Drawing Superman/Clark like Christopher Reeve

[Gef]

I guess I'm going to be in a TINY minority here, but is anyone else not a fan of having Superman/Clarke drawn like Christopher Reeve in the pages of the comic?

I'm a big fan of Supes, and am just reading through my backlog as I'm behind on the New Krypton stuff. I've done Brainiac, and am about to hit the New Krypton special, but I find the art incredibly distracting.

I'm probably the only Superman fan who doesn't like the Reeve movies, so seeing him drawn as Reeve in the comic just feels completely wrong to me.

So, just me then? :tongue:

[Joe Acro]

I guess I'm going to be in a TINY minority here, but is anyone else not a fan of having Superman/Clarke drawn like Christopher Reeve in the pages of the comic?
I know I'm not.

Gary Frank was doing it a lot during his stint on Action. It took me out of the story. It's just a little too cute.

[Alex Smith]

I actually really like it. It's one of my favorite renditions of Superman since Swan. Although, at this point I'd really like any Superman that wasn't incredibly and disgustingly ripped. I'm probably in the minority in that I loathe Ed Mcguinness' Superman. I can't stand the short and stubby arms and legs, but that have biceps like bowling balls.

[eggie]

I actually really like it. It's one of my favorite renditions of Superman since Swan. Although, at this point I'd really like any Superman that wasn't incredibly and disgustingly ripped. I'm probably in the minority in that I loathe Ed Mcguinness' Superman. I can't stand the short and stubby arms and legs, but that have biceps like bowling balls.

I agree with you 110%! Superman's power doesn't come from bulging, ripped muscles, it comes from the sun, therefore Superman doesn't have to be drawn like he's about to enter a Mr. Olympus contest. I love Gary Frank's rendition of Superman...I look that he reminds me of Christopher Reeve and that he has a good physique but muscles aren't huge and bulging.

[Joe Acro]

Although, at this point I'd really like any Superman that wasn't incredibly and disgustingly ripped.
I was just thinking about the facial structure.

[Grievous]

I have always preferred a more "mature" look for Superman than Reeve, such as George Reeves and Alex Ross's style for the character.

That being said though, I do still like Christopher Reeve and I think it is kind of touching in a way to see him in the comics. So, yeah, while it is not my favorite look for Supes I do like seeing it.

[jgiannantoni05]

The Reeve movies were not perfect, but I loved Reeve as Superman.

So I am a fan of Superman being drawn like Reeve now and then.
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[Alex Smith]

I was just thinking about the facial structure.

Hm, well that's a complaint I can understand. What do you think about Pete Woods' Superman? Not grotesquely ripped, but without the Reeves bone structure.

[robbieglenn]

can we have some pics uploaded so i understand what people are saying? haha. That being said, I dont like Alex Ross's rendition of Supes because he looks too stern, considering hes always protrayed as being gentle and stuff, you know?

[Joe Acro]

Hm, well that's a complaint I can understand. What do you think about Pete Woods' Superman? Not grotesquely ripped, but without the Reeves bone structure.Can you provide some sample pages?

I don't have Superman comics handy to look.

[Alex Smith]

Can you provide some sample pages?

I don't have Superman comics handy to look.

He's the guy doing World of New Krypton right now. I think he might have been on Action when Frank left, too. Up to #873 I think.

[Carter Hall]

I prefer Superman to not be drawn like Christopher Reeve. I absolutely loved Reeve as Superman, and for my money the first Superman movie still stands as the best superhero movie ever made. I still dislike it, though, when comics borrow heavily from their movie counterparts, in general. Adam Kubert drew Clark Kent like Brandon Routh, too, which I also didn't like, even though I liked Routh in his movie.

I liked Gary Frank's Superman's physique, and for the record I absolutely agree that Ed McGuiness sucks drawing Superman (and just about anything else, in my opinion). Bottom line, I prefer the character to be drawn independently from any actor.

[Toonimator]

I like a lot of Superman interpretations. Generally I think Superman absolutely doesn't NEED a totally-musclebound physique, 'logically' (as much as that applies to comics) I know that the sun gives him his abilities so he can be just some skinny guy really and still bench-press the Empire State Building, but I'm used to seeing him muscled and even draw him with pretty big, if cartoony, proportions for his upper body more often than not.

So I like the McGuinness look, though it feels like it's somewhat limited in what stories you can tell (ie, Clark stuff since such a big Clark stands out more). But I love the Reeve-look Frank gave him, it's perfect for his unique style, and unlike the Routh-ified Kubert look and all the Donnerisms & "Superman Returns"-ish elements tied into that run, slapping the Reeve look on Supes didn't mean anything ELSE in the book had to imitate the films. Well, Pa died, unfortunately, but they'd been building that up for awhile. Bottom line is, to me, it feels like a nice tribute without shoehorning in other story elements that try to make the comics "match" the movies. I dig the Woods style for Supes, Immonen, all sorts of artists. Ross is great for a well-established Superman. So, yeah. I'm a fan of Frank's take on the character.

[Sean Whitmore]

It's fine by me. I liked it when Byrne used to do it as well.


SEAN

[pariah-1972]

It's fine by me. I liked it when Byrne used to do it as well.


SEANI thought it was cool when Byrne did it as well.

[The Batman]

I think Frank's and Byrne's Reevey Superman and even Kubert's Routhy Man of Steel all work. I think the reason for that, and why some other attempts at basing characters on real life celebrities doesn't work so well, is because the likeness in this case isn't quite the point. Frank's not drawing Chris Reeve in the Superman suit so much as a Superman modeled after Chris Reeve. As such, he likely doesn't find himself hamstrung by photo reference or with a character that doesn't quite fit organically with the rest of the cast.

[discodicky]

I actually really like it. It's one of my favorite renditions of Superman since Swan. Although, at this point I'd really like any Superman that wasn't incredibly and disgustingly ripped. I'm probably in the minority in that I loathe Ed Mcguinness' Superman. I can't stand the short and stubby arms and legs, but that have biceps like bowling balls.

I agree as well- McGuinness draws most superheroes like how a seven year old would :rolleyes:

[Stephen Fleming]

Well, I like all Superman movies, that includes Christopher Reeves. But if you saying that the superman comic will be drawn like Reeves, I don't think so. I love the old image of superman, and beside it is unfair for all the guy that play superman. I love watching Smallville right now.

[Toonimator]

Christopher REEVE. George REEVES.

Nobody's saying ALL Superman comics are drawn with a Reeve-y Supes. It's just how Gary Frank draws him (and Byrne, way back). Like any character in comics, the way they look changes from artist to artist. Looking over at Marvel, not everyone draws Norman Osborn like Tommy Lee Jones, for example.

[Solaris01]

Hm, well that's a complaint I can understand. What do you think about Pete Woods' Superman? Not grotesquely ripped, but without the Reeves bone structure.

I love it. Supes is not grotesquely ripped at all. I think his Superman resembles Routh a lot, which I so enjoy. Even the S shield is kinda 3D. :smile: The art in this book is just great.

http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/958/958938/superman-world-of-new-krypton-1-preview-20090303042658205_640w.jpg
http://popwatch.ew.com/photos/uncategorized/93724__routh_l.jpg
http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/958/958938/superman-world-of-new-krypton-1-preview-20090303032420409_640w.jpg

[greatmetropolitan]

I love the Christopher Reeve Superman, but I'm against drawing the character to look like him in the current comics, and I'll tell you why.

Too many of today's comics are stuck in the past. We keep retreading old ground because it happens to be the ground the writer liked when he was a kid. I may be in the minority, but I want to see some new ideas, fresh thinking. We've had a crystal fortress for a long time, and hey, while a fortress in the jungle didn't suit everyone, at least they were trying something different.

Didio said that he didn't celebrate Superman's 70th anniversary in the comics because DC as a company was more about looking forward. Basing the look of your flagship character on the actor who played him 30 years ago isn't looking forward (neither is bringing back barry and hal,but that's another argument...)

Innovation, people!

[NickFury90]

I actually really enjoy it. Maybe its because Gary Frank is one of my favorite artist, but I don't mind Supes looking like Reeves. I remember in one Batman manga I read Bats looked like Keaton, and I was totally cool with that.

[Joe Acro]

What do you think about Pete Woods' Superman? Not grotesquely ripped, but without the Reeves bone structure.
Having read World of New Krypton today (which was fun), I can say that I think it looks fine.

[Will.S]

I don't mind the Reeve resemblance as long as it doesn't look directly photo referenced or too jarring.

[Toonimator]

Basing the look of your flagship character on the actor who played him 30 years ago isn't looking forward (neither is bringing back barry and hal,but that's another argument...)

Innovation, people!
When it's one artist on one book, and not editorially mandated then it shouldn't be a problem. Frank draws him like Reeve. None of the other artists currently hitting the books do... so it's not a problem. The content is what's getting stuck in the past, not the style so much (though with the annoying crystal fortress, you get both style & substance being dictated by the films)

[pariah-1972]

I never really understood what the hype about the Superman films were even when i was a youngster and a hardcore Superfan i couldn't get into them cause of the drastic changes and the low budget feel.

Superman Returns looked great but it had a lot of problems.

Sorry if that is off topic:redface:

[T Hedge Coke]

I don't mind him looking like Reeves, or any other photo-reference, really, as long as it's not wildly off base.

The Gregory Peck thing never resonated with me, but clearly does something for certain people. I think if I were to sit down and draw Superman, it'd probably veer towards Cary Grant.

[Solaris01]

I love the Christopher Reeve Superman, but I'm against drawing the character to look like him in the current comics, and I'll tell you why.

Too many of today's comics are stuck in the past. We keep retreading old ground because it happens to be the ground the writer liked when he was a kid. I may be in the minority, but I want to see some new ideas, fresh thinking. We've had a crystal fortress for a long time, and hey, while a fortress in the jungle didn't suit everyone, at least they were trying something different.

Didio said that he didn't celebrate Superman's 70th anniversary in the comics because DC as a company was more about looking forward. Basing the look of your flagship character on the actor who played him 30 years ago isn't looking forward (neither is bringing back barry and hal,but that's another argument...)

Innovation, people!

Innovation is fine, but some things are so iconic and recognizable to the masses that you don't want to mess with that. The crystal fortress is one of them. I personally love it. I think its very unique to the Superman lore and very alien. They can still expand on it and use elements from other versions, I don't see why not. I like what Geoff Johns is doing with it,

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/JamalIgle/fortressofsolitude.jpg





I don't mind the Reeve resemblance as long as it doesn't look directly photo referenced or too jarring.

Same here

[Samanthab]

Christopher Reeves really hacked it in the movies and I think he deserves to live in the comics I am rooting for this would love to see his face again.

[TROUBLEZ]

Wow, that's what the current Fortress looks like? Very nice.

But I agree with what greatmetropolitan said about looking forward instead of to the past.

[TheBoTT]

I really miss frank on art. His depictions of clark/superman were some of my favorites. I absolutely love the image of him ripping off his suit while fighting the brainiacs.

I really miss pre new krypton action comics. Can't wait for superman origins.