What you'll see in this blog:
Some swipes, but not exclusively. When I come across a panel or cover that strikes me as being influenced by another one, or if it simply reminds me of another artist's work, I'll probably post it. It doesn't have to be identical, just have enough elements that give me a sense of déjà vu. It could be a swipe...or a tribute...or an homage that's not so well known...or a coincidence.
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| Excellent example of a recall:Kirby Fantastic Four #45 cover and Buckler panel a la Kirby (Fantastic Four #157) |
Now, as for the fine art of swiping:
In The Great Comic Book Heroes Jules Feiffer wrote: "Good swiping is in itself an art." Certainly in comic books' infancy, due in part to the assembly line nature of production, many artists looked to the comic strip masters such as Caniff, Raymond, Foster, et al., for inspiration and reference. It was a tool of the trade and one that was expected to be used. And it was considered an honor to be "swiped."
And don't forget, swipe files were also used in other media such as magazine advertising--and still are.
So, when did this perception change in comic books and "swipe" became a dirty word? My guess is sometime during the 1960s, when Stan Lee regularly credited the pencilers (and others) in Marvel Comics. All of a sudden in lettercols and fanzines, readers called out pencilers who were swiping a bit too often and blatantly--for example, Dan Adkins's work in 1967's X-Men #34 (one example is below, and also here).
Because pencilers were now looked at as stars in their own right, there was an expectation that these singular, pure and inviolate artistes relied on sheer talent and divine inspiration. Surely they didn't need to use reference--right? Fat chance. Comic book artists--and artists in general--have always been influenced by older and contemporary artists--and likely will continue to be. It's the nature of the beast and a time-honored, valid way of working.
Today homages are the rule!
And as for today's Marvels and DCs, the pendulum has swung. It's rare that a month goes by without some variant cover proudly designated as after Kirby...or Buscema...or Adams...or Swan...or Colan...or Gil Kane or...you get the picture. There are lots of tributes and homages and "afters" around--and the craze for nostalgia shows no signs of abating.
Thanks for stopping by Panelocity--hope you enjoy what you see here!
In The Great Comic Book Heroes Jules Feiffer wrote: "Good swiping is in itself an art." Certainly in comic books' infancy, due in part to the assembly line nature of production, many artists looked to the comic strip masters such as Caniff, Raymond, Foster, et al., for inspiration and reference. It was a tool of the trade and one that was expected to be used. And it was considered an honor to be "swiped."
And don't forget, swipe files were also used in other media such as magazine advertising--and still are.
So, when did this perception change in comic books and "swipe" became a dirty word? My guess is sometime during the 1960s, when Stan Lee regularly credited the pencilers (and others) in Marvel Comics. All of a sudden in lettercols and fanzines, readers called out pencilers who were swiping a bit too often and blatantly--for example, Dan Adkins's work in 1967's X-Men #34 (one example is below, and also here).
Because pencilers were now looked at as stars in their own right, there was an expectation that these singular, pure and inviolate artistes relied on sheer talent and divine inspiration. Surely they didn't need to use reference--right? Fat chance. Comic book artists--and artists in general--have always been influenced by older and contemporary artists--and likely will continue to be. It's the nature of the beast and a time-honored, valid way of working.
Today homages are the rule!
And as for today's Marvels and DCs, the pendulum has swung. It's rare that a month goes by without some variant cover proudly designated as after Kirby...or Buscema...or Adams...or Swan...or Colan...or Gil Kane or...you get the picture. There are lots of tributes and homages and "afters" around--and the craze for nostalgia shows no signs of abating.
Thanks for stopping by Panelocity--hope you enjoy what you see here!
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| 1964: Fantastic Four #31 - Jack Kirby 1967: panel from X-Men #34 - Dan Adkins |
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