Chris Samnee -- one of very few artists keeping the spirit of Alex Toth alive in today's mainstream comics

I've seen this idea bandied about in a few places over the years, but one of the clearest quotes I am able to find as an example is in this book:

"The creators of a comic can control [the reader's] reading speed by altering the levels of information in each panel --- the more detailed the art or the more dialogue it contains, generally, the longer it takes to read. Many comic creators fail to recognise, for example, that a fast-moving fight scene will be slowed down if the antagonists are making lengthy speeches to each other."

I couldn't help thinking of this recently when I saw someone post this page fragment from a 1968 issue of Avengers:



I can easily recognize that this is a good example of action art -- penciller John Buscema is an acknowledged giant of the field. But I also couldn't help noticing that, not only is everyone saying more than they could possibly have time to say in these circumstances, but they are also saying things that no one would say. Think them, maybe -- say them out loud, no. This dialogue not only slows the rendered action to a crawl by its sheer volume, it strains the reader's credulity as well. Yet the comic books from this era are routinely lauded as classics by old-timer fans such as myself.

All I can say is, times, tastes, and techniques have certainly changed.

the arrival of the latest volume of Valérian and Laureline

the pleasure I find in the mere process of cartooning, even when the end result is less than ideal or not yet in view

 new creative discoveries

the arrival of the latest volume of Valérian and Laureline

can't decide among several so I will toss them all in!

1) long ago, Sharon taught me that, if the name of the month contains an R, it is good luck for the first word you say upon waking on the first of that month to be “rabbit”. And yesterday I learned that the Japanese consider it good luck to watch the sun rise on January 1. Today I did both, so my luck is all sewn up!

2) this year, for the first time I can remember, I didn't gain any weight between Christmas and New Year's.

3) The Mighty Chris turns 45 today - I am grateful to have him and his work here.

4) I found some new faces to tackle for my Ink Studies and I am excited about getting to them.

5) my family is happy and healthy.

6) today is beautiful and sunny for the first time in what seems like weeks.

quiet hours spent paging through works by a variety of inspirational artists

I just finished reading Meanwhile, a thick biography of comics legend Milton Caniff. (Well, finished but for the appendices, but I quibble.) In several places, Caniff was asked how he evaluated himself and his work in the Grander Scheme of Comics -- he has almost unfailingly been proclaimed one of The All-Time Greats by his audience, critics, and peers. He was willing to say things like “I am good at what I do. And, in some respects, I am the best at what I do.” And this got me thinking about how I would answer such a question....

I recall that, earlier this year, I was asked if I recognized that my work was good. And I said, “My work is okay. It will do.” But this book has got me thinking about the matter a bit farther:

I recognize that, over the last decade, I have deliberately focused on what are called storytelling skills. Meaning that I am more concerned with creating a clear and smooth reading experience than with dazzling people visually... and I realize that to some people this can give my work a modest appearance. Not to mention that there is some question about my ability to dazzle people visually if I chose to do so. And I'm okay with that. But tonight, this is how I see myself and my work in the Grander Scheme of Comics:

I still think my work is okay, that it will do -- but that's not nothing. That is an achievement of sorts.
I don't think my sutff is Great, certainly not Great Art. I don't think people come away from it with any profound insights into the human condition, and I will never be held up as an example of How Comics Are Done [as Caniff was and is]. But I do think that, now and even after I am gone, if people can find my work, and take it in the spirit it is offered, some of them will enjoy it.

I create work that some people enjoy. And tonight I realize that, really, that is all I ever wanted. So, in my heart of hearts, I feel that my work is a success.