Sketch A Day #24: The Drummer from Planetary

And, finally, The Drummer from the series Planetary. Drums, while in most every issue of the series, and playing a pivotal role in a bunch of issues, remains mostly unchanged by the events around him. Lets face it, Ellis had a whole lot of plot and other fun stuff to do in Planetary, so Drums and Jakita Wagner get less development along the way.

Of course it is the young Drummer's comment, "Worst. Rescue. Ever." as they're blown out of the window 30 stories up that remains a personal favorite.

Sketch A Day #21 - Ambrose Chase from Planetary & writing for the trade

The mysterious Ambrose Chase, who haunts much of the Planetary story, in a pensive moment, using his time stopping powers to simply slow down and appreciate a few droplets of rain.

I've never run into Warren Ellis at a convention, but will someone tell him "thanks" for me? I love this rich series and I'm having a blast doing the characters from it.

So here is the question: are stories like Planetary and Sandman things that we would consider "writing for the trade", a term using with increasing frequency in a derogatory fashion to explain the lack of enjoyment with reading the current pamphlet?

In both of those cases, I say an emphatic "No." Both of those series make sense in a single issue context, and also reveal, onion-like, many different layers upon repeated readings. They are truly the best of both worlds when they're on their game, providing both the good single issue experience and the great re-reading experience.

Now I don't believe that writing for the trade is a bad thing. For one thing, it means a longer shelf life for the work if it does read well when its collected. In many ways, it may also hasten the transition from the single issue malaise that has long affected American comics and get creators to continue to think in long form, and the inherent complexities that can are native to that (when done right).

It does mean that perhaps we can do away with the example of ultra "decompressed" comics. Catagorically, I'll state right here and now that I don't want to constantly read ultra "abbreviated" comics paced like the mid-60's DC Comics, nor do I want everything to read like Bendis' Jinx or Goldfish or Powers. Personally, I'd love to see the pace change through out the work, slowing down and speeding up when necessary. And I want my story to take me somewhere.

Is that too much to ask?

Sketch A Day #20: John Stone from Planetary

John Stone of S.T.O.R.M., a little older, still just as deadly and still rocking those impeccable suits. It reminds me of the old days, when tradecraft was done with style.

Ellis and Cassaday give us adventures that Steranko never quite got around to drawing... well, a glimpse of them at least.

I like this one.

Ink and Copic marker on 2-ply bristol

Desolation Jones: The Commentary track by Warren Ellis

I have commented before on my love of the work Desolation Jones by Warren Ellis and JH Williams. Now we have the commentary track to listen to/read. Yay!

I like how Warren decided to confront the ghost of Raymond Chandler head on the first series by taking The Big Sleep and putting a few new twists onto it. Chandler's book has been adapted so many times that it might want to be printed on Silly Putty. And that's a good thing.

In any case, I enjoyed Warren's comments on the first issue from the JH Williams arc and will do some poking around to see if he has commentary on the other five issues. If I find the link I'll post it later.