I'm posting it here on a separate thread so the discussion of X-FACTOR #3 can remain focused on that issue rather than going off the rails.
The report is correct: Issue #4 of X-FACTOR will be Ryan's last. This is entirely his decision. Andy and I would love for him to stay on, and Ryan reportedly loves the book, but he has taken himself off it because--I presume, since I haven't spoken to him--the monthly schedule is just too problematic for him. He is, however, going to be continuing doing the covers.
Dennis Calero, who I think is doing an excellent job, will be doing issues 5 and 6, and Ariel Olivetti is doing issue 7 (the one that addresses the death of Banshee.) An announcement of an artist beyond that point would be premature, although Andy is considering several possibilities, all of whom I believe would be great for the series.
As for Ryan, it was far too short an association for my taste, and I'm certainly hoping to work with him again.
PAD
Posted by Peter David at February 4, 2006 01:11 PM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingA changing of artists so frequently so early in a run isn't good at all, but your writing will more than make up for it, PAD.
So, I'm not too concerned about it.
As long as it doesn't look like that New Mangaverse, or those Mary Jane comics. Or X-Statix. :)
A monthly schedule is grueling for many artists. I honestly don't know all that many who can do it without a somewhat lengthy lead time. If you're looking for a penciller beyond #7, please bear a certain someone in mind...
Is Larry Stroman available?
And I'm not worried about the artist leaving effecting the book. Nowadays, most artists only stick around for an arc, and then they're gone. So as long as Peter keeps writing, it's all good
Sad to hear Mr Sook leave.
Wonder who the new penciller will be...
Mr. David, maybe you can work with Ryan Sook on a limited series, so most of the work can be completed before the first issue goes to press. That would seem to be the best choice, until or unless his speed increases.
> Is Larry Stroman available?
Nononononononononopleasegodno...
A great shame. I've read a few criticisms of Ryan Sook's artwork on X-Factor and I've got to admit I haven't understood any of them. He's been the perfect compliment to PAD's scripting and I'll be sorry to see him move on.
I'd love to see Larry Stroman return, personally. I have nothing but pleasant memories of the PAD/Stroman X-Factor days, even upon re-reading... whereas the X-men runs that started at the same time did not age well.
Pablo Raimondi could be a nice fit as well. His work on Madrox was gorgeous.
Awwww Peter, is the death of Banshee new news? Curses.... spoiled again!!!
1 That is really to bad. I think his art was fantastic! I hope he can do some random issues here and there. Kano from Gotham Central would be a good artist.
As for the BANSHEE spoiler, that does suck when you don't know...but if you aren't reading X-men Genensis than you probabaly would have never known for many months cause the X-books aren't acknowledging a lot that goes on in the other books. It's good to see that this book will. The Spoiler would be (confirmed death 2 weeks old...old presumed dead 2 months.) so it's a innocent mistake. What is Siryns relationship to Banshee? I thought she started out as his niece...but was she then his daughter? Or am I completly wrong? I'll miss Sook though.
As for the BANSHEE spoiler, that does suck when you don't know.
Well, I tried to hint at it, but in the end, Diana wasn't taking the bait, so I had to outright say it.
Sorry if it bothered anybody, but the last time I tried to hide a spoiler using html and whatnot, it didn't work.
I am sorry to see Sook go from this book. I have really grown to enjoy Sook's artwork these past few years. As for his replacement, how about Gene Colan?
Please keep Calero off the book. I find his work inconsistent and sloppy, to be frank. Sook can hold my interest, even in a relatively empty panel. Calero's minimalist panels just look...empty. I don't think he renders action well, either. What he *has* done well is render a noirish tone consistently, but I just don't think his art is suitable for the book. It's ugly.
I had to be honest. I'm a fangirl, and his art is frankly taking away from my enjoyment of the book.
I LOVED Larry Stroman's work on the Peter's original X-Factor run: his action was unparalleled! I've never seen Quicksilver's run look zippier, nor Havok's blast more devastating.
I would be thrilled to see him return. My only complain would be Stroman's timeliness. With the exception of the initial story arc, a guest penciller was needed every 2 issues. I'm willing to bet that this was part of the reason he was replaced.
Get Patrick Zircher. His artwork can adapt to any style, depending on the type of story. Plus, he's already working for Marvel.
Well, that sucks. Ryan was the best artist you had worked with since your original run on Hulk. He'll be missed.
I respect Ryan’s integrity more than his artwork. Rather than let this title slip in a sporadic monthly schedule he is forgoing a regular monthly paycheck on a hot book because of his principles. That a class move in my book.
Sweet, the fact that you'll be addressing Banshee's death from the pages of X-Men Deadly Genesis means he'll actually be staying dead! Woohoo! As a writer is it hard to write a mornful toned issue about a character who is the butt of so many jokes?
I honestly don't remember fill ins on the PAD/Stroman run.. I'll have to go back and re-read them again.
However, I think that Larry left due to the explosion of new books that was happening at Image.. specifically, for his book Tribe.
That really sucks. You know, sometimes I don't know why I bother to read a regular monthly series anymore. I should just stick to limited series. It seems like more and more there is no consistency with artists. I was really really excited to have a top notch artist along for the ride with one of my favorite writers. Who knows who will eventually replace Sook. They certainly have big shoes to fill. There aren't many illustrators who can capture that much depth of emotion with body language and facial expressions that Sook does so seemingly effortlessly. And even if the script is brilliant, the book still suffers with an artist incapable of those nuances. Some suggestions? Leonard Kirk. ChrissCross. Jae Lee. Though I'm not sure how well they could capture that dark and moody film noir texture (Lee could definitely do it). It's a damn shame.
Hey PAD a question if you may. I can see that the mutants have split into two camps. One camp thinks "Oh thank God I'm human again!" The other camp like Rictor. "Oh I've lost my powers what am I to do?" Well questions. Are there Ex-mutants (for lack of better term) trying to recrete their powers? Like go to Mr. Sinister or High Evolutionary and recreate their powers or reasonable fascimiles there of? Or heck why aren't MGH sales up? It seems to be made of different materials. Heck they used the third Spider-Woman (mattie franklin)'s d.n.a. to make MGH and her powers came from some weird magical ceremony? So you think you'll ever have Rictor get hooked on MGH or make a faustian deal with a mad scientist to become well not a mutant but a meta-human/paranormal?
David Zevad
>>A monthly schedule is grueling for many artists. I honestly don't know all that many who can do it without a somewhat lengthy lead time.
"Lead time"? Intriguing . . . You mean, like, scheduling a series at least 6 months ahead of publication so the artists will have enough time to complete their work even if something unexpected happens (such as, I dunno, getting a late start due to prior commitments)? Like, not soliciting a series until at least 4 issues are completely finished?
Whoa . . . "Lead time". Wow -- what a concept! I recommend the publishers start using it immediately!
Mr. David,
Sad to see Sook go, but I do hate fill ins. Please, please consider Karl Moline. (Then Michael Gaydos.)
Thanks.
Hey Peter,
I haveta say this is dissapointing news. X-factor is my new favorite book, and to see one of the key elements leave so quickly really bothers me as a fan. Why is it that books like The Ultimates and Astonishing X-men can come out whenever they feel like, but your book gets the shaft with fill in artists just to keep a schedule. I'd rather see this book late and done right, than push out some crappy art just to keep it on time. I'll read the book no matter what, but i would've like to see some consistancy.
That Sooks! (I loved that gag in the letters page of issue #3.)
How about Lee Weeks as a replacement?
Well, that's a big shame. I loved Sook's work on the title. Honestly, his art looked a lot more appealing to me than Calero's, although I suspect it's partly because I thought the cross-hatch, heavy-black inking style on Calero's art so far was offputting. With the extra black areas and the heavier lines, it just seemed too dark. Calero pencils with the smooth inking style used on Sook's work so far might jive better, at least in my personal taste.
I haven't read comics in general in a long time, so I don't know who else is out there. Pablo Raimondi's work on the Madrox mini-series was great, although Madrox seemed older in his rendering. Regardless, here's hoping for a great regular artist past issue #7, and keep up the great writing!
Steve Lieber.
Sean Phillips.
Just a couple of names that would fit a noirish series...
Paul
When Rob mentioned Stroman, I was thinking, "They can't mean THAT guy..." "Somebody"'s "nonononono..." etc. reaction indicated that he apparently DID mean that guy.
Stroman's art was the reason I didn't read PAD's X-Factor the first time around. These days, I wouldn't make the same mistake of letting dislike of a penciler's art keep me from reading the work of an author I really like; but at the time, I was really put off by what I saw of X-Factor's art. I dug up the Stroman issue of X-Factor I do actually own (not the only one at which I looked), to confirm that he was the penciler I was thinking of. He's not quite as bad as I remembered; I do see signs of artistry in certain panels. Still and overall, in my personal opinion - yuck. No offense to the guy, but I'd be one of the ones who wouldn't be happy to see Stroman's pencils show up.
How come nobody is mentioning the inker, Wade Von Grawbadger? I'm pretty sure he is a big, big part of what makes Sook's pencils look so shadowy-noirish. At least, such I remember from his long working relationship with Stuart Immonen, for instance. I hope he'll stay around. Pencilers are one thing, but inkers make or break the book, if both penciler and inker are worth their salt and know what they're meant to be doing :)
Luke, I didn't like Stroman for the first couple of issues I read with his stuff, but believe me he grows on you. If anything, he is consistently fresh, never reusing the same tired poses. Go back and look at his facial expressions as well: priceless.
what about Kevin Maguire pencilling the series? To me he would be great from what I have read of the first three issues. His nack for facial features would really make this book better (if that is possible) It is already more than I expected and then some. It is in my top ten pull list.
what about Kevin Maguire pencilling the series? To me he would be great from what I have read of the first three issues. His nack for facial features would really make this book better (if that is possible) It is already more than I expected and then some. It is in my top ten pull list.
Would be cool if Dennis Calero stays as the regular artist , I really enjoyed his fill-ins so far!
I wouldn't mind seeing Larry Stroman return to the title though!
Cast another vote for Kevin Maguire! He would be perfect! Those facial expressions and hand gestrues just make every line pop.
Ohh..Lieber...Lieber would be great! And he's so completely underated!
Doug H.: Great suggestion on Weeks! I loved his DAREDEVIL work from the early 90s. And from what I've seen of his recent work, he's still got "it". Like you, I think he'd be a great fit for this new X-FACTOR. (Hey! Marvel! You hearing this??)
I concur. I think Stroman and Weeks are great and all, but I'd like to cast my vote for Calero to continue. It provides continuity to the book and all these other suggestions sound a lot like when people say Lucy Lawless should play Wonder Woman, very short sighted. His issue 3 pages are much better than 2, and I have a feeling it has something to do with time.
Cout another vote for Maguire.
I always want to read a PAD/Maguire comic.
I'd like to cast my vote for jesus christ since that's aboutas likely as mcguire, stroman or sciencewicz
That's really depressing that Sook is leaving so soon. I would love to see Sean Phillips or Marcelo Frusin take over the art duties.
Larry Stroman was the bomb. He was the artist that put this X-Factor on the map in the first place. The return of Stroman to Marvel with Peter David on X-Factor would send sales through the roof. I loved their first run.
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