Freedom Reborn Archive

Community Forums => Comics => Topic started by: zuludelta on May 11, 2007, 04:35:21 PM

Title: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: zuludelta on May 11, 2007, 04:35:21 PM
Just thought I'd start a discussion on definitive artists when it comes to certain characters. Whose rendition instantly comes to mind when you think of a particular hero/villain? Here's my list (clicking on the artists' names will link to an image of the character as drawn by that artist):

Incredible Hulk: Dale Keown (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=4554)

Wolverine: John Byrne (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=1273), Art Adams (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=14319), Marc Silvestri (http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/wolverine/37-9.jpg), and Jim Lee (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=5943).

Silver Surfer: Ron Lim (http://www.silver-surfer.us/Original_Art/Original_Art_Gallery/SS_Annual_2_pg3.jpg)

Daredevil: John Romita, Jr. (http://www.thecomicshop.com.au/covers/comics/d/daredevil-276-marvel-vg.jpg) and Lee Weeks (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=21267019774%20293)

Ghost Rider: Javier Saltares (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=35314339256%201%20NEWSSTAND)

Punisher: John Romita, Jr. (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=10664) and Tim Bradstreet (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=65959919675%201)

Spider-Man: Todd McFarlane (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=77908253258%201%20NBAGUPC) (I don't really like his "big-eyed" version but it's the first one that comes to mind when I think Spidey)

X-Men: John Byrne (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=page2&issue=97792366288%20127) and Jim Lee (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=97794297722%201%20COVER%20B)

Justice League: Bruce Timm (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=1018)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Revenant on May 11, 2007, 05:21:48 PM
Nice thread idea, zuludelta... Here are a few that stand out strongly in mind..

Iron Man: Adi Granov (http://homepage.usask.ca/~jms162/Marvel%20-%20Iron%20Man%20(2).jpg)

Wolverine I'd say Art Adams too!

Huntress /Birds of Prey: Ed Benes (http://www.wordballoon.com/images/BirdsOfPreyCv80.jpg)

Deadman:  Neal Adams (http://www.majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Deadman_400x600.jpg)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: GhostMachine on May 11, 2007, 05:31:34 PM
Incredible Hulk: Herb Trimpe (also who I think of when I think of G.I. Joe)

Wolverine: Pretty much the same: Byrne, Adams, Silvestri, Lee, but also Dave Cockrum

Silver Surfer: John Buscema and Ron Lim

Daredevil: Gene Colan and Frank Miller

Spider-Man: John Romita Sr - no one else even comes close

X-Men: John Byrne, Dave Cockrum and Jim Lee

Justice League: Dick Dillin

Batman: Oh, man, where do I start? Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, Dick Giordano, Marshall Rogers

Fantastic Four: John Byrne

She-Hulk: John Byrne

Superman: Curt Swan, John Byrne

Avengers: John Buscema, John Byrne, George Perez

Wonder Woman: George Perez

Titans: George Perez

Captain America: Jack Kirby, Mike Zeck, John Byrne (the run by Roger Stern and John Byrne was cut waaaay too short!)

Iron Man: John Romita Jr and Bob Layton, Mark Bright














Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Podmark on May 11, 2007, 07:16:05 PM
Spider-Man: Mark Bagley
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Agent on May 11, 2007, 08:05:16 PM
The first few that come to mind are

Superman: Curt Swan (http://www.paulgravett.com/articles/015_swan/015_swan.htm)

Batman: Jim Aparo (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/Aparo.jpg)  (He drew a pretty cool Aquaman, too)

Daredevil: John Romita, Jr. (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/Atonman/Alternativa/LobeznoMillar04.jpg)

Silver Surfer:  Ron Lim (http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/60/9459/1024/surfercover.jpg)

Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: UnkoMan on May 11, 2007, 09:47:48 PM
Spider-Man... Ditko (http://www.neatorama.com/images/2006-09/amazing-fantasy-15.jpg)! Come on, people!

Actually, Ditko'd be Daredevil (http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2921/d264tx0.jpg) AND Dr. Strange (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/02/ST146.jpg) for me, too. And all those Charlston guys. And about a million other characters he created. And all those horror books. What can I say? Ditko is burned into my mind since childhood.

Actually, if I had to pick a modern artist, I'd probably go with Humberto Ramos (http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/images/ramos/ppsm_45.jpg). Man, I posted way too much about this and hardly covered anybody.

Okay, one more. She-Hulk? Byrne... or whoever the heck it was who did these covers (http://www.zaldivacomics.com/images/comics/marvel/march10_04/she-hulk_01%20(Large).jpg)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: zuludelta on May 11, 2007, 11:46:25 PM
Great replies everyone!

Quote from: UnkoMan on May 11, 2007, 09:47:48 PM
Okay, one more. She-Hulk? Byrne... or whoever the heck it was who did these covers (http://www.zaldivacomics.com/images/comics/marvel/march10_04/she-hulk_01%20(Large).jpg)

Judging from the signature and the style, I'd say it's Adi Granov, who's more famous for his work on Iron Man (as already noted by Revenant).

Okay more definitive character artists:

Conan: Frank Frazetta (http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/haunteddollshouse/conantheadventurer.html) and John Buscema (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=731)

G.I. Joe: Ron Wagner (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=35544179902%2063)

Elektra: Bill Sienkewicz (http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=8050)

Iceman: Whilce Portacio (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=97452433904%2064)

Archangel: Whilce Portacio (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=page2&issue=97452433904%2065)

TMNT: A.C. Farley (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=86391111386%2043) and Jim Lawson (http://www.ninjaturtles.com/comics/mirage/volume01/19/1902.jpg)

Cable: It pains me to say it but... Rob Liefeld  :oops: (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=97720903230%207)

Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: lugaru on May 12, 2007, 03:32:13 AM
Couple of No Brainers:

Kabuki - David Mack

The Crow - James O Barr

X-Statix - Mike Allred

Marv - Frank Miller

Hellboy - Mike Mignolla

Groo - Serio Aragones

More Debatable ones:

Catwoman - Paul Gulacy

Psylocke - Jim Lee  :wub:

Spawn - Greg Capullo (take that McFarlane!)

spider-man - John Romita, Jr

Storm - Barry Windsor Smith

Daredevil - Joe Quesada (pepole hate him but he is versatile)








Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Spring Heeled Jack on May 12, 2007, 05:18:01 AM
Thor: John Romita Jr. (Sorry, I couldn't find a great example!)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Courtnall6 on May 12, 2007, 07:33:34 AM
Warning!!! You may get a "Byrning" sensation while reading this!

Superman - John Byrne.

Batman - Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, John Byrne, Jim Lee

Wonder Woman - John Byrne, George Perez, Adam Hughes

X-Men - John Byrne, Jim Lee, Mark Sylvestri

Fantastic Four - John Byrne, Jack Kirby.

Avengers - John Byrne, George Perez, John Buscema

Wolverine - John Byrne, Art Adams, Marc Sylvestri, Jim Lee

Captain America - Mike Zeck, John Byrne

Thor - Ron Frenz, Walt Simonson, Jack Kirby, John Buscema

Hulk - Dale Keown, John Byrne, John Buscema

Silver Surfer - Ron Lim, John Buscema

Spider-Man - John Byrne, John Romita Sr, Mark Bagley, Todd Mcfarlane

Hawkeye - John Byrne.

Punisher - Mike Zeck, Jim Lee, John Romita Jr

Daredevil - John Romita Jr

She-Hulk - John Byrne.

Green Lantern (Hal) - Neal Adams, John Byrne

Green Arrow - Neal Adams

Captain Marvel (DC) - John Byrne, Alex Ross

Doctor Doom  - John Byrne, Jack Kirby.

Iron Man - Mark Bright, Bob Layton

Teen Titans - George Perez

Namor - John Byrne, John Buscema

Galactus - John Byrne.

Thanos -Ron Lim

Venom - Todd Mcfarlane, Mark Bagley.

Carnage -Mark Bagley.







Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Revenant on May 12, 2007, 12:57:23 PM
Quote from: Courtnall6 on May 12, 2007, 07:33:34 AM
Wonder Woman - John Byrne, George Perez, Adam Hughes

Gahh!!  Why didn't I think of that?  I want to add Brian Bolland (http://floweringowl.canalblog.com/images/wonder_woman.png) as well.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Mr. Hamrick on May 12, 2007, 07:34:05 PM
Batman - another vote for Neil Adams here!  (wasn't Neil the guy who drew the title in the early to mid 70s)

Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: thalaw2 on May 12, 2007, 08:50:21 PM
Batman - Norm Breyfogle (http://www.normbreyfogle.com/) ...why don't people here give this man his props?!?!  The way he put Batman in the shadows is un-matched.

Hulk - I agree with Dale K., Lee Weeks (http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=307&sessionid=b9fe669334dec2a7670efe5a5acfe91c)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Revenant on May 13, 2007, 01:14:36 PM
Props for Norm Breyfogle, I like his Batman!
Also for Neal Adams..

One of my first childhood superhero memories was a puzzle I had, it was a picture of Batman done by Neal Adams.  His Joker is pretty definitive as well, because most of the Batman merchandise from the early 80's that I got my little hands on had Adams' art on it.  I think he was the artist through Batman's globe-trotting "hairy chested love god" phase as well (and that's not my term!)

I think the Wonder Woman stuff I had from back then was drawn by Dick Giordano... those childhood memories sure do leave a lasting impression!
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Jakew on May 13, 2007, 05:29:40 PM
I think Neal Adams also did the best Green Arrow (although I also liked Phil Hester on the title).

And just to throw out someone who hasn't been mentioned: Judge Dredd as drawn by Carlos Ezquerra.

My personal definite Captain America and Silver Surfer artist was Ron Lim.

Also Alan Davis --- Captain Britain
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: thalaw2 on May 13, 2007, 06:41:58 PM
I'm surprised no mentioned MARK TEXEIRA for Wolverine.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: JKCarrier on May 13, 2007, 10:22:37 PM
Batman - Dick Sprang (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=3931&zoom=4)

Superman - Curt Swan (http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/superart/BronzeAge.htm)

Wonder Woman - Harry G. Peter (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=3537&zoom=4)

Flash - Carmine Infantino (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=21027&zoom=4)

Green Lantern - Gil Kane (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=22941&zoom=4)

Teen Titans - Nick Cardy (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=23636&zoom=4)

Justice League of America - Dick Dillin (http://comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=121025&GSub=18184)

Captain America - Jack Kirby (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=22242&zoom=4)

Spider-Man - Steve Ditko (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=19101&zoom=4)

Thor - Jack Kirby (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=19917&zoom=4)

Daredevil - Gene Colan (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=22398&zoom=4)

Fantastic Four - Jack Kirby (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=20126&zoom=4)

Dr. Strange - Steve Ditko (http://ditko.blogspot.com/search/label/Doctor%20Strange)

Iron Man - Gene Colan (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=21598&zoom=4)

X-Men - Dave Cockrum (http://oglobo.globo.com/blogs/arquivos/xmencockum.jpg)

Avengers - John Buscema (http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=22165&zoom=4)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: psychopanda on May 16, 2007, 03:03:02 PM
Hey C6, do you like John Byrne?  :lol:

Here's my list:
Superman - Curt Swan, John Byrne.

Batman - Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers

Legion of Super Heroes - Keith Giffen, Dave Cockrum, Mike Grell

Wolverine - Barry Windsor-Smith, Art Adams, Frank Miller, classic: John Byrne

Fantastic Four - John Byrne, Jack Kirby.

Avengers - George Perez, John Byrne

Captain America - Jack Kirby, Jim Steranko, John Byrne

Thor - Jack Kirby (for teh win!), JRjr gets a close second though

Hulk - John Buscema, John Byrne

Silver Surfer - Ron Lim, John Buscema, Moebius

Spider-Man - Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr

Daredevil - Frank Miller, Gil Kane, Wally Wood, Steve Ditko

She-Hulk - John Byrne.

Green Lantern (Hal) - Dave Gibbons, Gil Kane, Neal Adams

Green Arrow - Neal Adams

Doctor Doom  - John Byrne

Iron Man - Bob Layton, Mark Bright

Teen Titans - George Perez

Namor - John Byrne, John Buscema

Galactus - John Byrne.

Thanos - Jim Starlin

Dr Strange - Steve Ditko (really, the only person who captured the character for me)

Moon Knight - Bil Sienkiewicz

Punisher - Frank Miller, Ross Andru
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: doctorchallenger on May 16, 2007, 03:33:58 PM
I'm with Psychopanda and/or C6 on most items:

Here are my additions:

Green Lantern (Hal): (Adams, Kane) Mike Grell

Green Arrow: (Adams) Jack Kirby (pre-beard), Mike Grell

Batman: (Adams, Aparo, Rogers, Sprang) Don Newton

Spider-Man (Ditko, Romita Sr.) John Romita Jr., Gil Kane

Wonder Woman: (Perez, Byrne) Alex Toth (Super Friends char. design) and believe it or not, Don Heck

Captain (SHAZAM) Marvel: Jerry Ordway

Hawkman: Joe Kubert, Murphy Anderson, Jerry Ordway, Rich Buckler

JSA/All-Star Squadron: Jerry Ordway, Rich Bucker

Dr. Strange: (Ditko) Marshal Rogers, Jackson Guice, Paul Smith

Hulk: Sal Buscema

Captain (Kree) Marvel - Gil Kane

Iron Man: John Romita Jr./Bob Layton





Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Mowgli on May 16, 2007, 07:32:56 PM
Iron Man- John Romite Jr. and Bob Layton
Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four and She Hulk- John Byrne
Daredevil- Frank Miller
Batman- Jim Aparo
Green Lantern/Green Arrow- Neal Adams
Swamp Thing- Bernie Wrightson
Flash- Carmine Infantino
Teen Titans- George Perez
Spider-Man- Steve Ditko
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: Courtnall6 on May 16, 2007, 07:46:56 PM
Quote from: psychopanda on May 16, 2007, 03:03:02 PM
Hey C6, do you like John Byrne?  :lol:

He's ok...I guess...

:P

Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: GrizzlyBearTalon on May 18, 2007, 07:02:00 PM
Thou hast mention Dale Keown!

THOU HAST SUMMONED ME!

The Incredible Hulk = Dale Keown (http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/7939/keownhulk6em.jpg)

The Darkness = Dale Keown (http://www.majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/image_dec/tcp-darknesspitt01.jpg) II (http://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/keown_dave/keown_darkness.jpg) III (http://wizarduniverse.com/_images_/002250/DSlevel2clr.jpg)

Dale Keown is one of my favorite artists for comics without a doubt, I LOVE his style. He is so wonderful at drawing big huge muscular behemoths and I absolutely love it. If I could ever pay someone to draw my avatar for any amount of money I would have him do it and die from a nerdgasm in the process.

When I think of comics in my mind I see the images of many of the classic artists like John Byrne, John Romita Sr. and Jack Kirby. Their impact was huge.

My personal favorites are probably Dale Keown, John Byrne and George Perez.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: daglob on May 21, 2007, 08:36:03 PM
What's weird about this is how many "definitive" artists there are for each character.

I've been reading a lot of "Showcase Presents" and Marvel "Essentials", as well as buying a lot of the old comics no-one wants that much (Piranna, Jigsaw, Spyman, Bee Man, from Harvey, Dracula, Frankenstein, and Werewolf from Dell, Nemesis and Magicman from ACG). It's making me re-evaluate a lot of artists.

The definitive artist on the Avengers wold be a tie between Don Heck and John Buscema. I doubt anyhone will argue about Big John, but it is surprising to see Heck's earlier art and realize that the man could really DRAW. He could tell a story, he could display emotions, and ,while I do think Buscema is better overall, his run on The Avengers is better than just about anyone elses'.

The definitive artist on Spider-Man is Stever Ditko, with Johnny Romita a close second.. Most of the artist to follow them has tried to use their work as a background. This is not a bad thing.

Jack Kirby is the definitive artist on a lot of stuff: Thor, Captain America, and, of course, The Fantastic Four. I got Essential Thor #3, and at one point quit reading the lead story and read Tales of Asgard. It was epic fantasy on a grand scale, just like Stan would say-they really pulled it off. It was better written, drawn, and even inked than the soap opera at the front of the book. Captain America had Kirby's most cinematic art, and he seemd to put more into it than aaythign EXCEPT Tales of Asgard. For a few minutes once  month you could thrill to the advantures of The Living Legend of World War II, and really THRILL to it. And despite the fact that a lot of the FF stories leading up to #100 seem a little... disjointed... that 100 issues is an example of constant improvement, experimentation, and development unlike anything else.

I usually think of Curt Swan's Superman; I remember Wayne Boring's work from the Annuals, and I've seen some of Jack Burnley's art (which was ahead of it's time), and seen Byrne's and Garcia-Lopez, all of it beautiful, but Swan is the one. He is my favorite Legion artist, too, and probably had more to do with how it looked than any other artist until Keith Giffen came along..

Sheldon Moldorf was Batman's artist for years, yet no-one seems to mention that. I really preferred Carmine Infantino's "new look", and Neal Adams on the character was just about perfect.

Speaking of Carmine Infantino, NO ONE has ever drawn The Flash like him, and no one ever will. That's not to to say other artists aren't good, far from it. It's just that people STLL draw speed like Infantino did.

Who remembers George Perez on The Inhumans? It ws probably the work he did on Teen Titans that made you forget. I liked Nick Cardy's version, but Perez's was just "right" for it.

To Be Continued.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: psychopanda on May 22, 2007, 12:39:32 PM
Yeah, I don't know why I skipped John Buscema in my Avenger's list?! He really is a master of form. I didn't like his art for a long time. I think his (sometimes) goofy expressions, put me off. The way he draws action and superheroes is just astounding though.

I usd to really dislike Heck as well. I think it was a year or two ago when I started doing my "Kirbees" avatars, that I found some pieces of Don Heck art and really noticed how great it was. He reminds me of the middle-road stylewise, somewhere between the crazy power of Kirby and the subdued strangeness of Ditko.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: doctorchallenger on May 22, 2007, 07:00:44 PM
And I have Don Heck on my list- Booyah!

But seriosuly, Don is just overshadowed by Jack, Steve John B. and John R.   Don was a journeyman in the superhero genre. I have read he was a great romance comic artist, though I have never seen any.  For me, Don had two weaknesses. First was that scif-fi wasn't his element; his gizmos and costuming was always a bit wonky for me.  Kirby could pull off these great big pieces of metal and somehow make them look cool. Don, not so much.  Check out the Triumpherate of Terror sometime (from Avengers) and you'll see what I mean.  Second, and this wasn't Don's fault, but he needed an inker with a special touch.  His pencils are very heavy, and most of the inks that I have seen did not complement him well, (Except what I've seen from the early 70s Wonder Woman).  I would have liked to see a Tom Palmer or especailly a Joe Sinnott ink him, I think it would have been really good.

My explanation for multiple definitive artists is that these characters have been around so longand have gone through significant evolution.  Can you understand how Jim Lee draws Batman without Miller or Rogers? 
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: daglob on May 23, 2007, 07:46:11 AM
Quote from: doctorchallenger on May 22, 2007, 07:00:44 PM
And I have Don Heck on my list- Booyah!

But seriosuly, Don is just overshadowed by Jack, Steve John B. and John R.   Don was a journeyman in the superhero genre. I have read he was a great romance comic artist, though I have never seen any.  For me, Don had two weaknesses. First was that scif-fi wasn't his element; his gizmos and costuming was always a bit wonky for me.  Kirby could pull off these great big pieces of metal and somehow make them look cool. Don, not so much.  Check out the Triumpherate of Terror sometime (from Avengers) and you'll see what I mean.  Second, and this wasn't Don's fault, but he needed an inker with a special touch.  His pencils are very heavy, and most of the inks that I have seen did not complement him well, (Except what I've seen from the early 70s Wonder Woman).  I would have liked to see a Tom Palmer or especailly a Joe Sinnott ink him, I think it would have been really good.

My explanation for multiple definitive artists is that these characters have been around so longand have gone through significant evolution.  Can you understand how Jim Lee draws Batman without Miller or Rogers? 

I've heard that Don Heck actually hated super-heroes. Funny thing about your comment about Don Heck and SF, the first time I realized he could draw was a reprint of an old SF/Horror story from the late '50s. I mean, it was so good I almost doubted it was Don Heck. For some of his stories in Avengers and Iron Man, Heck was inked by Wally Wood. Mmmm-mmmm-good.

It's sad that Wally Wood isn't regarded as the difinitive artist on SOMETHING, but, THUNDER Agents (and Captain Action, Stalker, and a few others who came and went so fast) aside, he seldom worked on a book long enough to really make a difference in the characters.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: JKCarrier on May 23, 2007, 10:42:55 AM
Quote from: daglob on May 23, 2007, 07:46:11 AMIt's sad that Wally Wood isn't regarded as the difinitive artist on SOMETHING

Power Girl! (http://superman.ws/tales4/pg/2.gif)  :lol:
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: doctorchallenger on May 23, 2007, 03:44:52 PM
Quote from: psychopanda on May 16, 2007, 03:03:02 PM

Daredevil - Frank Miller, Gil Kane, Wally Wood, Steve Ditko


Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: daglob on May 23, 2007, 08:17:05 PM
Quote from: doctorchallenger on May 23, 2007, 03:44:52 PM
Quote from: psychopanda on May 16, 2007, 03:03:02 PM

Daredevil - Frank Miller, Gil Kane, Wally Wood, Steve Ditko


Although he designed the red Daredevil costume, Wood didn't really do a lot that made the character "his". I mean, Steve Ditko drew the first Iron Man story with his red and gold armor (I don't know if he designed it, but I assume so), but no one has mentioned him as a defineitive Iron Man artist, have they?

As I said, it's funny how many different artists could be said to be the defineitive artist of one characer, and yet still be right. Batman was created by Bob Kane (& Co.), given life by Jerry Robinson, continued by Sheldon Moldrof, ressurrected by Carmine Infantino, re-envisioned by Neal Adams, and continued by Jim Aparo (with a little help from Marshall Rogers, Mike Golden,  and others). I guess you'd have to decide who had the MOST influence on the character EVER, which, in the case of some of DC's old timers, might be difficult.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: psychopanda on May 24, 2007, 11:23:26 AM
Quote from: daglob on May 23, 2007, 08:17:05 PM
Although he designed the red Daredevil costume, Wood didn't really do a lot that made the character "his". I mean, Steve Ditko drew the first Iron Man story with his red and gold armor (I don't know if he designed it, but I assume so), but no one has mentioned him as a defineitive Iron Man artist, have they?

As I said, it's funny how many different artists could be said to be the defineitive artist of one characer, and yet still be right. Batman was created by Bob Kane (& Co.), given life by Jerry Robinson, continued by Sheldon Moldrof, ressurrected by Carmine Infantino, re-envisioned by Neal Adams, and continued by Jim Aparo (with a little help from Marshall Rogers, Mike Golden,  and others). I guess you'd have to decide who had the MOST influence on the character EVER, which, in the case of some of DC's old timers, might be difficult.

In defense of my answer...   ;)

I went with the vibe of the answers (FR is a pretty carefree bunch) rather than the strict question. So, Wally Wood (and alot of the artists I listed) aren't what I would consider "definitive". Wally Wood's run was brief, but I really liked the art style he employed. It reminded me of Ditko's Daredevil taken another step further. I don't know that anyone can truely improve on Ditko's art, but Wally Wood seemed as close as one could get.

I actually asked this same question in another forum and got more definitive answers. The crowd there is pretty much an older, strictly comics bunch though.
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: doctorchallenger on May 24, 2007, 01:36:21 PM
Just so its clear, I'm not trying to go tit-for-tat on this thread. I just wanted to point out that Wally got some mention, here.  I've picked up as many of the original issues of THUNDER Agents, pretty much for Wood's art.  I agree competely that he is overshadowed. 
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AM
Quote from: psychopanda on May 24, 2007, 11:23:26 AM
In defense of my answer...   ;)

I went with the vibe of the answers (FR is a pretty carefree bunch) rather than the strict question. So, Wally Wood (and alot of the artists I listed) aren't what I would consider "definitive". Wally Wood's run was brief, but I really liked the art style he employed. It reminded me of Ditko's Daredevil taken another step further. I don't know that anyone can truely improve on Ditko's art, but Wally Wood seemed as close as one could get.

I actually asked this same question in another forum and got more definitive answers. The crowd there is pretty much an older, strictly comics bunch though.

... older than me?

AH! A Ditko fan. Me too.

Wood works well on Ditko because their styles are so similar. No, really. I think it's because they had a lot of the same influences growing up, and as a result they use a lot of the same techniques to solve artistic problems. On The Ditko Looked Up site, there are (were maybe, haven't looked lately) a couple of pages of un-inked art. While all that is needed to tell the story is there, there is not a lot of detail. Ditko added that in the final inking. Wood seemed to know what details Ditko left out, and was able to put them in.

Wood's Daredevil stint was my first introduction to his art. From then on, I looked for and looked forward to seeing his stuff. It is a tragedy that a man that good had a life like that.

Man... what if Wood had stayed on DD for three-four YEARS. What wonders might we have seen? And have you ever seen Wood's run on The Spirit?

Jim Steranko would be the definitive Nick Fury, Agent of SHEILD artist, and nearly became the definitive artist of The X-Men and Captain America on the basis of a few fill-in stories on each. Think about what would have happened if those few issues had been a few years worth.

Neal Adams, like Steranko (and Wood, too, I guess) has always seeme to have trouble staying in one place. His Deadman was more than a change in the hero, it was a change in comics. His Batman became an Icon, yet his Specter never really took hold.

Steranko and Adams both changed the way comics were drawn.

Bruno Premani was the definitive Original Original Doom Patrol artist, but, except for a few fill-ins and crossovers, he was the ONLY Doom Patrol artist in the '60s. And nobody's mentioned Russ Manning on Tarzan and Magnus-Robot Fighter or Alberto Gioletti on Turok.

Da Glob, whose first off-the-rack Spider-Man comic was #11 (then got #9 and #10, which were still on the rack)
Title: Re: Heroes and their definitive artists
Post by: psychopanda on May 25, 2007, 11:26:13 AM
Quote from: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AM
... older than me?

...possibly? I think if we did an age average on this forum, it would be less than the average age over there. Nothing wrong with either of course, everyone has something to bring to the table. Younger people bring a fresh point of view to things, older people bring the history of characters and artists.

Quote from: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AM
AH! A Ditko fan. Me too.

Definitely! My avatar  :psychopanda is based off of quirky Ditko characters like Spider-Man, Blue Beetle, Shade the Changing Man, etc.

Quote from: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AM
While all that is needed to tell the story is there, there is not a lot of detail. Ditko added that in the final inking. Wood seemed to know what details Ditko left out, and was able to put them in.

Yes, that's the perfect explanation.

Quote from: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AMMan... what if Wood had stayed on DD for three-four YEARS. What wonders might we have seen? And have you ever seen Wood's run on The Spirit?

Like many characters, I didn't really understand the Spirit, till later. Sadly in my younger days..."if it isn't a superhero comic, it's ^#$%!..". I think I've seen some of Wally Wood's Spirit stuff. Will Einer's Spirit sure knocked my socks off. I really need to get some Spirit collections and sit and read them someday. I have the Eisner's A Contract With God: And Other Tenement Stories on my bookshelf but still haven't sat down to read it.  :blush:

Quote from: daglob on May 25, 2007, 06:45:48 AM
Da Glob, whose first off-the-rack Spider-Man comic was #11 (then got #9 and #10, which were still on the rack)

Well that makes you older than me! ;)

My first remembered comic was the origin of the Vision in Avengers. I thought I had the original back then, till I looked up the date  and found out it was printed nearly a year before I was born!* It's only lately that I've discovered most of the comics I grew up on were actually reprints or back issues.

*most likely, I had the Marvel Super Action copy