[Aisle7C]

I think the art, and the artist’s interpretations of events/characters/places, is just as important as the story itself. An artist (or penciled and inker) that doesn’t reference the history of the lore can detract from the story. I realize different artists have different styles, and there will always be variations from one to the other.

But, my attention to the plot is easily distracted by sloppy pencils and I attention to detail. It draws my focus and negatively impacts the narrative in my mind’s eye. The art in 277 is a unique style, but as others have said isn’t Joe. Before reading this, I re-read issues 199 and 200. In those issues, the Quonset huts above the PIT are practically destroyed, but at the end of 277, they look perfect. Maybe it’s my OCD, but details like that bug me.

I think the biggest example of art taking away from even a halfway decent story is back in the Marvel run issue #69 (I think if memory serves correct) with Tony Salmons penciling. That art was rough. Going from the like of Whigham and Wagner to THAT art really cheesed me off. I look back at the issue with the plant spores that covered the Joe’s vehicles—odd plot, but Whigham’s pencils sold me.

[vxc961]

I thought the issue was middle of the road, but I think I’m also missing something by not having read issue 200. I liked the spotlight on a lesser known Joe, but I don’t feel like a really learned anything about him or that he had an arc; maybe we saw the loyalty between Law & Order, but that didn’t really move me.

I didn’t mind the art, but I did like seeing the Cobras and their specialties—I do wish we saw a little more personality in them though. I love when we see a cobra trooper who joined because of the dental plan, complains about the chow-hall food, or talks about wanting to be a strato-viper or something.

Anyway, these untold stories have gotten me interested in going back and catching up on the Hama issues I missed.

[stopdead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisle7C

I think the art, and the artist’s interpretations of events/characters/places, is just as important as the story itself. An artist (or penciled and inker) that doesn’t reference the history of the lore can detract from the story. I realize different artists have different styles, and there will always be variations from one to the other.

But, my attention to the plot is easily distracted by sloppy pencils and I attention to detail. It draws my focus and negatively impacts the narrative in my mind’s eye. The art in 277 is a unique style, but as others have said isn’t Joe. Before reading this, I re-read issues 199 and 200. In those issues, the Quonset huts above the PIT are practically destroyed, but at the end of 277, they look perfect. Maybe it’s my OCD, but details like that bug me.

I think the biggest example of art taking away from even a halfway decent story is back in the Marvel run issue #69 (I think if memory serves correct) with Tony Salmons penciling. That art was rough. Going from the like of Whigham and Wagner to THAT art really cheesed me off. I look back at the issue with the plant spores that covered the Joe’s vehicles—odd plot, but Whigham’s pencils sold me.

Agree with everything you say. Whigham and Wagner, particularly when working with inker Andy Mushynsky, were the gold standard for ARAH. I could die happy if this team worked together on ARAH again!