If the answer to any of those questions are "yes," then this Panel Discussion may be for you. Once in a while here at BITBA, I will rescript a page just for sheer enjoyment (hopefully yours).
Before we get to the action, let's talk about how this all came about. Creating a comic is difficult and time consuming work. It involves a significant amount of talent in the art arena that I don't have, although I spend a certain amount of time praising, reviewing, and critiquing the work. I am aware that even with the best of intentions by the creators sometimes things just don't appear as intended in its final form.
In a recent post, we took a look at Firestorm and during my research I came across a page from Justice League of America #179 (cover dated June 1980) by Gerry Conway and Dick Dillin. The story itself in which Firestorm first joins the JLA is a strange one starting with the alliterative title "The Siren Song of the Satin Satan." Dick Dillin was an artist with DC most notably remembered for his decades of work mainly on Blackhawk and Justice League of America. In my mind, Dillin helped create a certain DC feel as he handled the art on countless covers for them. Conway created Firestorm and brought him over to the JLA.
Together the talented duo created a page that made me laugh and take a second look. The bizarre position of Firestorm in the large panel had me wondering if Ronnie Raymond was a contortionist. There is just something a little off in the character's position. The dialogue that followed made me wonder if Conway took note of the art (particularly with the word balloon from the Elongated Man). I also noticed the shock effect behind Firestorm's head; I am tempted to add the Gwen Stacy "snap." Take a look yourself...
So as I am apt to do, I had a little fun with the page. A few word changes and the page has a slightly different meaning...
I've had my fun for the week, so now it is your turn. Do you have any suggestions for revised dialogue or commentary? And on a broader scope, does any panel or page stick in your mind where just something was unintentionally off? The Bronze Age is full of art demanded on a tight deadline; it is all better than anything I would have scribbled in the time allowed, but we can still have some laughs with it can't we?
Cheers!
5 comments:
Yeah, that looks more like a Sider-Man pose, doesn't it? What's weird to me about the second panel is how Flash, Wonder Woman, and Superman all look a bit bemused by Firestorm's antics ... but Zatanna's not even looking at him! It's like she turned away in disgust.
What really throws me off is when dialogue balloons are pointing at the wrong person. I was reading a Superman issue from 1977 and there were at least FOUR different times when the dialogue balloons were wrong; it was a Conway-written issue, but I don't know if he's to blame. Seems more like a paste-up problem ... maybe they didn't have a script to follow and were just guessing? I found it very jarring.
Mike Wilson
Ha. By the lack of responses, I guess this idea was a bomb. So it goes. I can hear the gong ringing (right Redartz)!
Mike W. I seem to remember another issue in Marvel with a similar problem; very distracting indeed.
Actually, Martinex, I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Maybe folks are just still recovering from the holidays. Personally, I worked through the holiday weekend, and kept on working today.
Anyway, I like especially like your new dialogue for Elongated Man. "...kinda reminds me of Batman." *snort*
And yes, that pose is seriously weird. The more you look at it, the weirder it gets. I guess even a consummate pro like Dillin could have an off day.
I agree with Edo, this idea has "legs" (or in the case of this panel, a broken back). Your dialogue variations brought a big smile to my face. As did the expressions on the Leaguers' faces. And, you have inspired me to go panel hunting, Marti. Ross Andru's work had that tendency for odd positioning. One specific example: from Giant Size Spider-man 4, a panel where some stooge is being shot (by the Punisher). He seems to be flipping sideways end over end, but in a frozen position. Looks like someone flicked over a Green Army Man...
Oh, by the way- upon first seeing your title, I thought you were asking us to attempt imitating Firestorm's contortions (audience participation). I didn't try; I have to work this week and don't need to end up in traction... ;)
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