I didn’t know you are interested in French or Belgium comic books Michel Valiant est une bonne série. You should try XIII which is a series about an amnesiac agent.
Always nice to take some time to focus on page layout and design and the ways in which storytelling is unique to comics. So much discussion is around personal style or house styles, or it's too blocky or too cartoony, or the anatomy is off or whatever, without a more nuanced consideration around if the artist is actually doing the job right: setting the scene, giving a consistent sense of space, and getting the panel cadence correct to clearly tell the story. Likewise, I think there is a lot to re-learn from classic writers. I often think the sparse nature of modern writing relies too heavily on the artist to sell a character's intent with a silent look, rather than having a small bit of dialog (or, god forbid a thought bubble) that makes their feelings more explicit to the reader. Sure, maybe a truly talented artist can sell an emotion like an on-screen actor could, but when we’re talking about an industry of monthly deadlines, there ought to be a little bit more leeway in the craft for the reader's enjoyment.
I’m still amazed you can look at a book and say “thats definitely inked by so-and-so.” I can recognize artists to an extent but I don’t have an eye for good inking or bad inking. It’s all color to me.
LOL John, you mention Red Ryder, and does anyone know who he is! I’m currently working on a Red Ryder run, preferably in mid-grade so I don’t break the bank. The series ran for 151 issues, plus a Dell Four Color as the last issue. I’m close to having a complete run from #50 to the final issue. Great Fred Harman covers on those books. (And I believe that most people who’ve seen A Christmas Story, with the Red Ryder BB gun as a plot point, have no idea he was a real character, and a comics character, at that!) Re: Three Dimensional Alien Worlds 1 may have been Art Adams’ first professional work, but let’s not forget his fan art on the letters page of Captain Carrot 12. It was a must-have to get signed when I met Adams at Chicago Comicon in the 90s.
TEC-9 is a semi-automatic pistol made by Intratec; it is blowback-operated (I ain't going there!). The Thunderbolts movie trailer I found underwhelming. However, I really like Mike Deodato's art and it was his work that drew me back to Wonder Woman. Great bit of comics history re: the Strange Tales issue, John. And there's not even any Kirby Krackle in the splash page scene. How about an analysis of one splash page each week from a Silver or Bronze Age book drawn by an artist whose work you admire? John and Richard, you could work on a rotating roster.
Mark Millar has his own You Tube channel. On a recent one, he mentioned he is an executive for Netflix; When they bought MillarWorld they bought him. Netflix has all rights to his work unless they decide to pass and allow someone else to buy the rights. Universal still has rights to Kick-Ass and Kingsman until they no longer pay for it. Netflix didn't care if he wrote comics or not and he said he takes no money for his comic writing. Puts more money in the artists hands.
As always, a NEARLY perfect video. As Lex Luthor would say: "nobody's perfect.....almost nobody." Anyway, the Thunderbolt member you refer to is MACH-1. But you kept referencing Tech 9 who was the Hispanic leader of the Blood Syndicate from Milestone Media of the 1990's. That being said, you made up for your mistake with showcasing the Incredible Hulk ann. #7 and Fantasy Masterpieces #8. Like you, those two books are close to my heart and it's a shame most fans have no idea of them. Thanks for the nostalgia trip.
I agree that Strange Tales #114 is pivotal, and should be worth a million dollars. I say this an unbiased owner of the book with an eye firmly on retirement.
Love the spotlight on Strange Tales #114, along with the additional info about how Jim Shooter used it as a guide for other artists. Don't forget, it is also a very early Dr. Strange appearance, who often gets forgotten because he was never on those covers early on. Such a great book for so many reasons!
Hi J-Hi R, WOW What a great episode! NO CSG, NO ASM. Unbelievable. But... my question is about Spiderman. I have Astonishing Tales #57. I tell my geeky friends it is the 3rd appearance of him, am I right? Sorry no comments on the show. I just keep watching, and always will. Till next time.
Not sure how anyone would be cool with AI art in comics. What about AI writing too? Are all the credits going to be for prompts instead? Writer: Prompts by Intern Joey, Artist: Prompts by Intern Lucy, Editor: HAL 9000
I loved Deodato’s run on Wonder Woman, it was short lived but wow! Deodato’s Diana, & The Amazons were DC’s take on the 90s Bad Girl art trend (alongside Jim Balent’s Catwoman). It was the run that also introduced Artemis to the DCU (a rebel Amazon from a sister tribe who wore the WW mantel for a few issues). 🤩
Another great episode guys! Richard- The French Gran Prix book is amazing! I think you might be my brother from another mother as I too like vintage racing especially from the 50's and 60's Gran Prix. Insane to think that on average 1.8 to 2 drivers died each season during that era! John- Strange Tales #114 is a fantastic book and thanks for sharing the background from Jim Shooter on how it was used for training!
John,the stone roses shirt is wicked,Madchester was a awesome time for music!inspiral carpets too.and the o.g.s the Smiths!now show us your coctuea twins or my bloody Valentine shirts!
