Comments on: Bad coloring http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:29:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: STWALLSKULL » INTERESTING LINKS: The Professional Monkey Man: October 7th, 2008 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2436153 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:55:42 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2436153 [...] Bad coloring from THE BEAT [...] […] Bad coloring from THE BEAT […]

]]> by: Steve Taylor http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2420962 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:39:47 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2420962 One gets the impression that what we are seeing are people who are still learning their craft. That is the state that they will be stuck in for quite a while as the various softwares created for computer coloring are constantly updated and must therefore, to a certain extent, be constantly re-learned. There is also the "Too Many Choices" phenomenon. Old style coloring was limited. Computerized coloring is limitless. The plethora of options available and the ability to travel down unexplored paths leads the artists into experiments that, some times, don't work. One gets the impression that what we are seeing are people who are still learning their craft. That is the state that they will be stuck in for quite a while as the various softwares created for computer coloring are constantly updated and must therefore, to a certain extent, be constantly re-learned. There is also the “Too Many Choices” phenomenon. Old style coloring was limited. Computerized coloring is limitless. The plethora of options available and the ability to travel down unexplored paths leads the artists into experiments that, some times, don’t work.

]]> by: Itomi http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2418449 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:44:46 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2418449 >>> ericshanower Indeed, you're right, "Je parie que tu n’arrives pas” means something like “I bet you can’t come” (Not a sexual meaning) But in the comics, the bald man says "Je parie que tu n'y arrives pas” and the "y" changes the meaning to “I bet you won't be able to do it" and thus “I bet you can’t handle her" is a quite good traduction. >>> ericshanower
Indeed, you’re right, “Je parie que tu n’arrives pas” means something like “I bet you can’t come” (Not a sexual meaning)
But in the comics, the bald man says “Je parie que tu n’y arrives pas” and the “y” changes the meaning to “I bet you won’t be able to do it” and thus “I bet you can’t handle her” is a quite good traduction.

]]> by: Scratchie http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413926 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:20:40 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413926 Others have pointed out that DC/Humanoids used the same colorist, and coloring style, in the Moebius Incal volumes. I think it looks about as bad as the example here; especially the first few episodes of the story, where the coloring is so dark that you can barely see what's going on. Others have pointed out that DC/Humanoids used the same colorist, and coloring style, in the Moebius Incal volumes. I think it looks about as bad as the example here; especially the first few episodes of the story, where the coloring is so dark that you can barely see what’s going on.

]]> by: Fred http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413456 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:58:30 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413456 "Doesn’t “Je parie que tu n’arrives pas” mean “I bet you can’t come”? Not “Bet you can’t handle her.” Or do I just fail to understand the idiom? " Well, "J'arrive" is often used to indicate an orgasm, so your translation is likely accurate but doesn't make much sense as a direct translation. It would need a slight retouch to make it make more sense, but the way they chose to go isn't completely horrible. I haven't purchased a single Humanoids book published in America because way back when the books were first appearing I keep hearing people complain about things that were changed and incorrect translations because they had read the French language versions. I'm happy to know I was justified in not spending my money on revisionist crap. “Doesn’t “Je parie que tu n’arrives pas” mean “I bet you can’t come”? Not “Bet you can’t handle her.” Or do I just fail to understand the idiom? ”

Well, “J’arrive” is often used to indicate an orgasm, so your translation is likely accurate but doesn’t make much sense as a direct translation. It would need a slight retouch to make it make more sense, but the way they chose to go isn’t completely horrible.

I haven’t purchased a single Humanoids book published in America because way back when the books were first appearing I keep hearing people complain about things that were changed and incorrect translations because they had read the French language versions. I’m happy to know I was justified in not spending my money on revisionist crap.

]]> by: RCheli http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413079 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:09:39 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2413079 The thing I dislike about most of the modern coloring is that they add shadows where no shadowing should be. They don't seem to understand lighting and shadowing and whatnot. The pencillers and inkers do (at least more than the colorists) -- why shouldn't they follow what they do? The thing I dislike about most of the modern coloring is that they add shadows where no shadowing should be. They don’t seem to understand lighting and shadowing and whatnot. The pencillers and inkers do (at least more than the colorists) — why shouldn’t they follow what they do?

]]> by: Joel Bryan http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412631 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:13:27 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412631 Thank you for this! This overly-modelled computer coloring has been bugging the hell out of me for years now. It totally obliterates the linework. If that's the artist's intent, then great. It's like Corben's old airbrush stuff. But if it starts out with carefully-chosen black spotting and line weights based on more open areas for large blocks of subtle color, spewing hues all over it just destroys its aesthetics. I also think whenever Marvel or DC or somebody puts out an "archive" reprint of older stuff they need to tone down the garishness. What worked on cheap newsprint 30 or 40 years ago just doesn't on pristine white, glossy paper. It looks oversaturated and carnival-esque. And if they decide to "update" it with a lot of color rendered shadows and the like, as Neal Adams did with his Batman books... yikes! The worst example was the number done on some reprints of Jack Kirby's 40's work... I forget from what company... where they computer airbrushed musculature onto some of the figures. It totally clashes with the antiquated art and even if it didn't, it would have still looked poorly done. On old Kirby, it was a nightmare. And the example in this article is just ludicrously bad. They've totally wrecked the art. This isn't Ted Turner colorizing "The Maltese Falcon," this is Ted Turner computer-superimposing the Muppets and Diet Coke commercials onto it. Thank you for this! This overly-modelled computer coloring has been bugging the hell out of me for years now. It totally obliterates the linework. If that’s the artist’s intent, then great. It’s like Corben’s old airbrush stuff. But if it starts out with carefully-chosen black spotting and line weights based on more open areas for large blocks of subtle color, spewing hues all over it just destroys its aesthetics.

I also think whenever Marvel or DC or somebody puts out an “archive” reprint of older stuff they need to tone down the garishness. What worked on cheap newsprint 30 or 40 years ago just doesn’t on pristine white, glossy paper. It looks oversaturated and carnival-esque. And if they decide to “update” it with a lot of color rendered shadows and the like, as Neal Adams did with his Batman books… yikes!

The worst example was the number done on some reprints of Jack Kirby’s 40’s work… I forget from what company… where they computer airbrushed musculature onto some of the figures. It totally clashes with the antiquated art and even if it didn’t, it would have still looked poorly done. On old Kirby, it was a nightmare.

And the example in this article is just ludicrously bad. They’ve totally wrecked the art. This isn’t Ted Turner colorizing “The Maltese Falcon,” this is Ted Turner computer-superimposing the Muppets and Diet Coke commercials onto it.

]]> by: bov http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412444 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:07:45 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412444 Dire Dire

]]> by: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Oct. 3, 2008: I am the shambling dead http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412124 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:53:15 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2412124 [...] “While computerized ‘modelled’ coloring is the standard for today’s comics, it’s basically like giving a loaded revolver to a chimpanzee, as it so changes the underlying character of the art.” - Heidi MacDonald [...] […] “While computerized ‘modelled’ coloring is the standard for today’s comics, it’s basically like giving a loaded revolver to a chimpanzee, as it so changes the underlying character of the art.” - Heidi MacDonald […]

]]> by: chip mosher http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410944 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:16:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410944 it would be interesting to know what assets they had to start with to do the reprint... Beyond the censoring, I would hazard to guess that they might have had to use scans of the comic...Which might have lead them down this path of coloring... And it looks like the line art has been re-built. Not to excuse it, but just a reason. it would be interesting to know what assets they had to start with to do the reprint… Beyond the censoring, I would hazard to guess that they might have had to use scans of the comic…Which might have lead them down this path of coloring… And it looks like the line art has been re-built. Not to excuse it, but just a reason.

]]> by: Diego Jourdan http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410686 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:29:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410686 I totally agree the original INCAL's flat colouring suited the art and story far better than the Beltran "remake", although Jodorowski seems fond of working with him... I totally agree the original INCAL’s flat colouring suited the art and story far better than the Beltran “remake”, although Jodorowski seems fond of working with him…

]]> by: JC http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410165 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:43:10 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410165 I've always thought that Carlos Ezquerra was the best computer colorist: http://www.internet.ad/ezquerra/JudgeDredd.html Since Carlos colors his own artwork there's no doubt that the color is as he intended. Alot of modern computer coloring tends to overpower the inking so much that the original art seems to be suffocating. I’ve always thought that Carlos Ezquerra was the best computer colorist:

http://www.internet.ad/ezquerra/JudgeDredd.html

Since Carlos colors his own artwork there’s no doubt that the color is as he intended. Alot of modern computer coloring tends to overpower the inking so much that the original art seems to be suffocating.

]]> by: Dee http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410034 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:22:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2410034 I've never been a big fan of the "modelled" computer painting style. Let's clone a few Marie Severins & Tatjana Woods! I’ve never been a big fan of the “modelled” computer painting style. Let’s clone a few Marie Severins & Tatjana Woods!

]]> by: Stephen Christy http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409956 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:06:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409956 Definitely not a mistake we're going to be making at DDP when we start publishing the Humanoids material... Definitely not a mistake we’re going to be making at DDP when we start publishing the Humanoids material…

]]> by: ejulp http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409291 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:12:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409291 Can't they just restore the coloring without actually re-choosing and re-coloring it? Why the hell would they cover up all those delicious lines...this is sorta reminiscent of why i never picked up the Kirby reprints from Image...they got the colors completely wrong. Can’t they just restore the coloring without actually re-choosing and re-coloring it? Why the hell would they cover up all those delicious lines…this is sorta reminiscent of why i never picked up the Kirby reprints from Image…they got the colors completely wrong.

]]> by: Ed Howard http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409172 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:49:41 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2409172 Wow, that's horrendous. Interestingly, Valerie Beltran also colored the DC/Humanoids edition of Jodorowsky & Moebius' series The Incal, and her color is mostly OK there. Not as beautiful as the colors I've seen on Moebius stories where the colors aren't redone, but decent. Not distracting, which is usually the best you can hope for with revisions like that. And the nudity is mostly left in, as far as I can tell. There's one scene where the colorist makes an utterly half-assed attempt to draw a top on a girl who's obviously supposed to be naked, but otherwise there's plenty of untouched nudity -- the character Animah NEVER puts any clothes on. Of course, that only makes the censorship gestures all the more puzzling. I mean, did they think they might market these obtuse, convoluted, raunchy sci-fi epics to little kids? I don't really get the editorial decisions made by some of these companies. Wow, that’s horrendous. Interestingly, Valerie Beltran also colored the DC/Humanoids edition of Jodorowsky & Moebius’ series The Incal, and her color is mostly OK there. Not as beautiful as the colors I’ve seen on Moebius stories where the colors aren’t redone, but decent. Not distracting, which is usually the best you can hope for with revisions like that. And the nudity is mostly left in, as far as I can tell. There’s one scene where the colorist makes an utterly half-assed attempt to draw a top on a girl who’s obviously supposed to be naked, but otherwise there’s plenty of untouched nudity — the character Animah NEVER puts any clothes on. Of course, that only makes the censorship gestures all the more puzzling. I mean, did they think they might market these obtuse, convoluted, raunchy sci-fi epics to little kids? I don’t really get the editorial decisions made by some of these companies.

]]> by: Dana http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408955 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:07:26 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408955 Aaaaand back to the point. Blame the Editor. They hired the colorist. They accepted the work or dictated what kind of style they wanted. Not that praise should be heaped on the colorist, I'm suggesting placing blame where blame is due (or at least spreading it out a bit). By all I've seen, their taste is in their mouth. D Aaaaand back to the point.

Blame the Editor.
They hired the colorist.
They accepted the work or dictated what kind of style they wanted.

Not that praise should be heaped on the colorist, I’m suggesting placing blame where blame is due (or at least spreading it out a bit). By all I’ve seen, their taste is in their mouth.

D

]]> by: BK's English tutor http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408775 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:26:27 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408775 BK: Before you post a snotty comment on a comics blog, shouldn't you learn how to spell "COLORED" first? BK:

Before you post a snotty comment on a comics blog, shouldn’t you learn how to spell “COLORED” first?

]]> by: Joe S. Walker http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408723 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:11:13 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408723 "Overbearing" is the word, I think. “Overbearing” is the word, I think.

]]> by: Raffaele Ienco http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408313 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:11:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408313 It's the luminous computer screen --it makes things brighter whereas paper is not luminous --so you have to compensate. It’s the luminous computer screen –it makes things brighter whereas paper is not luminous –so you have to compensate.

]]> by: Alan Coil http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408301 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:09:07 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408301 BK If you're out there... Did you know somebody with a really bad attitude is making posts using your name? BK

If you’re out there…

Did you know somebody with a really bad attitude is making posts using your name?

]]> by: rich http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408180 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:42:10 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408180 Here, here ... or hear, hear ... whichever ... Most comics are muddy and dark these days. But I've noticed that I can fall into that same trap. Something about computer coloring encourages people to go darker ... grey, brown, black, purple ... It's almost as if we're ubconsciously compensating for the screen's glare in our eyes. Here, here … or hear, hear … whichever … Most comics are muddy and dark these days. But I’ve noticed that I can fall into that same trap. Something about computer coloring encourages people to go darker … grey, brown, black, purple … It’s almost as if we’re ubconsciously compensating for the screen’s glare in our eyes.

]]> by: ericshanower http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408011 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:07:53 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2408011 Doesn't "Je parie que tu n'arrives pas" mean "I bet you can't come"? Not "Bet you can't handle her." Or do I just fail to understand the idiom? Doesn’t “Je parie que tu n’arrives pas” mean “I bet you can’t come”? Not “Bet you can’t handle her.” Or do I just fail to understand the idiom?

]]> by: michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407877 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:46:40 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407877 The things humanoids have done with their reprint is atrocious. But the kiddies don't like 'ugly' art! The things humanoids have done with their reprint is atrocious. But the kiddies don’t like ‘ugly’ art!

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407822 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:37:49 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407822 Whoops sorry and sorry. My bad french and Humanoids lack of info on their website caused the confusion. Whoops sorry and sorry. My bad french and Humanoids lack of info on their website caused the confusion.

]]> by: BK http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407584 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:57:35 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407584 So, as a reader noticed, it's not Moebius but also: it's NOT Fred Beltran who collored this book. It was VALERIE Beltran... Maybe before writing an article you can get the facts right? So, as a reader noticed, it’s not Moebius but also: it’s NOT Fred Beltran who collored this book. It was VALERIE Beltran… Maybe before writing an article you can get the facts right?

]]> by: Al http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407513 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:38:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407513 Reminds me of hearing about the recoloured Marvel Moebius The Silver Surfer: Parable. I heard about the "darker, more dramatic" recolouring but never got a chance to see whether it worked or not. Reminds me of hearing about the recoloured Marvel Moebius The Silver Surfer: Parable. I heard about the “darker, more dramatic” recolouring but never got a chance to see whether it worked or not.

]]> by: Mark Kardwell http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407460 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:25:58 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407460 I thought France was better than this. I thought France was better than this.

]]> by: Vangelis http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407312 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:59:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407312 It's not Incal nor Moebius but Avant l'Incal and Janjetov ! It’s not Incal nor Moebius but Avant l’Incal and Janjetov !

]]> by: andy khouri http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407289 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:52:49 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/02/bad-coloring/#comment-2407289 Ghastly. Ghastly.

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