Sunday, March 15, 2009

Lana Lang - INSECT QUEEN!

My fondness for the Legion of Super-Heroes has been well established here. But I don't think I have mentioned how much I love the old Superboy comics. I have quite a collection of them. The oldest is Superboy #11 (Nov-Dec. 1950) which featured the second appearance of Lana Lang. And her first cover. The rest of the collection is a dozen or so misc. issues until #50, and then it's complete. A couple of Lana's best Insect Queen stories involved the Legion. The one where she became a Legion Reservist and the one where they battled Mordru are my favorites.

Insect Queen's origin is pretty silly by today's standards but still enjoyable. Lana helps an alien who in turn gave her a Bio-Ring that enables her to take the shape and abilities of any insect. The accessory every girl wants, right?. :) Now I know the above image doesn't have her mask on. Frankly, I don't like the mask and it covers her face too much. I mean really, who doesn't know about her Insect Queen identity? :)

This is done with ink, color pencil, and acrylic paint on 11" x 17" Canson Mi-Teintes Paper. And she is going up on eBay tonight, for those interested.

On deck for tomorrow, a character I drew for a few issues way back when. A certain blonde ex-CIA, ex-poor little rich girl who owns an amazing detective agency. Was that too on the nose? :)

6 comments:

LUD! said...

Gene, I know you've read Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow." Lana's Bio-Ring didn't help her dealing with supervillains.

We'll see Jennifer Mays tomorrow? YAY! I loved your memorable run on The Maze Agency!

Gary M. Peiffer said...

Gene,

Wow, don't know much about Lana Lang being an Insect Queen, but she definately gives the Wasp a run for her money.

The yellow colored board seems to really work will with the red hair.

Gary

Gene Gonzales said...

Hey LUD, you brought up one of my favorite stories. A great ending to the Silver Age Superman, IMHO. Though tragic as well. And Jen will be up tomorrow. Glad you enjoyed my brief run on it. BTW, there are pages from my run still available at www.fanfare-se.com

Thanks Gary! Hmmm, I need to do a Wasp now. But which of her many costumes?

Royce Thrower said...

Ah.... Lana! Always did like me some Lana!! I also liked the old Superboy books, especially those I started buying off the shelves when Bob Brown was drawing them!
Curt, Kurt, and Bob would have been proud of your version Gene!! And the others are right, the yellow paper really looks good with this costume!! And Since Gary didn't mentionit, I like the antennae on your signature!

Michael Dooney said...

love this one, nice design and pose ;)

Gene Gonzales said...

Thanks Royce!

Thanks Michael! BTW, I enjoy your artwork on your blogs! Great stuff!