As promised, I am compelled to post more. Might as well fill you in on the long history of HATNA. Owing to the fact that I am currently pitching this out to streamers I suppose I should be somewhat measured in what I write; certainly as I approach the later stages of the development.
It all started back in 1984. Yes, I really am that old.
For some 2 to 3 years I had been drawing my strip “New Wave Comics” for the National Lampoon Magazine. Yes, again, I really am that old.
The “New Wave “ strips were all one-offs as far as any theme goes. Initially I created a two-page Hercules strip as just another one-off piece. It was basically an homage to the sword and sandal epics of my television youth. Hercules Conquers Atlantis. Hercules Against the Moonmen. My take was Hercules versus Modern America. Michael Gross, the NL art director at that time, suggested I continue with more Hercules-themed strips. Actually, it was more than a suggestion. I suspect he was weary of my randomly themed comics and saw more value in a strip featuring a bit more continuity. I have to admit I was reluctant to abandon the “New Wave” banner— I enjoyed the freedom to draw off any idea that would come to mind. But that’s where the Employer/Employee dynamic weighs in heavily.
For the next few years I drew the Hercules strips until the ultimate demise of the mismanaged Lampoon after which High Times (of all rags) picked it up. In color to boot!
All said, after about 2 years of epic adventures, I was contacted by Viking Penguin with the idea of collecting the strips into a single volume. I would love to know how my strips even surfaced to their attention. I think one of their editors had come across my independently printed volume of “New Wave Comics” (published by Manhattan Design). At the moment his name escapes me. Yes (sigh) I really am that old. (Editor, if you’re out there, so sorry).
When it came time to design the cover for my Viking/Penguin Hercules collection I pushed hard to introduce a sculpting style I had been developing.
Come to think of it, I actually made 4 or 5 Hercules-themed sculptures, but space being a premium back then on the Lower East Side, I destroyed the pieces for lack of storage. I do have photos of some of the work. Somewhere. I’ll dig them up later.
OK then. If interest continues, I will continue.
I remember reading HATNA in National Lampoon when I worked in a record store in 1984. I saw a few installments and loved the "carved in stone" style. I laughed like a hyena every time. Very recently something reminded me of the strip and I did an internet search. Lo and behold, I found there was a book of all the stone carvings of Mr. Marek related to Hercules. I have managed to acquire a copy of this rare and sought after record of our hero's journeys. Enjoying the hell out of it, while praying to the gods to allow our scribe Mr. Marek success in his quest to bring mighty Hercules to life once again.