Joe Q on Greg Land's...art... in UXM#500
Posted: 06.05.2008 2:46pm
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Sorry,maybe this will be nuked or maybe all of you guys already know that (cause I know that Land's "art" has been talked about many times) but on another thread a poster quoted this thing from Joe Q's blog:
Quote:
Kevin asks:
Hey Joe,
I just want to start by saying how much I have enjoyed these Joe Fridays for the past few years. I'm a big fan!
Given the fact that Greg Land's history of plagiarism is well-documented, why put him on such a high profile book as Uncanny X-Men? I know he sells well, but seeing the same faces and bodies copied over and over distracts me from the story. Plus, it sends a terrible message to aspiring artists! The cover to Uncanny 500 has already been dissected into little bits of plagiarized work, and his run hasn't even begun yet. Marvel has some phenomenally talented artists who deserve a shot at Uncanny much more than someone who doesn't produce entirely original work.
Please tell me something will be done about this!
JQ wrote:
JQ: See, here's the problem Kevin: I personally feel that Greg is getting a raw deal from certain fans. First, a little history…
Ever since the dawn of time, artists have been taking inspiration from outside sources. And ever since the dawn of photography, using photos as reference. What makes it seem more prevalent today than ever is that the 'net makes it easier for fans to find the same photo ref that our artists are using. I'm no different than Greg in this matter. I use photo ref quite often. Sometimes I take it myself, other times I dig it up. And I'm not alone here. What's happened with Greg is that it's become a witch hunt and way too many people are having way too good a time hurting a tremendous artist's reputation when he isn't doing anything that is any different than any of us. Every line he draws now comes under scrutiny and in so many cases, people are "seeing" things where are none. Here's the thing, if you've ever met Greg you would see what a lovely guy he is and how much love he has for comics. He also happens to be a guy who works very hard to meet his deadlines, and from that point of view, he's better than most of us, and the kind of artist so many fans wish we had more of. I could go on and on about how many times Greg has bailed us out from some very bad deadline crunches. Like John Romita Jr., he's a real team player, and has come through in the clutch more times than I can remember. He's a hard working guy, but there are some online fans that are giving him a raw deal.
Simply put, his books do sell very well because he draws beautifully. If you don't like it or how he goes about it, that's cool, I get it, so just don't buy the books he draws. I don't see why it can't be as simple as that, rather than taking the time and energy to try to get a lynch mob together to hurt a really great guy. I don't understand what value anyone can take from that?
Here, let me put it to you this way and forgive me for speaking frankly. I want you to close your eyes after reading this and imagine this possible scenario. Lets say you got what you wanted and through your efforts such a stir occurred through fandom and every publisher that Greg Land was no longer working in comics and couldn't do what he loved to do; what he was meant to do to support his family. Would you feel better? Could you sleep at night? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then I guess there's nothing more than I can say on the subject outside of keep doing what you're doing. If the answer is no, and if you can imagine for a moment what it would be like to be on the other side of this, well, then I leave it up to you.
See ya in the funny books,
JQ
I think Quesada's answer is really such a cop out and it doesn't even answer the question.. So what if Greg Land is a "nice guy"?? What do YOU think about it?
If it was stated somewhere before than by all means a mod should nuke it (and give me a link!).
I agree with Quesada. In many points, at least. I still think his female
faces are often too alike. _________________ Pain? You feel no pain when you're numb.
I agree with Quesada. In many points, at least. I still think his female
faces are often too alike.
Yeah,I remember you didn't really see that much of a problem with Greg Land on that other thread (or threads) land010 (and I know I already made that lame joke once).
For me the cover of UXM 500 speaks for itself. Just like the FCBD X-Men Pixie issue. His females don't even resemble the characters from when other people draw them. I won't even touch on that subject anymore because I already voiced my opinion a thousand times about it. I just wanted to post this quote because I didn't know what the EIC's opinion on Land is..
And I think it's terrible that Quesada sees it this way. I never liked Joe Q but now.... well, I still don't like him (to say the least).
I love how Quesada tries to guilt fans in like every interview he does. And it's not using a photo as a reference if you use a lightbox to trace it. That is just called swiping.
I love how Quesada tries to guilt fans in like every interview he does. And it's not using a photo as a reference if you use a lightbox to trace it. That is just called swiping.
Exactly... And that cover (#500)... well you can't even tell who is who and some of the characters are in the same pose (because of the way he 'references') and it's just ugly! If it had a different colorist it would be unbearable!
I love how Quesada tries to guilt fans in like every interview he does. And it's not using a photo as a reference if you use a lightbox to trace it. That is just called swiping.
Exactly... And that cover (#500)... well you can't even tell who is who and some of the characters are in the same pose (because of the way he 'references') and it's just ugly! If it had a different colorist it would be unbearable!
someone made a .gip where they put all his "references" in the cover in place of the characters. Most of the characters had references.
And the "just don't buy the book he draws" argument... What the hell?!? Let's say I have a collection of Uncanny X-Men from issue 1 to 499 and now I'm not supposed to buy the damn 500th anniversary issue because I don't like the way he "draws"??
someone made a .gip where they put all his "references" in the cover in place of the characters. Most of the characters had references.
i know,I've seen it ALL. I keep checking out the threads discussing Land and his tracing on other forums and when I read what Joe Q has to say about it (that some fans see what they want to see and such) it really pisses me off..
Last edited by VenomFlossin1985 on 06.05.2008 3:19pm; edited 1 time in total
silver_raven hero Joined: 12.03.2006 Posts: 671
Posted: 06.05.2008 3:19pm
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The more Joe Q speaks the more the he need to be fired for being a bad boss.
His choices and preference should really be scrutinized as much as we do Land's "hard work". So much has happened over the past few years to the detriment of the X-men thanks to him. And these current decisions on Uncanny X-Men, and the other misguided X-books (except X-Factor) are ignorant and ridiculous. They are all made for the sake of making money and not to creat good and quailty work. It's pathetic.
I am so torn as a Marvel fan because as much as I love the characters and the universe the people who run and create for the company lack any inspiration, enlightenment or originality. And knowing so much about their history and what they are capable of, I have no idea how much longer I can support this Marvel. Unless they completely reboot everyone working on these books and bring in new and creative talent, especially more female and minory writers and artists who are truely inspired.
I like Uncanny X-Men right now, lol, and I am excited for Fraction to join the cast. but after all this hype that Marvel did about the X-Books, it's just like really? I think marvel definetly gave each book a very recognizeable voice, but I thought the books (for the most part) were better before Messiah Complex. Except Uncanny X-Men, that book has actually gotten better.
(to say the least).
