When I convinced the Powers that Were to let me do OMAC in black and white, they demanded an un-toned version, too, so a color edition could be done. This was disappointing, since it meant I could not use the tones for line, or to define forms, as Wally Wood had often done.

So, I did all the line and form work in the conventional manner, sending in the pages to be photostated (in those pre-scanning days), and then the pages were sent back to me to add tones.

And when it was all done DC lost the stats. All of them.

Several years later, when DC changed offices, they were found behind some flat files. By then, no one was interested in that color edition any more.

•••

DC initially solicited OMAC at the same price as a color series. When I heard, I insisted they re-solicit, not charging fans for color that was not there. At first, they protested, saying re-soliciting would require rescheduling. The book would ship three months later than planned.

I stuck by my guns, but it also meant that OMAC shipped at the same time as several other projects I’d had in the works for almost a year. For many fans, coming out at the same time meant these books were done at the same time, hence “rushed”. OMAC being in B&W simply meant it was unfinished!