Yesterday, August 28th, was the anniversary of Jack Kirby's birthday. This has prompted some people to talk about how his work affected them, and made me think a bit about comic book influences and artists we look up to. Although I wasn't actively a huge fan of Kirby's work (my personal favourite comic book artist was always Steve Ditko; sorry Jack!), I did read an awful lot of the superhero comics he illustrated when I was a young teenager. For a long time, the men I drew had the kind of square chins that Kirby seemed to favour.
Since I got involved in webcomics, though, my influences became almost exclusively much smaller creators, because their work was so much more immediately relevant to my own. I remember learning about tablets that allowed you to draw on your computer the first time I went to a comic convention. That's also where I learned about webcomics, from a local artist who wrote and illustrated a (long ended) comic online. I've found limitless inspiration among the creators here at DrunkDuck, and I often find myself trying to mimic the stylistic choices of certain artists here. In this regard I especially love watercolour-style illustrations and anything that is black and white and cross-hatched.
Who are your comic book idols? How have they influenced your work? Do you think you've managed to create your own style, or does your art continue to carry bits and pieces from others?
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FRIDAY NEWSPOST - Comic Book Idols
HippieVan at 12:00AM, Aug. 29, 2014
3 likes!
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Abt_Nihil at 2:14PM, Aug. 30, 2014
Thanks, shasta - I'm very flattered! Personally, Bruce Timm was my hero in a crucial time for me when I developed my style. And when I sort of had a grasp of the "Batman animated" style, I noticed I was still really, really bad at drawing girls and women. Then, manga and anime came along and took care of that. My great anime hero was Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the character designer of Wings of Honneamise, Secret of Blue Water, Evangelion etc. And still later, I was influenced by some of the great cheesecake artists: Adam Hughes, Frank Cho, Terry Dodson, Art Adams. (And I have to add: I respect Kirby a lot... but I never really "got" him.)
shastab24 at 7:43PM, Aug. 29, 2014
I'll always be envious of Alex Ross, for sure. Generally, Kirby can be seen as an inspiration. Quality and quantity in that guy--he did so many books and such a dynamic style. But I also like Richard Case and his ability to draw the weird and make it tangible. Web-wise, Erin Lindsey is a big one, but I also greatly admire a good crop of the Heroes Unite/Alliance artists. I think I most admire Abt_Nihil and fukujinzuke out of those because of how often I see their art, and how good it is (cdmalcolm is becoming part of that ilk, though, with his page turnout). I also admire Essaybee and his Bruce Timm-like style. Actually, I could go one for a long time on this...
KimLuster at 10:05AM, Aug. 29, 2014
I guess I never have had an artist that I considered an idol, but I really like Alex Raymond's sensual style. And I just looked up Giovanna Casotto and... Wow!! You do a great emulation of her style, FC!
fallopiancrusader at 7:33AM, Aug. 29, 2014
The artists who I loved the most when I was a kid were Vaughn Bode(Junkwaffel), Larry Todd(Dr. Atomic), and Richard Corben(Fantagor). The artists that had the biggest influences on my adult style were Moebius and Gaetano Liberatore. My comic here on DD was specifically inspired by Giovanna Casotto. I love working in her style, but it's very time- consuming.
KAM at 4:07AM, Aug. 29, 2014
Well, for 20 plus years I tried, and failed, to draw like Iron Mike Grell (Legion of Super-Heroes, The Warlord, Jon Sable Freelance, Green Arrow, etc.), so he'd be the main guy, although guys like Steve Ditko, Curt Swan, Neal Adams, etc., etc. also had varying degrees of influence.
Gunwallace at 1:31AM, Aug. 29, 2014
My idols here on DD in one major aspect are Usedbooks and Banes, who inspired me to learn to draw. The both showed me that time and repetition are great teachers when it comes to art, and sticking with something can bring great rewards. I'm sure they are not the only creators here on the Duck that offer such lessons, but they were the ones who inspired me. I tip my hat to them, and offer my gratitude.