Welcome to "Steve McNiven" Week!

[wonderfly]

The "6th Annual Toon Zone CBC Awards" is now over, and the winners have been chosen: It's time for the Theme Weeks!!!

For Week #2, we're dedicating this week to the winner of the "Best Artist of 2008" category:

Steve McNiven!!

Artist of Wolverine, ("Old Man Logan")


http://www.marvel.com/i/content/st/3534header_banner0271169.jpg

And on Amazing Spider-Man, ("Brand New Day")

http://www.marvel.com/i/content/st/2012new_storyimage7043665_full.jpg


We're started by changing the Logo at the top of the Comic Book Culture forum. You might've noticed it: it's the one that says "Steve McNiven Week"! ;)

Next, with each Theme Week, we're pinning a discussion thread to the top of the CBC forum, (in this case, we'll discuss the current McNiven project, Wolverine #66-73 "Old Man Logan"!! (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=212549)

We're also celebrating by having the mods try out different "Steve McNiven" avatars, (featuring titles that he's drawn this last year)! Join in and show off your own avatars featuring Steve McNiven imagery, (from the last year or from years past)!!

You've voted him to be the "Best Artist of 2008", now drop by the thread and tell us WHY he's your favorite! But don't feel that you have to limit yourself to works that he's drawn in the last year, you can discuss his previous work from over the years as well!

Topics for Discussion:

1. What should Steve McNiven's next project be once he finishes up work on "Old Man Logan"? (or has it been announced somewhere and I missed it)? Which Marvel writer do you think he should be teamed up with? And why does he always get paired up with Mark Millar?!?

2. Steve McNiven's popularity took off probably around the time it was announced he was the artist on "Civil War", (though some fans of his discovered him before then, while others might not have picked up his work till this year)! What was YOUR first McNiven cover/interior artwork that you remember picking up and reading? Many artists have an issue or cover where they suddenly get put "in your sights" so to speak. What issue was it for you?

Further activities for this Theme Week will be posted soon, (and don't forget, someone will win the chance to give their own "Pick of the Week" in the "This Month In Comics" thread)! In the meantime, feel free to drop by here and post your comments on all things "Steve McNiven" related!!

[Jin Kazama]

So I guess I'll get the ball rolling with a question of sorts.

I'd never even heard of him before Civil War. I had assumed he was one of Marvels "Young Guns" or something. But I loved him on that and now Old Man Logan. Makes me want to search out some other stuff.

What else has he done? Not just for Marvel, but in general? The guy is really, really good. His stuff looks realistic without loosing that comic book feel.

[wonderfly]

Wow, where's the love for Steve McNiven?!? Personally, I expected Gary Frank to win this category, but Frank, Dan Jurgens, and Marcos Martin fans all made strong showings, dividing the vote between them...but in the end, it was Steve McNiven who coming out on top. So where are the people who voted for McNiven? Step forward and let your voices be heard! :)

[RedKing52]

Wow, where's the love for Steve McNiven?!? Personally, I expected Gary Frank to win this category...

Eh, just wait until we get closer to Superman: Origin; that should work in Frank's favor, oh yes...

Anyway, McNiven's stuff is decent overall. He's not one of my favorites, but he is decent, especially if Dexter Vines inks him.

[wonderfly]

What else has he done? Not just for Marvel, but in general?

Sorry, I meant to respond to this question sooner, and promptly forgot. McNiven got his start with Marvel on the Marvel Knights series titled "4" (http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=356), (a "Fantastic Four" book, of course). That book was originally scheduled to take the place of Mark Waid's run on the main Fantastic Four title, after Waid was fired, but then Waid was rehired and so "4" became a spin off book, not the next creative team on the main book.

It didn't get rave reviews, as I recall...I didn't buy it, myself.

He also did the "Ultimate Secret" (http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=1768) mini-series with Warren Ellis, but beyond that, I think he was mostly a cover artist, until "Civil War" came along. Not sure if he did any other work before coming to Marvel...

[Jin Kazama]

Ultimate Secret was part of the Ultimate Galactus trilogy, right?

Probably why I didn't remember him on that. Gave up on it after the first mini. Just didn't do it for me. Although now I may see if I can scrounge up the trade to at least glance through at the pretty artwork.

I'm curious to see what he's got on tap after Old Man Logan.

[wonderfly]

Well, we didn't get quite as much participation this time around as we the moderators would like. Perhaps Steve McNiven's winning was a fluke after all?!? Maybe we should do a recount. ;)

Perhaps next year, we will see if McNiven can reclaim the winning title for a 2nd year in a row...

As is stands, though, we only had two non-moderators participating, and one of them was the winner last week. The other forum member has been a faithful participant in activities on the CBC forum, and thus, the winner of "Steve McNiven" week is...

RedKing52!!!

And now for Theme Week #4...

[Cartoonlover]

I believe I voted for him, he's one of my favorites.