CBR: Rob Liefeld Takes "Deathstroke," "Grifter" & "Hawkman" to the Extreme

[CBR News]

Rob Liefeld spoke with CBR News about the cancellation of "Hawk and Dove" and taking over creative control of "Deathstroke," "Savage Hawkman" and "Grifter."


Full article here.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Lets see how many 90s cliches he can cram in three books!

[ArnoldoAAD]

This sounds So AWESOME!!1!

[SuperCooper]

Grifter sounds like it's becoming Daemonite D&D.

"Time to face the elite-warrior class! Roll 6!"

[HeroxMatt2.0]

Bob and I had a great run over at Marvel. Flat out, we changed the entire shape and direction of the X-Office for the last 25 years. One extended run on a group of characters that were, frankly, considered D-list X-Men has generated 25 years of stories and spinoffs for Marvel. Cable, Deadpool, Stryfe, Domino, X-Force, "X-tinction Agenda," "X-Cutioners Song, "Messiah War," "Messiah Complex," "X-Sanction." No Rob, no Bob, none of these comics, events, toys or cartoons come to pass.

Is this really all because of Rob Liefeld?

[Retro315]

I am so strangely behind all of this that I'm pretty sure I've come down with something. I grew up resenting the 90s, particularly 90s comics (particularly Huntress volume 2 ... sticks in my memory) and also all the super-muscled ridiculousness of Image stuff. Strange thing for a kid age 10 to be thinking "man, those old relic (heh, 80s) comics in my older cousins' closets look way better).

But at any rate, I can't help but dig Liefeld's outlook and workmanship. Does all this Wildstorm crossover in ever title ever kind of feel like 90s DCU, where you couldn't go an issue without another guest star? Sure. But I'm curious to see Bennett on Hawkman especially.

[7744]

Paula Deen really did deserve it though..

[Uxas]

I wish Liefeld was a better artist than he actually is, because I do like the guy. He always seems quite passionate and frank about his work and comics.

Oh well, I hope the co-writer in Grifter will bring out the best of Liefeld's plots.

[HeroxMatt2.0]

He said as a "plotter" he was essentially writing the series anyway (for Hawkman) providing the scripts, and layouts for the artist. Is this the same case with Grifter, or is he actually getting a co-writer?

[Roldan]

He said as a "plotter" he was essentially writing the series anyway (for Hawkman) providing the scripts, and layouts for the artist. Is this the same case with Grifter, or is he actually getting a co-writer?

considering he already has a book he's the writer on so yes, let's hope they're good.

[The Cool Thatguy]

Is this really all because of Rob Liefeld?

Only if you accept the logic that the artist who created the character is automatically responsible for every story that character is in, and not the writers who fleshed out/developed the characters

[FHIZ]

I wish Liefeld was a better artist than he actually is, because I do like the guy. He always seems quite passionate and frank about his work and comics.

Yeah, from everything I've read and watched, hes ridiculously positive, and stuff like these message boards doesn't phase him. It's admirable. Then I look at Dove's hips on the cover of H&D 8 and think "still not a fan."

I mean, whatever, I'm not a fan of his. Not a big deal, its not like his being around offends me or anything. Some people just need to chill out.

[HeroxMatt2.0]

Only if you accept the logic that the artist who created the character is automatically responsible for every story that character is in, and not the writers who fleshed out/developed the characters

I don't really accept that logic. Because when I initially read it, I though it sounded like he was bragging.

[MichaelPaytonMZ]

That is the worst Hawkman art that I have ever seen. It's been hard thinking of titles to drop to make way for the second wave line-up (I'm interested in 5 of the 6 so far), but I'm definitely dropping both Grifter and Deathstroke with issue #8.

I like Rob's enthusiasm for projects, they just never turn out to be a series that I ever want to read twice. He'll get plenty of my money for Prophet, tho.

[Sabrewulf]

Im all for giving Liefeld a chance and will be checking out all these books.

Still he came across rather defensive in this interview. I get he gets a lot for stick but just approach that from the off and don't turn every question into a chance to defend yourself. It just made for a rather embarrassing interview and can be a little off putting when a person who wants you have faith in their writing ability comes off as a tad neurotic.

That being said, I've always enjoyed Robs work, some more than others. I'm loving the loud colourful 90s retro thing and that's where Rob excels. He's almost a genre in his own right.

He wasn't wrong about what he was saying about the X-Men. Marvel have been making a lot of money off stories and characters that Rob created or laid the groundwork for for a long time.

No matter what, he created a lot of characters I am a big fan of and I look forward to what he brings to the DCnU, hopefully having an editors full confidence and backing will help him replicate some of his early success.

As for the naysayers. Sod 'em, you are good at what you do Rob. You don't need to defend that.