Art From The Animated Shows: Better Than The Comics

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

I remember a time when the art from comic books was just excelent...then newcomers came along.

I remember when art from the comics was very realistic looking, like the Supergirl comic book series...when it first started, the art was great...then newcomers came along.

I remember when everyone considered the art from Batman the animated series and Superman sloppy by comparison to the comic book's art...then newcomers came along!

And destroyed DC Comics! At least for now...I am hoping the will change this very soon...I am getting sick of seeing sloppy art in comic books...it's pretty pathetic when the WB animated shows (which are based on the comics) have better art than in the comics. Anybody else slightly dissapointed about this? The artist from the SUPERMAN series is terrible! I don't like it at all, but for some reason I keep on buying every issue.

[James Harvey]

I love the artwork on alot of DC titles. Ed McGuinness is just amazing on Superman. His style is breathetaking and just great to look at. Titles like GREEN ARROW, BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, ROBIN, SUPERMAN, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, ACTION COMICS, and the upcoming CATWOMAN all have beautiful artwork. Even the art is HARLEY QUINN and BATGIRL is impressive.

Lately, the artwork in the animated books have been the dissapointing ones...

[Calhoun07]

well, I've always perfered the animated style over the regular style on the comic books.

[DerekPowers]

i've actually heard this arguement before from old schoolers who just dont like the style of the current comics (which, i dont care what you say, is highly influenced by bruce timm style and art the art of btas/stas/bb) and want the older look brought back. but i love the current artwork, with some exceptions of course. Superman, Batman, Detective, Superman, Young Justice, the list goes on. they have GREAT artwork, great coloring, just superb. ofcourse you also have your birds of prey, some robin issues, comics like that who's art just makes me tired after having to actually look at it for a whole issue. but hey, you take the good w/ the bad.

[Clayface]

While I enjoy the art in the animated Batman title, I prefer the art in the mainstream books much more. The art in Batman and Detective is just excellent, IMO (though I wish the Batman in Detective had longer ears - his cowl is looking a little too Adam West-ish for my liking).

[James Harvey]

Have you heard about the new artist for DETECTIVE taking over in March or April? Steve Leiber (yay!) is taking over. His style is just amaizng. He did the artwork for one of the Bat-titles recently and it was just great. He brings the realistic look to the book and makes it work. Batman's not overly muscely or too angular -- just super realistic.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
Have you heard about the new artist for DETECTIVE taking over in March or April? Steve Leiber (yay!) is taking over. His style is just amaizng. He did the artwork for one of the Bat-titles recently and it was just great. He brings the realistic look to the book and makes it work. Batman's not overly muscely or too angular -- just super realistic.

That's right! I heard about that, but forgot! Steve's great - his artwork on Rucka's other work has always been really good. What Bat-title did he already do? I don't remember.

[Bobby Boy 101]

The art on Superman, up-coming Catwoman, and batgirl is my favorite!

Gotham Adv used to have fabulous art when Burchett and Ty were working on it, and especially Bruce Timm on the specials and Annuals

BUT ever since Tim Levins happened, the book has had ppl continuously disgard it as a 'kids book', b/c , Im sorry, his art SUCKS donkey balls!!!!!

PLEASE DC, bring back Rick Burchett, or put whoever does the covers in Levins's place!

[DisneyBoy]

I totally agree with your idea! Though Bob Smith's artwork has been to referred to as being too angular, I really think he nails the faces of the main characters in a way that Tim Levins doesn't. I enjoyed his artwork on the hockey issue, which was it's only saving grace 'cause the conclusion to the story didn't even make any sense! In any case, I would welcome (with open arms!!!) a rotating story team just to get a break from Peterson and Levins. I think Kelly Puckett, Mike Manley and Lee Laughridge would do a wonderful job turning this way-ward book around. And I think Dick Grayson said they were free...hmmm

I guess We'll All Just Have to Write DC Some Letters !!!

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

My favorite artist is Alex Ross, he's a great painter.

My least favorite artist however, is Ed McGinness...don't have anything against the guy personally, but I think his art is too cartoony and corny looking.

[Bobby Boy 101]

Disney Bot, u nailed it man!!!!]

That hockey isue was only good for the art and Batgirl's fight scenes!!!!!
but about the new team, u may be onto something

I mean, dud u guys see that Harley issue last month???
The art was crap!!!

[MatchesMalone]

Drawing comics is quite a bit harder than it looks...we should appreciate the really good stuff and give the guys we don't appreciate as much a break. They are giving it their best and are up against deadlines like you wouldn't believe.

Long live DC Comics...

[James Harvey]

I'm trying to find the issue that Steve Lieber did, but I just can't! I am sure he did a recent issue of DETECTIVE COMICS but I just can't seem to find it. I'm trying to find some of his artwork.

I'd really like to see Pucket return to Batman Adventures. He's currently scripting Batgirl but I'm sure he can find room for one more title. His writing style really helped to make Batman Adventures an astonishing read and I'd like to se ehim come back again.

I'm not overly fond of Bob Smith, but I would really like to see Mike Manley take a swing. If Superman Adventures #25 is any indiciation, this guy has the goods.

[kid_flash]

I can tell ya right now, Steve Lieber never did an issue of 'Tec (but his stuff will be amazing!).

Other books where the art really shines...
BATMAN: You can't go wrong with Scott McDaniel on any Bat-title. He's just amazing. Wish Karl Story would get back to inking with him, though.
DETECTIVE: Not so much the art that intrigues people (although I do like Martinbrough's work), but the coloring really pulls me in.
GOTHAM KNIGHTS: This title's been through a few, but Roger Robinson is really, REALLY good.
ROBIN: Pete Woods' work got Robin noticed. The plots have gone down recently, but the art keeps people on it and played a big part in getting it Book of the Month in Wizard.
SUPERMAN: Ed McGuiness redefined Superman for the 21st century. With all the other Super-titles having gone through a shakeup, this guy kept on.
THE FLASH: Scott Kolins, Doug Hazelwood, and James Sinclair played a giant part in helping Geoff Johns put FLASH on the map.
DOOM PATROL: If you're not reading this, you are missing incredible stories, and a VERY original art style (the artist is on the other side of the world!)

That's just off the top of my head. Anyway, the animated style is wonderful, I do love it. But it's only really good for what it is: Animation. It just doesn't have the same effect on the printed page.

[James Harvey]

I know Steve Leiber did an issue way back in the 680's for some crososver between that title and Robin. Man...this is gonna really bug me! It might've been a peice of promo work that has me confused.

I agree on your list. The artwork in ROBIN has been astounding. The new writer, I think, will really help raise the title. Dixon, while a good writer, is running out of steam for the book. Another book I've been enjoying is ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. The artist, MIke Weirdingo (sp), has been blowing me away. He draws arguably the best rendition of the Man of Steel.

[Beyond Batman]

That's just off the top of my head. Anyway, the animated style is wonderful, I do love it. But it's only really good for what it is: Animation. It just doesn't have the same effect on the printed page. -kid_flash

Another agreeable point. I always found the animated art to be less expressive as far as art goes. It's too... "cookie-cutterish" and I think it's best left to be animated rather than in the comic books. As far as comics go, I'd choose comic art over animated art.

Expressive art has always been a favorite of mine. Drawing Batman where when you look at him and feel his mood, to me, is the best kind of art. For example, Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb's style of art and story telling. Their art, combined with their writing, makes you feel like you could be in Batman's boots. You can almost feel what he's feeling just by looking at their style of art. With expressive art, you can see a little of the artist in Batman.

I'm a big fan of the animated series. But the animated style is too simplistic and very straightlined. It's more suited for that style to be animated because it's relatively easier to draw on a frame by fram basis. Comic art, especially cover art, is more expressive and seems to add a bit more detail.

Also, it depends on how you collect comics. Do you collect it for the art or do you collect it for the story and writing? Back in the days, I used to collect a lot of Image and Marvel comics just because of the art. I used to be a big Jim Lee fanatic. That's not the case anymore. Batman caught my eye because I found the stories to be more intriguing. Look what lasted? I no longer collect any Image or Marvel titles. Except for Spiderman.

[kid_flash]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
I know Steve Leiber did an issue way back in the 680's for some crososver between that title and Robin. Man...this is gonna really bug me! It might've been a peice of promo work that has me confused.

Oh, heh, wasn't thinking that far back :slaps forehead:

As for Wieringo (I think that's the spelling)...well, it is good, but he seems to always try to get Superman cape to burn off or get torn off or something. Really ticks me off. And his Superman, while sporting a new face, is a LOT like McGuiness (who is definitely the best Superman artist now, if not ever). but he and Joe Casey are a welcome addition to the the book, and a heckuva lot better than DeMathesis (who's a great writer in his own right, but NOT for Superman...ugh).

[James Harvey]

Hey Beyond Batman,

I recommend you pick up NEW X-MEN. The art (by Frank Quitely) is astounding and the GRant Morrison tales are just spectacular.

The Batman books ar eone of the rare few books that feature good writing and good art. The writer/artist teams always compliment each other. Brubaker/McDaniel is a perfect pairing. Rucka/Martinborough (soon Leiber) is quite possibly the best Batman creative team in a long time. Grayson/Robinson also do a good job on their title. To me, a good story is a must. I can usually survive if the art is mediocre, but if the writing is lousy then it brings down the whole book (see: Gotham Adventures).

And Clayface, Steve Leiber recently did SUPERMAN #174.