The original preliminary art for the Green Lantern by Marty Nodell which was recently discovered in Mr. Nodell’s archives. This art features the origin and first appearance of the Golden Age Green Lantern who was not named Alan Scott. (To enlarge the image, click once, then hold cursor on image until the zoom icon appears. Click the zoom icon for full enlargement)

Scoop has just learned that the original preliminary artwork for the Green Lantern has been recently rediscovered. The artwork was discovered in the archives of his creator Marty Nodell. According to Spence Nodell it was decided that due to Marty's health to move him to the Milwaukee area where he could be closer to Spence and his family. As they were packing things up they discovered an old envelope in a filing cabinet. The cabinet was mostly filled with materials from Marty's advertising career and not his comic career. Inside the envelope was the preliminary page of art for the Green Lantern.

“I've know the Nodell's for nearly 30 years and the existence of this page was never mentioned by Marty or Carrie. It was also a complete surprise to Spence. When he showed it to his father Marty confirmed what it was. I was told that their house in West Palm Beach was spared during the hurricanes of the past few years. Many houses including the house next door to the Nodell's were destroyed. They were very lucky.
Marty is having his ups and downs right now and is still in the hospital. Hopefully he'll get stronger and return home soon,” said collector Gary Colabuono.

The preliminary art tells the origin of the Green Lantern, but with a number of notable differences from the published character seen in All-American Comics #16. The preliminary art notes the Green Lantern as being Willard Mason a professor at Pueblo University and not Alan Scott as he was named in his first appearance. Both versions of the origin feature a train wreck although; the preliminary art featured a mysterious old lamp made by an old eastern Indian in Singapore. The origin in All-American Comics #16 notes a fallen meteor in a Chinese village which was fashioned into a lamp.
“This shows that my dad was the sole creator of the Green Lantern and also proves that Bill Finger was brought in and made a significant contribution to Green Lantern,” said Spence Nodell.

“Seeing the original concept for the Green Lantern was an amazing moment at the Wizard World Chicago convention. The fact this piece of Golden Age history still exists speaks volumes for what is and what may still be out there waiting to be rediscovered. I'm glad that the Nodell family was willing to share this item with the collecting community and I am happy that it will be a treasured family heirloom,” said Gemstone Publishing's Managing Editor Tom Gordon III.