Well it's high time I did another blast from the past post, and as you can see it's more WildC.A.T.S. stuff. (see even older wildcats stuff in blast from the past part 4)
Why Wildcats? Well it's obvious that the Wildcats were a kind of X-Men rip-off, but since they were new they didn't have all the convoluted continuity that the X-Men had. They also seemed a little darker and cooler than the X-Men. It was one of the first series that I collected starting with issue 1. During it's first few years it was my favorite comic book. And as I mentioned in past posts, Working for Wildstorm and drawing Wildcats had been a goal of mine from the age of 13, and at this point I still hadn't shaken that desire. This was in 99, so I was 20. It would be several more years till I actually realized my dream of working at Wildstorm and eventually worked out my Wildcats fandom with a very ambitious pitch. (things to come in a future blast from the past post)
Why Wildcats? Well it's obvious that the Wildcats were a kind of X-Men rip-off, but since they were new they didn't have all the convoluted continuity that the X-Men had. They also seemed a little darker and cooler than the X-Men. It was one of the first series that I collected starting with issue 1. During it's first few years it was my favorite comic book. And as I mentioned in past posts, Working for Wildstorm and drawing Wildcats had been a goal of mine from the age of 13, and at this point I still hadn't shaken that desire. This was in 99, so I was 20. It would be several more years till I actually realized my dream of working at Wildstorm and eventually worked out my Wildcats fandom with a very ambitious pitch. (things to come in a future blast from the past post)
At this time Travis Charest's Wildcats volume 2 was just getting started. I was excited by the prospect of the relaunch and it inspired me to do this story. I figured I could use these pages to submit to companies as I went along.
(edit: this material has now been repurposed and published in PAKLIS #0)
Very cool stuff. Did these pages get you work? I ask because they look pretty good and polished. Well thanks for posting this, I always like hearing about how artist evolve.
ReplyDeleteThese are great, definitely a whole lot better than Charest's work (which is the reason why I quit buying WildC.A.T.s in the first place). I echo tormentedartist's question: Did these pages help you get work? Sadly, I'm a writer and it seems it's harder for writers to find work in comic books than artists. :(
ReplyDeletePS S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 is now on its THIRD printing (with the wraparound Galactus cover this time). And months back, you were afraid it wouldn't sell. Since I already got the 2nd print variant (just love that splash with Imhotep), I'll just be waiting for the Director's Cut coming out in August. Any previews for S.H.I.E.L.D. #2? PUHLEEZE?!!
Just wondering..
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that this is better than Charest work?
WHAAAA?! A third print?! Man, nobody tells me anything. I suppose if I were on Twitter I would have heard about it, but I refuse!.. That's pretty great though. Gosh, I hope people like #2.
ReplyDeleteReally? Travis's stuff made you stop reading WC? I'll admit that when Travis first took over I was a little iffy on the book, but it had to do with Robinson's story direction not really doing it for me, more than Travis's work. Alan Moore's first issue with Travis illustrating I remember thinking was the best issue of the series. I think it was #21... I should go back and read that.
You know, this stuff didn't get me any work. Not directly anyways. What I think got me work eventually was the same editors consistently seeing me with new stuff. But, I'm getting to all that in future Blast from the past posts.
So very sorry couldn't reply yesterday. I was rushing some deadlines.
ReplyDeleteActually, I didn't read about it from Twitter. It was actually posted in Marvel.com. Here's the actual link...
http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.12686.s%7edot%7eh%7edot%7ei%7edot%7ee%7edot%7el%7edot%7ed%7edot%7e_%231_returns_to_press_a_third_time
God, it's been so long, I don't remember exactly what it was about Charest's work that turned me off from reading WildC.A.T.s. I suppose mainly it was because I was a Jim Lee purist at that time. I *vaguely* remember seeing the male characters with small, pouty lips, so I guess that's also probably one of the reasons.
Then again, every individual has their own preferences when it comes to art in comic books. In your case, what mainly attracted me to your art was the way you drew Rogue in X-Men: Legacy. Honestly, I *hate* Rogue, but there was something about your rendition of her that made me actually like her. Maybe because she reminded of those Southern belles from all those classic movies. Of course, there's that cover you did for Nation X. Everyone in the forum I'm a member of was drooling over Gambit and Northstar. (Yes, you made a lot of lusty middle-aged women, including me, very, very happy.).
Then again, everyone's now lusting over Leonardo Da Vinci. Scary.
Anyway, going back to the topic at hand, I guess right now, I could say that I'm less picky about the art than before. But, being an editor by profession, I'm more particular about finding that comic book with the perfect combination of a great story and great art. Thankfully, I found that in S.H.I.E.L.D.
PS Do you think you could ask Mr. Hickman to inform the Marvel editors? They keep on misspelling Newton's name. It's Isaac (two A's) and not Issac (two S's). Oh, and you don't have to worry about people liking S.H.I.E.L.D. #2. I already prepaid my issue. Usually when I pre-pay for a comic, it always sells out. He he he.
"Lusting after Leonardo Da Vinci?" Good. Mission accomplished.
ReplyDelete... What kind of comic forum is full of middle-aged women?
Yeah, I was a Jim Lee purist at that time too, but, over time, I became a much bigger fan of Travis. I think it was his Wildcat's X-Men crossover issue that solidified it. If you haven't seen that comic I definitely recommend it.
I'd say it must be Leonardo's chest hair that has gotten women lusting over him. Personally, I like the fact that he's long-legged. I really like leggy guys.
ReplyDeleteAbout the comic forum, actually, you'll probably be surprised to know that a lot of the popular forums out there have middle-aged women either running/moderating the forums or just simply lurking. One of them is Gambit Guild. Some of the members there are in their mid-40s. But, of course, they would never admit their ages (except in private).
Well, I'll see if I can find that WildCATS/X-Men crossover here in the Philippines. It's rather difficult to find back issues here.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR S.H.I.E.L.D. #2!!
PS I forgot to ask you something. That is Horus on Imhotep's headpiece, right? Ok, I confess I'm doing an X-Men fanfic that ties in with S.H.I.E.L.D., but I'm keeping it secret for now because I'm dying to pitch it to Marvel.