Do Not Siege Walled Cities - 243
The Splash Page Of Your Life
APOLOGIES,
but this is the speedrun. I’m in the studio recording some songs, while writing three series, while working my games job. I’m stretched a little thin at the moment, so I hope you’ll accept a leaner version of the newsletter today! And on to it…
I FEEL ATTACKED
As many people pointed out, this was a nice week where the comics discourse among professionals and readers alike was about craft and preference. Much better than when it’s some acrimonious nonsense about politics, personal grievances, etc. Ryan Stegman kicked it off with this tweet:
Or thread rather. He goes into it more, and you can find it if you want to. Basically, these are supposed to be exciting action-based comics and we’re selling people… setting?
It’s a valid enough point, though I don’t live it and don’t expect I will any time soon. Location when done correctly sets the mood and typically foreshadows something. I could see it being used lazily and I admit I’m not reading a ton of superhero books at the moment, but I think it’s plenty useful as storytelling.
I’m more inclined to write a splash+inset layout than a straight splash, just because I think even a really effective location splash needs a human element. And I think for anything superhero I do moving forward, you’re likely to get some combo of setting plus action, like this beautiful Marco piece below.
Regardless of how you feel about Stegman’s conclusion, it was just nice to see people talking comics.
SO IM NOT CRAZY, RIGHT?
Since starting my Youtube channel, I’ve been recommended a ton of other people’s. And the Inkpulp Podcast frequently comes up in that algorithm. It’s three artists talking shop and is at its best when very nuts and bolts about the business.
I found this episode so interesting for the fearlessness of the criticism. In essence, “Marvel is not hiring artists who are ready for that stage. And when they are, they are not guiding their careers in any helpful way.” Which I think everyone knows because their eyeballs work, but it’s really nice to hear from three guys whose talents are undeniable, who are successful enough no one can accuse them of bitterness, and who are apolitical by nature.
ANOTHER FIGHTER ENTERS THE ARENA
Rob Guillory is one of my favorite voices in comics simply because he doesn’t talk much. He draws funny pictures but is a serious person and doesn’t feel the need to wage war online. I think his Youtube will prove very instructive for that creator who has the chops but works in an irregular style for the mainstream. We need more guys who fall outside the dominant paradigm and we need them to have the type of wins Rob has.
PANDERING
This one struck me as a surprise. The Pander Brothers are as much a matter of age as they are of taste. What I mean by that is they are really connected to an era and I’m not sure their work can be fully appreciated taken outside of that context.
I really enjoyed this personal history and career talk. I don’t know that anyone would come to these fellas for career advice in 2024, but I think the DIY aspect of artist life is evergreen.
THAT OTHER END OF COMICS
Michael Sweater never sticks his chest out regarding his talent (though he certainly could), but he’s not shy about his work ethic. Unlike most of his contemporaries on his side of comics, he’s not content to be victimized by algorithms or trends. He’d rather adjust and make those things work for him. It’s something that those willing to listen could learn from.
AND MY HUMBLE CONTRIBUTION
A couple from this week. I’m behind as I’ve been in the middle of recording, but should be back on my grind this upcoming week.
AND THAT’S ALL YOU GET THIS WEEK
I’ve got eight songs to do vocals for. So, this was your substitute teacher just show some videos version of the newsletter. Until next week, stay mentally occupied and do for self.