I would like to say that we were a very special couple. My husband was very dear to me. He was truly sent to me by God. I enjoyed the time we had together.
However, there were times I would ask myself why did I marry this guy, especially after attending my first comic convention in Rosemont, Illinois. I was in a world I had never heard of nor seen and did not want to do either of them again. As I watched Richard move about the crowd I could see that this was definitely his world. When people came into his presence there was an awe and respect for him that I could not understand.
I came to realize that this man, my husband was a giant and a pioneer for all African Americans that were about to enter this world of comic book writing. He was a man who was never given much credit for all that he had done by paving the way for African Americans.
During our 14 years of marriage I was blessed to have a man who not only was a very talented comic book artist but he was also a great piano player and singer. We spent weekends together while he played and sang at some night club, American Legion or AM Vets Club. He was as well loved at these places as he was in the comic world.
Richard was not only loved and respected outside of our home, he was truly loved and respected in our home. He was a devoted Christian, a loving husband, my best friend and a loving dad.
September 11, 2001 was a very sad one. I will always remember this day not only because I had just seen one of our country�s worst disasters, but I was confronted with some of the worst news a wife could hear. Your husband has a year at the most to live. Richard was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He was given 6 months to a year to live. We had just started making plans to fulfill our dreams of hitting the road as we both were getting ready to retire. This dream never came true.
However, Richard and I spent as much time together as possible. These were some very hard days for us, but we knew God had never made a mistake and we were sure He was not about to start now. Richard had a life long dream and that was to publish one of his many characters X-Klor. And that dream was made possible by the hard work of Bill Schelly, Alter Ego and TwoMorrows Publishing. I owe them so much for making Grass�s dream a reality.
Richard died at home on August 5, 2002, and my life has not been the same. Even though I have had to face a very difficult time, making adjustments to my life without Richard, I am grateful to God that He allowed Richard to become a very important factor in my life. I will always love Richard. I have said good-bye to the physical Richard, but I will never say good-bye to his spirit.
Thanks again for allowing me to pay tribute to a very special man.
We thank you Janice for sharing your time with us to let us know the man behind the art.
Below are some art and pics provided by Bill Shelly I all hope you enjoy and we do plan to add what we can as often as possible.
Various art
1) Rodenite drawing of Grass by Grass, 2) The SpeedMarvel splash (and full story) was published in Super-Hero #3 1966 Mike Tuohey's last issue before Rich Buckler took over. The story was penciled onto the ditto masters by Grass and "inked" using purple ditto masters by Bill Ryan not Tom Ryan. Bill did many great cartoons also for zines of the time. 3 and 4) Cartoons by Grass ca 1961 sent to John Wright in South Africa to see if John could sell it to a local publisher. It was never sold and has never been published. 5) Art by Grass in 2001
Sabre
1-6) Pages of unpublished strip by Grass, from approximately 1961 or 1962. Back then he added an "e" to "Green" and signed some things "Greene" because he thought it looked better.
Star Studded Comics covers featuring "Xal-Kor" The Human Cat
1-4) Covers from the Texas Trio's STAR STUDDED COMICS, which Xal-Kor appeared on.
Wildman
1-3) Covers of Wildman 1-3. Thanks to Mark Innes and Rick Bradford for providing these scans.
Photos
1) Photo of Richard Green, probably from his Senior year in High school. 2) taken at the 1997 Fandom Reunion; see write-up in GOLDEN AGE OF COMIC FANDOM. The first and only time Grass and long-time collaborator Howard Keltner ever met, at the reunion at the Chicago ComicCon
