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LiamRSharp — Hulk 02
Published: 2008-03-03 11:29:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 10124; Favourites: 114; Downloads: 153
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This was my first spread. It features both myself (long hair, chin beard, bottom left) and inker Robin Riggs (short spiky balding head just behind me) amongst the combatants. I was really going for that BWS symbolism thing and trying to be creative with my layouts. Gary Frank had been so successful in his run, I was determined to be fresh and different, not just tread the same path. As a result a great many Hulk fans actively hated my work, even petitioning that I should be kicked off the book for various misdemeanors I was entirely (and blissfully) unaware of at the time! It's AMAZING how angry people get! It's just a comic! I was doing my best! LOL!
L.
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Comments: 44
For all it is worth, I liked your detailed fine methods …..
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Yea I remember reading that as a Hulk fan. I did not get what the issue was. You had a Bisley, Wrightson vibe. Guess it was too edgy for marvel fans at the time. I use darks as well in my art. You could see how much effort you were giving. I'm just glad you got more work after that and did not change your style.
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This is brilliant, I liked Gary Frank's Hulk but I liked yours too, my favourite Cover was HULK 427.
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Since when did comics get so restrictive and unpleasant? The more I hear or see about this kind of news in the comics industry and fandom, the more I don't want to break into comics,especially the mainstream companies.
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Your work and work like this is the reason I liked comics in the first place. The "it must stay the same" crowd are just sad. I don't even know why they buy new comics? you'd think they'd be happy just re reading the old ones they already have and like.
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Comic fans are the most anal people in the world.
Your run was fantastic!
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We had a poll a couple of years back at a comic-forum that I visit and you came in second, of the all time "Best Hulk Artist" ever...
Dale came in first...with Gary Frank third...
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Wow! The funny thing is if you went online at the time I was about the most hated Hulk artist ever! There were people baying for my blood, demanding I be sacked!
Thank you for this - so nice to hear!
Warm regards,
Liam.
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...It's been a while since I came to this page, and now I just noticed I said all that at the top! LOL! Forgive me for repeating myself.
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I heard of a saying a few months ago: " no monument has ever been built to honour a critic... "
The arm chair critique brigade, cannot create, so it spouts venom at those that do.
People hated Leonardo when he switched to oil from tempera. So, you are in good company.
Gary Frank's style was an evolution of Dale's, your's was revolutionary. When I saw it as a teenager, I was dumfounded. It was a totally new visceral look, I treasure those books to this day.
If I ever get to draw comics as a professional, I hope my work is as raw and powerful as yours.
Peace.
-Ashish
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Appreciated buddy! Thanks.
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This spread is the reason that I left such a fan-boyish message on your front-page yesterday. I was literally blown away (no, wait...not literally lol) by your run on Hulk -- in fact, it was only your artwork that persuaded me to give the series a go (well, that and the holographic cover... I *was* 17...). I've only ever written to two comics: 2000AD to enter a competition and Incredible Hulk to say ow much I loved your half of that issue.
When you stopped working on Hulk, I pretty much guessed that you'd been kicked off, and that co-incided neatly with me giving up on comics -- all the ones I had access to at the time had started to look pretty much the same and the fun had been sucked out. And I was interested in other things, like girls and booze and cigarettes lol.
I don't do comic art myself, but the work I do is very, very much influenced by this spread -- from the building of elements from the centre outwards, to the crossing over of elements across the frames, to the sheer energy and compactness.
And that's why I got so fan-boyish yesterday.
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You're too kind mate. Very much appreciated.
Take care,
L.
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WOW, it's amazing.
do not take care of whom is speaking just
because he owns a mouth
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I dont get what they were whinning about. This IS fresh and adventureous. I wish more of the main stream comics would be so bold.
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I love these pages, did you approach it withe a European style consciously? I love the line work as usual that you completely infuse each page with.
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The layout is really stunning. I love the contrast and how the Hulk just towers over the pandemonium.
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I remember reading this issue, and yes it is a cool spread, As for following GF, its apples and oranges man, two very different styles, I like both of your stuff. As for campaigning your departure, I thought it was David who changed direction of the book, or did he do that to suit your style?
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dude not all hated your take on the big green.
i for one loved every issue of it..
the storytelling the angles the fresh ideas were great
hope you get the chance to work on it again
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Thanks man. I know a lot of people loved it - it literally split the audience down the middle - but the most vocal are always the nay-sayers!
Take care, and cheers for that!
Liam.
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Awesome composition. It's really impressive how each panel is a complete and interesting piece on it's own.
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Well this is awesome, maybe some fans are not used to the style (more artistic than regular heroes comic books) but I really enjoy your work a Lot.
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They didn't like it? OMG. I guess it's hard to be finiacially successfull when the majority of your audience are slack jawed myopic troglodytes. This is my fav Hulk. He looks real, heavy, capable of real damage. Not just inflated.
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Thanks man. That was exactly the idea...
Best,
Liam.
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The detailing and jaw dropping as is the figure work. Great style and fabulous character interpretation. Gorgeous piece.
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when did you do this?! i wanna buy this book, and smack whoever cried about it!
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This was done in '94 I think... LONG time ago now!
Cheers mate.
L.
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wow, would love to see how you'd do hulk now especially after World War Hulk!
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The detailing of these pages were just amazing (...hand...cramping...) I'm sure that 90% of the naysayers had no life... yes it's true that you must please the masses in this type of situation, bet sometimes if you are on the cutting edge you get pushed back
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Thanks man. Yeah, that's how I like to see it! I was ahead of my time! LOL!
L.
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this page is simply scary
It' s amazing... no it's INCREDIBLE (sorry lame)
I can look at this for minutes and still find something new.
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That's a shame. I loved what you did in your all too brief run on the Hulk. I've always liked the idea of a new direction on a book being reflected in the art.
I have to say the cover you did for Hulk 426 is probably one of my all time favourite covers.
Andy
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Thanks man.
Was that the Manthing cover? That's my favourite - with Paul Neary inks.
Take care,
Liam.
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No, it was the one with Bruce Banner in a straight jacket snarling into camera. The Man-Thing one was pretty cool too, just the mad Banner was something I'd not seen in a mainstream super-hero title and it really stood out on the shelf of the local newsagent.
Andy
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I for one loved the stuff you did on the hulk. Your style was totally different from Gary Franks stuff and gave the book a darker, harder edge to it. I think that a script can take on a whole new angle with a differing artstyle on it.
I look back at your art from back whence and it reminds me how much of the energy and individuality has disapeared form some of the modern comics. Not to take anytrhing away from current Hulk artist Ed McG but your take oon the Green Goliath(getting a bit fanboyish) has only ever been suprassed by Keown.
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High praise indeed!
Thanks mate.
L.
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Incredible work. Comic obsessives need to learn to welcome change eh?
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Man, fandom is never something you can second-guess. You just have to do your best, I think, and if it sticks it sticks!
Thanks, and very best,
Liam.
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