Dennis O’Neil, with news of his passing it’s time to highlight his most notable contributions. People more than likely know him for his work on Batman. Yet that’s not all he did, especially since he likes to share the spotlight. From Neal Adams to Frank Miller, this is the dramatization of O’Neil’s contributions.
The Importance of Connections
Dennis O’Neil’s passion for comics starts in his home of St. Louis, Missouri. Taking the occasional comic books from grocery stores, it inspires his education in writing. Something that in turn leads to him landing at a newspaper where O’Neil writes columns for youths. One of these pieces reaches Roy Thomas who recommends O’Neil for Marvel’s writer’s test. It’s a challenge that comes from adding dialogue to excerpts. But what’s funny is how Denny actually only did that test for fun. Yet Stan Lee liked what O’Neil did for a Fantastic Four piece so much, he offers O’Neil a job. You know somebody is good when they make a good story without even trying.
The Sides of Dennis O’Neil
At Marvel, Dennis O’Neil would do his fair share of jobs with the surreal Doctor Strange. But on the side comes Millie the Model, a drama series that evokes the feelings of insecurity. Reading too deeply into things, imagine a young O’Neil comparing himself to legends like Stan. Especially at a time when comics were starting to get more competitive. Yet O’Neil does find friends at Marvel which seems to help assure his place in the industry. O’Neil even returns the favor when he meets Neal Adams for their time with the X-Men.
But people need to work, so O’Neil takes jobs at different publishers under pseudonyms. Starting at Charlton, his work on Thunderbolt (the inspiration for Watchmen’s Ozymandias) gets the notice of DC who need young bloods. Note that this is long before DC acquires Charlton in the 80s. But in any case, O’Neil takes the job working alongside fellow Charlton creative Gardner F. Fox and succeeding him in Justice League of America. You wanna know who to thank for some of the classics of the League like the Watchtower? That would be because of O’Neil. Well him and others anyway. Besides it wasn’t exactly smooth.
O’Neil and Adams
Due to a likely conservative upbringing, O’Neil trips over some of his politically relevant work. His debut with Wonder Woman for example has her be more like a spy than a warrior. All without her powers including the iconic lasso. Even his later collaboration with Adams in Green Lantern/Green Arrow runs into problems about serious topics. In the words of Overlord Comics, what’s supposed to be an exploration of social issues instead becomes a parody. Without authenticity only a few issues stand out, particularly how superheroism is irrelevant to social issues. In fact O’Neil was growing obsessive with these issues to the point it strains his relationships. Luckily Adams provides O’Neil context on heroine addiction despite their disagreements on the ending.
Fortunately these two would work again with Batman. In contrast to the campy Adam West TV show, the comic would return Batman to his pulpy noir roots. A depiction where threats like the Joker and O’Neil and Adams’ creation Ra’s al Ghul are deadly serious. All to promote the Tim Burton Batman movie. But in even further contrast comes Superman’s match with Muhammed Ali. Hey somebody’s gotta balance it out.
O’Neil and Frank Miller
Dennis O’Neil and his approach to Batman does not go unnoticed. The tense atmosphere of that series likely gets him the duties of one of Batman’s influences, The Shadow. Yet it’s the ability to go between the light and dark that allows O’Neil to meet a rookie at Marvel. Frank Miller meets O’Neil through the Amazing Spider-Man. With Miller’s artwork and his passions with the character of Daredevil, O’Neil provides an environment for Miller and David Mazuchelli to develop Matt Murdock. By firing Roger McKenzie as writer and inspire Miller to give Daredevil a personal fighting style.
It wouldn’t be long before Miller takes up the pen with Batman and instill everything O’Neil put into the Dark Knight. The title of The Dark Knight Returns practically serves as a mainstream comeback of Batman and a tribute to O’Neil. It wouldn’t be surprising if the series is what drives fans towards O’Neil’s work with the Caped Crusader. Including when Bruce Wayne grapples with addiction in the Batman: Venom storyline.
Dennis O’Neil: Friend, Obstacle, Teacher
Dennis O’Neil’s career features characters who fit very supporting roles. In his Iron Man run, Denny introduces James “Rhodey” Rhodes who proves to be a loyal friend for Tony Stark. Something that Shell Head needs when the Iron Monger makes a move for his company. Because alcohol sure isn’t going to do that for him.
Behind the scenes at Marvel O’Neil does his part in developing the Transformers concept. At least as far as the name for Optimus Prime. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Prime shares O’Neil’s traits. From leadership, the belief in potential, and equal value on life; I like to believe O’Neil has a quite an influence on people.
One of O’Neil’s more interesting creations comes in the form of Kung Fu Master, Richard Dragon. Created during the martial arts exploitation era, the character embodies finding enlightenment through martial arts. While he has worked for espionage intelligence, Dragon’s interests lie in finding purpose. A lesson he tries to teach others including a controversial character.
Question Everything
The Question for the longest time exists as an extension of Steve Dikto’s objectivist philosophies. In fact the philosophy even has an institute founded before Dennis O’Neil publishes his take. However, O’Neil instead subtly critiques the philosophy through Vic Sage. When objectivism leads to Sage getting beaten to an inch of his life, he needs to change his approach. This gets Vic to find Richard Dragon who trains him in martial arts and Eastern Philosophy. Denny even provides the sources in the pages for readers to find for some authenticity.
He also critiques Watchmen’s Rorschach because people miss the point of the character so much. Who wants to get beat up all the time? In fact the interaction with Azrael is a display on the influence on bettering oneself. Chuck Dixon even takes up what he gets from O’Neil into his work with the Bat family. It’s no wonder O’Neil became a teacher at the School of Visual Arts.
Dennis O’Neil: Immortalized Ink
With all of this in mind we have to give Dennis O’Neil credit for all that he brings. Despite the numerous awards and achievements he has, O’Neil was as much a person as anybody else. Like many despite his talents, Denny had anxieties that he got through because of the friends he made. He in turn became a friend to others by advancing their careers. Some like Frank Miller return the favor. It’s no wonder he writes characters who get people out of their funk. To this day, people will feel what O’Neil leaves behind, an importance of authentic connection.
Thanks for coming to the end and be sure to celebrate Dennis O’Neil your way. As always remember to look between the panels.