Jerry Ordway and the Current State of the Industry

[The Toyroom]

Saw this yesterday and was very sad. Jerry Ordway has always been a solid creator IMO, as a writer, as an artist, as an inker. Sucks to hear that he, among others, have seen assignments dry up in favor of other "talent" (and I use that word loosely):

http://ordstersrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/

His comments today about being totally shut out of the New 52 relaunch despite being under an "exclusive" contract to DC sheds new light on the situation...

[BlackKnight]

....... I Can't Helop but Laugh at the New Creative Teams Behind The Green Lantern Titles ..., But yet, This Guy Can't get Work ? WT----F.

[The Toyroom]

He recently did the "Human Bomb" mini-series but the writers specifically asked for him...

[PNGwynne]

I reread his "Power of Shazam" often--awesome stuff.

His lack of work speaks volumes about what is now considered "comics."

[madmarva]

When a guy as talented and proven as Ordway can't get steady work at the big 2, it's ridiculous. I Know he's never been considered a hot commodity, but his name alone would get me to try most books as a writer or an artist.

[Figuremod73]

Jerry Ordway is one of the few creators left at DC whose work I would still buy. Amazing artist who has just gotten better over time. He may not be one of the hot artist but he's been consistent good since the beginning.

He did a great job in the early '90s on his part of the superman lineup. His work on Captain Marvel is very memorable as well.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Ordway has always been one of my favorite creators. The fact that he has been marginalized by the industry, and DC in particular, speaks volumes on the state of the comics industry.

The people who deeply carried about comics as a medium are no longer in charge of the big two. Instead you have "entertainment industry professionals" running the show. And they are only out for the latest, hottest trend. So a solid workhorse like Ordway is just not flashy enough for them. Disgusting.

Chris

Chris

[thunderbolt]

just insane what DC is doing to itself these days. On the other hand what is going on in most of these "comics" really wouldn't mesh well with Ordway's classic style.

[kingdom warrior]

Ordway has always been one of my favorite creators. The fact that he has been marginalized by the industry, and DC in particular, speaks volumes on the state of the comics industry.

The people who deeply carried about comics as a medium are no longer in charge of the big two. Instead you have "entertainment industry professionals" running the show. And they are only out for the latest, hottest trend. So a solid workhorse like Ordway is just not flashy enough for them. Disgusting.

Chris

Chris

Couldn't have said it better, The man put out some incredible work, His run on Superman for me was BETTER than what John Bryne had done. I collected All Star Squadron when he was on it. Loved his Batman movie adaption and his run on Captain Marvel was a dream come true for me. I am Disgusted with how DC treats their older Illustrators who still have a lot to offer.....It's truly a shame.

[Random Axe]

I gotta be honest, I don't care for his pencil work. Never have. He's a very good inker and is a great concept go to guy. Taking his creative talent as a whole, he's as solid as just about anyone. It's pretty bad he can't get work, but he's not the only one from the majors to have been shut out from this nu-school. Guys like Ron Frenz and Al Milgrom aren't in demand either. It's obviously a generational thing with the publishers. It's a shame since the old guard could make more of an impact in this current industry than has happened in several years. Guys like Wolfman, Levitz and Ordway have the vision necessary to leada publisher and have enough respect of the source material as not to destroy a fan base.

[The Toyroom]

^ Sorry, but Al Milgrom shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Jerry Ordway...LOL. One's an illustrator and the other is...well...a hack IMO. And if we're talking asses-in-seats, Ordway will bring in more revenue on a title with his name, either as writer or artist, than Milgrom would with his.

[boynightwing]

He is super talented and he has a good rep and probably a decent enough fan following that he should do up some creator owned stuff. (if he can get out of his contract I should add)

Also I loved this quote from his essay:

I know it's easy to be negative, and throw out comments like"Everything new sucks, why can't we have 1980's comics again," but don't stop buying comics, and then remain on the sidelines complaining. If you like comics, stay in the game, search out books you think you might like, look for familiar creators you like. Your dollars count, and if you support what you like, and support your local comic stores, it helps us all.

[Random Axe]

^ Sorry, but Al Milgrom shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Jerry Ordway...LOL. One's an illustrator and the other is...well...a hack IMO. And if we're talking asses-in-seats, Ordway will bring in more revenue on a title with his name, either as writer or artist, than Milgrom would with his.

I'd never compare the talent levels of those two, just their shared era of comics. They are most certainly contemporaries. There is a wide berth in talent and overall impact. Had Cockrum and Giordano lived they'd be good examples of the mature creator who'd be able to survive and thrive in today's industry.

[The Toyroom]

One of the interesting points brought up by all of this is the fact that at one point Rob Liefeld was working on 3 books for DC and Ordway had none.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

It's sad, but it's not surprising. The Big Two-ish have a well earned rep for boning the talent. They also have a habit of playing the flavour of the week with the staff; having entrenched those values back in the 80's with the beginning of the "designer comic" trend.

Don C.