Rare Darryl Andrews Convention Art Donated to Canadian Museum of Cartoon Arts

By Bob Barnes

Special to DFG ONLINE



A rare piece of Darryl Andrews convention artwork has surfaced. The piece, entitled, "Decision 2000 - To Begin Again?" was drawn at the 2000 Carnage City Comicon by the Captain Nepto creator for a fan who wished to remain anonymous. Reached for comment, Mr. Andrews said, "It was drawn during one of DFG's dormant periods. Dan and I were considering a relaunch but other areas in our lives were quite full and it never happened." Prof. Martin R. Schoedel, the official DFG historian who holds several graduate degrees, including two in panelology, commented on the work's significance, "The work is significant for several reasons. First, Nepto is drawn with a full mask, but no wig evoking his early, but not earliest golden-age appearance. Yet, he is also sporting his new capeless look, from the third series, and with the signature trident isignia which was prominent in the second series. It seems that Mr. Andrews was trying to evoke a sense of old and new in a profound way and was obviously toying with some aspect of nostalgia and a vision of looking forward. It might even suggest an early wrangling with the concepts that we are now seeing fully developed in the new Captain Nepto Prime series! Secondly, the pictures on the table are of classic Nepto villains, the Jester, Blaster, Mummy, Alligator, and possible the Unknown Strangler (or maybe Death). What is important to note in this is that Andrews was considering returning to the one shot Nepto vs. villains stories, again of the earlier years... the kinds of stories that were told only sparingly during the Spy '96 series. Finally, it is significant because it a mixed media piece -- a mixture of pencil only and pen and ink... very rare in the corpus of Andrews convention art." Once this reporter woke up after that ponderous interview, he consulted renowned DFG collector Javier Santamotzarello on the works value. "I would suggest that at today's market, if the work were to sell at auction, I would expect nothing less than at least $15,000, given the work's significance!" However, it is unlikely that the work will be sold, as the anonymous collector has donated it for display in the permanent DFG exibit at the Canadian Museum of Cartoon Art.

DFG President Comments on Todd Abbot Letter

By Bob Barnes
Special to DFG ONLINE
(the above image is taken from SPY Classics #1, and courtesy of Mr. Todd Abbot).

"I was shocked..." were the words of DFG president and co-publisher, Dan Graves, earlier today when asked to comment on a letter by Todd Abbot, posted on the DTA Comics website (click here for the text of the letter), in which Mr. Abbot claimed that Captain Nepto Prime was coming to and end after only four issues and that he had been reassigned to other work. "After all that we went through to get Prime up and running and honour his contribution to the early Captain Nepto era, I'm really quite frustrated that he continues to grand-stand like this," said Mr. Graves. Mr. Graves was, of course, referring to the drawn out-legal battle with Mr. Abbot after he registered the defunct DTA label, under which Captain Nepto had originated, and announced that he would launch his own classic Nepto series to compete with DFG's Captain Nepto Prime. Through the herculean efforts of Sir Milton Goldfarbstein, QC, DFG legal counsel, an agreement was reached to bring Abbot and DTA back into collaboration with DFG's Darryl Andrews. "We were moderately pleased with the results of the new series," added Mr. Graves, "but Todd came to me and said that he had other projects that he wanted to pursue. Being the stand-up fellow that I am, and being committed to offering the 'the best in Canadian comics,' Darryl and I brainstormed a new direction for Prime, thus allowing Todd to continue on other projects. What really frustrates me, though, is that Todd would make a public announcement before details have been confirmed. The media frenzy has been out of control and the phones ringing off the hook. Sometimes I just wish Mr. Abbot would keep his own counsel and leave the promtional work to our DFG professionals." Mr. Graves also took the opportunity to introduce DFG's newest staff member, their new publicist, Selina Silvurtungdevull, who will be handling such press releases in the future.

Spy '96 "Lost Annual" to Finally See Light of Day!

By Bob Barnes
DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

Once thought destroyed in a flood at the DFG satellite studio in Warkworth, ON, the original artwork for the “lost” Spy ’96 annual has been found! “This is an exciting day!” said DFG president and co-publisher, Dan Graves, “this is the second time this year that lost artwork has re-surfaced.” When asked if fans will finally get to see the annual, Mr. Graves responded, “Well, it’s in a fragmentary state. We have the script outline written by Darryl Andrews and artwork from Mark Andrews, which is incomplete.” Mark Andrews, brother of DFG V.P. and co-publisher Darryl Andrews, did some work for DFG in 1996, including the cover for an issue of Spy Classics and several pin-ups, “This was to be his big break,” said Mr. Graves, “Mark’s schedule does not permit him to complete the issue at this point. I fully intend to publish the annual, twelve years late, by making some format changes.” Mr. Graves revealed that he has asked long-time DFG Production Manager, Frank Daniels, to complete the project. “I’ve looked at the ‘remains’,” said Mr. Daniels, “and I’m confident that we can have it available this Spring or Summer.” When asked what the ‘format changes’ might be, Mr. Daniels responded, “Rather than issue the book in the traditional comic book format, we’ll be issuing it as a pulp magazine – a kind of tribute to the early days of the industry. I’m taking Darryl’s script outline and converting it to fuller prose. We will be inserting Mark’s artwork – some of which are fully inked and coloured drawings, others are B & W inks, and others are pencil drawings – and insert them into the text at appropriate places. I may have to throw in the odd picture of my own, here or there, to fill it out.” Long-time DFG readers will remember that Mr. Daniels drew a couple of issues of the original Spy Comics series back in the early eighties, in addition to his duties as production manager. “As a production man, I hate to see projects delayed or shelved. I want to get them into print; it’s what I do! I’m really excited about this project and the fact that Dan has placed it in my care. I think that fans will be pleased by the result.” Above is a sample of some of Mark Andrews’ work on the annual. Watch for it this Spring or Summer!

Good News for DFG Comics at Easter!

By Bob Barnes
DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

DFG head offices received good news this Easter morning when Dan Graves was notified that Sir Milton Goldfarbstein, DFG legal counsel, who had been on death's door in a coma, had woken up and was in good form. "He seems to be recovering well, almost miraculously," commented Dr. Alphonsus Mortibus of Carnage City Hospital. What had begun as chest pains a couple of weeks back quickly developed into pneumonia, a series of angina attacks, as well as decreased brain functioning. On Friday, this week (Good Friday), all hope was thought lost. Funeral arrangements had been made, a priest had been called to his bedside and last rites read. "I'm just relieved for him and his family," added DFG President and Co-Publisher, Dan Graves, "It just goes to show that miracles do happen... A Happy Easter, one and all."

Watch for updates on Sir Milton's condition as they develop.

DFG Fan Club is Now ONLINE!

By Bob Barnes
DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

I'm on the spot at DFG "tech central" with DFG webmaster, Oscar Foodlecollins, who has just shown me the newest DFG webpage, a site for DFG fans! Yes, DFG fans now have their own webpage. "DFG Senior Art Director Todd Abbot came to me and said, 'Oscar, baby, our fans need a place to call their own; a place where they can send me their fan mail; a place where they can really say what's on their mind about DFG,'" said Mr. Foodlecollins. He ran the idea past DFG co-publisher and president, Dan Graves, who reluctantly gave the go-ahead. "This is an exciting time for DFG," added Mr. Foodlecollins, "I'm glad to be able to help fans with their obsession with DFG Comics."

The site can be found by clicking here, or by following the link in the right-hand column of this page.