Dear Friends of BobLayton.com,

  This holiday season, I sent out an original art package as my way of saying ”Thank you”  (to as many of you as I could)  for contributing towards making my website a success.

  Each envelope contained an original comic art page, an autographed comic and an original sketch or rough design from one of my past projects.

  As I explained in my cover letter, the goodies are theirs' to do with as they please—sell it on E-Bay, color it in with their Christmas crayolas, line Polly’s cage—whatever their hearts desire. 

  This gift was given with my sincere and humble thanks for never wavering in your constant encouragement and enthusiastic response to my efforts over the years.

I'm sorry to those who didn't get a package this year, but my resources were extremely limited.  Hopefully, I'll be able to send quite a few more next year.

My thanks to all of you for the wonderful cards and holidays greetings we received, as well.

Here are a few of the responses I received from some of the recipients:

Hi Bob,

 I received your Christmas gifts today.  Let me tell you I was floored!  Not only am I still getting over the fantastic Hercules commission you did for me, but also to have an original page, a cover rough, a signed comic and my first-ever Christmas card from a celebrity artist is just unreal.  What is even more incredible is that you did this for a fan. 

 Since I was a kid I pretty much knew what I was getting for Christmas by artful ways of peeking; however, I never saw yours coming. Christmas is for giving, and in these troubled times you have energized my Christmas spirit and have shown me that good people still reside in the world.  Also, you are one of the few celebrities I have ever come across that was generous and genuine.  You also have not disappointed me as a role model.  Since I was a kid, I have loved your work on Iron Man and Hercules.  Even though I cannot draw, it was always from your artwork I used as a guide.  Now as an adult and corresponding with you, you haven’t disappointed me as a good person either.  Thank you for this holiday gift, and I hope you continue to create, draw, entertain and inspire your current and future fans!

Happy Holidays,

Lynch Lee Hymn

Bob,

I just want to say I appreciate the package that I got from you today!

I can't count on one hand the people in this business that have ever sent me a gift out of the blue like you did. I just want to tell you a story that I hope doesn't put you to sleep:

  I really got hooked on collecting comics back in the mid-late '70's when I was in Jr. high school. I liked to draw and I met up with these 2 guys there that were full on comic collectors. They had tons of stuff, they both liked to draw comics and they both used to wheel and deal comics. Setting up at local shows etc., and they were just 14-15 years old. Seeing what they were doing is where I got my start, I guess.  Anyway, both of the guys went into commercial art at the Vocational School here in Norfolk, Va.  Sometime, after graduating both of the guys went to an art college in Pittsburgh I believe, but I'm not sure. Anyway, after they were gone, I attended the commercial art class that they did and one of the guys came back to visit the teacher, showing us some of his stuff--and it was really good stuff. He told me a story that he got to meet some comic professionals somewhere and he showed off some of the art he had with him. One of the pros liked his stuff and, eventually, let him do some inking for him. The pro was you. Now this is the story he told me back then. It may not even be true, but it was always cool back then when I told people that my buddy got to work with Bob Layton!!  My friends name was John Hickey.  I eventually quit collecting, but still was doing art on the side.   Whenever I could...I would go checkout a comic shop once or twice a year just to see how the stuff was looking, and then, in maybe 1990, got the collecting bug again. I met some dealers through the Comic Buyers Guide and they got me hooked on Valiant about 6-7 months after you guys put out Magnus.  I made a good amount of money buying and selling at shows and eventually opened my shop in 1993. Then,  I met you at a Diamond Distributors seminar in Atlanta in 1994 and, though it was brief, you took the time to shoot the breeze for a minute and it was one of my highlights of that seminar. The other one was the GOLD CLUB!  Anyway, 10 more years pass and through the Valiant Comics website, we have met again.  And you still haven't changed!  I have met a lot of guys in the industry and some guys that I really wanted to meet.  I guess they were having a bad day, or whatever, but I just want to say thanks again for being one of the coolest professionals in this industry that I have ever met!  And a kick ass artist too! 

Have a safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  

Joey Boyack

Comic Kings

Hi Bob-
What can I say?

Your thoughtful package to me has left me speechless! Thank you a zillion times over!!
 I am honored & thrilled to own the items I've bought off you this past year. That, along with your correspondence to me, has been a major gift to me already.  You are an amazing man! Your gifts to me, and the other members of Valiantcomics.com that you know, is just great.

Hope your wife & your foot are doing fine.
I'd still like to read your treatment for that X-O Manowar movie. Please!! Also keep me in mind when you find more Valiant goodies. I would have loved to have bought the alternate X-O #1 cover with the Conan sketch on back. How much did you sell it for? Whatever it was, I would have happily slapped an extra $100 on it.  If you get the chance to write back, can you tell me where you lived in Indiana, what kind of Bass do you play (if you still play) and who are your favorite musicians? Have you ever heard of Todd Rundgren? 

Thanks for reading this. Maybe next time I will ask a question you can put in your next letters update.
Bob, you're the best! Happy Holidays, and may the next year bring you much success & prosperity in whatever you do!!

Your friend always---

Steve Girdler

Dear Bob,

I wanted to thank you for the package I received last week. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The Solar items are fantastic and priceless.

Solar is the basis of my art collection so they will be treasured for years. The Dr. Tomorrow cover prelim is awesome as well. I enjoyed your work on that unique series.

You really went out of your way with the whole package. I appreciate it very much. You have shown real dedication to your fans!

Sincerely,
Dan Moler

SONICDAN'S VALIANT WEBSITE:
http://www.sonicdan.com/VALIANT.HTML

And now--onto the other letters I received this month:

Hello there Bob,

  Boy, my Magnus commission sure looks good on your website! HA! HA!

 I have to say, I totally agree with your editorial about the Monday Night thing...blown waaaay out of proportion by the media.  Guess we have Janet (Jackson) to thank from last year's Super Bowl-- but COME ON AMERICA!  That was only a BOOB!  A split second shot... and NO NIPPLE.

Monday night was a BACK...you see more on daytime soaps!

Gratuitous violence is quite all right in this country...but God forbid you see a butt or a breast!

 And your comments about Wizard magazine I also agree with.  As an ex-retailer from 1991-1995, that mag sold great...and was taken for gospel.  Anything they backed or mentioned as "hot" ...they were like the Oprah Show!  If Oprah or Wizard recommended it...it was a 'must buy' and immediately on the bestseller list.  I hate the way they pushed what they felt was their fave picks on the public sheep and created a false market a lot of the time.

 And when they took over Chicago Con, and all the other cons in the past few years, those wonderful shows have, in my opinion, gone downhill.  They don't bring in the classic, silver age artists...only the current, marketable artists. I want to see the guys that got this hobby where it is today, not these 'flash in the pans' who can't seem to stay on a title for more than four issues at a time!

Sorry for the rants...you touched two subjects I feel strongly about.

Superb pieces from last month commissions too, may I add.

Larry Clay

Larry,

I appreciate your candid opinions.  It's something that I encourage my fans to do whenever possible.  Speak your minds, folks.  There's way too much B.S. going on out there on the Internet.  Fortunately, you're amongst friends here.

Hey Bob,
 I have a question I think/hope you can answer. A lot of guys out there have Valiant color art available. What is the difference between this 'color art' and the color guides used by Marvel and DC?
  I guess what I'm wondering is if this Valiant color art is actual hand-colored art or not ... I'm inquiring about some pieces and I want to be sure of what I would be getting.

Thanks for your help in advance. 

Michael Avila

NYC

Michael,

  At Valiant, we mounted watercolor stock (printed with the B&W line art) onto poster board and painted them by hand with Doc Martin dyes. Valiant was the only one to use this process--its something we came up with while I was Production Manager for the Nintendo Books.  Be forewarned that Doc Martin's will fade in time. Unfortunately, they are not totally permanent.

  Keep in touch,

Hey-hey, Mr. Layton and Mr. Michelinie,

 I'm new to your site, Bob, but not to your work. 

Like all of the fans I'm sure, when I heard about Marvel's intention to make an Iron Man feature film, it immediately made me think of you two.  Silly question it may be, but, I don't suppose either of you have been contacted in any way to assist on the project?
 I'm aware that film production companies occasional desire to keep original creators out of the loop and am also aware, as you have written Bob, about the vibe with Marvel being none too cool.  In any event, whether you both are contacted or not,  those who are 'in the know' must know that you two gentlemen are the defining voices when it comes to old Shellhead and yours will be the cannon by which the film is compared.
Erick Thorpe

Erick,

Unfortunately, no one connected with the Iron Man motion picture has contacted us--nor do I expect them to do so. 

After my numerous dealings with executive producers in Hollywood, I've come to understand that the "powers-that-be" out there have only a passing regard towards the origins of the characters or their initial creators. 

Keep in mind that I believe that a lot of that attitude is justified.

How, you say?

It's mostly numbers.

Comics generally pull poor numbers, as far as a reading audience goes go. 

Compare that to the millions of people who attend their multiplex theaters on a regular basis.  Ultimately, their job as filmmakers is to create a product that will appeal to their huge demographic. That translates to changing whatever they see fit in the property to appease what they believe is the movie-going audiences' tastes and ignoring the pleas of a handful of die-hard comic readers, no matter how sincere.

Once a screenwriter gets the adaptation assignment, he is, for the most part, considered the creator of the property by the filmmakers. Although many executive producers and screenwriters are familiar with David Michelinie and me ( a lot of them that I've met are former comic fans), they generally would rather not deal with 'outsiders' on a project, once they pay for the rights to the property. 

There are exceptions to this, of course. 

But, for the most part, the door is closed once you sell the film rights to a property. 

Since David and I have no legal claim on Iron Man, I guarantee you that our names will never come up in a conversation concerning the upcoming Iron Man film, even though the odds are good that they'll base their story on some of the material that David and I created for Marvel.

That's just 'show business', folks.

Hey, Bob!
 I found your site through www.valiantcomics.com.  I wish you'd come back, post there some and let us know how things are going, but I take it some of them must have run you off.  That's too bad.
 I recently got a couple of extra X-O Manowar #1's off Ebay, so I wouldn't mind risking losing one in the mail.  If I sent you one in January (after the holiday rush) and paid for the postage and return, would you be willing to autograph it, and maybe a couple of other issues, and send them back?  I know you're probably a busy man, so I understand if the answer's no.  I already have your autograph on a Gold Hard Corps #1 and a Rai 0, when I met you at a convention one time, so it wouldn't be that big a deal to me if you had to refuse my request.  What was your favorite issue that you wrote?  Let me know, and I'd like to send it to you to autograph as well, if you wouldn't mind.
  Do you still have a copy of what you used to have posted on your site about the end of Valiant?  I never got to see it.  Someone was complaining on valiantcomics.com message board about the end of the X-O run, and "whetteon" wrote:

"Actually rift, Bob no longer had control of the company at this point. He was basically fired right before Birthquake. Thank Steve (Massarsky) for that *** on a stick. Not only did he backstab the man in charge but also ruined the company so that he could personally pocket a few million. Although I would probably ruin the company too for some odd million dollar paycheck."

I just wanted to ask you if that was true, and if it was, man, I can't tell you how much I think that sucks.  If true, then no wonder Valiant started sucking after Birthquake (and during Birthquake, for that matter)!  I couldn't figure out what had happened, but I quit buying.  I guess a lot of other people did too and it tanked.
Was the final X-O story your "revenge"?  :)  Because, it didn't seem to me to be consistent with your excellent writing on the earlier issues.  I also used to blame you for getting rid of Jorge Gonzalez after he was going to write some cool things, like bringing Lauren back, but if you weren't in control at that point, well...   And when they killed Ken and Randy off...ugh!  Was that also out of your hands?
They kept using your name as Editor-in-Chief, so for a long time, I blamed you for what happened to Valiant.   But if "whetteon" is right, then I was wrong to do that.  I hated to see such a dismal end to what had been such a wonderful company.  Anyway, thanks for letting us over at www.valiantcomics.com. know about your site. 

Take care and have a happy holiday season!
Richmond West

Dear Rich,
  I was very touched by the comments in your e-mail to me. It’s heartwarming when a fan has the intuitiveness to look between the lines and come to some logical conclusions on their own.
I certainly appreciate that you were flexible enough to keep an open mind concerning Valiant's past.
  It is true that, after a messy confrontation with Greg Fischbach (Acclaim's CEO), I was relieved of my authority. They couldn't fire me because of the acquisition contract, so they literally stuck me in an office and paid me to do nothing.
There is a definite point in the Valiant line where you can see the books start to 'go south', which coincides with my in-house exile. They kept using my name as E.I.C. because Acclaim was a stickler for "looking like one, big happy family'.  They feared that my fans would abandon the line if I were
suddenly removed from the scene.
  That last X-O story was indeed something of a 'revenge ploy', designed to insure that they'd never be able to screw with the character in that incarnation again.
Sorry about that.
I'm forwarding a copy of the Valiant interview for you.  Enjoy.

  Also, I'll be more than happy to sign whatever you wish to send to me, providing you include an s.a.s.e. for their return. By the way--My favorite issue that I wrote at Valiant was Dr. Mirage #3.
  I'm sorry about not posting on the Valiant Message Boards.  Although there are many loyal and intelligent fans that post there (and who I still communicate with regularly), the 'cyber-hooligan element' is rampant there.  Many simply refuse to believe anything other than the revisionist history that's plagued the Valiant saga for the last decade.
It's really a shame.
Thanks so much for writing me, Richmond.  I genuinely enjoyed reading your comments.
Happy Holidays,

Hello Bob!

 Please allow me to introduce myself.... my name is Simon Williams, and I have been a HUGE fan of your work since around the age of 8 or 9 (around about the age that I bought my first IRON MAN comic book!). I've just stumbled across your website, and have been looking at your excellent work in the gallery section, so thought I'd drop you a quick line... hope you don't mind!

Anyways, let me tell you a little about myself. I am a life-long comic fan, and have always wanted to draw comic books. Last February, I finally achieved that dream, and am now the regular artist on the UK Spider-man comic!! I can't begin to tell you what a dream come true it is for me, and I just wanted to write and thank you... as your artwork, especially your amazing work on Iron Man, has been such a huge influence to me throughout the years... actually, the latest story that I've just completed has Spidey teaming up with ol' Shell-head (and my editor, also a lifelong Marvel fan let me draw the Red and Gold Armour which appeared after the classic Armour Wars saga... which is cool, as I'm not a huge fan of the current look :oS )

Again, I hope you don't mind me emailing you... again, I just wanted to thank you and let you know how much I admire your work. I'm glad I found your excellent site. I shall check in regularly to check it out!

Anyways, all the best and hope to see some new Bob Layton artwork very soon!

Best wishes,

Simon Williams

Simon,

Congratulations on landing your art assignment on U.K.'s Spidey!

I know exactly how you feel--as someone who has never lost his 'sense of wonder' about being a comics illustrator.

Hey--how about sending us some art scans so everyone here in the States can check out your work? I know my crew would love to see your rendition of the Armored Avenger.

Bob,
  A few questions and comments for the New Year:
I’d love to read your take on Free Comic Book Day. Personally, I think it’s a great idea plagued by poor implementation, most notably, a lack of financial backing from the industry -- including Diamond Distribution -- to promote the event via the print and electronic media, along with no effort to partner with other segments of the entertainment world to get comics into the hands of kids who otherwise wouldn’t venture into a comic store. To me, giving away free comics in comic stores is not unlike giving away free tickets to people who are already in attendance at a pro baseball or pro football game -- people who are already paying customers. And speaking of pro sports, the first annual Free Sports Trading Card Day was implemented back in April of 2004. Did anyone even notice? I knew about it only because my comic store is a comics/cards shop and I happened to be in the establishment on that particular day. I sincerely believe the comic industry has no idea whatsoever on how to attract new, young fans.
  While researching your work on MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER, I noticed something interesting, especially now in light of the way the comic industry has been treating you and other long-time comics creators. I scanned a list of folks who had worked on various Valiant books and was surprised and delighted by how many long-time creators (or, Comic Book Royalty, as I call them) had been hired by you as E.I.C. and your editorial staff: Pat Boyette, Steve Ditko, Bob Hall, Gil Kane, Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, and Don Perlin, to name a few.

My point? You and Valiant helped keep the long-timers active in the industry. Guys who, as a matter of fact, helped keep the INDUSTRY active and growing. This sentiment is EXACTLY the opposite of what’s happening now -- the older creators are being jettisoned in favor of younger creators who can’t tell stories. Was hiring “classic” creators specifically part of your philosophy at Valiant?
  And speaking of Dan Jurgens, what was it like working with him on CAPTAIN AMERICA, particularly on the “Lost in America” arc (2001) featuring Iron Man? As a writer, Jurgens truly understands the character of Iron Man. In fact, to me, his and your works on Shellhead in the pages of CAP are the last visages of the real Iron Man within the Marvel Universe.

  METALLIX #3 featured the heavy-duty, “cold weather” Metallix armor configuration, which reminded me somewhat of the original gray Iron Man armor. Any subconscious homage there?

  Also, the QB-1 concept you revealed last month is superb. One thing that caught my attention was Joe Jackowski’s metal wristband. It instantly reminded me of a similar band worn by Baltimore Colt’s running back Tom Matte back in 1968 or so, which contained a list of all the team’s offensive plays. Matte was called upon to step in as an emergency quarterback for the injured Earl Morrall. I’m very much looking forward to more images and posted comments from QB-1, particularly since pro sports are now being examined for illegal performance-enhancement substances. But getting back to Morrall, he was grist for Joe Namath’s and his New York Jets’ mill during Super Bowl III, tossing three picks, which forced coach Don Shula to replace him with the legendary Johnny Unitas, who, during a late rally, almost sent Joe Willie Whiteshoes and the Jets back to the Big Apple with a loss under their belts. What a great game that was. Whenever I watch the highlights, I still get chills!

   Finally, thanks so much for the new Iron Man armor designs each month. Those things are terrific.
   BTW: I received my gift from you... and--WOW! Thanks a million. Great stuff!
  You sent me the original art page of The Peacemaker, which is so ironic because I'm working on a question/comment for Jan. 2005 that centers around the character.
Also, I cannot thank you enough for the IRON MAN: BAD BLOOD #2 cover sketch, featuring an alternate Spymaster character design.
The signed IRON MAN #254 made me grin. Matter of fact, that book has been on my annual Christmas read list since the day it hit the comic stores.
I now have a copy of the much-admired Iron Santa image, along with the Future Gang a la St. Nick. (I love, Love, LOVE the Metallix-Santa armor!).
 In all, the package was a wonderful and generous treat from the man I admire most in the comics industry.

Mike Kalibabky

Mike,

As usual, you've asked several thought-provoking questions. I'll do my best to respond as intelligently as possible.

1. Yes--I agree with your assessment of Free Comic Book Day.  The industry hasn't a clue concerning  how to attract new readership, as their dwindling numbers attest.  The monopolistic hierarchy is caught in a "Catch 22"--not willing to risk their vise grip on the industry in order to bring in new readership and new ideas.

2. I was always respectful of the seasoned veterans who laid the foundations that we built Valiant upon. And, whenever it was possible, I used those talents on our projects. Many of them had fabulous insights on how to improve the product or working conditions of the company.  Most of those veterans slaved for horrible pay and with very little recognition during their careers.  Yes, we owe so much to guys like Steve Ditko, Joe Orlando,  Gil Kane, Dick Giordano, Stan Drake and the countless others who paved the way for success of the comics industry. 

The greatest sin of this generation's publishers is that they've sold their distinguished artistic heritage for a few Herocliks and a Slurpee cup.

3. Working with Dan Jurgens, as his inker, was very satisfying.  Although some industry people have taken issue with Dan, he was always professional, at least from my perspective.  He was never late on an assignment, always drew exciting stuff and our styles were totally compatible.  Since he never discussed Iron Man (or Cap storylines) with me, I have no idea if Dan's take on I.M. was consistent with my own.  I'll trust you on that.

4. The Metallix Cold Armor was exactly that--an homage.

5. Glad you enjoyed the QB-1 stuff, Mike.  There's more to come.

6.  You're welcome, my friend.

Hey Bob,

Just wanted to let you know that I am a fan from way back.  Hopefully, one day, Marvel will get a clue and get you back on Iron Man. I still read those issues over again. Have you seen the silver/red Marvel Legends IM figure? They did a good job. It's a shame that talented people like yourself don't get the respect that they deserve. Good luck with the movie projects and the Future Comics stuff was a lot of fun.

Have a safe holiday season.

Michael Bolton

Thank you so much for expressing the kind thoughts, Michael. (You aren't the pop singer, I presume?)

As a matter of fact, I haven't seen the Silver Centurion Marvel Legends figure.  Since I designed that particular armor, I'd be very interested in getting a look at it.  Do you have a scan or link to it?

 I hear that Marvel isn't such a great company to work for these days, so I'm somewhat grateful that I'm not there at the moment. I'm absolutely appalled at how they've sold out the integrity of the intellectual properties there--Iron Man in particular--and the creators who helped get Marvel to the top of the heap.

In the meantime, you should enjoy the unpublished "Iron Man: The End" plot, seen here for the first time. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO "THE END">>)

Thanks again for the words of encouragement and have a Happy New Year,