Is Ma Kent Old?, by Martha Thomases

Martha Thomases

Martha Thomases brought more comics to the attention of more people than anyone else in the industry. Her work promoting The Death of Superman made an entire nation share in the tragedy of one of our most iconic American heroes. As a freelance journalist, she has been published in the Village Voice, High Times, Spy, the National Lampoon, Metropolitan Home, and more. For Marvel comics she created the series Dakota North. Martha worked as a researcher and assistant for the author Norman Mailer on several of his books, including the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Executioner's Song, On Women and Their Elegance, Ancient Evenings, and Harlot's Ghost.

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13 Responses

  1. Patrick says:

    On you, dear, 55 is the new 35!

  2. Tony Isabella says:

    Happy Birthday, youngster. Oh, to be a spry 55 again. Hope you have a great day and many more terrific years to come.

  3. Linda Gold says:

    Happy Birthday Martha. Have some cake for me.

  4. Jack Curtin says:

    "And this body is ready to eat cake."The best closing line of the week. Happy Birthday. Like Tony, I only wish…

  5. Dan says:

    Happy B'day, Martha. I read your column every Saturday morning and always take a laugh or something to think about from it. I just turned 55 in February and mentally feel no different from when I was a mere lad in my 20's (although my girlfriend tells me I've mellowed considerably). I still haven't joined the AARP, and haven't taken advantage of the senior discounts now available to me. These are things I can't bring myself to do yet, but if the economy keeps tanking, it only a matter of time before I do. Thanks again for the weekly pick-me-ups your columns provide.

  6. mike weber says:

    A couple of years ago when the grandmother in the "Stone Soup" strip came into some money and was planning to take a long-dreamt-of trip to Africa, everyone was worrying that she was too old (if not in those exact words). When she apparently had something of a fling over there, they were even more tweaked.And it was at that point that i (who had been thinking of her as "old") realised that she was probably supposed to be right about my own age.And that if i had the money, i'd be off in a flash and would think nothing of all about making an extended stay in parts foreign (though not Africa).Since then i have gotten a couple years older.She hasn't, which i consider grossly unfair.

  7. Howard Cruse says:

    You're 55? Martha, you CHILD!Happy birthday and love from 63-year-old Howard the geezerP.S. Do I have to wait until 2020, by which you just may ACTUALLY begin feeling "old," for you to bake me a pie like Ma Kent makes?

  8. MARK WHEATLEY says:

    Happy Birthday, Martha! Old is a Sate of Mind – but I have no idea what the country is.

  9. pennie says:

    Hey girl!Despite the vast difference in our ages with me barely 28, I hope to have as much sense and sensibility when I get to be 55…}';>)It is simply amazing to me that we've known each other for four decades. You're my oldest and best friend. We've been through the best and worst and everything else in this life and I'm just so proud and happy for you. I wish you the best and loveliest of days, today and always.pennie

    • Alan Coil says:

      Hey, something doesn't add up here. At 28, you aren't even old enough to have known Martha in 4 DIFFERENT decades.While I, at 27, have been reading comics in SIX different decades.Happy Birthday, Martha!

  10. Elayne Riggs says:

    Happy birthday, you Survivor you! You continue to be an inspiration to me, a mere 50-year-old.My favorite older female comics characters are probably Joan Garrick (never used enough) and "Ma" Hunkle (starting to be used as much a she should be).

  11. Rick Taylor says:

    Hey, baby!We just got back and I had to vote.NOW GO HOME!Again, Happy HKissnoise,Rickirthday!