Posted in: Comics | Tagged:

Roy Thomas Day, Celebrated in Jackson, Missouri

Published Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:30:33 -0600

This Saturday, Marvel Comics honoured Roy Thomas in his hometown of Jackson, Missouri with Roy Thomas Day. His friend and manager John Cimino videoed the event.

Former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, he is known for creating the first Star Wars and Conan The Barbarian comics, launching Defenders, Invaders and What If, co-created Wolverine, Ultron, adamantium, Carol Danvers, Morbius the Living Vampire, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Ghost Rider, Doc Samson, Valkyrie, Brother Voodoo, Werewolf by Night. Killraven, the Vision, Yellowjacket, the Black Knight, and Adam Warlock.

Friends, family and fans filled the auditorium at Montgomery Bank Conference and Training Center in Jackson. With Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization board member Wanda Young presented the proclamation that declared the day on behalf of the mayor.

Thomas' manager and friend John Cimino gave Thomas an autographed letter from current Marvel EIC CB Cebulski, congratulating Thomas on his accomplishments – and the town for having him as a resident, saying 'Your town should be justly proud of producing such an esteemed writer, editor and historian."

Roy Thomas and his wife, Dann Thomas, were endowed a lifetime membership to the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society by Terri Tomlin, followed by a lifetime membership to the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization. But he also had something to say about how the town is looking that.

"I like traffic lights, I'm sorry. Roundabouts, I don't know how to drive them. I never liked them in England. I spent one night in 1970 driving for 20 minutes around one. … My first wife was crying, 'Where are we going?'"

No idea, Roy, but I'm sure you passed by me a couple of times.

The town saw window displays of fan art of his creations, a pop-up comic store, comic book displays, life-size balloons, photos of Thomas from various points through his career on display, and a long line from fans to meet the man.