Something Valiant: Bob Hall’s Top 10 Valiant Moments

Did anyone get the hint about this article from my introduction article two weeks ago? The hint was “the hallway has shadows.” Hallway alluded to legendary writer and artist Bob Hall. Shadows referred to Shadowman. Put the two together and you have the definitive 1990’s Shadowman storyline and art done by Bob Hall. Those two go together like chips & salsa; peanut butter & jelly; pen to paper; Quantum & Woody; Archer & Armstrong; and Dinesh & Valiant.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hall at the Derby City Comic Con in Louisville, KY back in June 2014. He was very personable and made me feel comfortable. I got to watch him draw many sketches of comic book characters while talking with him. I also had the good fortune of getting some Shadowman comics signed, especially the Shadowman #0 chromium cover and Shadowman #19 Aerosmith cover. Since this was my very first comic con ever, this made the experience even better than I had expected. Talk about “Sweet Emotion.”

When I was slated to write my first article for Valiant Central, I knew it had to be one of two people. Mr. Hall was one, and only time will tell who the other one is (I won’t mention any names, but it rhymes with Robert Venditti).

When I contacted Mr. Hall and asked him if he would be so kind as to give me his Top 10 moments while at Valiant back in the 1990’s, he didn’t hesitate. Here they are:

1. When Jim Shooter said he wanted me to write for Valiant.
2. Getting to work for one day with Barry Windsor-Smith.
3. Bob Layton agreeing to let me write and draw Armed and Dangerous.
4. Getting to work with Mike Cavallaro, Scott Friedlander, Randy Brozen and too many others to mention except for number 5.
5. Having Don Perlin for an editor.
6. Doing a signing with Aerosmith.
7. Having Shadowman in the top 100 comics for a couple of years.
8. Going to New Orleans as writer/artist of Shadowman, which allowed me to meet various wonderful and strange people. Lots of voodoo types I would never have had contact with otherwise.
9. Getting a check for 40,000 in royalties, just once, from one book. The money in the 90s was grand after the 70s and 80s but it’s never even come close to happening again.
10. Getting to both write and draw comics, especially Armed and Dangerous. It’s the biggest creative rush you can have.

So there you have it, straight from Mr. Hall himself. Now here’s a thought: Wouldn’t it be great to have Bob Hall “Back in the Saddle” again with Shadowman? He will probably read this article, so show him some love in the comments section.

Here’s the hint for next weeks article: “I need a van. Fred, do you have one?” Feel free to leave your guesses in the comments below.

Remember, if you’re going to read something, read Something Valiant.

Originally from ValiantCentral.com