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Pop Culture Pioneer Mart Nodell

Born on November 15th 1915 in Philadelphia, Mart Nodell discovered an immense love for art at an early age. When old enough he would study at fine art schools in New York and Chicago.

In his adult life Mart became a writer and illustrator for All-American Comics. It was there that he created the legendary comic character The Green Lantern which first appeared in 1940 in the series All-American Comics, named after the publisher.

Mart had been looking for an idea to create a new comic book hero that would become popular and help earn him a respected place at All-American. One night at a New York subway station while waiting for his train to come in, Mart saw a subway train operator waving a green colored lantern. Inspiration had struck and Nodell quickly set to work creating his new Green Lantern character.

The Green Lantern s alter-ego was train operator Alan Scott. After a train wreck Scott is the only survivor. While crawling through the wreckage he discovers a mystical green lantern carved from a much larger green meteor that had crashed to the Earth in ancient times and become buried. Scott carves a ring out of the lantern and discovers that when he puts it on he can fly and use the ring to create objects made of green energy in any form he can think of. Scott decides to use these abilities to fight crime, thus becoming the Green Lantern.

The character was a fan hit and established Nodell as a legend in his time.

Although All-American was bought by National Periodical Publications, which would later become DC Comics, the company kept Nodell on board as the writer and artist of all of Green Lantern s comics. In fact, the series titled "All-American Comics" would become a vehicle for the Green Lantern character until he got his own self-titled series. Nodell left the comics field in 1947 and went into the industry of advertising design.

DC Comics cancelled Green Lantern in 1949, but by 1959 they brought the character back as a revised version with new creators. Eventually the company brought back the original version created by Nodell and both Green Lanterns co-existed in the comics and continue to do so to this day.

In his advertising and art career Nodell was heavily involved in the creation of the classic American icon, The Pillsbury Doughboy for Pillsbury in the 1960 s.

Nodell has always been proud of the longevity of his creations, such as The Pillsbury Doughboy and Green Lantern, and how they continue to be loved and admired by American culture.

In his golden years Nodell retired and spent much of his time traveling the U.S., making appearances at comic book conventions and earning an income selling his original works of Green Lantern art, with his wife Caroline by his side as well as his son Spencer.

I had the privilege of meeting the Nodell s at the 2002 Baltimore ComicCon. It was truly a pleasure to meet them and shake hands with the smiling and upbeat American legend.

Sadly Caroline Nodell passed away in April of 2004. People from the comic book and advertising industries showered Mart with condolences and support. Mart was heartbroken and openly stated he felt lost without her.

Nodell eventually returned to doing comic shows with his son until declining health and old age forced him to move from his home in West Palm Beach, Florida to a retirement home in Muskego, Wisconsin in late 2005.

Sadly, Mart Nodell passed away on Saturday, December 9th, 2006 at age 91 in Muskego, Wisconsin. He died of natural causes and in his sleep. His fans and admirers feel a huge loss, but also hope that Marty and Caroline are happily together somewhere.

In his honor those who came to pay respects in person at his funeral made donations to a charity “The Hero Initiative” instead of bringing the traditional flowers. Mart was a vocal supporter of the charity which provides financial assistance to retired comic creators. Most comic creators, especially from Mart s time, do not have any pension or benefits because all work they have done is freelance.

Martin Nodell will be sorely missed.

Article Published: Saturday 7th April 2007