Rob Liefeld Sux… for real…

Posted by blainegarrett

December 17, 2007

Listening to the latest installment of the podcaust, Rob went on a side tangent a bout how comic artist Rob Liefeld sucks and commented about some site pointing out his horrific abilities via Rob Liefeld 40 worst drawings. I can’t agree more. I was a big fan of comics in the early 90s ala Xmen, etc. However, while I was definitively into the art, the story was the most important. The Xmen had the good fortune of having some great writers in the early 90s including Chris Claremont and Scott Lobdell
. However, as Liefeld gained popularity, the comic industry as a whole, i would say, took a turn for the worst. I believe, I entered the fold somewhere right about the turn for the worst. Between “gotta collect ‘em all” multiple covers, crossover after crossover that required me to do more chores to fund my addiction (the Onslaught saga ), and the abundance of splash pages that caused an 32 page issue to be read in 3 minutes, I decided to get out of comics. Well those things and the fact that the art was starting to suck.

I was an artist before comics, and like a blackhole drawing me near, I was heavily influenced by the artwork styles ala Liefeld and the hordes that mimicked him to capitalize on his success. The only other thing I can compare it to in the artworld is perhaps Thomas Kinkade or perhaps the wanks who capitalized on Picasso’s success (note that the Walker basically had an entire exhibition on this… sweet Walker, way to go. Have a early 90’s comic art exhibition while you are at it).

They always say not to learn to draw anatomy from other artists - i.e. learn from actual models. In that respect, perhaps it is reasonable that Liefeld makes his people look like some sort of sideshow freaks since he is self taught. Unfortunately, I picked up habits from Liefeld and his followers. I couldn’t for a long time draw feet. I remember thinking to myself “maybe everyone wheres heeled boots”. I also picking up the millions of lines things. I am better about it now, but I definitely use too many lines in faces. Also, I do a lot of hands that seem to be pointing to horizon line. It is just easier to draw and ads to the dynamic… but yeah, also a sort of copout.

I do have to say that among all the Liefeld wannabes, I disliked Liefeld the most - even as a kid. I think the biggest thing was his crappy backgrounds and his women. Like the article says, I don’t think he has ever seen a woman - especially one that is either nude or in the sort of spandex crap his characters always wear…. and covered in pouches. I think it has to do with Realism a bit. Woman running about with huge breasts, tiny waists and wearing lingerie for armor (Kevlar thongs) seem like they would be too busy dealing with back problems or staying warm to fight bad guys. I think the pouches are realistic for women though. I mean, you never see them with purses. Where are they going to keep all their shit that women carry? Does that Kevlar thong at least come with a pocket for the keys to your super awesome high tech yet poorly drawn jet plane thing? Eh. Aside from Realism, I like my women a with some meat on them and boobs that don’t push me a foot away when I hug them. yup.

Below is one of my favorite images. It is a shot of the Brazilian womans soccer team from play boy. This is probably moreso what a female super hero resembles that endures the tough, athletic, physically challenging world of fighting fictional bad guys… vs. a troop of strippers from King of Diamonds with breast enlargements and running around in stilettos. I bet the Brazilian womans soccer team could beat the shit out of any of the characters Liefeld created. I mean seriously, how do you run with all those pouches?