[The Wire]

A Look Inside The New G.I.Joe Comic From IDW

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[darthhenning]

WOW!!!

The art looks both modern and faithful to the classic characters at the same time. The characters look great, and the action looks like its going to be pretty good. I also like that we can see SS unmasked already.

I can't express how much I'm looking forward to this.

[JoeRhyno]

I like the look too, but those boots bother me, I'm sure they'll look better all colored up, I just don't like the rubber ends on them really, lol.. but for a second, I thought RB had on some sneakers...

[Straight Edge]

JoeRhyno, on Aug 13 2008, 05:32 PM, said:

I like the look too, but those boots bother me, I'm sure they'll look better all colored up, I just don't like the rubber ends on them really, lol.. but for a second, I thought RB had on some sneakers...

Sadly, that's Heavy Duty now.

[ARROW]

I've seen the art, and I have a crit.........actually a serious one:


Where's the backgrounds??

This is a common thing with a lot of "contemporary" comic artists.....focusing on characters at the expense of locations.
For good comic book storytelling, one cannot supplant the other.

Locations provide a sense of place, hence a visual reinforcement of where the characters are, and what the ambiance is. This is vital to make the story convincing and involving, rather than just a depiction of something.
The more a reader can believe the characters are actually "there", the deeper the reader's interaction becomes.
Without it, a comic is just all flash and dazzle and a mess of pin-ups with dialogue balloons.

[Blackmada]

Could the backgrounds still be put in later? Some companies are doing that with computers to make the backgrounds more realistic.

It all looks nice to me. I don't care much for the soles of the boots either.

[ARROW]

Blackmada, on Aug 13 2008, 04:48 PM, said:

Could the backgrounds still be put in later? Some companies are doing that with computers to make the backgrounds more realistic.

It all looks nice to me. I don't care much for the soles of the boots either.

Yea, if can be a "after affect", but usually its done by the penciller and seperated digitally. The reason is the penciller can determine the perspective and composition for the shot if they draw the BG--and usually someone is drawing it, not doing image-grabs ( which I think are kind of lazy).

Personally, I like to see at least half the panels on a page with well drawn BG's on them because I think its a great way to showcase the range of an artist's talent.

[Straight Edge]

ARROW, on Aug 13 2008, 08:09 PM, said:

Personally, I like to see at least half the panels on a page with well drawn BG's on them because I think its a great way to showcase the range of an artist's talent.

Second page, last panel, there's buildings in the distance as HD fires at Cobra.

Otherwise, I don't see a lot of room for backgrounds in these panels. The entire first page is low-level shots, looking up at the characters. The only thing you'd see out the windows would be the sky.

[Blackmada]

ARROW, on Aug 13 2008, 07:09 PM, said:

Blackmada, on Aug 13 2008, 04:48 PM, said:

Could the backgrounds still be put in later? Some companies are doing that with computers to make the backgrounds more realistic.

It all looks nice to me. I don't care much for the soles of the boots either.

Yea, if can be a "after affect", but usually its done by the penciller and seperated digitally. The reason is the penciller can determine the perspective and composition for the shot if they draw the BG--and usually someone is drawing it, not doing image-grabs ( which I think are kind of lazy).

Personally, I like to see at least half the panels on a page with well drawn BG's on them because I think its a great way to showcase the range of an artist's talent.

I've been wondering if more artwork is going to get like that to save time drawing them to help meet deadlines. I prefer everything to be drawn myself in the same style by the same person. I hate those blurry digital buildings.


Is that really Heavy Duty? They could at least make him look like Heavy Duty and not Roadblock. That's handicapped and happy.

[Viper Hunter]

Straight Edge, on Aug 13 2008, 06:33 PM, said:

JoeRhyno, on Aug 13 2008, 05:32 PM, said:

I like the look too, but those boots bother me, I'm sure they'll look better all colored up, I just don't like the rubber ends on them really, lol.. but for a second, I thought RB had on some sneakers...

Sadly, that's Heavy Duty now.

They just can't get enough of ol' HD...can they? I've had enough of him, but I guess they want to press him even further...onto us.

[Viper Hunter]

Blackmada, on Aug 13 2008, 08:34 PM, said:

Is that really Heavy Duty? They could at least make him look like Heavy Duty and not Roadblock. That's handicapped and happy.

oooh man, what did we get started?? I'm about to PEE I tell ya!

[Riker]

Definitely will pick up the first issue to check it out!

It's so annoying that Roadblock is now Heavy Duty though... Roadblock is the man!

[Pit Viper]

Roadblock = Heavy Duty = me not buying this comic if the fate the the universe depended on it. If they can make a Roadblock action figure they can call the character "Roadblock" in print. Freedom of press anyone?

[PhoenixSword]

looks okay so far. the shoes do look kinda stupid. and there are some mountains or something in the background of the last panel on the second page. but seeing as its not a finished product yet i'll leave judgment until i see a colored page without a bg.

seeing these made me wonder yet again whether there is a site or a company or something that you can go through to subscribe to a certain comic book? you know, pay for a year or two worth in advance and get them in the mail? i couldn't keep up with the image and dd comics which i enjoyed because there wasn't a comic shop close by that i could go to. plus you just kinda forget when new comics are coming out. so anyone know if there is a place you can do this? even if its not for these comics just a place in general that you can subscribe to comics from

idc care to much about roadblocks switch with heavy duty. he was never really a main character to me. and they're pretty much the same in terms of look and function on the team.... its just a different name... but then again i guess if snake eyes or scarlet were to be replaced i would be pissed and not bother getting the comic.

[xhairs]

MAN THIS LOOKS GREAT.

[ARROW]

Quote

I've been wondering if more artwork is going to get like that to save time drawing them to help meet deadlines. I prefer everything to be drawn myself in the same style by the same person. I hate those blurry digital buildings.

Yea, its what is called a "cheat"--using blurs and such to partially obscure buildings and thus reduce the amount of detail drawn, or the origin of the art in the BG layer. It is a time-saver, it has its uses.......but like the infamous lens flares it can be over-used and a crutch when you see it too much.

My eyes are poison for this stuff ( a term that means I know what to look for and it spoils me) so when I see blurred BG's used all the time, it feels like a gyp to me. Some artists just have the knack for both figures and BG's--Michael Golden is one, and he drew my favourite ( and arguably the best) GIJOE story in the 2nd Yearbook.
I want the immersion a good story brings, and if the artist takes pains to make it look and feel like the characters are actually in a real-life or life-like locale, then so much the better. Good figure artists are a dime a dozen in comics.....so I look for other strengths in the art now.
Artists that draw beautiful women, great locations, and good props typically get my attention and money on their books.

[ssdsus]

Riker, on Aug 13 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

Definitely will pick up the first issue to check it out!

It's so annoying that Roadblock is now Heavy Duty though... Roadblock is the man!

Reading between the lines.....I'm assuming that for some reason they couldn't use the name "Roadblock" in the movie and the character is basically Roadblock, but using the name "Heavy Duty." Hama said the comic's team will match the movie. So, maybe in both Roadblock has become Heavy Duty? If so, that's still not cool. That basically means that from now on the name "Roadblock" will not exist

[PhoenixSword]

might as well start the new string of complaining... the stupid heavy duty arms suck!!!!

[yojoebro82]

Wow. They aren't even trying to make Heavy Duty LOOK different anymore. You can be sure it's a cross-promoting thing going on with the upcoming movie, but still...

I'm not buying the "We don't have rights to the Roablock name" anymore. There have been literaly DOZENS of Roadblock figures made since 2001. Not "Sgt" Roadblock, or "GI Joe" Roadblock, either. Just Roadblock. Their insistance to keep forcing "Heavy Duty" on us will brobably be one of the great mysteries of GI Joe history!

Who knew that one half-way-decent figure made in 1991 would caontinue to plague GI joe fans 17 years later!


All that said, not a huge deal However, I'm still not sold on this book. I'm NOT a fan of rebooting GI Joe and to be very honest, though we all love his original GI Joe, myself included, Hama has something to prove after that lack-luster "Storm Shadow" bomb.

[darthhenning]

Riker, on Aug 13 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

Definitely will pick up the first issue to check it out!

It's so annoying that Roadblock is now Heavy Duty though... Roadblock is the man!

It is just depressing. Just because Heavy Duty is the same kind of individual of Roadblock (heavy gunner) Hasbro is now pretending that the two are interchangeable. They aren't. The first hint that this would be done occured in DDP's Malfunction story arc where Heavy Duty showed up and machine gunned the Super-BAT. Roadblock popped out of the sewer where the Joes were and asked "What are you supposed to be, my replacement?"

After that, i think some numbskull at Hasbro though that that would be a good idea and hence the Heavy Duty switch was born. How disgusting.

I'll still probably get the comic though, at least to see if its any good.

[Jase]

I stopped buying the DDP Joe comic LONG ago, but I'm really looking forward to this new one!

[Blackmada]

ARROW, on Aug 13 2008, 10:06 PM, said:

Quote

I've been wondering if more artwork is going to get like that to save time drawing them to help meet deadlines. I prefer everything to be drawn myself in the same style by the same person. I hate those blurry digital buildings.

Yea, its what is called a "cheat"--using blurs and such to partially obscure buildings and thus reduce the amount of detail drawn, or the origin of the art in the BG layer. It is a time-saver, it has its uses.......but like the infamous lens flares it can be over-used and a crutch when you see it too much.

My eyes are poison for this stuff ( a term that means I know what to look for and it spoils me) so when I see blurred BG's used all the time, it feels like a gyp to me. Some artists just have the knack for both figures and BG's--Michael Golden is one, and he drew my favourite ( and arguably the best) GIJOE story in the 2nd Yearbook.
I want the immersion a good story brings, and if the artist takes pains to make it look and feel like the characters are actually in a real-life or life-like locale, then so much the better. Good figure artists are a dime a dozen in comics.....so I look for other strengths in the art now.
Artists that draw beautiful women, great locations, and good props typically get my attention and money on their books.

I am like that too. Especially if the artist can draw hot women. I love Jim Lee and Alan Davis. Alan Davis was especially a huge influence on me when I first started drawing. I have really been into Frank Cho lately. I really liked his Shanna limited series from Marvel. Someone who I really dislike is Leinil Francis Yu and Simon Bianchi. Both are being made out by Marvel to be big deals but I don't see it. I picked up the latest issue of Astonishing X-Men and could not even read it because of the artwork. I think Bianchi would be good on something like Lobo but not much else. I like the smooth styles like John Byrne, Alan Davis and Dave Cockrum.



I wish if Roadblock was not going to be used they would just make Heavy Duty look like Heavy Duty. Do they just think that Heavy Duty's name is better Than Roadblock and Roadblock's appearance is better than Heavy Duty's? Roadblock was such a huge part of my Joe-verse and I know a big favorite of the mahority of Joe fans. If the lost the rights to his name just call him Sgt Roadblock or even Roadblokk. I'd even settle for Sgt Hinton or just plain Marvin. If they want HeavyDuty in the book to tie into the movie, fine. But make Heavy Duty look like Heavy Duty and at least have Roadblock show up later, looking like Roadblock.

HASBRO, I WANT ROADBLOCK BACK!

[Pit Viper]

darthhenning, on Aug 14 2008, 10:46 AM, said:

Riker, on Aug 13 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

Definitely will pick up the first issue to check it out!

It's so annoying that Roadblock is now Heavy Duty though... Roadblock is the man!

It is just depressing. Just because Heavy Duty is the same kind of individual of Roadblock (heavy gunner) Hasbro is now pretending that the two are interchangeable. They aren't. The first hint that this would be done occured in DDP's Malfunction story arc where Heavy Duty showed up and machine gunned the Super-BAT. Roadblock popped out of the sewer where the Joes were and asked "What are you supposed to be, my replacement?"

After that, i think some numbskull at Hasbro though that that would be a good idea and hence the Heavy Duty switch was born. How disgusting.

I'll still probably get the comic though, at least to see if its any good.

The switch actually happened before this. When the first wave of G.I. Joe vs Cobra figures came out Hasbro made Heavy Duty a machine gunner (rather than a heavy ordinance trooper). He even came with the original Roadblock's accessories. From what I heard the figure was originally intended to be an updated look for Roadblock but Hasbro lost the rights to the Roadblock name so they decided to call him Heavy Duty. A lot of fans saw Heavy Duty as Roadblock's replacement and were angry about the whole situation. The scene in the Devil's Due book was cracking a joke about it. Later they would make an actual Roadblock figure but even then they would continue to make new Heavy Duty figures.

[darthhenning]

Pit Viper, on Aug 14 2008, 02:16 PM, said:

darthhenning, on Aug 14 2008, 10:46 AM, said:

Riker, on Aug 13 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

Definitely will pick up the first issue to check it out!

It's so annoying that Roadblock is now Heavy Duty though... Roadblock is the man!

It is just depressing. Just because Heavy Duty is the same kind of individual of Roadblock (heavy gunner) Hasbro is now pretending that the two are interchangeable. They aren't. The first hint that this would be done occured in DDP's Malfunction story arc where Heavy Duty showed up and machine gunned the Super-BAT. Roadblock popped out of the sewer where the Joes were and asked "What are you supposed to be, my replacement?"

After that, i think some numbskull at Hasbro though that that would be a good idea and hence the Heavy Duty switch was born. How disgusting.

I'll still probably get the comic though, at least to see if its any good.

The switch actually happened before this. When the first wave of G.I. Joe vs Cobra figures came out Hasbro made Heavy Duty a machine gunner (rather than a heavy ordinance trooper). He even came with the original Roadblock's accessories. From what I heard the figure was originally intended to be an updated look for Roadblock but Hasbro lost the rights to the Roadblock name so they decided to call him Heavy Duty. A lot of fans saw Heavy Duty as Roadblock's replacement and were angry about the whole situation. The scene in the Devil's Due book was cracking a joke about it. Later they would make an actual Roadblock figure but even then they would continue to make new Heavy Duty figures.

Oh, somehow I missed that wave/figure. Thanks for the info.

THe joke makes more sense now.

[VindowViper]

I love the art, and hope it they keep their standards high, but I feel like the powers that be have no intention of listening to the fans. Heavy Doody (intentional misspelling) has always been a lackluster 2nd stringer in my book. However, if Roadblock just has his name changed to Heavy Duty, but is still the same rhyming chef character, that is a more palatable solution, I suppose.