The return of the Writer/Artist at DC

[samurainoir]

It seems like there hasn't really been many a large movement of writer/artists in mainstream superhero comics since the Image artists had their mass exodus and attempts to write their own material with mostly less than satisfactory results.

In the eighties, it seemed like many of the top tier talents were artists who started to write their own material... like John Bryne, Walt Simonson, Frank Miller, George Perez, Keith Giffen, Mike Grell, Tim Truman, and I'm sure there are many more I'm forgetting about.

Now it seems DC's giving the artists a shot at writing their own material on the Bat-titles with Tony Daniel, David Finch, JH Williams and Andy Kubert. Ethan Van Sciver is also apparently working on something he's written as well. What do folks think about their potential as writers?

[gootie29]

You know, these new(ish) guys have all drawn with some of the best writers around. Daniel, Williams, and Kubert have all worked with Grant Morrison. Kubert has worked with Neil Gaiman and Williams worked with Alan Moore. I'm sure they learned a thing or two after working with those guys. I for one am anxious to see how they do on their own.

[johnnystorm]

I dunno, it's hard to tell with artists, as there's no one to rein them in from going all over the place and doing whatever they feel like regardless of how it affects the storyline. some artists seem to meander, 'adjusting' the story to whatever realm they desire to draw issue to issue. Sometimes the whole concept changes direction mid-stream.

Since editors are pretty meaningless these days, it remains to be seen how good it may be. I should clarify that statement as being directed toward in continuity or mainstream characters mostly. An independant title or creator owned series is a different animal.

Look at a creator like Jack Kirby & compare New Gods to Fantastic Four. FF is much more tightly contained, because even though the Kirby did 95% of the work storywise (using the "Marvel Method"). Stan Lee was able to direct the flow. Look at the current Neal Adams' Batman book- great art, no idea where that story is going or where it's been.

[samurainoir]

Tony Daniel wrote and drew his own fairly forgettable Image Comics series The Tenth.

Ethan Van Sciver wrote and drew Cyberfrog!


Out of all of them, I have the most faith in JH Williams.

[The Toyroom]

Look at a creator like Jack Kirby & compare New Gods to Fantastic Four. FF is much more tightly contained, because even though the Kirby did 95% of the work storywise (using the "Marvel Method"). Stan Lee was able to direct the flow. Look at the current Neal Adams' Batman book- great art, no idea where that story is going or where it's been.

Good point...Kirby's strictly "solo" stuff over at DC and later back at Marvel often left you scratching your head...And Adams' new Bat-book was a disaster right out of the gate. Don't ask me to explain the story because I can't

[gootie29]

To be fair, Kirby wasn't the best scripter but as far as his story went he was in a another universe. I have read that a lot of his troubles with The Fourth World for DC came from his editors and the company itself pushing him into directions he didn't want to go. He always envisioned it as a limited series and DC had no concept of such a thing at the time.

[spamn]

I'm interested to see what Van Sciver can do. I've heard him in podcast interviews and he seems pretty knowledgeable and intent on his craft, and he's been talking about writing for years.

[The Toyroom]

Ethan Van Sciver is also apparently working on something he's written as well.

DC should let him do the Plastic Man series he wants to do....

[Random Axe]

DC's current double threat creator is Dan Jurgens.

He doesn't have the pedigree as some of the aforementioned guys, but he's not far behind IMO. His Booster stuff is evidence enough that he's ready for one of the big books. I hadn't really considered this before just now, but I could totally see him taking the reigns of a new Aquaman title and bringing Arthur back to relevance.

Dan Jurgens = most underrated and unappreciated comtemporary comic talent


Scott

[samurainoir]

I kind of lump Jurgans in with the "old guys" from the eighties given the fact that he was writing and drawing Booster Gold and Adventures of Superman back in the day.

It's funny how the industry doesn't seem to appreciate the consistent but aging creators as much... he's worked on top tier stuff like Superman and Spiderman throughout the nineties.

DC's current double threat creator is Dan Jurgens.

He doesn't have the pedigree as some of the aforementioned guys, but he's not far behind IMO. His Booster stuff is evidence enough that he's ready for one of the big books. I hadn't really considered this before just now, but I could totally see him taking the reigns of a new Aquaman title and bringing Arthur back to relevance.

Dan Jurgens = most underrated and unappreciated comtemporary comic talent


Scott

[The Toyroom]

DC's current double threat creator is Dan Jurgens.
Dan Jurgens = most underrated and unappreciated comtemporary comic talent

AGREED! If he's not signed to an exclusive contract with DC, then he should be. He's one of those guys who not only is a competent artist AND writer but as a writer he brings more to the table than most of the "modern" guys do today.

Check out his "Time Masters" mini where he manages to make Claw the Unconquered and the original Starfire (Mike Vosburg's heroine) cool and relevant today.....

[johnnystorm]

Man, I flipped when I saw Starfire in that book. I loved her solo series and truly thought it was forgotten. This is the stuff that occasionally makes for a really terrific read with that fun fan kick, like it's an inside nod just to you, know what I mean. It just doesn't happen enough anymore, and Jurgens was doing such a consistant job of it in Booster Gold. Damn Didio & Giffen and their bwa-ha-ha crap!


Mike Vosburg is a really underrated sexy girl artist, I recommend anyone interested to seek out his Lori Lovecraft indy series. Great stuff!

[The Toyroom]

Jurgens was doing such a consistant job of it in Booster Gold. Damn Didio & Giffen and their bwa-ha-ha crap!

I've officially dropped BG until Jurgens return...and apparently he's on record as saying he will return to Booster Gold when Giffen and DeMatteis are done. And I really don't see them being on the book indefinitely...Giffen seems to bounce around quite a bit lately.