Posted in: Batman, Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, X-Men | Tagged: gail simone, jim lee

Gail Simone On Jim Lee, Batman And Wolverine

Gail Simone shared a reason to love the Jim Lee, currently DC Comics publisher and CCO, from San Diego Comic-Con in 2009.

There is a really good reason to hate Jim Lee. But it's usually only reserved for people who have played against him at poker. Gail Simone shared a reason to love the man, currently DC Comics publisher and CCO, from San Diego Comic-Con in 2009, just as people have been moaning about the prices he is charging for private commissions.

"I have a @jimlee story. Legendary comics writer John Ostrander needed eye surgery. A couple others and myself went all around SDCC to ask artists for an art donation to raise the funds to literally save not just his eyesight, but his eyes. It was for John Ostrander. And so I asked legendary artists that normally I would be intimidated just to talk to. We got pieces from Neil Adams, Matt Groening, and lots more. Again, because it was for John, I worked myself up to ask the giants. Everyone was lovely. But it was still intimidating. Asking legends whom I know get asked for stuff ALL THE TIME. At the time, just as now, Jim was the biggest artist in comics. Not to mention… …he was also my boss. When I asked him, I expected a no. He was scheduled tightly, it's SDCC, he had no free time at all. But when I told him of the auction, the only 'free' time he had was during a panel. A packed spotlight panel. So, being the guy he is, he decided he would draw a huge sketch DURING the panel, and put it up on the overhead screen while drawing so he could do the panel AND donate something amazing. He could have drawn anything. He chose to draw Batman, a huge beautiful Jim Lee Batman. Because he knew that would bring in the most dollars. We were all stunned. We couldn't believe it. "I was thinking of adding Wolverine," Jim said."

"Now, keep in mind, this was the last panel in the last hour of the con. I was exhausted, every pro was. I can only IMAGINE what it was like for Jim. Ten times worse, I am sure. Everyone would have understood if the drawing was loose or simplistic. Instead, during the panel, paying full attention to his fans, answering their questions…he went full Jim Lee. It looked like a cover, Batman and Wolverine, drawn while doing the last panel of the con. STUNNING. But that's not all."

"As he drew the two biggest characters in American comics, I just couldn't believe the gesture. And he did it without hesitation. Watching Jim Lee draw a masterwork live was something I will never forget. Then the panel is over. I go up to take trembling possession. It's stunning, as I said. I was terrified to take it, trying to imagine getting through the exiting SDCC crowds to take it, and many other pieces from legendary artists, to our hotel. I'm thanking Jim, telling him how much this means. He says, "hang on a second." It turns out, he didn't feel he had finished the piece. So the con is over, he should be crashing at his hotel, he wants to take the time to add extra sparkle to toys incredible piece. We find a round table as the con-goers are being rushed out the hall. Jim sat there, while security kept telling us to leave, to finish an already astonishing piece, for a great creator, so he could keep his eyesight. They had to finally come and just throw us out."

"I have had a lot of bosses. I've had a lot of GREAT bosses. But this story is who Jim Lee is to me. John got his surgery. Two legends being amazing. Years later, when we were raising money for Black causes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests with the #ComicsWritersChallenge, Jim came through again. Without hesitation. Not only did he donate this historic page from his personal collection (from his record-breaking X-Men run), but he agreed to match the winning bid with his own money."

"That's the Jim Lee I know and saw many times. Even if he couldn't draw a lick, I would still be a fan. Thank you, Jim. You remain the best. End."

The auction was held at Chicago Comic Con the following month. The piece went for $400, and the evening raised around $30,000.

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