Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 8, 2024 | 1 comment

A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE to Hasen — a helluva cartoonist and a helluva guy — born 106 years ago, on July 8, 1918…

By PETER STONE

Irwin Hasen, Joe Kubert and Neal Adams walk into a conference room. Sounds like the beginning of a terrible joke, but it wasn’t. They sat at the conference room table and talked about the “good old days.” But Neal had a secret. The story started with Irwin Hasen — the co-creator of Dondi, the little boy adopted into America after the war — claiming he did not have a driver’s license. Years before, he and Joe Kubert were going to drive across the country together, but Joe was going to have to do all the driving… since Irwin couldn’t drive. Neal, with a wonderful laugh, looked at Irwin, and asked, “Irwin, could you drive?”

Irwin said with a smirk, “Of course I could. I just didn’t want to.”

Joe Kubert almost lost his mind. “What?! You could drive?! I drove all the way across North America by myself? With a guy that could have helped? Irwin, it’s a good thing you’re funny, because otherwise I’d have to kill you.” We all know Joe certainly could have.

1960, original Hasen art

The three legends continued to laugh about the “good old days” and told stories about what it was like drawing in the late ’60s. I stood in the doorway, listening with cotton in my mouth to make sure I didn’t say anything stupid. Irwin was a wonderful storyteller and that conversation inspired Neal to want to make documentary about him. Neal hired a very small production crew and started shooting interviews with Irwin. He told stories about his massive success with the original Green Lantern and Dondi. He even drew a remarque on a giant print of the original Green Lantern, a gift to Neal, which was immediately snatched by one of Neal’s many relatives. Neal had no place to put it, so “sure, you can have it.”

Hasen

Irwin and Neal worked on the documentary for many weeks, showing how Irwin worked and where he lived. It was wonderful to see Irwin at his desk, drawing Dondi and Green Lantern for fans. He did commissions, did cover recreations and just doodles. The best part of listening to Irwin was his stories. Damn, he was charming. At the height of his Dondi strip, he was a real celebrity. He was invited to the Playboy Mansion and told fantastic stories about the grotto and how he tried his very best to pick up the Playmates. According to Irwin, he was successful more often than not. Who knows? But….maybe?

Hasen

Irwin knew everyone. Will Eisner, Joe Kubert, Neal Adams, and so many more. His apartment was neat, tidy and organized. One day that footage will be seen by everyone because Irwin had such charisma. I listened to Irwin Hasen for hours, laughing like an idiot. The best part of ANY Irwin Hasen story was that it started in a bar, where he and an artist friend (it could have been any famous artist – Alex Raymond, Stan Drake, Wally Wood) would have finished their day. Then, there would always be a sexy, beautiful woman somewhere in the area. Irwin would invite her over and he’d end the story the same way every time.

“And that’s when I went home with the blonde.”

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MORE

— 13 Punchy WILDCAT SPLASH PAGES: An IRWIN HASEN Birthday Salute. Click here.

— 13 COVERS: An IRWIN HASEN All-Star Birthday Salute. Click here.

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Peter Stone is a writer and son-in-law of the late Neal Adams. Be sure to check out the family’s twice-weekly online Facebook auctions, as well as the NealAdamsStore.com, and their Burbank, California, comics shop Crusty Bunkers Comics and Toys.