Nodell was inspired to create Green Lantern while riding the subway and seeing a man waving a green lantern to signal a train. Gaining further inspiration from the tale of Aladdin, Nodell developed his new hero as a crimefighter who received his abilities from a powerful lantern.

Soon after, Nodell teamed with famed writer Bill Finger to debut Alan Scott in All-American Comics #16. His last credited illustration of his character was Green Lantern #19 in 1991.

To honor the life of Nodell and influence on the industry, Wizard spoke with various creators about the legacy of Martin Nodell. Here is what they had to say:

“Mart Nodell's passing is a personal sadness, of course; I knew and liked him and his late wife Carrie, and enjoyed bantering with them at comic-cons in Florida and Charlotte, NC, and elsewhere over the past couple of decades... and I couldn't have been prouder when he drew a three-page Green Lantern chapter for All-Star Squadron Annual #3 back in the mid-1980s. Standing between him and Harry Lampert—original artist of the Flash—at a con made me feel a real part of comics history.

With Marty's death, while certainly there are a number of good artists and writers from the Golden Age still around (and long may they wave), there are practically none of the creators of the major early super-heroes left... save the venerable Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America. An era is turning into a legacy.”

—Roy Thomas, famed Conan and Red Sonja writer

"I would always see Mart and his wife Carrie at conventions, where they were a fixture, and always tried to make time to at least say, “Hi.” Having Mart around was like a living comics history lesson. He'd been there at the beginning, really, when the medium was in its infancy. He did tell me about how he came up with the Green Lantern character after a subway ride, when he saw a man waving a lantern. It really brought home the fact that we, as creators, all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. As the years wore on, Carrie passed away and Mart grew a little more frail. I'd see him at cons in a wheelchair. And that brought home the fact that we as an industry don't do enough to take care of the generations that preceded us. Hopefully, someday that will change. Bye, Mart. Thanks for letting me stand on your shoulders."

—Ron Marz, former Green Lantern writer, current Ion writer

"I'm terribly sorry to hear about Martin Nodell's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. As the creator of Green Lantern, and in particular Alan Scott, he's left a legacy that will continue forever. His light will always shine."

—Geoff Johns, current Green Lantern writer

Thanks to wizarduniverse.com for this news.

As for me, I knew Martin Nodell for about 18 years. I first met him and his lovely wife Carrie at Wonder-Con way back around 1988 and again at a small store in Manteca, CA where he was doing a signing. I found him to be fun to talk with, and his wife a dear.

He always had a good word for most of the people in the industry and was never afraid to say what he thought of everyone else. And he was always willing to share some of his hard-earned wisdom with some up and coming artist or even a little kid who had scribbled a really bad Green Lantern on a piece of paper to show him.

His encouragement and advice were always forthcoming, as was his friendship.

Good-bye, Martin. Tell Carrie I said 'hello'.

Larry Stanley