Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez: We're Still Praising!

Just because I like you (and let's face it - I like Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez), I'm back with another selection of lovelies from the DC Comics Style Guide, 1982 edition. Back at the beginning of August, we began our little tour, with many samples of Batman and Superman art. Remember - the purpose of the style guide is to show other artists what DC's characters "should" look like. And we also observed that in some cases, JLGL's work has been used as marketing on toy packaging, party favors, etc.

Today we're going to move ahead - but we ain't done yet! The Style Guide is so chock full of images, that it's going to take me yet another post to fully stuff your eyeballs with all this goodness. So check back in another few weeks for the conclusion.

And a helpful reminder - the entire Style Guide - both color and black & white images - is available online. Enjoy! Oh, and three cheers for smiling superheroes!

 

 

 

 

Gil Kane - Explosive Action, Wiry Anatomy

Those of you who've known me for a long time know that Gil Kane's art has been an acquired taste for me. I've long said that my comfort zone lay squarely with the likes of John Romita, the brothers Buscema, Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, etc. - the realists. I would place Kane's work into (these categories exist in my head; I'm sure this isn't, like, a thing...) the stylists category. With him lives the work of Walt Simonson, and sometimes Frank Miller. At my position square in the center of middle age, I've come to appreciate and enjoy the output of all of the above mentioned artists. Perhaps maturity in the eyes took a little longer for me than it did for others?

As a child, I felt like all of Gil Kane's figures were in the throes of rigor mortis. The lines seemed harsh, the fingers especially. And those nose upshots... Ayayay - don't get me going on the nose upshots. His figures were ubiquitous on Marvel's Bronze Age covers - it seemed that between Rich Buckler and Kane, there were no jobs available penciling covers at Marvel Comics. But again, as I've aged, and have been exposed to more of his work, I think I'd now liken him to Jack Kirby in a way. Sure, their figures bear little resemblance. But the power on the page - the motion, the action, the way the heart quickens while reading an action scene. Kane was a master of anatomy (OK, the King maybe was not...), and every figure looks like those muscles are about to rip right through the fabric of their costumes. I now see Kane's work as incredibly kinetic, and in that regard not unlike a Gene Colan action scene.

I wish I'd come to love the man's work earlier than I have.

 

 

 

Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez: Worthy of Praise

On the Internet, you know, this man to your left is referred to as Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Praised Be His Name). I don't know about that, but that the man has supreme talent - yes! What we have here today are images from the 1982 DC Comics Style Guide. The entire document is available online, and has been for years. It's a wonderful collection of both color and (what you see here today) black & white illustrations. These were designed as marketing art, tutorials for new artists, etc. In some cases Garcia-Lopez drew characters in front, back, and 3/4 turns. In other drawings, the characters are in action. At times, supporting cast members are shown. It's really a phenomenal hodge podge of all things DC near the conclusion of the Bronze Age of comics.

And in most cases, the heroes are smiling. Smiling! How uncharacteristic is that in modern comics. Personally, I'd like a little less moody, and a bit more teeth showing! In each sample below, I find myself saying "this is how these characters should look".

I've uploaded less than half of the B&W illustrations for today's tour. At some point in the future we'll get back into this. I didn't want to overload your "whoa...!" today. And leave a comment below if you have a favorite JLGL-illustrated story. I'll put my money on the Superman vs. Wonder Woman Limited Collector's Edition.