Perez's Superman

[madmarva]

It's too bad Perez is leaving the writing and layout chores on Superman after six issues. The first two issues of the relaunch have been excellent. Other than the costume, the best Superman stuff in years.

After 15 or so years of Superman being married, it's cool to see him pining for Lois, who is an ultra supportive friend to Clark, who is the loneliest guy this side of Charlie Brown, but it's obvious he would like or even needs more out of the relationship.

While I'm an information junkie, sometimes I lament the fact that we know so much ahead of time what's going on with the books. Instead of just enjoying a book I like, I'm wondering whether I'll care for Giffin/Jurgens take on Supermen once they take over.

[The Toyroom]

I find it interesting that someone like Perez who is more known as an artist is a better writer than those who are known simply as a "writer"...Some of the other DCnU stuff has left a lot to be desired.

[Random Axe]

I just read the Two-Morrows in-depth interview with him a couple of days ago. It's refreshing to get insight from someone who truly understands the comics meduim. He's well aware of his own strengths and certainly his weaknesses. He spent so many years co-plotting books that it really built up his skill and confidence. He has so much respect for what he does and for the characters he brings to life.

Not many will agree, but I humbly believe he is the single most talented individual in the history of comics.

[kingdom warrior]

Not many will agree, but I humbly believe he is the single most talented individual in the history of comics.

In the modern era Absolutely 100% agree!

Kirby and Eisner can equally hold that title also

[madmarva]

I find it interesting that someone like Perez who is more known as an artist is a better writer than those who are known simply as a "writer"...Some of the other DCnU stuff has left a lot to be desired.

Totally agree Anthony. DC's had some hits in this thing, mainly with their top creators; carried over a few books that were working at least sales-wise and then rest was mediocre to poor. But that's about par for course.

Not many will agree, but I humbly believe he is the single most talented individual in the history of comics.

When you look at the quality of Perez's output, it's hard to argue, in modern or post-silver age times and specifically with super heroes. As Kingdom Warrior pointed out, Kirby and Eisner basically set the template for everyone else.

* His time on Teen Titans — the best the title has ever been, IMO.
* His time on Wonder Woman — the best the title has ever been, IMO.
* Crisis on Infinite Earths remains the standard — particularly artistically — for all big-time cross-overs, IMO.
* His 1990s Avengers run with Busiek was so classic that when they left, all Marvel could do was blow it up so Bendis could do such creative things as retell the team's history in prose (which I did really like) and add Spider-Man, Wolverine, Thing, Dr. Strange and heroes for Hire to the mix.

As reviews have pointed out, Perez blows the decompressed storytelling out of the atmosphere with the Superman title. He's got more going on in two issues of Superman than you'll find in most 6-issue arcs. Each issues sets up information about a number of characters, throws in subplots and tells a complete adventure of the Man of Steel. Right now, I feel better about paying for it and Daredevil — which follows a similar cram-packed story template — than any other comics out there.

As much as I love Geoff Johns' work — and he's working with fine artists in Lee, Reis and Manhke — it's infuriating how little of the story he's told in two issue of JL, Aquaman and GL. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all three books but the amount of story is sparse.

Where Perez and Waid leave me wanting the next issue of Superman and Daredevil, after reading GL, Aquaman and Justice League — and other DC and Marvel comics — I'm left debating whether to wait for the trade.

Here's my only bit of Perez' original art (his list is always full) in honor of the master:

[Figuremod73]

Perez is a magnificent artist and his writing has grown by leaps and bounds over the last twenty years. Im glad to see his as appreciated as he is.
Im afraid his run was to get excitment on the superman title though. Im skeptical of it keeping a high quality without someone who really does it out of passion.

[bobws]

Well , this means i only have to buy 6 issues of this title. whew that saves me some money.

[Bionic Joe]

IMHO Superman is the only new DC worth getting i loved the first two issues

[torgospizza]

Not many will agree, but I humbly believe he is the single most talented individual in the history of comics.

I don't know that I'd agree with you on that, but I'd certainly take the time to consider it. I definitely think he's a good deal more talented than a lot of icons that get far more credit than he does.

[samurainoir]

I think it's pretty obvious how much I worship Perez, but he has had his lows as well.

He's pretty open about the period following Titans, Crisis and Wonder Woman where he was basically burned out and overcommitted.



As beautiful as his artwork was, War of the Gods was a mess from a writing perspective, having to jump off of Infinity Guantlet must have been tough as well. I remember how upset I was when I picked up the issue without Perez (they replaced him with Ron Lim I think?). His return to New Titans with Who is Wondergirl was also a bit underwhelming for those of us expecting more from a titular sequel to Who is Dona Troy (Wolfman of course is also quite open about hs burnout period post Crisis.

By the time he jumped to self publishing Crimson Plague, he was more concerned with playing where's Waldo than telling the story (which was so odd a concept... a woman's menstrual period weaponized)

[samurainoir]

On the flip side of that are his hidden gems of the early nineties. Aired with strong writing, where he could really focus on his art and shine.




Hugely underrated (because of the team lineups and glut of the time)

[Figuremod73]

i agree that he does some of his best work with Peter David.

[samurainoir]

[Earth 2 Chris]

I've said it before, but George is DA MAN. I would agree he is the greatest living creator of mainstream comics still working in the salt mines on a regular basis.

Chris

[samurainoir]

The one main area of his work I haven't checked out is Perez's Crossgen run.

Any recommendations from that era?