As we all know, Al Ewing is only on loan to the US, and will be back in the Prog in short order, but, other than his new Hulk run, I've not really followed his stuff over there, being a bit cape weary. I'm sure some on the forum have been more diligent than me, so which of his books over there are worth picking up in particular?
I'd like to know this too. Though I'd prefer something not tied into an 'event'.
I'd prefer him back in the Prog/Meg to be honest!
Anyone know when Tharg can make this happen?
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 May, 2019, 05:00:20 PM
Anyone know when Tharg can make this happen?
When the Prog/Meg sells enough copies to enable Rebellion to match Al's US page rate, I'd imagine.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 12 May, 2019, 06:20:53 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 May, 2019, 05:00:20 PM
Anyone know when Tharg can make this happen?
When the Prog/Meg sells enough copies to enable Rebellion to match Al's US page rate, I'd imagine.
Not the answer I wanted!
I'll wait patiently, like Grasshopper! :lol:
From what I can see Al has covered a lot of ground, and a variety of characters, since he started working over there. I'm pleased it seems like he's climbing the ladder over there fast, because, to my mind, he's a hell of a writer, and deserves the success, though, as I said, HE'S CLEARY ONLY THERE ON LOAN.
Right? RIGHT??
Everybody loved You Are Deadpool (https://www.comixology.co.uk/You-Are-Deadpool-2018-1-of-5/digital-comic/654236), which was essentially Ewing doing his one-off Choose Your Own Adventure Dredd Christmas (https://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/7263928.html) one-off as a series.
That went down so well Ewing's been given the role of Albert Speer in the creation of Marvel 1000 (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-1000-celebrates-marvel-s-80-year-legacy), a terrifying celebration of Disney's triumph in replacing all human culture. *
The distinction of being the only creator to devise any kind of formal innovation in mainstream comics since Will Eisner forgot to rule-up the panel borders means Marvel will want to squeeze Ewing tight to see if any more pips come out. **
* On the plus side, it features Chris Weston. ** Maybe we'll get lucky, and he'll run over Ike Perlmutter's dog, or Something (https://youtu.be/PrJe6Yn5Bv8?t=51)
Quote from: Frank on 12 May, 2019, 08:38:59 PM
... his one-off Dredd Christmas one-off
https://www.dictionary.com/
irony (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/irony)
I think it was the #1000 announcement that prompted this from me. I got excited when I saw Chris Weston announced, then wondered if that was another one snagged by evil Marvel overlords, then comforted again when I found out exactly what the deal was.
Annnnnyway....
I chatted to Al yesterday in Oldham. He was signing copies of The Avengers (it's not like they're hot right now or anything) but we only talked about The Hulk and Manchester pubs.
Jock and Al need to team-up so Marvel can have Jock Ewing emblazoned on their covers.
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 13 May, 2019, 12:09:48 AM
Jock and Al need to team-up so Marvel can have Jock Ewing emblazoned on their covers.
This Cover must happen, or I'll start to sing.
Quote from: Frank on 12 May, 2019, 08:38:59 PM
The distinction of being the only creator to devise any kind of formal innovation in mainstream comics since Will Eisner forgot to rule-up the panel borders means Marvel will want to squeeze Ewing tight to see if any more pips come out. **
What was the formal innovation?
I haven't read any of his American stuff but I really miss his Dredd. John Wagner might make it look easy, but Al Ewing made being like John Wagner look easy.
Mm. Re-reading that Mega Collection volume made me realise how much I miss Ewing Dredd. He's for me the first person to completely nail the tone of the character in the post-Pit era. Don't get me wrong – there are other really good Dredd writers (Williams springs to mind, first and foremost; Rennie did a chunk of good stuff), but those Ewing strips were super. Alas, he's now at one with the spandex.
We're all in the same boat then? I shall go on a hunting expedition, I think. Oh, and read his Hulk stuff. It's really *really* good - whatever you think it might be about going in, trust me, it isn't. I think it might be his Swamp Thing.
I've read a fair bit of Ewing's Marvel work, but, apart from Hulk, each series has seemed to blend into the next - he likes to re-use the same characters and pursue some similar ideas, so the Mighty / New / US Avengers / Ultimates stuff reads like one extended story. Great if you enjoyed it to start with, of course, and definitely with its high points - Bobby Da Costa in charge of a retooled A.I.M works well - but the individual books seem to lack a unique identity beyond their shared identity as "the current Al Ewing comic". Hulk is different - it's very much its own thing, and easily his best work for the company. Ewing's roots as an ex-2000AD writer are plain - he's throwing out idea after idea, issue after issue, and even if I'm not entirely sold on the underpinning 'Devil Hulk' premise, there's enough good (and deeply macabre) stuff along the way to make it worthwhile. The current idea ([spoiler]Joe Fixit in Banner's body[/spoiler]) is an inspired reversal.
Had forgotten about Al's Ultimates! That was a great-looking series with some out-there Christian Ward-ish art. Then CW turned up too (I think).
Anyway, that Al MC book needs plucked from the Big Hachette Pile and this Hulk series seems a no-brainer once collected.
Huh. 3 trades out of Al's Hulk si far. Suppose people have been rhapsodising about it for a while...
Quote from: Greg M. on 13 May, 2019, 08:23:45 PM
I've read a fair bit of Ewing's Marvel work, but, apart from Hulk, each series has seemed to blend into the next - he likes to re-use the same characters and pursue some similar ideas, so the Mighty / New / US Avengers / Ultimates stuff reads like one extended story.
I think that's been my perception from the outside looking in, which probably led to my question in the first place, without me knowing. Maybe he gets a chance now, as I gather Hulk is going gangbusters, to have more opportunity to work on more contained stories?