Samnee and Hardman Take on the World's Finest

Yesterday Chis Samnee posted this charming take on Superman and Lois Lane to his blog. I first discovered the artist last summer when he began work on the short-lived but much-loved Thor: The Mighty Avenger. You can enjoy more of Samnee's work on his blog as well as on Comic Twart, where he regularly contributes fantastic pieces.

Gabriel Hardman tweeted the following piece on Batman today and it is, as usual, a superb piece of work. Hardman gained a lot of notice last year after taking over the reigns on Hulk from Ed McGuiness. This piece makes me wonder if there's room for just one more Bat-book on the comic book shelves.

Best of 2010. The Artists

There’s no such thing as a best artist in comic books, in my humblest of opinions, so I’ll use this space to write about some of the artists that caught my attention in 2010, whether they were on new projects or a part of new creative teams. Let's get started:

From Hulk #27.

Gabriel Hardman on Hulk. Talk about a thankless task—having to follow fan-favorite Ed McGuiness after his popular run with series creator Jeph Loeb ended this year. But I’ll be honest, I prefer Hardman’s work on the character. Hardman has a wonderfully 60’s retro style to his artwork that feels modern nonetheless. His Hulk is a muscle-bound monster who is more than formidable, but Hardman draws his face as the confident, courageous soldier he is. This is important because we have to believe the guy is a hero. Add Bettie Breitweiser’s astounding palette to the mix and Hulk is one of the most stunning books of the year.

Hardman draws fantastic action and series writer Jeff Parker has given the artist plenty of fisticuffs to fit into the pages of Hulk. Iron Man, Thor, and Namor have all guest-starred in the title and Hardman has gotten to create some fantastically splashy fight scenes.



From Batman and Robin #13.

Frazer Irving on Batman and Robin and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne. If someone had shown me something Irving had drawn outside of superhero comics, I would have never thought his style appropriate for mainstream work. This is why I don’t edit comic books. Irving’s work on Batman and Robin (issues #13 through #16) and The Return of Bruce Wayne #2 has been a wonderful departure from more standard comic book art. His Joker is as creepy a version of the character that I have ever seen.

How do you describe Frazer’s haunting work? It almost looks as though you are looking into a person’s nightmare. Apropos for a Batman book for certain. Everything in the foreground is clear while the details of the background are scarce or often washed out. Irving handles the inks and colors on his own work which might seem obvious since the finishing perfectly compliments the pencils.




From New Avengers #2.

Stuart Immonen on New Avengers. If pressed to choose an artist who can draw any character in the Marvel or DC Universes, I would be surprised if many comic book enthusiasts would select a name other than Immonen. This year came one of the artist’s biggest gigs—the relaunch of New Avengers with writer Brian Michael Bendis. While I have not always been a fan of Bendis’ storytelling on the title, Immonen has killed, killed, killed on every page of this book.

Immonen can do talking heads, he can do characters sitting around a table, but most important, Immonen can do world-in-knee-deep-danger-style action. And Bendis has thrown a lot of end-of-the-world scripting at Immonen and the artist never fails to deliver (and the book is always on time). Look out in 2011 when Immonen gets what may be his biggest project to date: Fear Itself.

From Thor: The Mighty Avenger #7.

Chris Samnee on Thor: The Mighty Avenger. Samnee deservedly got a lot of buzz for his work on 2010’s new all-ages (until issue 7 at least) Thor title. The art may appear deceivingly simple, but look closer and see how much life and character Samnee brings to his character-work. Samnee makes sure to use the right body language and expressions to ensure the reader understands what Thor and Jane Foster, his Earthly lady love, are thinking.

Samnee’s version of Thor was also an intentional departure from what readers have been accustomed to for over 40 years. He’s a big guy, but not the steroid-induced hulk that he has become in the in-continuity comics. Thor: TMA was my introduction to Samnee and I’m eager to see what he moves onto after the book ends with issue #8. The first Thor: TMA trade is currently available with a second scheduled to be released in 2011.

From Superior #1.

Leinil Yu on Superior. Yu’s work has never been more… superior (I had to). Yu’s panels are filled with wonderful detail. In the past issue alone Yu drew some amazingly cinematic moments: a satellite landing in Time Square, a submarine pulled off of the coast of Long Island, and a reactor meltdown. Yu brings series-creator Mark Millar’s imagination to life, giving the book a big-screen feel the entire time.

Yu is also adept at creating the quieter more touching moments of the series in which Young Simon Pooni’s challenges with multiple sclerosis are explored. Yu has grown and grown as an artist over the last decade, but I’ve found his work on Superior to be his best.

From The Flash #4.

Francis Manapul on The Flash. Where do you begin with a guy who was born to draw splash pages? Manapul’s work on Geoff Johns’ Flash relaunch has been beyond spectacular. While the book tends to run late—if it’s going to look like this—then fine with me.

In the first issue, there’s a two-page splash of Barry pulling apart the Trickster car that is astounding. In the third issue, there’s a fantastic sequence in which Barry saves the inhabitants of a burning building then proceeds to put the entire thing back together. But Manapul may long be remembered for a breathtaking scene that has Barry rescuing two helicopter pilots in issue #4 of the series (above). Barry runs up the side of a building, runs across the propeller, into the helicopter to pull out the pilots, and onto the building beside it in a split second. Month in and out, Manapul always brings his best to Johns’ pages.

There are plenty of others to mention: Sami Basri on Power Girl, Kenneth Rocafort on Velocity, Eddy Barrows on Superman, Carlos Pacheco on Ultimate Thor, Adam Kubert on Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine, most everyone involved with Strange Tales II, and so many more. There was no lack of great artwork in 2010.

Gabriel Hardman Should Have 'Hulk' Covered

I’m usually not a fan of one artist illustrating the cover of a comic book (it’s usually a huge industry name) and another artist completing the interiors. It makes me feel as though I’m being duped. Unless it’s Alex Ross or a Vertigo book, where the artist is not a monthly-title-guy or the cover is meant to set a tone, I prefer to immediately see the goods I’m purchasing.

The most immediate example has been the last two covers of Hulk, which former Hulk Artist Ed McGuiness has drawn (cover for Hulk #25, right). While McGuiness is no slouch, the current artist on the book is Gabriel Hardman and his Hulk is also something to behold (interior from Hulk #25 above). To be fair, Hardman did get one of the variant covers for the last issue—which, incidentally, moved me to pick up this title that I had not been reading.

My assumption is that Marvel wants to remove the Band-Aid slowly for fans of the successful Jeph Loeb/McGuiness run on the book. However, I have immediately become an enormous fan of Hardman’s and think that it has more than enough strength to sell this title. I’m hopeful Hardman will soon get to provide readers with covers that are as impressive as his interior work.

While we’re on the subject, some of Hardman’s amazing pages from issue #26 are on sale at Cadence Comic Art. A perfect holiday gift for any fan of the new Jeff Parker/Hardman run on Hulk (hint inserted here).

Wednesday’s Finest, 10/20/10 Releases

By Don M. Ventura

Kick-Ass 2 #1
Icon

Of the books listed in this post, there was not a bad one in the bunch. This caused a night of internal debate for me.

After much deciding, Kick Ass 2 was the finest Wednesday had to offer. For everything I feared Superior might be, I was already prepared for in the sequel to Kick-Ass. The shock of foul-mouthed Hit-Girl is gone. We are now allowed to just enjoy the progression of Dave Lizeski’s story. The question that should be asked with any sequel: Is there a story to be told?

The answer is yes. Kick Ass 2 does a little moving back and forth as a means of exposition. It’s just enough to show us where the story is heading, before moving back to the beginning of the tale midway through this first issue. As usual Millar understands pacing. He moves from scene to scene effortlessly, catching us up quickly with the characters.

John Romita, Jr. is perfectly suited for a story like this. His work can be dynamic and he draws movement incredibly well, but I’ve found his strength to be the somberness he brings to panels. For example, there is a scene where Mindy is telling her adopted father Marcus that’s she’ll quit the heroics and violence. Romita Jr. brings so much “acting” to both of the characters in this scene. I haven’t been a fan of Romita Jr.’s work on The Avengers, but I am reminded here why he remains one of my favorite artists. Dean White’s colors are exquisite and bring both grittiness and vibrance where it is required.

And where had the story progressed? Kick-Ass started a revolution at the end of the first series with other would-be vigilantes donning costumes and wild monikers. Kick-Ass 2 opens with Dave being trained in hand-to-hand by Mindy at the YMCA; Dave believes the next step is to form a super-team. Kick-Ass befriends another costumed avenger, Dr. Gravity, who has just the proposition that Dave is looking for. By the end of the issue, Dave brought face to face with the world he inspired.

I was not as enamored with the original Kick-Ass book as I was with the film, but I enjoyed what Millar and Romita, Jr. put together. Kick-Ass 2 feels like the evolution of the characters and the “real” world they inhabit. Both Mindy and Dave, besides the costumed-adventuring, have the weight of the world on their shoulders in this issue. They are both lost without the costumed alter-egos.

As expected Millar brings his strong (in every sense) comic dialogue. Whether it’s Doctor Gravity explaining the origins or his gravity pole, Dave and Mindy practicing at fighting skills in the ring, or when Dave’s friend argues the sexiness of May Parker in her night dress in the first Spider-Man film.

This is a great beginning to a story that asks “What happens next?” At the end of the last page I wondered the same thing.

That’s the sign of a good comic book.

Hulk #26
Marvel

Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman charged out of the gate last month on their inaugural issue of Hulk and they continue to charge this week.

Man oh man, Hardman draws an incredible Hulk. Actually, he draws an incredible everything. Thor appears midway through and a battle of testosterone ensues—and you don’t want it to stop. Hardman’s action sequences are nothing short of sensational. First we get Hulk with a Mjolnir to the stomach and then Thor ends things with a spectacular lightning bolt. The colors by Bettie Breitweiser are nothing short of exceptional. The blue-green background during the Thor and Hulk face-off was vibrant and striking.

Parker has brought great passion to this book. This could have become a throw away title after Jeph Loeb left, but Parker is writing Hulk exactly as he should. This is a tough a nails Hulk who’d die before he backed down. Not because he’s necessarily a hero, but because he’s a soldier.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t Iron Man and Hulk just go at it last month as a result of a misunderstanding?” Just wait. There’s an excellent payoff.

Parker, Hardman and Breitweiser continue to soar on this book. Let’s hope for a long run.

Superman/Batman #77
DC

Last month Supergirl teamed up with Batgirl in Batgirl #14 and the pairing was great. I wrote then that I was a sucker for just about any Batman-family and Superman-family characters joining forces and I got exactly what I wanted from Superman/Batman #77.

Supergirl enlists the help of Robin to solve a mass murder in Metroplois and, even with this dire backdrop, there is no shortage of comedy. Josh Williamson has written an exciting and fun one-shot that has Supergirl continuing to deal with the guilt over the fate of New Krypton, which brings a strong sense of continuity to the character. Williamson does equally well with his interpretation of Damian Wayne; the character is as full of hubris and as snarky as he is in Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin.

Ale Garza has drawn a dynamic book, starting from the opening page as Supergirl floats over the horrific crime scene being pelted by raindrops. There is a lot to love on the pages of this issue.

Morning Glories #3
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Nick Spencer is amazing me with each succeeding issue of Morning Glories, and issue #3 is no different. It is exceptionally well paced; I was flipping through the last pages so quickly because Spencer and artist Joe Eisma created an amazingly suspenseful third act to this book.

The book opens with opens 500 years in the past with an eerie scene in a dungeon as two presumably innocent prisoners attempt to figure out why they have been taken captive. Another mystery is presented to the readers of Morning Glories in the form of the cryptic messages written on the walls of the dungeon: “The hour of our release draws near.” The message is revisited inexplicably at the end of the issue.

Morning Glories is shaping up to being the Lost of comic books. Like last month, I tossed this book on top of my large pile of comics, read it immediately, and was immersed in the growing mystery. Spencer continues to drop small hints at what is happening at the school and with the kids, not enough to figure anything out, but enough to keep speculation blooming.

Power Girl #17
DC

I picked up Power Girl on a lark when Judd Winick was took over the reigns. I wanted to read something with a good jumping on point and I’ve always enjoyed Winick’s writing. Power Girl is always solid and this issue may have been my favorite.

The first half of the story co-stars Batman as he helps Power Girl resolve the mystery of the creature she fought in the last issue. After reading Winick’s take on Dick Grayson Batman I wondered why the writer couldn’t get a crack at one of the many Bat-titles coming in the next few months. I fully endorsed Power Girl’s sentiment of the new Dark Knight in this issue: “I digs me some Dick Grayson scooting around in the Kevlar pajamas.”

Sami Basri has illustrated one gorgeous issue after another. I am shocked that he is able to do a monthly series because his work looks terribly time-consuming. The coloring by Sunny Gho and Jessica Kholinne is equally superb; I love the depth they bring to the flesh tones and costumes.

Winick closes the issue with a WTF scene and an excellent final panel. Power Girl says: “What the Hell is going on here?” and the caption for the next issue reads: “Next: What the hell is going on here!”

Skull Kickers #2
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While I was not completely won over by the first issue of Skull Kickers, I found the title to grow on me with this second issue; Jim Zubkavich’s script demonstrates again a knack for both broad humor and subtle humor.

There are priceless sound effects incorporated in this book. The dwarf jumps towards a giant with the words “powerful leap” above him (instead of “Whoooosh!” perhaps). The giant brushes him away violently: “powerful smack.” Later the dwarf is trying to keep up with his tall accomplice. The sound effect for the dwarf: “run, run, run, run.” For the giant: “stride, stride” It is so ridiculous and charmingly clever.

We still don’t learn much about the two anti-hero protagonists in this book other than they live for violence and earn a living in a less than respectable manner. Zubkavich offers a couple of pages of FAQ’s at the end of the issue to explain a little more about the book (very little).

I think I’m now well invested in Skull Kickers.

Gabriel Hardman: Avengers Assemble!

I am crushing on Gabriel Hardman's work; he is the artist currently attacking (Red) Hulk.  Last week I posted a recent black and white rendition of Batman.  Here is a print of the classic Avengers that he is going to be selling at the New York Comic-Con this weekend.  Dear Marvel, give this guy the next big crossover event or put him on a team book.

Batman by Gabriel Hardman

I really loved this week's art in Hulk by Gabriel Hardman. It is contemporary with a throwbacky feel. Yeah, I said "throwbacky." Well it has a 60's retro feel to it. Here's a recent piece he did of the Dark Knight. Very menacing. I'm looking forward to seeing much more from him.