Official JLA discussion thread - Part 2

[Anubis]

Only thing I ever read from him that I really liked was X-Force/X-Statix.

 

[CConn]

He did write one really good Batman story years ago; Dark Knight, Dark City. Or something like that.

But suffice it to say, he's not nearly good enough for me to ever say "Peter Milligan's writing it, I have to buy that!"

If his Stormwatch gets rave reviews, I'll pick it up. If not, I won't. There's already way too many I buy in week one, anyway.

 

[Tron Bonne]

His X-Men run
A few issues of his Batman
Like an issue of his run on JLA Classified
Two arcs of Greek Street
First two issues of Red Lanterns

Nothing really impressed me. Greek Street wasn't bad, but even with that, nothing really grabbed me to keep reading.

I actually haven't read any of that stuff. His X-Force/X-Statix is right up there with Morrison's New X-Men run, though, in its own way. And a lot of his earlier Vertigo work is absolutely amazing: Engima, Shade, The Changing Man, Extremist, and The Minx. A lot of it is out of print, though, but if you can find it you're in for a real treat.

 

[CConn]

Oh, I'm sure.but my point is. He doesn't display enough consistent quality to make me buy his current books.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Well, earlier you said you haven't read anything of his that was above mediocre beside HB, so I'm pointing you in the way of great Milligan.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Oh, I'm sure.but my point is. He doesn't display enough consistent quality to make me buy his current books.

I also find Milligan to be a huge hit or miss.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Admittedly, I've not read a lot of his mainstream work, but I find his stuff to always be at least enjoyable. 5 Ronin, for example, wasn't great, but it was an enjoyable little What If? JLD has been a little slow for me tastes, but I've still enjoyed it overall.

 

[Mystirious]

I actually haven't read any of that stuff. His X-Force/X-Statix is right up there with Morrison's New X-Men run, though, in its own way. And a lot of his earlier Vertigo work is absolutely amazing: Engima, Shade, The Changing Man, Extremist, and The Minx. A lot of it is out of print, though, but if you can find it you're in for a real treat.

Those series are some seriously great stuff

Some of my favourite Vertigo books and i would definitely rate Milligan as highly as Morrison and Gaiman when it comes to fab Vertigo titles worth checking out

 

[Hush]

Just read the newest issue and I'm still really enjoying this book a lot. Lee continues to deliver and Johns is writing a grand epic tale.

 

[Hush]

I think it's hard to say that he's burning out considering how awesome Aquaman and Green Lantern are.

I think the problem here is that Johns is trying to accommodate Lee's art style. What make's Johns so great IMO is that he really lets his artists shine. The artist in a Geoff Johns book is just as important as Johns himself. Johns has allowed Reis, Frank, Mahnke, Kolins, Manapul, and Van Sciver to just really let the art tell the story just as much as his writing does.

The problem though is that Lee is not that good of a storyteller. This is an instance where Johns needs to stop treating the artist as an equal and just tell him what to draw and how to draw it. Lee produces some beautiful art, but when it comes to portraying the story he is nowhere near as good as Johns' league of artists.

I disagree respectfully, Lee made Hush, For Tomorrow and as bad asit was ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN work from a storytelling perspective. Johns i think is writing what he thinks Lee is good at but doesn't realize that Lee is a talent that can adapt to a writing style. Just look at Hush, the paneling and such is set up just like Sale from TLH because Lee adapted too Loebs storytelling style. That said I think Lee is getting criticized far too much on this book when in all honesty the guy hasnt been a regular on a book in what 5 years? It's 5 issues so far guys, give him a chance to get in the groove!

 

[Motown Marvel]

lee's sequential storytelling has always been one of his biggest faults as a comic artist, right alongside his character designs.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I think he tells stories ably, just not in interesting ways. He's got pretty boring layouts with an occasional energetic splash page now and then. His real strength is his attention to detail.

 

[Watchman]

I actually haven't read any of that stuff. His X-Force/X-Statix is right up there with Morrison's New X-Men run, though, in its own way. And a lot of his earlier Vertigo work is absolutely amazing: Engima, Shade, The Changing Man, Extremist, and The Minx. A lot of it is out of print, though, but if you can find it you're in for a real treat.

His current Hellblazer run is great too and they are slowly collecting Shade. He's one of the few that could pull off a story about Constantine's coat going around and murdering people well.

 

[Mystirious]

You can't go wrong with a story about a murderous coat

 

[hippie_hunter]

I disagree respectfully, Lee made Hush, For Tomorrow and as bad asit was ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN work from a storytelling perspective. Johns i think is writing what he thinks Lee is good at but doesn't realize that Lee is a talent that can adapt to a writing style. Just look at Hush, the paneling and such is set up just like Sale from TLH because Lee adapted too Loebs storytelling style. That said I think Lee is getting criticized far too much on this book when in all honesty the guy hasnt been a regular on a book in what 5 years? It's 5 issues so far guys, give him a chance to get in the groove!

There's a difference though. With Lee on Batman, Superman, and All-Star Batman & Robin, Jeph Loeb, Brian Azzarello, and Frank Miller essentially kept Lee under control. All Lee really did was draw their stories. It's why Lee's art worked in those stories. He got to draw beautiful art that didn't get in the way of them.

Johns on the other hand, writes in a completely different manner. In a Johns comic, the artist plays a major role in the creative process beyond just simply drawing it. As a matter in fact, in most Johns comics, the art is just as important as the writing. And notice how Francis Manapul, Scott Kolins, and Ethan van Sciver have been promoted to writers within DC. Johns really allows the art to have a major role in telling the story and when Lee just isn't a good storyteller, the story suffers for it. Sure, we get some great visuals, but it's lacking and without good storytelling from the art department, Johns' comics will suffer unless he keeps them on a leash.

Lee needs to be put on a leash. Just simply draw what Johns is writing. He's no Ivan Reis or Francis Manapul when it comes to the storytelling department. Now in no way am I criticizing, Lee's artistic style. I love it. But he needs someone to tell him what to do plain and simple because his layouts are just boring when someone like Johns gives him the opportunity to have a major role in the creative process.

 

[Czar Colossus]

Agreed. Lee is good on covers and posters, but definitely needs direction on interiors. Not crazy about his redesigns either, some are just too busy IMO.

 

[Mystirious]

Darkseid without his mini skirt and boots is unacceptable

 

[CConn]

You just like them because you think that makes him qualify as transgendered.

 

[Mystirious]

Transvestite actually and don't pretend cross dressing gods from space aren't amazing

I like them because they are Jack Kirby fabulousness

You don't mess around with Jack Kirby's designs

 

[Watchman]

I like them because they are Jack Kirby fabulousness

You don't mess around with Jack Kirby's designs

Damn straight!

 

[Mystirious]

He was The King

 

[Wolfwood]

One thing I've always loved about Lee is the way he draws Diana and Lois. That FCBD Diana looks weird though. Nothing like he usually draws her.

EDIT: Although now that I look at it they all seem quite a bit younger. Even younger than they are in JL. Even Batman looks leaner.

That's what I was thinking, Wonder Woman and Superman look like they're right out of high school.

Also, my mind still hasn't adjusted to seeing Cyborg as a JLA'er.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Transvestite actually and don't pretend cross dressing gods from space aren't amazing

I like them because they are Jack Kirby fabulousness

You don't mess around with Jack Kirby's designs

Yeah, Kirby's designs for the New Gods were perfect and you just don't mess with perfection.

 

[CLARKY]

I think he tells stories ably, just not in interesting ways. He's got pretty boring layouts with an occasional energetic splash page now and then. His real strength is his attention to detail.

Funny,I think the exact opposite. Jim Lee is OK for energic camera angles, action scenes, big bam-bim-bang stuff but he totally lacks the ability to createsomething subtle or with appealing detail. Now, he sure ADDS some details to the big action sequences. Maybe it is a common point from all the Images guys?

 

[Mystirious]

Yeah, Kirby's designs for the New Gods were perfect and you just don't mess with perfection.

Truth

Kirby's designs for the New Gods were amazing. I don't think any of them needed any improvement