Martin Nodell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 15, 1915. He studied at the Chicago Academy of Art, Chicago Art Institue and then the Pratt Institute after he moved to New York City.

Martin got his first job in comics in 1938 doing freelance work for several publishers before landing at DC comics. While waiting on a subway platform in 1940, Martin saw a train conductor wave a green lamp to signal in the station and he thought of a super hero for the comics who was to become Green lantern, scripted by Bill Finger, who also co-wrote Batman with Bob Kane.

Green lantern made his first appearance in All American Comics #16 cover dated July 1940.

He went into advertising illustration in the early fifties and had a very succesful career until his retirement in 1976. Among his creations in advertising was the Pillsbury Doughboy which has become one of the most popular and long lasting advertising icons of the twentieth century

But comics were not done with Martin yet.. In 1959 the Green Lantern feature was brought back by editor Julius Schwartz and artist Gil Kane. Then, in 1987 Martin did a few pages of art for DC and was rediscovered by fans. He had been a frequent guest at comic book conventions across the country and was a particularly friendly individual, which has made him a very popular fan favorite. Even though he had a relatively short career in the comics, his most famous creation, the Green Lantern has made him an icon of the comics' golden age.

Martin passed away on December 9, 2006 at his home in Muskego, Wis. He was 91.