tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19387347.post7900322123845360779..comments2024-03-19T06:14:23.325-04:00Comments on Kleefeld on Comics: Bizenghast, Vol. 4Sean Kleefeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10492399469370737192noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19387347.post-22359014084701765012008-01-06T16:09:00.000-05:002008-01-06T16:09:00.000-05:00Admittedly, LeGrow's drawing skills themselves are...Admittedly, LeGrow's drawing skills themselves aren't on par with any of a number of notable comic book artists. Indeed, I noted several instances in Vol. 4 where her renderings looked rushed and almost sloppy in places.<BR/><BR/>But I chose the word "illustration" deliberately, over "drawing" or "linework" or whatever. Even if the drawings aren't technically accurate, they have a style that conveys the attitude of the story. It's much like looking at fashion design drawings -- they, too, are often technically inaccurate with "far too fussy and detailed" linework, but they convey an impression of the end work that relies more heavily on emotion and feeling than intellect. <BR/><BR/>That's what I'm responding to in Bizenghast.<BR/><BR/>And, hey, George K -- thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate hearing from folks who are willing to slog through something I write.Sean Kleefeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492399469370737192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19387347.post-52168825194461364942008-01-06T10:12:00.000-05:002008-01-06T10:12:00.000-05:00I'm surprised you consider the illustration this s...I'm surprised you consider the illustration this series' greatest strength. I've only read the first volume, so it may have improved, but I found the art very weak.<BR/><BR/>While there's a lot of variety in design, and some of the costumes are lavish, the abundance of detail is used to disguise the lack of basic drawing skill. It's not remotely accurate enough to be considered realistic, but far too fussy and detailed to be considered cartoony. Every so often there will be an image that shows some effort has gone into making it accurate, but this simply shows up how poor the rest of it is. The inking is also poor, with little to no variation, causing all the shapes to run together into a spidery scribble in the more detailed images.<BR/><BR/>But the real problem I had with the first volume is that it reads like a video game being played by someone else. Our heroes have a series of puzzles; when they have completed a certain number, they get a power up and start new puzzles. Everything beyond this is barely sketched in, mere window dressing for the adventure.<BR/><BR/>I wanted to like this, but although it has a lot to like in it, it is nowhere near professional quality in either writing or art.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19387347.post-13563844389409691232008-01-03T20:18:00.000-05:002008-01-03T20:18:00.000-05:00Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year 2008!I st...Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year 2008!<BR/><BR/>I stumbled across your FFPlaze site just minutes ago and read the details about it still being kept on (if not updated) for research etc. I love that you are willing to do that. I collect no comics except the FF and basically for the same reason you point out in your explanation page.<BR/><BR/>Im bookmarking this blog and will read it when I can. <BR/><BR/>FF4ever<BR/>George K<BR/>CanadaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com