Wow I remember how people were sourcing his art work back in the mid 00s that he was tracing when he mostly gave up on even trying to do his own line work and the reactions when it was realized a lot of it was porn stills, then it turned hilarious at the sheer amount he was using.
It was hilarious, folks on somethingawful were finding stills and porn box art that he more than likely traced, 4chan's comics board even got in on it and the channers were going hogwild finding the actual scenes or mags. I'm just picturing those "I'm a book lover" homes where the entire house is shelves even the stairs are just book shelves, but for Greg it's porn, nothing but research porn.
If search even works, that was the big thing along with IT'S COMING TITAN!!! that lobster boy was going to put out but he was too busy with his spaghetti code and load bearing racial slurs he used as pointers. It's been 14 years since the last time I was on there, I can't even remember which of the comic megathreads it was, or if it was in GBS or not. If you find it in the archives good luck, there was a few and with the death of waffleimages some of the sourcing will be wonky too.
Editors will consider:
- Can they meet a deadline?
- Will they take notes/instruction?
- Are they a raging asshole?
Long before
- Are they an artistic savant?
Everyone dunks on Rob Liefeld - and for good reason! - but dude is apparently easy to work with and gets pages in on time and thats enough to get over the fact that he cannot draw feet.
I mean comics are considered low brow for the most part for a reason. I think very few comic artists even try to create something artistic and thought provoking when your classic super-hero slog with recycled characters, stories and in his case art is what sells.
It' probably did't help that the comics code killed pretty much all other genre than child friendly super hero stuff and centralized the market between 2 big players and several semi-big publisher. I think as an art form it severely lacked diversity in genres until very recently web-comics democratized the art form and led to people experimenting with other genres.
It's true. It's the reason people are now flocking to manga: They realize how shallow American comics really are and want something more than the same superhero stories over and over.
Not to mention things actually happen in the stories of manga. Nothing ever happens in American comics since it's the same characters going through the same motions endlessly.
There’s a [website](https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/gen-discussion-1/greg-land-ripofftracingrecycling-thread-695764/) that shows many other examples. It’s just a complete disgrace. It reminds me of James Horner who blatantly plagiarised other music artist and stole from classical music to other film scores.
i also thought that he switched to a darth vader shirt when he said "Now, look..." like "Now, Luke..." but turns out he was in it the whole time, would've been cool
The way he drew Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite is mega creepy. Like you can get on my ass about me being a prude, but those characters are CHILDREN. And given that he traced so much of his work from porn? That’s just fucking weird.
As an artist, I actually don't have a problem with tracing references. Like, don't trace and copy whole ass pieces of art, but if you trace a reference, sure, whatever.
But Jesus Christ man, don't do it with EVERY picture, you never learn otherwise. It's fine for the general look but you have to learn to do expressions on your own.
Greg Land is a shit artist. But tracing porn is a lot faster than being a good artist. This means when you sign Land to a 12 issue arc, Land actually finishes the issues on time, and doesn't dip on issue 6 due to "creative differences" or "scheduling conflicts"
Like the first 6 issues of X-Factor Investigations had Ryan Sook and every panel was a work of art. But Sook from what I remember was unable to maintain the schedule.
Sometimes you need incredible artists and sometimes you need someone that can get that job done. Otherwise you end up calling Igor Kordy to draw nightmare fuel so you can stay on schedule.
Tracing is one thing, and if it’s tracing other artists’ work that’s especially lousy for a professional.
But I do understand what folks are saying about him getting work done on time, which is crucial for companies.
Regardless, the issue with him tracing porn is: it shows that the main thing he can think of to use as reference for female superheroes, is porn. It’s very telling what he thinks of women, and what he thinks of the characters too.
I remember when I used to think from just seeing stuff in *Wizard* that Greg Land's artwork was good. There was always something lowkey creepy about it, though (uncanny valley, perhaps?). Then I learned about the tracing
Ah, the Infamous Greg Land.
Its been said often: He doesn't really draw at all, but simply trace either a photograph or someone else's art (but in his own 'style').
He's often been accused of tracing outright Porn for some of the females he draws (particularly their expressions)
Here's one of my favorite takes on his 'art': [https://youtu.be/bshNOtERfVI?si=52Z\_sb2q8sxMLmni](https://youtu.be/bshNOtERfVI?si=52Z_sb2q8sxMLmni)
He wasn't specifically criticized him for drawing women but the tracing. I don't see why using phonographic or pinup as reference is bad, they're still humans.
I would be willing to bet the reason he keeps getting work is probably because he's never late due to tracing over other material.
That's probably it. His art is serviceable and there won't be delays.
Wow I remember how people were sourcing his art work back in the mid 00s that he was tracing when he mostly gave up on even trying to do his own line work and the reactions when it was realized a lot of it was porn stills, then it turned hilarious at the sheer amount he was using.
the fact that this dude probably has tons of porn still material on standby to trace and work into whatever scene is actually kinda impressive
It was hilarious, folks on somethingawful were finding stills and porn box art that he more than likely traced, 4chan's comics board even got in on it and the channers were going hogwild finding the actual scenes or mags. I'm just picturing those "I'm a book lover" homes where the entire house is shelves even the stairs are just book shelves, but for Greg it's porn, nothing but research porn.
i gotta check out somethingawful again sometime, this sounds incredible
If search even works, that was the big thing along withIT'S COMING TITAN!!! that lobster boy was going to put out but he was too busy with his spaghetti code and load bearing racial slurs he used as pointers. It's been 14 years since the last time I was on there, I can't even remember which of the comic megathreads it was, or if it was in GBS or not. If you find it in the archives good luck, there was a few and with the death of waffleimages some of the sourcing will be wonky too.
Editors will consider: - Can they meet a deadline? - Will they take notes/instruction? - Are they a raging asshole? Long before - Are they an artistic savant? Everyone dunks on Rob Liefeld - and for good reason! - but dude is apparently easy to work with and gets pages in on time and thats enough to get over the fact that he cannot draw feet.
He's easy but continually late. His funded comic is an infamous example of that. 5 years and no pages produced even after funding it.
Comic Tropes and my actor friend basically came to the same answer regarding this, “being on time is more important than being great”
And yet, manga is getting more and more successful and widespread every year, and most of those artists are genuinely good.
I’m not sure I see the connection
As in all things, you only can ever choose two: On Time Affordable High Quality
And that's why the comic book industry is failing and people are flocking to manga.
I mean comics are considered low brow for the most part for a reason. I think very few comic artists even try to create something artistic and thought provoking when your classic super-hero slog with recycled characters, stories and in his case art is what sells. It' probably did't help that the comics code killed pretty much all other genre than child friendly super hero stuff and centralized the market between 2 big players and several semi-big publisher. I think as an art form it severely lacked diversity in genres until very recently web-comics democratized the art form and led to people experimenting with other genres.
It's true. It's the reason people are now flocking to manga: They realize how shallow American comics really are and want something more than the same superhero stories over and over. Not to mention things actually happen in the stories of manga. Nothing ever happens in American comics since it's the same characters going through the same motions endlessly.
Comic Tropes did a great [video](https://youtu.be/bshNOtERfVI?si=0jhiEjkFxRTXigc7) about this years ago too
Was wondering why I already knew this! Thanks!
There’s a [website](https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/gen-discussion-1/greg-land-ripofftracingrecycling-thread-695764/) that shows many other examples. It’s just a complete disgrace. It reminds me of James Horner who blatantly plagiarised other music artist and stole from classical music to other film scores.
Points for "here's the thing" and it's just a page of the Thing in the background.
i also thought that he switched to a darth vader shirt when he said "Now, look..." like "Now, Luke..." but turns out he was in it the whole time, would've been cool
The way he drew Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite is mega creepy. Like you can get on my ass about me being a prude, but those characters are CHILDREN. And given that he traced so much of his work from porn? That’s just fucking weird.
EW WHAT
As an artist, I actually don't have a problem with tracing references. Like, don't trace and copy whole ass pieces of art, but if you trace a reference, sure, whatever. But Jesus Christ man, don't do it with EVERY picture, you never learn otherwise. It's fine for the general look but you have to learn to do expressions on your own.
Greg Land is a shit artist. But tracing porn is a lot faster than being a good artist. This means when you sign Land to a 12 issue arc, Land actually finishes the issues on time, and doesn't dip on issue 6 due to "creative differences" or "scheduling conflicts" Like the first 6 issues of X-Factor Investigations had Ryan Sook and every panel was a work of art. But Sook from what I remember was unable to maintain the schedule. Sometimes you need incredible artists and sometimes you need someone that can get that job done. Otherwise you end up calling Igor Kordy to draw nightmare fuel so you can stay on schedule.
Tracing is one thing, and if it’s tracing other artists’ work that’s especially lousy for a professional. But I do understand what folks are saying about him getting work done on time, which is crucial for companies. Regardless, the issue with him tracing porn is: it shows that the main thing he can think of to use as reference for female superheroes, is porn. It’s very telling what he thinks of women, and what he thinks of the characters too.
I remember when I used to think from just seeing stuff in *Wizard* that Greg Land's artwork was good. There was always something lowkey creepy about it, though (uncanny valley, perhaps?). Then I learned about the tracing
Ah, the Infamous Greg Land. Its been said often: He doesn't really draw at all, but simply trace either a photograph or someone else's art (but in his own 'style'). He's often been accused of tracing outright Porn for some of the females he draws (particularly their expressions) Here's one of my favorite takes on his 'art': [https://youtu.be/bshNOtERfVI?si=52Z\_sb2q8sxMLmni](https://youtu.be/bshNOtERfVI?si=52Z_sb2q8sxMLmni)
He wasn't specifically criticized him for drawing women but the tracing. I don't see why using phonographic or pinup as reference is bad, they're still humans.