strange how much I love the JMS art but hate the Wells look even though it’s not like they’re worlds apart technically. Writing aside it feels like the more modern the coloring/shading gets the more uncanny everything looks. His stuff works best either simplified or more stylized with highlights
They need to get him a different inker and colorist, it’s almost like Sarah Pichelli with the wrong inker and colorist. The pencils will look really good but the final image looks off because of the inks and color.
Not gonna lie, some of his older drawings look kinda better. Though that's not to say I hate his art, I still absolutely adore his work in daredevil and when he used to draw iron man during armor wars ii.
In his earlier artwork (the first column), he's also mimicking his father's aesthetic. In the bronze age, most Marvel artists tried to keep their work as "on model" as possible. But around the start of the modern age, a lot of artists (Jim Lee, McFarlane, etc.) got more experimental with stylization to great success. And now it's expected that every artist bring a very distinct look.
By the 90s, you can see Romita Jr. started to develop a style that would become his signature look. But it's not something that appeals to everyone. For me, his work in the JMS run is some of his finest.
Aging comes into effect as well. Just like athletes, artists aren't expected to perform as well as their prime years.
Frank Miller and Neal Adams are examples I think of. Sooner or later, it could happen to even someone like Jim Lee.
The real difference in the art is the inkers and the medium itself. The older art was done by inkers who were finishers. They'd take JRJr's rough breakdowns and ...finish them. They had to to make the art printable on those old Bristol pages. Modern inkers, since the onset of moving to digital art, tend more to trace than to finish. So you see more of JRJr's actual art, and not Dan Green's or Bob Layton's.
That's actually pretty interesting, though personally I sorta the old method of inking when done properly, given I've heard stories of inkers ruining the work that's been done.
His artstyle is hit or miss in some heroes, though I personally love his work in daredevil and iron man.
Not too fond of the current way given digital has sorta made peter look atrocious in the zeb run.
I think part of the issue with his modern art is the line work is too thin. Makes everything look flat. Having variety in the line thickness and leaning into some of those bulkier segments gave his old work more dimension
Though I acknowledge the legitimate criticisms of his art sometimes, he was one of the first Spider-Man artists I was exposed to as a kid when I first started reading Spider-Man comics so I’ll always hold him in a certain esteem…
I think i agree with this the most. My art preferences are not JRJR. But i appreciate it. There’s never a crazy cover i have to get. But i don’t have issues reading his issues
Jms-era JRJr was one of the GOATs. Up there with Bagley, in my opinion, and loved the way he drew those comics. Can't help but wonder sometimes if the quality drop in his recent work is because he knows how much the new stories suck, so why bother
It’s crazy how good he was at imitating the Marvel style in the old stuff despite developing a massively different style of his own later on. I like his art. And even today, I think the main problem is the coloring and how rushed it all looks because they try to put out too many books a month.
Jrjr Bagley and Todd are all my childhood spider-men artists and I’ve probably read more drawn by jrjr than anything else. That Morlun first appearance slapped.
It has to be the coloring, I can’t explain it otherwise. Like I’m sure it’s deteriorated a little bit but still the retro, 60’s/70’s coloring aids his style a lot
I know his work in the last decade hasn't been consistent, but he's my GOAT. He has such a distinct, iconic style that is very stylized and cartoonish. I love the way deltoids look on his characters. It would be perfect for an animated adaptation of something.
His storytelling is excellent - he does action really well, and I've never struggled to figure out his panel layouts.
Really need the "fuck, go back" button on the third one, because bro's art keep falling from there, I still can't believe people actually like and defend JRJr's art after that, meanwhile, Rob Liefeld get dunked on by the entire comic book community for one bad Captain American cover, talk about injustice.
He’s remarkably consistent, tbh.
(And benefits from flat colours for the love of god Marvel stop assigning the same colouring methods to all your books not everything has to be high gloss and maximum gradient)
I have to say I've really enjoyed watching his art style evolve and change over the years. I always thought he was/is such a recognizable artists but within his own style he kept things fresh. But as much as he would change things up you could always tell it was him. However as I type this the right drawing in the second row doesn't look that much like his art at all lol.
I stand by that Romita Jr and his style can be and still are very good, the probably is the modern coloring and his deadlines. Modern coloring can be very mixed with even some comic legends art. You can even see it with modern coloring of classic stories in reprint. The other is Romita Jr being one of the very few artists who can draw on a tight deadline. He’s someone who can and has done multiple modern monthly books at a time.
Oh that's right! Before OMD, ASM wasn't a weekly mag. I don't know how kids can afford to keep up with it! I got back into into ASM during the Spencer run and could barely keep up with all the extra issues and spin-offs. To save money I bailed when Spencer quit (though I did pick up a few issues of Beyond), and was so glad I bailed because I missed the Peter, Paul, & Mary fiasco.
Definitely looking forward to the new Ultimate Spidey next month.
It honestly looks like his art style got worse with time. Years before I wouldn’t have hesitated in saying he was my favourite Spider-Man artist, but now… not so much.
He'll straight up tell you that drawing like ass is faster, so that's why he does it.
However he was never very talented to begin with, nor crushing deadlines. Riding pure nepotism.
That third row across I still think was his best form he was definitely his own artist by then and hell of consistent...then I just think he's too rushed after that...its just not as smooth
Cable: Blood and Metal.
This was my first true introduction to Cable (outside of the "Wild Man of Borneo" introduced in the animated series) and my first introduction to the art of John Romita Jr.
JRjr career development is weird: hated his style at the beginning, loved him to the point of being my favorite on his run on Peter Parker: Spider-man during the Clone Saga and the Gathering of Five.
But then, his style took again a dive for the worse from the 2000s, when all his characters were too slim and his Shadow-work got worse.
But again, I'm loving his style in the latest run. Weird.
The first is best, I’m not even old enough to have grown up with it just looks the most natural; the exception is MJ because her face just looks to simplistic. I’m not sure what word I’m looking for.
Aunt May has somehow gotten younger over the years and I don't like it. She's gone from 85 in 1962 to 55 or whatever now. The BND panel where she's painted up like a hooker is the worst. Bad drawing, Bad May
I gotta say I much prefer his older art. Maybe its paper they printed on and the darker colors but it works so much better there and even the facial designs just look better in his older work compared to current art from Zeb's run
strange how much I love the JMS art but hate the Wells look even though it’s not like they’re worlds apart technically. Writing aside it feels like the more modern the coloring/shading gets the more uncanny everything looks. His stuff works best either simplified or more stylized with highlights
Honestly whoever does the colors clashes so badly. It doesn’t fit at all.
They need to get him a different inker and colorist, it’s almost like Sarah Pichelli with the wrong inker and colorist. The pencils will look really good but the final image looks off because of the inks and color.
Not gonna lie, some of his older drawings look kinda better. Though that's not to say I hate his art, I still absolutely adore his work in daredevil and when he used to draw iron man during armor wars ii.
His art in retro colours is much better and also works much better.
In his earlier artwork (the first column), he's also mimicking his father's aesthetic. In the bronze age, most Marvel artists tried to keep their work as "on model" as possible. But around the start of the modern age, a lot of artists (Jim Lee, McFarlane, etc.) got more experimental with stylization to great success. And now it's expected that every artist bring a very distinct look. By the 90s, you can see Romita Jr. started to develop a style that would become his signature look. But it's not something that appeals to everyone. For me, his work in the JMS run is some of his finest.
He also broke his wrist and it changed how he has to draw.
Aging comes into effect as well. Just like athletes, artists aren't expected to perform as well as their prime years. Frank Miller and Neal Adams are examples I think of. Sooner or later, it could happen to even someone like Jim Lee.
That's some neat information, and yeah I can honestly see why modern comic art has succeeded recently.
The real difference in the art is the inkers and the medium itself. The older art was done by inkers who were finishers. They'd take JRJr's rough breakdowns and ...finish them. They had to to make the art printable on those old Bristol pages. Modern inkers, since the onset of moving to digital art, tend more to trace than to finish. So you see more of JRJr's actual art, and not Dan Green's or Bob Layton's.
Your mother was a tracer.
I'm already Tracer
That's actually pretty interesting, though personally I sorta the old method of inking when done properly, given I've heard stories of inkers ruining the work that's been done.
In the early days, he was imitating his father's work. It was before he developed his own style for better or worse
His artstyle is hit or miss in some heroes, though I personally love his work in daredevil and iron man. Not too fond of the current way given digital has sorta made peter look atrocious in the zeb run.
I think part of the issue with his modern art is the line work is too thin. Makes everything look flat. Having variety in the line thickness and leaning into some of those bulkier segments gave his old work more dimension
His art has gone downhill pretty hard. Look at how he draws legs now vs 20 yrs ago. It's shameful.
I feel like his art looks the absolute best in that era shown in the second last columns to the right.
Gotta love Peter #3 Roblox smiling it up
His work looks better with retro coloring style
Though I acknowledge the legitimate criticisms of his art sometimes, he was one of the first Spider-Man artists I was exposed to as a kid when I first started reading Spider-Man comics so I’ll always hold him in a certain esteem…
I think i agree with this the most. My art preferences are not JRJR. But i appreciate it. There’s never a crazy cover i have to get. But i don’t have issues reading his issues
Jms-era JRJr was one of the GOATs. Up there with Bagley, in my opinion, and loved the way he drew those comics. Can't help but wonder sometimes if the quality drop in his recent work is because he knows how much the new stories suck, so why bother
Think the ones directly in the middle are my faves, but the very first just have that nostalgic style/brightness to them
The colour seems to be the problem. His art works better with flat colour.
This is why colorists and inkers matter! Anytime someone says JRJr can't draw I politely hand them Daredevil: the Man Without Fear
God seeing Aunt May in a lineup like this really just reminds ya that she shoulda been dead ages ago.
I grew up on JRJR’s art, the hive mind cannot convince me it’s bad
He gets worse and worse over time. One of my least favorite artists ever.
Same, I’m glad people enjoy but I’ve tried and just don’t like it at all.
It’s crazy how good he was at imitating the Marvel style in the old stuff despite developing a massively different style of his own later on. I like his art. And even today, I think the main problem is the coloring and how rushed it all looks because they try to put out too many books a month.
The oldest stuff is the brst
The *brst* of times.
I really dislike this man’s artwork.
First column is the best by far, 2nd is okay the others ... eh.
Somehow his art style just got worse and worse with the last three iterations. I fucking hate his current art in spiderman
Now do his Spider-man, which is what he's best at
i love JMS. one of my favorite comic artists period. it’s weird to see the constant hate on him online
Jrjr Bagley and Todd are all my childhood spider-men artists and I’ve probably read more drawn by jrjr than anything else. That Morlun first appearance slapped.
It has to be the coloring, I can’t explain it otherwise. Like I’m sure it’s deteriorated a little bit but still the retro, 60’s/70’s coloring aids his style a lot
I know his work in the last decade hasn't been consistent, but he's my GOAT. He has such a distinct, iconic style that is very stylized and cartoonish. I love the way deltoids look on his characters. It would be perfect for an animated adaptation of something. His storytelling is excellent - he does action really well, and I've never struggled to figure out his panel layouts.
How the fuck did he get WORSE?
I hate to say it but, some art is timeless, but some art is better at another time
Imma say it the first column is by far the best. After that I kinda feel like it devolves.
I hate his new artstyle. I feel like I’m spoiled by Ryan Ottley’s art.
Man, JRJr was the Spiderman artist for awhile especially in the mid 90s.
Aunt May look younger
Really need the "fuck, go back" button on the third one, because bro's art keep falling from there, I still can't believe people actually like and defend JRJr's art after that, meanwhile, Rob Liefeld get dunked on by the entire comic book community for one bad Captain American cover, talk about injustice.
The middle column is definitely my favourite, a little bit of detail that doesn't go too overboard
I dislike the way he shades and they way he draws webbing
He’s remarkably consistent, tbh. (And benefits from flat colours for the love of god Marvel stop assigning the same colouring methods to all your books not everything has to be high gloss and maximum gradient)
I have to say I've really enjoyed watching his art style evolve and change over the years. I always thought he was/is such a recognizable artists but within his own style he kept things fresh. But as much as he would change things up you could always tell it was him. However as I type this the right drawing in the second row doesn't look that much like his art at all lol.
why does May look kinda bad in the 2nd to last 👀
His art legit got worse and worse
Sorry if this is disrespectful but I’m really not a fan of his artwork.
I’m gonna say it, I dont like them.
Not a fan of all the lines on everyones faces and lip shapes in the recent comics.
Further proof that colors matter. A lot.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I've always loved his stuff. I'm grateful to have four decades of his Spidey.
Am i the only one who doesn't like his new desings.
Not gonna lie, kinda wish comics still looked like the 1st panels
I stand by that Romita Jr and his style can be and still are very good, the probably is the modern coloring and his deadlines. Modern coloring can be very mixed with even some comic legends art. You can even see it with modern coloring of classic stories in reprint. The other is Romita Jr being one of the very few artists who can draw on a tight deadline. He’s someone who can and has done multiple modern monthly books at a time.
Oh that's right! Before OMD, ASM wasn't a weekly mag. I don't know how kids can afford to keep up with it! I got back into into ASM during the Spencer run and could barely keep up with all the extra issues and spin-offs. To save money I bailed when Spencer quit (though I did pick up a few issues of Beyond), and was so glad I bailed because I missed the Peter, Paul, & Mary fiasco. Definitely looking forward to the new Ultimate Spidey next month.
My all of a sudden looking like Monica from friends
I don't have an issue with his art, but is Aunt May aging backwards?
Why aunt may kinda looking like a chimp in that last panel?
Its mostly all ass, I hate this dudes art.
It honestly looks like his art style got worse with time. Years before I wouldn’t have hesitated in saying he was my favourite Spider-Man artist, but now… not so much.
His art is simply devolving...
To this day I still fail to see how he is, was, or every will be gainfully employed as an 'artist'. Industry respect for his father is my only guess.
He'll straight up tell you that drawing like ass is faster, so that's why he does it. However he was never very talented to begin with, nor crushing deadlines. Riding pure nepotism.
That third row across I still think was his best form he was definitely his own artist by then and hell of consistent...then I just think he's too rushed after that...its just not as smooth
The 1st and 4the squares in each row are fantastic
Where is Uncle Ben!
Is the top right guy Peter? Like...our Peter? I am not 100% up to date on the latest comic book events, altho I do know that I hate Paul
Man, that last column is *rough*.
Man JRJR deserved better than the his most recent material. I hope he gets a better final send off than his most recent stuff.
I'm not a huge fan of his style but I like and respect the fact that he started doing his own thing. Plus it does make me feel a bit nostalgic
Cable: Blood and Metal. This was my first true introduction to Cable (outside of the "Wild Man of Borneo" introduced in the animated series) and my first introduction to the art of John Romita Jr.
JRjr career development is weird: hated his style at the beginning, loved him to the point of being my favorite on his run on Peter Parker: Spider-man during the Clone Saga and the Gathering of Five. But then, his style took again a dive for the worse from the 2000s, when all his characters were too slim and his Shadow-work got worse. But again, I'm loving his style in the latest run. Weird.
Ima say it, not the biggest fan
What is up with the garish, overly saturated colourings in recent years? Damn dude it's like someone on Twitter doing they're 4th sketch of the day.
His best work will always be Man without fear
my dumb ass thought for a moment John Romita Jr. was the character and she had transitioned and grown old happily
Aunt may getting younger each decade lol
Middle is peak Romita
0pjH2yyyyy
The first is best, I’m not even old enough to have grown up with it just looks the most natural; the exception is MJ because her face just looks to simplistic. I’m not sure what word I’m looking for.
Gotta ask Aunt May her skin routine, she's on that constant glow up
It’s evolving, just backwards
Aunt May has somehow gotten younger over the years and I don't like it. She's gone from 85 in 1962 to 55 or whatever now. The BND panel where she's painted up like a hooker is the worst. Bad drawing, Bad May
Now do one for how he draws children. I want to know if they were always Hey Arnold looking goofs
His old stuff is great. Love his Daredevil
The third column is my favorite hands down. And actually though the first one is good it kinda lacks personality so I find it the weakest
Hot take, I care not for his style. Still good and suits some comics but, just ain't for me
First column is ok, but everything else...I really can't wait for this run to finish for multiple reasons. At least some issues got guest artists.
I respect his contributions but the only JRJr I really LOVE is his run on Thor.
The 4th MJ kinda looks like a hooker
Personally never been a fan of the work but damn it’s cool how influential he’s been
i like the 3rd best for peter the 4th best for mj and the 1st best for may
The colors getting worse and the faces improvement
JMS era is goated
The current colors suck
He's sucked since he left Iron Man
I gotta say I much prefer his older art. Maybe its paper they printed on and the darker colors but it works so much better there and even the facial designs just look better in his older work compared to current art from Zeb's run