Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC NOVEL

[Mike Farley]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

^^ I wonder what Tom Orzechowski is up to these days.

Lettering X-MEN FOREVER!

If I had to pick a favorite letterer it would have to be John Workman Jr...especially when paired with Walt Simonson on pencils

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

^^ I'm glad Orz is working. What a gifted man. Workman was definitely great, too. Simek, Rosen and Costanza were the standard-setters.

^ I don't get the prejudice against thought balloons either. A graphic novel or comic book works as a nice bridge between a novel and a movie. It can mix and match narrative devices and get away with it. And I have to say that some of the Batman comics would have been so much less without his "film noir" thought bubble narratives going as he swept through the roof tops of Gothum. Have you noticed that the "narrative box" is also starting to disappear. Instead of getting a little back-story at the start of a chapter or book, they are just leaping into the story. Half the time I don't even know where the characters are anymore.

Tell me about it. That's exactly what I meant by "minimalist." Narration and the character's inner lives are the meat and potatoes of prose fiction-- why in the world would they be considered inappropriate for sequential art? As you say, the art form can use storytelling techniques from both literature and moviemaking.

But this is not just a comic/graphic novel issue. The finer nuances and tricks of storytelling are fading away. As an art form, we are becoming sloppy and stagnant. Instead of a beginning, middle and an end, we are treated to a beginning, mediocre meandering middle and intellectually bankrupt yet undecipherable end. And writer's don't want to commit to a point to their stories anymore either. They just want to focus on a few cool bits or ideas and then throw in some filler to bridge the gaps. And what they don't know is that without a point their work makes no real meaningful connection to the audience and is mentally tossed aside in a week's time when the flash wears off. I refer to most stories, novels, scripts these days as McWriting, Fast Food Storytelling. Will they be remembered in ten years? Not likely. Will the work be taught in schools in fifty years? Hell no. Maybe it is time for another Renaissance.

Way overdue, I think. You're absolutely right.

 

[Mike Farley]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

The finer nuances and tricks of storytelling are fading away. As an art form, we are becoming sloppy and stagnant. Instead of a beginning, middle and an end, we are treated to a beginning, mediocre meandering middle and intellectually bankrupt yet undecipherable end.

If you're lucky you get an intellectually bankrupt ending...these days too many comics seem to be nothing but a long, meandering middle...every story seems to only serve to be the set-up for the next BIGGER story. THE SIEGE is the culmmination of SEVEN YEARS of Avengers "storytelling!" Captain America doesn't seem to be getting to any point any time soon either. Super-hero comics have gone from action adventure tales with soap opera elements to soap operas with action adventure elements.

 

[Mutara Nebula 1967]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

The finer nuances and tricks of storytelling are fading away. As an art form, we are becoming sloppy and stagnant. Instead of a beginning, middle and an end, we are treated to a beginning, mediocre meandering middle and intellectually bankrupt yet undecipherable end.

If you're lucky you get an intellectually bankrupt ending...these days too many comics seem to be nothing but a long, meandering middle...every story seems to only serve to be the set-up for the next BIGGER story. THE SIEGE is the culmmination of SEVEN YEARS of Avengers "storytelling!" Captain America doesn't seem to be getting to any point any time soon either. Super-hero comics have gone from action adventure tales with soap opera elements to soap operas with action adventure elements.

Speaking for my goal in this project...basically it came down to me thinking...well if they aren't going to make the kind of comics that I use to love before manga influence took over and comics basically became a series of pinups then I'll just have to make my own.

I want this story to be just a good old fashion sci/fi adventure yarn-that actually tells a story and not just a pin up showcase-thus my search for an artist that can help tell this kind of story. Sample 2 I am believing leans most towards that.

P.S. Having Workman do the letters would be a dream...but that's all it could ever be

 

[Mutara Nebula 1967]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

The figure work in sample 1 is the strongest but the storytelling and shot framing is weak. There's a lot of dead space in most of the panels. Plus the angles chosen are not very dramatic. The panel where the Major rips the door off the hinges should be bursting with energy, but it just kind of sits there due to the angle chosen. Also the panel progression in those first three panels is muddled. I shouldn't have to think about which panel to read next. It should be obvious.

Sample 2 has good story telling and a nice sense of motion and energy to it. The figure work isn't as strong as in #1, but imo the layout and energy outweigh that.

I don't really think the other three samples should even be in the running. None of them are ready for prime time.

And, quite frankly, the lettering on ALL of the samples needs a lot of work. Lettering is an artform just like penciling or inking or coloring. Choosing the right font, balloon placement, picking how much belongs in each balloon....all of these contribute to making the lettering on organic part of the panel, and not just a pasted-on afterthought. Yeah, I'm a bit of a lettering snob ...but bad, amateurish lettering is going to pull me right out of the book every tiime.

So in answer to your question, I'd go with sample #2. Overall I think his storytelling and energy will serve your OGN better than the technically better, but flat and lifeless work in sample #1.

And I'd find myself a REAL letterer.

Thanks...I'm happy to read this feedback from some folks that really seem to know what makes a good comic page.
Your insights are appreciated.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

Speaking for my goal in this project...basically it came down to me thinking...well if they aren't going to make the kind of comics that I use to love before manga influence took over and comics basically became a series of pinups then I'll just have to make my own.

I like this line of thought. Keep us updated on progress and availability.

 

[Mutara Nebula 1967]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

Speaking for my goal in this project...basically it came down to me thinking...well if they aren't going to make the kind of comics that I use to love before manga influence took over and comics basically became a series of pinups then I'll just have to make my own.

I like this line of thought. Keep us updated on progress and availability.

Will do. Thank you!

 

[Mutara Nebula 1967]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

Well I voted 1 because it looked cleanest. I also got 17 yr old Son's input on this and he concured ~ maybe breasts are attractive?

Hey, good to know their is an appeal to young 'uns (even if its for the eye candy) who may not be use to the "old school" look and feel this GN if aiming for.

 

[Mutara Nebula 1967]

Re: Poll: Need opinions on best ARTWORK to select artist for GRAPHIC N

Sample one is by far the most modern, professional looking, and crisp of all the artwork shown in my opinion.

Thank you for the feedback for this poll.