UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!!

[jonsnow]

Ok, I am not spoiling anything here, just commenting (RANTING!) about artists on this week's Majestic and WildCATS Nemesis. I really enjoy both of these books, and have been horribly disappointed in both of them this week because of the artist in the book. In the solicitations, Neal Googe and Talent Caldwell are listed as the as the artists, yet neither is the actual artist. This, in my opinion, has ruined a chapter in each story, and made it very hard for me to be excited about the story. Why can Wildstorm not use the same artist? Why is a filler guy used? I would MUCH rather the book came out late than they use a new artist. A comic is a blend of story and art for me, if either changes mid-story then it really pisses me off. I am really mad about this and I cannot understand why at the very least the filler artist is not listed in the solicitation. I would love to say more, but my language may become inappropriate, and there were some very good books that came out this week. However, two books I was really looking forward to were advertised wrong and ruined by these fill-in guys. (end rant)

[Tiso]

You think the art is bad on those books although I like Nemesis art the best out of them, which is not saying much, but look at Captain Atom: Armageddon #5. Jenny Quantam looked so ugly and looked almost like the president from #3.

[Blake Petit]

Personally, I'd much rather have a fill-in artist than have a book (especially in a miniseries) come out months late.

[S.A. Parvaze]

For a miniseries, I'd rather have the book come out late (unless say...you've got the Infinite Crisis situation going on -- i.e. it's the lynchpin of the entire comics line). But for a monthly, bring on the fill-in.

[jonsnow]

I am definately with Parvaze here. Better late than throwing off the whole feel of the book.

[jonsnow]

I liked Captain Atom, because the artist stayed solid. I have enjoyed Guiseppe Cumoncoli's art in the series, and he was the artist this month. Caldwel''s fill-in on Nemesis is a decent artist, but this is not his story, it is Caldwell's. Neal Googe IS the Majestic artist. He launched the new run, he should be doing every issue until he is truly replaced. Why can't companies get a solid artist/writer team for a several year run any more? Even Geoff Johns great run on Flash lost some of its kick in my opinion because of the changing art teams. Pick one writer and one artist and let them go to work, do not replace or substitute for either until their full story is done.

[jonsnow]

Just in the mood for more angry writing so here I go. I hate fill-in artists. Be it monthly or mini-series. Now I said I would rather have it late than be a fill-in artist and that is true. However, why can these guys not get their bok out on time? Heck if I was late doing my job I would get fired. I am confused as to how these guys cannot get a book out on time. For the most part they are only on one book to begin with, so they are not over-loaded with drawing responsibilities. I really don't get it. Get your job done on time in a perfect world, but since it is imperfect, do not use filler artists!

[Craig Reade]

Well, look at it this way. If a fill-in artist is used, the regular artist doesn't get a check for that issue.

In a way, fill-in artists do exactly what you are asking for. If you don't finish your work on time, you are OFF. No money, one less issue in your portfolio, and a little less prestige. Happens enough, companies stop thinking of you as such an assett.

So I want MORE fill-in artists. I am so sick of waiting for books that are entirely too late because the artist takes too long, or put too much on his plate. I appreciate good art, but the story is 10x more important. And I'll take a slight dip in artistic quality to get the story out on time.

[Blake Petit]

That's pretty much my feelings on it as well. Although I DO think that books should be finished far enough in advance that if a fill-in artist is required it can be reflected in the solicits.

[jonsnow]

Well, look at it this way. If a fill-in artist is used, the regular artist doesn't get a check for that issue.

In a way, fill-in artists do exactly what you are asking for. If you don't finish your work on time, you are OFF. No money, one less issue in your portfolio, and a little less prestige. Happens enough, companies stop thinking of you as such an assett.

So I want MORE fill-in artists. I am so sick of waiting for books that are entirely too late because the artist takes too long, or put too much on his plate. I appreciate good art, but the story is 10x more important. And I'll take a slight dip in artistic quality to get the story out on time.
That's pretty much my feelings on it as well. Although I DO think that books should be finished far enough in advance that if a fill-in artist is required it can be reflected in the solicits.

I definately agree that the fill-in guys should be announced in the solicits. However I could not disagree more with Craig about bringing on fill-in artists. I do not like waiting for books, but I much prefer that to getting the book on time and being horribly disappointed in the art. Story is a big deal, but for me art is just as important. They are both intertwined. The story and writing cannot redeem art for me, nor can art redeem a bad story (cases in point-Abnett and Lanning cannot redeem the lack of Neal Googe, nor can Jim Lee save the travesty that is All-Star Batman and Robin) . Neither is more pivotal than the other, they both need to be on their A game. Fill-in artists are the worst thing in a comic for me. I hate late books, but not as much as I hate fill-in art.