting tribute to one of the greats, if sadly under-appreciated greats, of American comics.… (mehr)