tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post7253278125336305398..comments2024-03-27T20:08:08.593-05:00Comments on A MOMENT OF CEREBUS: Aardvark Comment: Todd Klein (yes, THAT Todd Klein...)A Moment Of Cerebushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718525538144698138noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-83229297419347778462020-07-05T18:46:52.842-05:002020-07-05T18:46:52.842-05:00A Fake: Yeah, "Guys" was brilliant, in ...A Fake: Yeah, "Guys" was brilliant, in so many ways. Squinteye and Pluto arguing "offscreen" was so, so funny.<br /><br />I need to do a reread of "Guys". For a while, a long while, it was unappreciated. But, I think it's the second funniest volume, after "High Society". Lately, thankfully, "Guys" has gained traction. I still need to proofread it, but the remastering has slowed down.<br /><br />And the lettering in "Guys" was non pareil.Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-36068333376120124342020-07-03T21:15:58.821-05:002020-07-03T21:15:58.821-05:00If Todd is still checking the responses here:
Onc...If Todd is still checking the responses here:<br /><br />Once again from GUYS pages: 58 & 59 and 62 & 63.<br /><br />I know he is looking more for lettering and art but these pages are quite clever; you've got some snooty artiste types discussing their work atop a crowd of bar partrons' dialogue and then you've got parody versions of Popeye and Bluto entering the scene for their signing. <br /><br />It's funny and inventive and once again Dave nails the parody versions voices perfectly along with some word balloon acting as well.<br /><br />cheers,<br /><br />A Fake NameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-28155395623463175072020-07-03T09:10:35.318-05:002020-07-03T09:10:35.318-05:00Could we move the "Gerhard Praise/Hate Debate...<br />Could we move the "Gerhard Praise/Hate Debate" somewhere *else* please? THIS comments section was for great examples of Dave Sim lettering.<br /><br />Case in point, Pages 98-99 and 102-103 of Minds, the Magus Doran terrifying speech about Tarim and the BLACK PIT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-91100675461830352992020-07-03T04:50:54.877-05:002020-07-03T04:50:54.877-05:00And, that means exactly what, Damian? If you'r...And, that means exactly what, Damian? If you're once again going after me, then you might want to explain what your comment means.<br /><br />I mean, Hay-Zeus F-word, Damian.<br /><br />Perhaps you don't like Ger. I think that there is a handful of haters who like to hate on genuinely nice guys. I get that. I don't like it, but I understand it.<br /><br />But, Gerhard is quite literally one of the most difficult persons in the world to dislike or hate.<br /><br />So, congratulations, D. You've joined a VERY exclusive club of Gerhard haters. I hope that, when you bring in the booze at your monthly meeting, you don't drink it all by yourself, since no one else showed up.Jeff Seilernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-62131004646263786642020-07-03T02:53:14.436-05:002020-07-03T02:53:14.436-05:00Jesus fuck, Jeff.
Jesus fuck, Jeff.<br />Damian T. Lloyd, Esq.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15423589734839129158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-15801046706014203232020-07-03T01:16:04.015-05:002020-07-03T01:16:04.015-05:00I should have added above, the best sequential com...I should have added above, the best sequential comic book writing was by Dave. Dickens was pretty good at sequential storytelling, but without his own art. I'm told by Dave that Dostoevsky was not exactly an amateur at it, either.Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-20589166806053985592020-07-03T00:59:33.847-05:002020-07-03T00:59:33.847-05:00And, oh btw, b/c this cannot be repeated often eno...And, oh btw, b/c this cannot be repeated often enough (and I will say it or write it OUT LOUD), that other, brilliant, guy who worked diligently on "Cerebus" (in multiple capacities) for 20+ years, is, ALWAYS (no matter where you are or what the occasion is), THE nicest guy in the room. Bar none. Even in bar rooms.<br /><br />He is nice, to a fault, as his equally nice significant other, Shelley, occasionally reminds him.<br /><br />Even when you piss off Ger, by doing something stupid, which I have done on a coupla occasions, he's at the least, polite. "Aw' jeez, Jeff!" is the worst I have received.<br /><br />On non-such occasions, a big smile and hearty and heart-felt handshake and "hey, how ya doin'?" is the usual greeting. Plus, remarkable generosity.<br /><br />If you are an outspoken "Cerebus" fan or a fan of truly remarkable line art and you have not yet met Ger in person, put it, at the very least, on your bucket list. You will walk away two feet off of the ground.<br /><br />He TRULY is *that* great of a guy. Not a Bear kinda Guy, or a Marty kinda Guy, or a Mick or Keef kinda Guy, or a roll-playing kinda Guy, or a Beatles spoof kinda Guy, or any of the others.<br /><br />No, Ger is a stand-up, nice, friendly, ya wanna be best friends with him from day one, forever, kinda guy. When you meet him, if you're lucky, once or twice in a lifetime, you will know that you have been blessed to meet a very special person.<br /><br />His personality buoys you up; his intelligence is wicked smart, but he keeps it in check (unless you engage him enough to entice him to roll it out [or, gently, roll his eyes], and, then, boy, oh boy). His generosity is, in my (admittedly) limited experience with comics pros, nearly unexcelled (although Sim has been remarkably generous to both Ger and me, over the years).<br /><br />And, if you're smart, you'll try to befriend Ger, and, then, you'll try not to piss him off too often as you try to retain him as a friend.<br /><br />Because, kind, polite, nice, gentle, funny, cool (way cool), talented, forgiving friends only come about once or twice in your lifetime. I am blessed to know four such, and there is no ranking of them. Well, sorta, kinda:<br /><br />Ger remains at #3 on my list behind #1, Dave Sim, and #2, Paul Chara. But, they're neck-and-neck.<br /><br />If you ever have a chance to meet Ger at a convention, or wherever, Dan't pass it up. You get to meet and greet for free, you get nice conversation, and you always get an autograph (and maybe a sketch) for free.<br /><br />Okay, this is me (not shilling for Ger, because I don't get even a ha'penny, let alone a shilling), signing off.Jeff Seilernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-19828278787630056552020-07-02T23:38:56.573-05:002020-07-02T23:38:56.573-05:00James H-L: Yes, absolutely. The entire 6,000 and s...James H-L: Yes, absolutely. The entire 6,000 and some-odd pages are all well-worth reading because it is (as many people who don't hate Dave, and even some who do, have written):<br /><br />It is *the* best example of a story well-told by sequential writing and art. By *one* guy.<br /><br />Oh, yeah, and the other, brilliant, guy. AND, if you pay very close attention, you'll find out how the other, brilliant, guy not only sorta made a name for himself in the comics field as *the* best at what he did and still does, but also was very good at sneaking in stuff in the backgrounds that even Dave didn't catch.<br /><br />But, I did. Some of them. Most of them.<br /><br />Although, the sneaky, brilliant, guy might disagree with me on that, to some extent.Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-81417500319435639902020-07-02T18:09:36.796-05:002020-07-02T18:09:36.796-05:00Sadly I'm between homes, resulting in my Cereb...Sadly I'm between homes, resulting in my Cerebus collection currently being in boxes. I think that a page that also featured Dave's characters and Gerhard's backgrounds would be the most beneficial, and perhaps something from later in the series. I imagine Todd's book is going to have significant reach, and it would be nice if the examples of Cerebus included reassured the reader that:<br /><br />1.) the art is incredible.<br />2.) you are looking at one of the greatest letterers the medium has ever known.<br />3.) it's worth reading the book past Church & State, because the whole damn thing is amazing.<br /><br />For this reason, I'd recommend any two pages (throw a dart, as was suggested in the post) from Guys or The Last Day.James Hunsdale-Lohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-3048772230246980422020-07-02T06:18:37.757-05:002020-07-02T06:18:37.757-05:00How about some of the "Going Home" Maury...How about some of the "Going Home" Maury Noble monologue pages, like pages 253 and 262? <br /><br />Also, page 345 for the "Aphloo!" "Honk" "Dumbuddy! Gad Derebud Ged adudder bed sheed ub eer SNIFFF Pleeade!"<br /><br />Regards,<br />JVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-34671878768024433212020-07-01T23:12:51.518-05:002020-07-01T23:12:51.518-05:00This was difficult, and these are more than two pa...<br />This was difficult, and these are more than two pages but I think each offer some stunning lettering and page composition to consider:<br /><br />GUYS page 304. Different parts of Cerebus mind quarreling with drunk "scodge" Cerebus.<br /><br />GUYS pages 312-313 for more of this.<br /><br />GUYS page 324, Cerebus ruminates on Bear while shoveling snow.<br /><br />GUYS page 329, "...no sleeping with ugly women..." that someone mentioned above.<br /><br />RICK'S STORY pages 148-149 Cerebus contemplating the Black Pit, drunken and crazy thoughts going back and forth.<br /><br />In each of the above Dave manages to depict a mind breaking down, struggling with itself in very inventive ways, from the shapes and actions of the balloons and the way the words and letters shift within, a tour de force of comics lettering and balloon placement. Stylized lettering not just as different voices from one character but the words/balloons doing the acting as well. <br /><br />I'd never seen lettering like this before, and haven't seen it since. <br /><br />A quick skim through some of these pages and the examples listed above and Dave could easily have an entire chapter (perhaps even a small book) dedicated just to his lettering skill!<br /><br />Any of the above pages are my picks and if Mr. Klein doesn't select any of them, at least he'll see more examples of Dave Sim's talent and skill at work.<br /><br />cheers,<br /><br />A Fake Name<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-44964227220946285612020-07-01T14:39:45.467-05:002020-07-01T14:39:45.467-05:00I would say any page featuring Mrs. Snatcher. The ...I would say any page featuring Mrs. Snatcher. The way Dave lettered her speech absolutely *nailed* Thatcher's actual tones and inflections. The absolute height of his genius. The hopping up 100 (or however many) steps in pitch black pages were brilliant.<br /><br />Also, when Cerebus meets Prince Mick & Prince Keef on the mountainside with all of the carved "demon 'eads an' skuws" and offers to give them all of his gold and Keefer from inside the carriage says,"Oy should like to boy drogs wi' moy 'alf."<br /><br />My two cents' worth.Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-29039607363829092872020-07-01T14:22:51.496-05:002020-07-01T14:22:51.496-05:00No input on the lettering, but I'm experiencin...No input on the lettering, but I'm experiencing quite a coincidence; I'm up to the "Os" in my great comic collection reread. I'm about to finish "Omaha the Cat Dancer," and up next are the two issues I happen to own of DC's "Omega Men" from 1985, written by - wait for it - one Todd Klein!<br /><br />Comic Art Metaphysics, anyone?Tony Dunlopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-10717762675120911372020-07-01T13:55:40.386-05:002020-07-01T13:55:40.386-05:00Another one I love is Guys page 304, with the thou...Another one I love is Guys page 304, with the thought balloon 'Drung Cerbiss' having his OWN thought balloons and fighting against Cerebus' other thoughts.<br /><br />But Seriously, as stated above, Last Day page 71. Wow. <br /><br />Regards,<br />JVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-7061795914482851912020-07-01T13:24:52.632-05:002020-07-01T13:24:52.632-05:00Some great suggestions here. Hard to limit them to...Some great suggestions here. Hard to limit them to two! My suggestion: Rick's Story, pg 101 (lettering in through and around a beer glass - a great visual representation of drunkeness). I also second the suggestion for 'rain hitting the window' lettering from The Last Day (pg. 71 especially)Jason Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-71944812938559172242020-07-01T12:29:57.227-05:002020-07-01T12:29:57.227-05:00I second all those choices (and actually included ...I second all those choices (and actually included the sequence from the darkened sanctuary in my most recent comics lecture, specifically about the function of panels in storytelling). I'd also add the prayer sequence from "The Last Day", with the rain falling on the window. Genius.Dave Koppermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09292071349686573917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-27435096923860403192020-07-01T09:08:27.043-05:002020-07-01T09:08:27.043-05:00Thanks for the suggestions, all, keep them coming....Thanks for the suggestions, all, keep them coming. Page 106 of Latter Days is my favorite so far. The all black lettering-only pages are great, but I would prefer examples that include art. And I agree that the Eisner homage pages are impressive, but I'm looking for a variety of styles and for something that's more essentially Dave.Todd Kleinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11566021434534304390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-91006715873130786042020-07-01T08:14:56.529-05:002020-07-01T08:14:56.529-05:00Also, "she had an -eyebrow- and a --Mustache-...<br />Also, "she had an -eyebrow- and a --Mustache--" and "She's a (|)SLUT" somewhere at the end of Guys. It's hard to pick a page, genius is sprinkled everywhere. Like someone mentioned, all the mimic lettering in Guys is also pretty awesome - except for Rick Veitch's which he did himself!<br /><br />Regards,<br />JVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-40542900854187374402020-07-01T07:18:14.977-05:002020-07-01T07:18:14.977-05:00Wuffa wuffa wuffa, from issue 44.Wuffa wuffa wuffa, from issue 44.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-18551590224882683262020-06-30T23:14:20.931-05:002020-06-30T23:14:20.931-05:00---This is the most excited I've been about a ...---This is the most excited I've been about a post on AMOC in a long time! I'm going to have to pull out my copy of Rick's Story (or maybe Guys) to find the image I'm thinking of. In the meantime, when I think of letterers, besides Dave Sim and Todd Klein, Tom Orzechowski comes to mind, same with John Workman and that could be it aside from Ben Oda. And the him not because I can think of his lettering off hand but just because I saw his credits on so many comics over the years though no insult is intended, I'm sure some would say lettering should be nondescript.<br /><br />---Dave Sim's genius shone in his lettering, particularly in the 2nd half of Cerebus. It was great before, but became classic in Guys/Ricks Story and of course, the all black stairway scene above.<br /><br />---While examples above are good, I'd not do Dave's take on Eisner. That book has its own reputation, this should be some work from Dave's magnum opus. On top of that, while a powerful recreation; it's just that, Cerebus is original and Dave's work on it stunning and visionary.<br /><br />cheers,<br /><br />A Fake NameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-69685395189803368192020-06-30T22:57:35.499-05:002020-06-30T22:57:35.499-05:00Not sure if Mr. Klein wishes to include this excer...Not sure if Mr. Klein wishes to include this excerpt anywhere from Dave's GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING: <br /><br />"One of the most common mistakes I see in the samples that are sent to me, or which artists show me at signings and conventions, involves layout and lettering. Put very simply, nothing looks more amateurish than lettering which butts up against the border of a word balloon or a caption. Usually this is a result of putting the word balloons in after the pencilling stage and the lettering after the word balloons. The lettering can’t “breathe” that way, and the result is storytelling that is very hard on the eyes.<br /><br />It is for this reason that I recommend that everything be put on the page at the outset; you have to do very light pencil roughs of the drawings, you have to letter the dialogue and captions approximately the size that they are going to be in the finished work, and you have to put in the balloons and the caption boxes making sure to leave space between the lettering and the balloons or caption boxes — the more space the better....<br /><br />This became such a recurrent problem and the cartoonists who were sending me their work usually ignored what I was saying so what I did, starting very recently, was to shoot a photocopy of one of the pages from their book, whiting out the lettering, then shooting an 80% photocopy of the same page and cutting out the lettering and pasting it into place to show them the difference that a halo of white space between the lettering and the word balloon could make."Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831826350149920878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-19281181806861232092020-06-30T22:38:07.268-05:002020-06-30T22:38:07.268-05:00
I vote Guys page 328 and Latter Days page 106.
R...<br />I vote Guys page 328 and Latter Days page 106.<br /><br />Regards,<br />JVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-81201819028614453882020-06-30T21:24:12.029-05:002020-06-30T21:24:12.029-05:00Pages 8 and 9 of Book 11 (Guys).Pages 8 and 9 of Book 11 (Guys).Steve Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12232445285396967390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-34148689248417876512020-06-30T21:23:30.984-05:002020-06-30T21:23:30.984-05:00Dave's comment and Todd's agreement about ...Dave's comment and Todd's agreement about the Nemo lettering makes me laugh. I once posted a comment, either on the really old Comics Journal messageboard or to a TCJ.com article with a similar dim view of McKay's seemingly careless approach to lettering. For me, it makes reading that strip at anything less than Maresca-size very difficult. It's still annoying in supersize mode. The replies, including one from Jeet Heer IIRC, basically disagreed with me completely, claiming that the lettering made perfect artistic sense and wasn't a problem at all. It's not a suprise to see Dave take the view that he takes; it's refreshing to see Klein agree.Michael Grabowskinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-86753121610315902752020-06-30T20:58:51.018-05:002020-06-30T20:58:51.018-05:00I agree on the 'WHOA' page; one of the one...I agree on the 'WHOA' page; one of the ones that made me laugh out loud and 'showed while telling', which is unusual for most (almost all?) comicbooks. For variety of styles or speaking, any Thatcher/Harrison/Richard page for intonations or barkeep-Cerebus arguing with himself (especially in Rick's Story). The opening pages of Pluto and Squinteye I like, but more for mimicry recognition, as are many of the other possible choices in Guys. The sermon pages from Minds (Jupiter) ... so many possibilities. OH! And the Thud Thud Thud rain page from The Last Day. Depends on how Mr. Klein wants to fit it to the text: stylistic tendencies vs innovations. Delwyn Klassennoreply@blogger.com