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Post by Reptisaurus! on Dec 14, 2015 20:14:18 GMT -5
# 12 Windsor McCay for Little Nemo in SlumberlandWho is not one of those guys you have to wonder whether or not he'll be on other people's lists. Since I'm behind and we're on the internet, I'm gonna do this listicle style. (A) He is bloody freaking good at drawing. The hallucinatory nature of the strip means that dang near anything can show up in Nemo's dreams. This isn't a western where all you have to draw is hoses, guns, and cowboy hats. Flipping through my collection of 1908 strips we have, in the span of six pages, ballerinas, elephants, giant monkeys pulling a car-made-of-blocks like sled dogs a brass band made of clowns, a gothic castle, and poor Nemo being in a different position in every waking-up panel. Or there can be a giant walking bed...  Which just ain't something they teach you to draw in commercial art classes! (B) His pure design sense - the way the panels relate to each other to form a current whole and the way the eye is pulled around the page in interesting ways - is maybe the best of any American comic artist ever. Notice how we START looking at this page in the middle (not the upper left/beginning of the narrative) and how perfectly balanced each side of the central image is. And - again - how great the drawing is! Look at that moon!  (C) This was a surprisingly dark and un-cutesy strip given it's timeframe and premise. Although it was often played for laughs, Mccay showed us, quite convincingly, that a child's imagination could be terrifying... (D) But also quite funny! Look at the last physical comedy in the last couple panels. (E) The coloring - Slightly murky where nothing is ever perfectly defined, the muted coloring gives the whole strip a surreal atmosphere, making it FEEL like a dream and sucking the reader in immediately. |
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Post by Reptisaurus! on Dec 14, 2015 21:37:55 GMT -5
On the first day of Christmas, comics my true love gave to me.... Herge a.k.a. Georges Prosper Remi and the Adventures of Tintin. I first discovered Tintin in 1978 in a magazine I bought at a school book fair because it had a Christopher Reeve as Superman photo cover. I think Herge is the first cartoonist I would actually recognize - My parents had a job cleaning doctor's offices at night, and they would drag me along. I think I got a quarter allowance for helping. One of them had some TinTin books in his waiting room - and while I couldn't recognize any of the guys doing the superhero comics I read, I could always spot the Tintin guy! |
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Post by berkley on Dec 15, 2015 4:45:42 GMT -5
#12 Jim StarlinApologies for my tardiness, due partly to work and partly to vacillation, but here goes. I hesitated more than a little before including Starlin at all, because I really don't rate anything he's done since the late 70s or early 80s, but OTOH if I went only by what I consider his best stuff - Captain Marvel, Warlock, and some early independent things like Darklon - it's quite possible I'd place him higher than #12. I like a lot of things about that early work, but perhaps the most important was a sense I got from his work that he was just bursting with ideas and enthusiasm about what he wanted to do in comics. From the panel layouts to the dramatic poses and camera angles to the big, epic sweep of his story-lines, it all created a feeling of excitement to the teen-aged me.  
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Post by Icctrombone on Dec 15, 2015 5:24:49 GMT -5
#12 Jim StarlinApologies for my tardiness, due partly to work and partly to vacillation, but here goes. I hesitated more than a little before including Starlin at all, because I really don't rate anything he's done since the late 70s or early 80s, but OTOH if I went only by what I consider his best stuff - Captain Marvel, Warlock, and some early independent things like Darklon - it's quite possible I'd place him higher than #12. I like a lot of things about that early work, but perhaps the most important was a sense I got from his work that he was just bursting with ideas and enthusiasm about what he wanted to do in comics. From the panel layouts to the dramatic poses and camera angles to the big, epic sweep of his story-lines, it all created a feeling of excitement to the teen-aged me. He's coming on my list much higher than 12. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 15, 2015 12:40:45 GMT -5
Random thoughts on Day one (because I have traditionally done this sort of thing)...
Jerry Ordway I definitely thought of for that exact graphic novel. It wouldn't have put him on my list...but I did think of him fondly.
Usagi Yojimbo is still a blind spot that I think I'll someday fix. Same with Herge and Tintin...though I have read the first couple of stories of both. So many comics. So little time.
Buckler was an unexpected choice. Interesting.
I've never heard of Henk Kuijpers, but I like the look of the artwork. Same with Raymond Briggs. See also Doug TeNnapel.
I did not think of Jurgens. I'm not a Superman fan, so that's not super surprising, though I did like Booster Gold.
I only know Jack Katz from the ads for The First Kingdom. I honestly had never known anyone who had read it though until recently.
Dan DeCarlo came to mind. But I'm just not enough of an Archie fan for him to make the list. His work is classic though.
I was super excited to see Stan Lynde show up. I spaced him. And he probably won't show up on my list. But Damn I love both Rick O'Shay and Latigo. And he's a Montanan...which is a plus.
Fletcher Hanks...I...I...I don't get it.
Jeff Smith likely shows up on my list (they are always in flux every year). Bone was a game-changing book.
Dave Sim is an honorable mention. I just have never read past High Society. I need too. I want too. So many comics, etc. etc.
I didn't think of Dr. Seuss either. And shame on me. I love his political cartoons.
I haven't read enough of Ditko's solo work for him to register with me as a cartoonist.
Sam Glanzman!!! How did I space him? Oy! He may end up on my list. I have to re-work it at some point. But A Sailor's Story is brilliant.
Doug Wildey also slipped my mind. Sigh. Probably hits the honorable mention because I haven't read a ton of his work. But I love what I've read.
Carl Barks almost certainly shows up on my list.
Jill Thompson I know from Little Endless and Beasts of Burden. The latter is beautiful.
Undergrounds...Gilbert Shelton...still a blind spot for me.
Love Wrightson, the artist. I just haven't read much, if anything, he's written.
I remember Rob's love for Luann. I just haven't read modern comic strips since the end of Calvin & Hobbes.
Windsor McKay is brilliant. Gorgeous work. Just haven't read more than a handful of pages.
Starlin...I know he'll show up a lot on these lists. But I have to say that I honestly don't get it. I did love The Death of Captain Marvel though.
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Post by berkley on Dec 16, 2015 7:47:07 GMT -5
Random thoughts on Day one (because I have traditionally done this sort of thing)... Jerry Ordway I definitely thought of for that exact graphic novel. It wouldn't have put him on my list...but I did think of him fondly. Usagi Yojimbo is still a blind spot that I think I'll someday fix. Same with Herge and Tintin...though I have read the first couple of stories of both. So many comics. So little time. Buckler was an unexpected choice. Interesting. I've never heard of Henk Kuijpers, but I like the look of the artwork. Same with Raymond Briggs. See also Doug TeNnapel. I did not think of Jurgens. I'm not a Superman fan, so that's not super surprising, though I did like Booster Gold. I only know Jack Katz from the ads for The First Kingdom. I honestly had never known anyone who had read it though until recently. Dan DeCarlo came to mind. But I'm just not enough of an Archie fan for him to make the list. His work is classic though. I was super excited to see Stan Lynde show up. I spaced him. And he probably won't show up on my list. But Damn I love both Rick O'Shay and Latigo. And he's a Montanan...which is a plus. Fletcher Hanks...I...I...I don't get it. Jeff Smith likely shows up on my list (they are always in flux every year). Bone was a game-changing book. Dave Sim is an honorable mention. I just have never read past High Society. I need too. I want too. So many comics, etc. etc. I didn't think of Dr. Seuss either. And shame on me. I love his political cartoons. I haven't read enough of Ditko's solo work for him to register with me as a cartoonist. Sam Glanzman!!! How did I space him? Oy! He may end up on my list. I have to re-work it at some point. But A Sailor's Story is brilliant. Doug Wildey also slipped my mind. Sigh. Probably hits the honorable mention because I haven't read a ton of his work. But I love what I've read. Carl Barks almost certainly shows up on my list. Jill Thompson I know from Little Endless and Beasts of Burden. The latter is beautiful. Undergrounds...Gilbert Shelton...still a blind spot for me. Love Wrightson, the artist. I just haven't read much, if anything, he's written. I remember Rob's love for Luann. I just haven't read modern comic strips since the end of Calvin & Hobbes. Windsor McKay is brilliant. Gorgeous work. Just haven't read more than a handful of pages. Starlin...I know he'll show up a lot on these lists. But I have to say that I honestly don't get it. I did love The Death of Captain Marvel though. I wanted to do this myself and I hope many other posters will chime in as well: Ordway: like his art, didn't know he wrote anything. But if it was all mainstream DCU - JLA, Superman,Batman, etc not likely I'd be interested. Buckler: never thought of him, but now that his name comes up I'd be tempted to nominate him for Deathlock. But he had scriptors for that, so maybe it wouldn't count. Kuijpers: love the samples of his art I've seen online. I'm in the process of looking for his Franka books but haven't read any yet so could not in all conscience include him n my own list. Jack Katz: again, like what I've seen but haven't read enough to have a real opinion. DeCarlo: not an Archie fan but I do like his single-panel cartoon gags. Fletcher Hanks: I can see it -bizarrely, almost morbidly fascinating. But not one of the greatest, despite the undeniably unsettling effect of his work. Dave Sim: haven't read enough Ditko: a favourite artist but haven't read enough of his solo work, stuff he's written himself. Dr. Suess: good call by whoever picked him. Too far back for me to remember clearly but his books were genius. Glanzman: still learning about him. I've been slowly picking up his Hercules series (Charleton?) but haven't read them yet. Bernie Wrightson: been looking for his various solo comics but haven't yet found them all or got round to reading the few I have. One of my favourite artists though. Winsor McKay: was momentarily sure I'd include him when I first heard the topic but suddenly realised I haven't had the opportunity to actually read much of Little Nemo. Been looking for a cheap collection for years but no luck so far. Starlin: I didn't make a good case for him - didn't even post the images I meant to illustrate the little I did say. I'll try again, here or elsewhere. |
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Post by Pól Rua on Dec 16, 2015 10:38:01 GMT -5
I completely lost track of this year's Classic Comics' Christmas, so I'm pulling together a last-minute list which I'm sure is going to contain a bunch of half-baked choices and lots of names that I'll be kicking myself that I forgot. So let's start at the very beginning, which I am informed, is a very good place to start, with... #12: Don MartinDon Martin is a truly inimitable talent. A master of visual comedy and a gag artist par excellence, his work was always a gem in each issue of 'Mad' Magazine. His comedy seems effortlessly eloquent, but every line is just flawless. Add to that his gift for truly amazing onomatopoeia, and you have an utterly prodigious talent.  |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 16, 2015 12:50:15 GMT -5
#12: Don MartinDon Martin is a truly inimitable talent. A master of visual comedy and a gag artist par excellence, his work was always a gem in each issue of 'Mad' Magazine. His comedy seems effortlessly eloquent, but every line is just flawless. Add to that his gift for truly amazing onomatopoeia, and you have an utterly prodigious talent. How the bloody hell did I forget Don Martin. I have the huge slip-cased hardcover of his Mad work. He is also the cartoonist who least looks like his work. |
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Post by foxley on Dec 16, 2015 15:56:59 GMT -5
I completely lost track of this year's Classic Comics' Christmas, so I'm pulling together a last-minute list which I'm sure is going to contain a bunch of half-baked choices and lots of names that I'll be kicking myself that I forgot. So let's start at the very beginning, which I am informed, is a very good place to start, with... #12: Don MartinDon Martin is a truly inimitable talent. A master of visual comedy and a gag artist par excellence, his work was always a gem in each issue of 'Mad' Magazine. His comedy seems effortlessly eloquent, but every line is just flawless. Add to that his gift for truly amazing onomatopoeia, and you have an utterly prodigious talent. Don Martin was a last minute drop from my list, so it's good to see him represented. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 2:03:40 GMT -5
In honor of Mr. Bradley's start of this and with apologies to poetry slams all over, it's...
MRP's Day 1 Creator Slam
A lot of creators whose work I like, but don't love here today-Ordway, Buckler, Jurgens, De Carlo, Newton (though I like his Phantom stuff better than any thing else he has done), Don Martin
some I love and were on my short list but won't give away if they will appear on my final list yet-Stan Sakai, Jeff Smith & Jim Starlin
some I was unfamiliar with, some intrigued me, others not so much-Henk Kuijpers, Raymond Briggs, Doug TenNapel, Stan Lynde, Fletcher Hanks, Greg Evans
Jack Katz has been on my radar for a while and I have the first volume of First Kingdom and a couple of the later issues in mag format, I just haven't gotten around to reading them yet, had I , he could have been considered, but wasn't.
Dave Sim is another I just haven't read enough of to consider for the list but is on my radar of stuff to track down and dive into
I would never have thought of Dr. Suess, but I am glad someone did.
Ditko is an intriguing choice, I love his plotting and art, but I just can't read his prose when he scripts, so I didn't include him on my list.
Sam Glanzman is a great choice. I like what I have read of his stuff and grab more when I can, but I still haven't read a lot.
Jill Thompson probably should have been on my initial list, but I missed her, bad oversight there.
I love Doug Wildley from Jonny Quest, but I really haven't read any of his comic stuff except for the little he contributed to the Comico Jonny Quest series here and there.
I haven't read enough Barks or Shelton to consider them for the list. Of the two, I've read more Barks and liked it a lot.
I love Berni Wrightson's art and he is a contender for any favorite artist list I participate in, but I haven't read much (if any) of the stuff he wrote for himself.
Windsor McCay is someone I should like more than I do. I love his art, it is charming, and the stories are quaint, and there is no denying how influential McCay and Little Nemo were, and I enjoyed reading them, but have no burning desire to go back and reread them.
Well that's day 1, we'll see if I have the energy to overview day 2.
-M
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Post by Dr. Hfuhruhurr on Dec 17, 2015 10:40:33 GMT -5
My apologies for being late. This "work" thing is really intruding on my "screwing around on the internet" time. Hard to narrow my list down to 12, but this guy had to make the list and I am overjoyed to see that he's back producing Bloom County on his facebook page, Berkeley Breathed.   And, lastly, I thought this one was fitting:  |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 17, 2015 11:05:32 GMT -5
The elusive Puffenstuff has been prompted out of hiding.
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Post by Arthur Gordon Scratch on Dec 17, 2015 11:39:57 GMT -5
Some thoughts as well.
Ordway, Jurgens, Buckler, De Carlo always were way too traditionnal to my tastes, so even though I bought some of their collaborative works, it never pushed me to their solo stuff, but foor for thought. Newton is the same, but maybe he falls short because I've probably read more Phantom stories than any other superhero, and he's far from the best artists there, IMHO...
Jim Starlin and Don Martin, now I just find their style plain ugly, so I would avoid them pure and simply (unless I was convinced Starlin wrote something absolutely out of this world...). But I confess that Starlin page was interesting.
Jill Thompson never did it for me until Beasts of Burden. Don't really get the hype before then. Sam Glanzmann also is one of those I don't really get the fuss over. It's nice, but it doesn't feel that unique. Jack Katz is another beast as I see what he attempts to do, and if successfull it would be great, but as with early Windsor-smith, it falls badly short on the technical aspect, especially with his perspective work.
Sakai is a precurssor of Warren Ellis : he did decompressed before them all! Which is why I never could get into him appart from the random short. I'm sure it's good, but it just seems to read too quickly.
Briggs and Kuijpers are as for most here quite unfamiliar names. I've seen their work but never got the chance to dwelve into those enough. I will now seek the opportunities to do so.
Wrightson is one of my all time faves and certainly the artist I collected the most, but even if he wrote a few stories, however cool htose were, I can't picture himself as the real solo cartoonist.
Fletcher Hanks has been a favorite in this home, glad to see him featured! Sims, Dr Seuss, Herge, Barks, Shelton and McCay as well.
Lynde is someone I'm partial with as I've been heavily exposed to him but never got interested in the stories. Its nice work though.
Jeff Smith will be covered by myself as well soonish
That was some spectacular Ditko pages, ones that I might investigate myself, if I manage to detatch myself from the horrible political analysis... ;-)
Dong Wildey is the bigest discovery of this series so far, I really need to get my hands on his stuff now! What are those pages from?
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Post by Pól Rua on Dec 17, 2015 18:18:55 GMT -5
The Doug Wildey pages are from his series 'Rio' which was recently collected in its entirety by IDW.
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 18, 2015 4:52:31 GMT -5
My apologies for being late. This "work" thing is really intruding on my "screwing around on the internet" time. Wait.. who's this guy? |
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