McFarlane, Larson, Bagley...OH MY!

[NinjaCarm]

I started reading comics when McFarlane was drawing The Amazing Spider-Man. I believe this run has to be the second best creative run on Spider-Man to date.

We had McFarlane, then Larson, then Bagely. All top notch. And David Micheline writing who wrote enjoyable stories.

Anyone agree this was probably the best area for The Amazing Spider-Man since, well, the Lee/Ditko/Romita era?:spidey:

[NinjaCarm]

McFarlane
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey1.jpg
Larson
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey2.jpg
Bagley
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey3-1.jpg

:spidey:

[CaptainStacy]

I started reading comics when McFarlane was drawing The Amazing Spider-Man. I believe this run has to be the second best creative run on Spider-Man to date.

We had McFarlane, then Larson, then Bagely. All top notch. And David Micheline writing who wrote enjoyable stories.

Anyone agree this was probably the best area for The Amazing Spider-Man since, well, the Lee/Ditko/Romita era?:spidey:

No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.

[NinjaCarm]

No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.

I respect your opinion.

[The Joker]

No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better

Ditto! They were much, much better.

[Spider-ManHero12]

Originally Posted by CaptainStacy http://forums.superherohype.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?p=13158923#post13158923)
No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.
Agreed, They defenitley are great. Don't get me wrong though, Macfarlane, Larsen, and Bagley eras are still one of my ffavorites. The Symbiote storyline will always be fantastic. :up:

[CaptainStacy]

Agreed, They defenitley are great. Don't get me wrong though, Macfarlane, Larsen, and Bagley eras are still one of my ffavorites. The Symbiote storyline will always be fantastic. :up:

Return OF The Sinister Six was a blast too. :up:

[Spider-ManHero12]

Return OF The Sinister Six was a blast too. :up: Agreed, that storyline was very enjoyable. Seeing them all attack Spidey was great. In fact, I have all the Issue's of that storyline. :up:

[NinjaCarm]

Ditto! They were much, much better.

Oddly enough, I don't respect your opinion at all.

[wolvie2020]

I started reading comics when McFarlane was drawing The Amazing Spider-Man. I believe this run has to be the second best creative run on Spider-Man to date.

We had McFarlane, then Larson, then Bagely. All top notch. And David Micheline writing who wrote enjoyable stories.

Anyone agree this was probably the best area for The Amazing Spider-Man since, well, the Lee/Ditko/Romita era?:spidey:

Yeah, that was my fave point too. But that was when I really 1st got into comics, so that must be why:word:

[The Joker]

Oddly enough, I don't respect your opinion at all.

Hahahahaha, I knew you'd say that. So predictable. Not oddly enough, I don't respect yours, either.

OH MY! :D :D :D

[Kraven]

I'll say that the Micheline era was probably my second favorite also, mostly because I have so many more of those issues than any other run (except maybe JMS's). I can't say much for the Stern and Wolfman eras, because I've only read 2 or 3 comics from them, although they are exceptional.

[Dark Spidey]

I'm sorry to say I don't much like Larson's work. It's way too exaggerated for my tastes.

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Hey Ninjacarm, where's your quote from? It seems really familiar but I can't place it.

[Dark Spidey]

Hey Ninjacarm, where's your quote from? It seems really familiar but I can't place it.

It's what the Green Goblin says as he's laying the smack down on Spidey at the end of SM1. :gg: :bomb:

[JayTee]

I absolutely LOVE the 'Micheline era'. It was just so damn vibrant.

As for the artists:

McFarlane gets WAY too much criticizm. In retrospect, the art doesn't hold up as well as the hype once did sure, but for his lack of proper anatomy and limited perspective skills, he brought an awful lot of ideas to the table and had some compositions that just blow your mind.

Larsen is one of my all time fav's. It just looked like he had an insane amount of fun drawing it. Peter looks very much like an aged version of Ditko's Peter, and he eventually refined his Spider-Man to be very different from McFarlane's. How about that chase scene between him and Venom? The thrown steel beam, the crazy contortionist positions, animals escaping the zoo. Good stuff.

Bagley's stuff is kinda stoic compared to the other two when it comes to facial expressions and body types, but he's a superb storyteller and I'm kinda bummed that when he eventually got so damn good it was wasted on Ultimate Spider-Man, which to me is, on the whole, incredibly boring. He perfected Spider-Man's eyes to me. If I think Spider-Man, I think Bagley eyes. Also, noone can draw Carnage NEARLY as well as him.

[Themanofbat]

No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.

I concur....

Wolfman's brief run is considered the second best run an Amazing Spidey writer ever had on that book to Stan Lee's obvious first place... with Roger Stern coming in a close third.

And I'll take a Ross Andru or Keith Pollard Spider-Man ANY day over McFarlane.

:yay:

[Donald Thomas]

QUOTE=CaptainStacy;13158923]No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.[/QUOTE]

Aloha,
I'd like to propose a quick Spidey continuity project.Using Silver Age (1956-69), Bronze Age(1970-79) and Modern Age (1980-present), break down Spidey continuity within his various ERAS.
Example-Silver Age-Lee/Ditko era,Lee/Romita era,Continue.
http://www.comicartville.com/newages.htm[
Thanks
Spidey rules

[JJJ's Ulcer]

QUOTE=CaptainStacy;13158923]No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better, however, i agree Michelinie and company had some great stuff as well.

Aloha,
I'd like to propose a quick Spidey continuity project.Using Silver Age (1956-69), Bronze Age(1970-79) and Modern Age (1980-present), break down Spidey continuity within his various ERAS.
Example-Silver Age-Lee/Ditko era,Lee/Romita era,Continue.
http://www.comicartville.com/newages.htm[
Thanks
Spidey rules[/QUOTE]


How can you break it down once 3 and 4 books start appearing? You can do that system sorta into the mid 70's and even after Spectacular I guess, but once you reach Web and adjectiveless all the creators get jumbled together with some staying long and some leaving after small stints and overlapping and yadda-yadda-yadda.

[JayTee]

How can you break it down once 3 and 4 books start appearing? You can do that system sorta into the mid 70's and even after Spectacular I guess, but once you reach Web and adjectiveless all the creators get jumbled together with some staying long and some leaving after small stints and overlapping and yadda-yadda-yadda.

I'd Imagine after Micheline it would go

- Clone Saga
- Post Clone (black tarantula, identity crisis and such)
- Byrne/Mackie/Reboot
- JMS

[spider greg]

No. I liked the Wein, Wolfman, and Stern eras way better.

Duble ditto. A lot of 90's hot artists = a lot of flash, but no story substance.

[JayTee]

Duble ditto. A lot of 90's hot artists = a lot of flash, but no story substance.

A few of em yeah, but overall that's just the myth that this decade's hot shots want you to believe.

[shinlyle]

Honestly, I loved the McFarlane, Larsen, Bagley, Michelinie era as well, probably because that's when I first came on board...although the Stern era rocked harder than anything, IMHO.

Man...the 9o's Spidey comics were SO pretty to look at, though...and we never had to hear "Spidey's life will NEVER be the same".

[Joker]

I agree on everything but Todd McFarlane being good...his anatomy is almost as bad as Leifields...

[shinlyle]

I agree on everything but Todd McFarlane being good...his anatomy is almost as bad as Leifields...

McFarlane has NO knowledge of anatomy. I honestly like his artwork...but I can't see why, anymore. I love the amount of detail he puts into his work, but seeing as he doesn't even draw anymore, he's not of much use.

[spider greg]

A few of em yeah, but overall that's just the myth that this decade's hot shots want you to believe.

Is there a map that goes with that?:huh:

[NinjaCarm]

Hahahahaha, I knew you'd say that. So predictable. Not oddly enough, I don't respect yours, either.

OH MY! :D :D :D

Good. Then we mutually hate eachother.

[matthooper]

It's what the Green Goblin says as he's laying the smack down on Spidey at the end of SM1. :gg: :bomb:

Didn't GG say that to Spidey in the burning building closer to the middle of the film? In the "moth to a flame" speech.

[JayTee]

Didn't GG say that to Spidey in the burning building closer to the middle of the film? In the "moth to a flame" speech.

Nah, that was "WHADDABOUT my generous proposal!?".

[JJJ's Ulcer]

McFarlane
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey1.jpg
Larson
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey2.jpg
Bagley
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f88/mastercarm/Spidey3-1.jpg

:spidey:

Y'know this cover reminds me.... I'm pretty sure Carnage is the last *permanent* addition to Spidey's rogue gallery. And that was, what 1991? I'm trying to think of a single villain since then who's stood the test of time. Pretty depressing.

[NinjaCarm]

What do you mean? What about Jenkins' "Typeface"?:whatever: :whatever:

[ScottishFogg]

there's an easy joke in here somewhere about Quesada being Spider-Man's greatest, longest-lasting enemy, I just can't find it . . .

;)

[Shin-Natsume]

Y'know this cover reminds me.... I'm pretty sure Carnage is the last *permanent* addition to Spidey's rogue gallery. And that was, what 1991? I'm trying to think of a single villain since then who's stood the test of time. Pretty depressing.

if you count spider-girl, it is kaine, the new black tarantula and of course normie osborn, wich is now a good guy sort of...

for spider-man though, you are right...

[Dangerous]

To those not in the know- Doc Ock knows his stuff.

Anyway, I loved the McFarlane/Larsen ASM era, not so much Bags.
McFarlane and Larsen are two of my top five ever Spidey pencils, and I thought some really cool storylines happened durring their time on the title.
Not least the Venoms arcs, which as it turned out for me would be pretty much the only ever decent Venom arcs.

Roger Stern though, thats were it's at folks.
Best Spidey run since Stan Lee, cept for maybe DeMatteis on Spectacular, also incredibly good. Depends what day you catch me on though... somedays I like Michelinie/McFarlane/Larsen as much.

[wolvie2020]

McFarlane has NO knowledge of anatomy. I honestly like his artwork...

But that's the beauty of art. It's not all about who has the most correct anatomy, it's about getting the point across, and making the best impact.

Heck, I've heard various of the golden/silver age artists talk about how Kirby often missed the point on anatomy... But they all agreed that my God, could he tell a story! And every page had impact, and it grabbed the readers attention.

I very much feel that McFarlane has that talent.

Just wish that dumbass would stop being such a self involved jerk all the time and actually show some respect to the art form and community that got him where he is...

His (awesome) Spider-Man sketch didn't even make it into the Heroes Initiative book. Bet that was to do with him being a jerk, again!

[shinlyle]

But that's the beauty of art. It's not all about who has the most correct anatomy, it's about getting the point across, and making the best impact.

Heck, I've heard various of the golden/silver age artists talk about how Kirby often missed the point on anatomy... But they all agreed that my God, could he tell a story! And every page had impact, and it grabbed the readers attention.

I very much feel that McFarlane has that talent.

Just wish that dumbass would stop being such a self involved jerk all the time and actually show some respect to the art form and community that got him where he is...

His (awesome) Spider-Man sketch didn't even make it into the Heroes Initiative book. Bet that was to do with him being a jerk, again!

McFarlane definitely had the talent....can't argue that. He had a gift for taking ordinary things, and making them look extraordinary. So much so that you HAD to pick up any Spidey book with his artwork on it, and see what the hell was happening.

As for his self-involvement, I'm with you all the way, man. I understand that he runs his own little empire, or sorts, but the FANS that made him popular enough to do so in the first place want him to draw something....anything. Still, the most anyone gets out of him is a Spawn variant every 5 or 10 years. Wow.:whatever:

As an artist, I can't IMAGINE not drawing. That would be punishment. Joe Q, Todd McFarlane...they all seem to STOP drawing for awhile, then pick up a pencil for the fans every blue moon, and we get to watch and see how their talent has diminished since they last put anything out (I'm looking at YOU, Quesada). Todd's Spidey pic he did was awesome....so his talent hasn't left him. I think it would just be cool if he'd do covers, pin-ups, or a back-up story every now and again. If he did, Spawn's sells would probably turn upwards....or whatever book he were to draw.

[Spoarz™]

I love McFarlane's work on Amazing Spider-Man. His illustrating style is so wonderful, it's had such an influence on me. His run on the title included some spectacular issues. :up:

[JayTee]

I go $%@#$ing insane if I spend a week not drawing. I don't get how the Toddler does it.

He played a part in the eventual nosedive of the industry, and honestly, I think he'd have the power to kick it back up a notch if he'd return and have some of the people that gave up on comics years ago come back for a little more.

[shinlyle]

I go $%@#$ing insane if I spend a week not drawing. I don't get how the Toddler does it.

He played a part in the eventual nosedive of the industry, and honestly, I think he'd have the power to kick it back up a notch if he'd return and have some of the people that gave up on comics years ago come back for a little more.

Yep, his return could supercharge the industry...especially if he could keep a monthly schedule (unlike Jim Lee, Joe Q, Rob Liefeld, etc). If Marvel were to offer him a gig teaming up with a TOP-NOTCH WRITER (McFarlane and Brubaker on Spider-Man or Daredevil would make me cry tears of sweet, exuberant joy), we'd see sales that would make Civil War look like Deathmate!

[wolvie2020]

I go $%@#$ing insane if I spend a week not drawing. I don't get how the Toddler does it.

He played a part in the eventual nosedive of the industry, and honestly, I think he'd have the power to kick it back up a notch if he'd return and have some of the people that gave up on comics years ago come back for a little more.

I read an article recently where he talked about how he stills draws all the time... but he does it for his toys, video games, film stuff. Anything but comics.

He also said he didn't think that comics were big enough for him right now in the media for him to be into.

He's just pissed comics in general are on the up except for his:o

[JayTee]

I thought comics were way the hell down? The only thing that sells over 100,000 anymore is a few top 5 sellers and whatever 'event' is out. Despite what Quesada-rama.com says, comics may be dead in our lifetimes.

I also don't get how a comic book artist could claim theyre not big enough to work in. What happened to the 'love of the game'? How can a hockey fan of all things be a fairweather fan of anything?

[USMC]

God, I cant stand Mcfarlane's art... NEVER could.


Larsen always has been my favorite. :)


I mean C'MON!


http://www.comicbookgazette.com/ASM346.jpg

[shinlyle]

I read an article recently where he talked about how he stills draws all the time... but he does it for his toys, video games, film stuff. Anything but comics.

He also said he didn't think that comics were big enough for him right now in the media for him to be into.

He's just pissed comics in general are on the up except for his:o

Spawn stays consistent...but it hasn't been a top ten seller since the 90's...and I'm sure that pisses him off a little. It has to.

The thing is, all he has to do is draw one WHOLE issue, and it'll be number one. He's turned his back of comics because he makes more money on everything else...and I understand going where the money is, but it sounds to me like he doesn't even LIKE comics anymore, and that's just sad.

[Dangerous]

If Todd just gave something back to the fans that made his name, I don't reckon it would kill him. ..

He does not have to draw a Marvel book, but if he just did any comic, for any number of issues I'm sure it would sell big.

I know he don't need the money, he is minted, but it would be great if something got him inspired. Just to see his work again.

Of course if he ever penciled anything Spidey again, which he won't because he is an ass, ... I would spunk my pants.

[Galactus]

I started reading comics when McFarlane was drawing The Amazing Spider-Man. I believe this run has to be the second best creative run on Spider-Man to date.

We had McFarlane, then Larson, then Bagely. All top notch. And David Micheline writing who wrote enjoyable stories.

Anyone agree this was probably the best area for The Amazing Spider-Man since, well, the Lee/Ditko/Romita era?:spidey:

Not my favorite era. For me the late 80's, early 90's was the beginning of "quantity over quality". For example, at one point you could get three issues of Amazing, two issues of Spectacular and two issues of Web of Spider-Man in the same month. And things then got even worse around the time for the clone-mess

[Ray-Fu]

Can I just say that I like all my Spidey eras? And yes, I include the Clone era too :o :p

[Infidel]

I walked into a comic shop that where McFarlane was having a signing. I picked up Amazing #305 and was instantly hooked. I admit I didn't pick up too many of the Larsen books and some of the Bagely Amazings. It sucks that Bagely had to be on a Spider-man book that started over because Amazing is the biggest mess of all time. It is really, really awful.But the thread is right the thing went: McFarlane, Larsen, and then Bagely. They are all gone.... from Marvel.

[Kevin Roegele]

I started reading comics when McFarlane was drawing The Amazing Spider-Man. I believe this run has to be the second best creative run on Spider-Man to date.

We had McFarlane, then Larson, then Bagely. All top notch. And David Micheline writing who wrote enjoyable stories.

Anyone agree this was probably the best area for The Amazing Spider-Man since, well, the Lee/Ditko/Romita era?:spidey:

Perhaps, but the JM DeMattais/Sal Bulscema stuff on Spectacular in the same period was infinetly superior.

[USMC]

Perhaps, but the JM DeMattais/Sal Bulscema stuff on Spectacular in the same period was infinetly superior.


Sal Buscema is a god... :up:

[USMC]

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/Sal%20Buscema%202.jpg

[Themanofbat]

God, I cant stand Mcfarlane's art... NEVER could.


Larsen always has been my favorite. :)


I mean C'MON!


http://www.comicbookgazette.com/ASM346.jpg

Larsen was probably one of THE WORST artist to ever grace the pages of Amazing Spdier-Man...

But hey... that's just my opinion.

:yay:

[USMC]

I respectfully disagree. :yay:

[wolvie2020]

Perhaps, but the JM DeMattais/Sal Bulscema stuff on Spectacular in the same period was infinetly superior.


Yeah, that stuff was great.

You know what's funny? At the time I didn't like the Buscema stuff so much, but as a grown up I like it much more.

McFarlane/Larsen/Bags were great at the time, but the art ws very trendy. While I still love the stuff, looking at it is more like looking at a time capsule.

Buscema's work is far more timeless.

Not saying that one or the other is better, just different :)

I've never been able to stand Saviuk's work on web though... OR Tom Lyle, OR Ron Lim... All artists trying to jump on the 90's bandwagon style, but it just didn't suit them!

[co2]

Funny, but I dropped comics around the age of 17 which was in the beginning of McFarlanes's run. I got into other interest, but I must say, at the time, I loved McFarlane and thought he was such a breath of fresh air. However, in retrospect, McFarlane and Larsen's stuff just didn't age well to me. It was gerat for Venom though. It was very stylized which was great at the time, but now I realise the more standard Romita stuff stands the test of time much better.
I agree that the Ditko/Romita era with Stan writing will always be considered the golden era.
After that, I like the Wolfman era because the stories were so tremendous and fun.
I do love Bagley's art though and since I have been re-involved in Spidey, his Ultimate is what I consider graphically the best Spider-man out there.

[ragingdemon155]

Michelinie wrote the best Spider-man IMO. Seriously the humor just flowed out so naturally. It never felt forced or childish like some writers make Spider-man today (See Bendis in New Avengers).

[Kevin Roegele]

Michelinie wrote the best Spider-man IMO. Seriously the humor just flowed out so naturally. It never felt forced or childish like some writers make Spider-man today (See Bendis in New Avengers).

I agree Michelinie's stories were very enjoyable and certainly very true to the character and spirit. However, they tended to be somewhat lightweight and unmemorable. I am struggling to think of any of his stories besides Return of the Sinister Six...there was Jonathan Cesar kidnapping MJ...erm....I know he wrote the wedding issue, but anyone could have done that.

Oh yeah, he was one of the co-creators of Venom (although he intended the character to be female) and Carnage.

I have always seen Micheline and McFarlane as the Lee and Ditko of the 80's/90's. Michelinie writes funny, character-driven stories and MacFarlane draws weird, spidery, shadowy images.

[ragingdemon155]

I agree Michelinie's stories were very enjoyable and certainly very true to the character and spirit. However, they tended to be somewhat lightweight and unmemorable. I am struggling to think of any of his stories besides Return of the Sinister Six...there was Jonathan Cesar kidnapping MJ...erm....I know he wrote the wedding issue, but anyone could have done that.

Oh yeah, he was one of the co-creators of Venom (although he intended the character to be female) and Carnage.

I have always seen Micheline and McFarlane as the Lee and Ditko of the 80's/90's. Michelinie writes funny, character-driven stories and MacFarlane draws weird, spidery, shadowy images.

I'm not saying his stories were extremely memorable. I agree with you on that. I did enjoy them though.

But as far as the character is concerned, I feel that Michelinie had a great understanding for Spider-man. Writers today should look at him as to how to right a witty Spider-man without having him come off as annoying to the reader.

When I think of Spider-man, it's Bagley's version that comes to mind with Micheline's style for humor and one liners.

[ragingdemon155]

Oh and also....
Carnage's introduction arc was really good. That was one of the highlights of Michelinie's run. Of coarse Marvel kind of destroyed that arc by later making Carnage a complete joke. But back then the guy was actually pretty damn scary...*gasp*.

[Kevin Roegele]

I'm not saying his stories were extremely memorable. I agree with you on that. I did enjoy them though.

But as far as the character is concerned, I feel that Michelinie had a great understanding for Spider-man. Writers today should look at him as to how to right a witty Spider-man without having him come off as annoying to the reader.

When I think of Spider-man, it's Bagley's version that comes to mind with Micheline's style for humor and one liners.

I agree Michelinie really understood Spidey. Looking back, he actually write nearly one hundred issues of Amazing-!

I'm split over Bagley. I did grow up reading his version (along with that of Alex Saviuk and Sal Buscema), but his work can vary in quality enormously. His Spidey though is surely one of the all-time top five. To me, Bagley's Spidey is a combo of Romita Sr and McFarlane.

http://www.ragnoman.com/immagini/Bagley_vignetta.jpg

[ragingdemon155]

I agree Michelinie really understood Spidey. Looking back, he actually write nearly one hundred issues of Amazing-!

I'm split over Bagley. I did grow up reading his version (along with that of Alex Saviuk and Sal Buscema), but his work can vary in quality enormously. His Spidey though is surely one of the all-time top five. To me, Bagley's Spidey is a combo of Romita Sr and McFarlane.

http://www.ragnoman.com/immagini/Bagley_vignetta.jpg

I believe Bagley got much better over time. His work was always good IMO. But as time went on he really started to take risks with the arkward poses he would draw Spider-man in. Also began to expand the eye size. All in all it worked. I always felt that he had the proportions down perfectly. Spider-man should have muscle but, still remain one of the "thinner" superheros". Look strong but, also graceful. No one captured that better then Bagley.

[ragingdemon155]

For some reason Bagley always seemed underrated to me. I mean come on now, the guy was always on time and was pretty consistent over the years. You can tell he has a great deal of respect for what he does. If your given a task, you complete it. It's that simple.

It was nice to see the amount of love this guy was getting when he announced he was leaving USM.

[Kevin Roegele]

Going back to Michelinie, he wrote one of my all-time favourite pointless-but-fun issues...

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/3000/2127/2127-30883-1-amazing-spider-man-_400.jpg

[DACrowe]

Michillinie's run (with all three artists) was the last solid complete run on Spidey comics, IMO but I think Lee, Conaway, Wolfman, Stern, DeFalco and DeMatthis (SSM) all had better runs and Michillinie is more like Wein and Mantalo (SSM) in a solid and strong run, but with some weak stories and characterization that keeps it from being as amazing as the ones I listed above.

P.S. As pretty as McFarlane's early work on ASM was, his characters (and their hair) got ridiculously too big to couple his mediocre writing with his Spider-Man solo run. I also think Larson and especially Bagley were better for that early '90s style.