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[Tommy]

I've noticed at the OzTaku events I've been to that when I've mentioned the names of some Western comic artists whose work I find inspiring, the response is almost always "Huh? Who???". Heh heh! SO, I thought that from time to time I might post a topic like this in order to give some visual references so people who may not have heard of an artist before can, if they wish, check out their work...

First up is Michael Turner. This guy's art is, in a word, beautiful. Turner is renowned for his female figures, and so that's what I've included here as a couple of small pics and some additional links, although the gallery link I've provided contains examples of all kinds of characters as does the link to his own "Aspen Studios" site. He's probably one of the best-known comic artists worldwide and has by now worked for just about every Western comic studio one could name. Here's a few examples of his work...

Sketch:



Pinup:




Example C

Example D

Example E

Example F

Example G

Example H

Example I

Example J

"Comic Art Community" Gallery

"Aspen Studios"

Enjoy!


Tommy
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Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!

[H PoP]

Actually, some of us are pretty knowledgable of western artists. Me, Avi, and Trevor. I think David knows a bit too, but he probably hasn't read much in the last decade or so.

Michael Turner isn't one of my favorite artists. I liked him back in the day when he was on Witchblade and Fathom back at Top Cow, but I slowly got turned away from his work. I don't think he ever matched Marc Silvestri. I got to say that his work is technically awesome. I don't like his style much, but the designs for his "mech"/armor, his backgrounds (natural, not man-made) and layouts are really integrated well and are top-notch.

Is he doing any current work? Sequentials, I mean. I think he's been banished (not from his perspective as he gets paid a lot for this) to cover art. A lot of good artists turn away from comiking when they get better money from doing the art chores. (also I hate it how the interior artist isn't the cover artist)
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[Treyzuka]

When I was younger all i collected was western comics. I was a particular fan of Wolverine, and within that title Leinel Francis Yu was the artist I admired most. In fact, many remnants of his style permiate into my own, he is probably my most straightforward influence as an artist.

Two things turned me off of Wolverine: a hike in cost (it nearly doubled over a period of a couple of years) and a sudden tone shift. While Leinel was the artist the stories tended to revolve around Wolverine 'as a man', and his shortcomings and self loathings. For nearly 3 years it went this way, with Leinel's gritty style complimenting the title perfectly. Then some really mediocre artist took over and all of a sudden Wolverine was in space fighting Galacticus. I was so disgusted I never bought another Wolverine or Marvel comic (besides a few of the Gambit miniseries, since the art in that was not bad either). What I've read of Wolverine since hasn't changed my opinion much...

Its one of the things that I like about manga, and manga artists: the art and tone is (typically) more consistent. Hence I am not inclined to collect Western comics in general, but I will buy trade paperbacks (though they haven't ever made a bound edition of my favourite arc, 'Not Dead Yet', thus I won't be getting one anytime soon).

But, regardless, Leinel Francis Yu. Personally I think he has gotten a bit showy, and that he is a lot better when he doesn't have to draw outfits (hence his work on Wolverine was very fitting).
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[Tommy]

Holy fuck. I was just checking Joe Linsner's site and saw the news that Michael Turner passed away late last week...


LINK


R.I.P. Mike - you'll be greatly missed.


Tommy.
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Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!

[Neveresque]

[Stormhawk]

RIP

...now I have to feel guilty that my second though after reading that was "ooh, that limited-run Supanova-branded Aspen comic I bought just went up in value..." Bad Stormy. Bad.

[N-Sef]

I totally agree Tommy. I've got the first trade of Fathom, inside it it details the story of how Michael became an artist. It's actually a pretty funny story, apparantly this guy told him outright that he sucks and can't even draw basic architecture, he came back to him in a few months and wowed the guy.

Turner remains one of my favourite artist and I continue to support the books his company puts out (the new Soulfire is great).