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[Severed Djed]

He reportedly makes a pile doing commissions so being out of the limelight does not appear to have hurt him.

[Zenguru]

DAMMIT I MISSED ALL THE FUN AGAIN!!!

Yes, you did.

Oops, I mean YES, YOU DID!!!

[kingbobb]

His work on X-Men was my first big exposure to modern comics. He's very talented, but dated. His style and pacing are great for comics from the early 80s, even into the 90s, but what was top O the line 20 years ago doesn't cut it today. He's very cartoony, when today folks seem to favor a more realistic/photo level of work (overall, there are always exceptions).

But a student of comics and comic art could do a lot worse than to study Byrne's works over the years. He's got some of the most solid mechanics, and a heavy Kirby influence to his art, while his writing style...hit and miss at times...does the job better than some, especially as his words relate to the art. He does "get" that comics are a two-medium forum, and knows how to blend image and word to tell a story.

I just don't think he's got any stories left in him that people care to read these days.

And of course he comes off as an abrasive prick a lot of the times, which in a small community like comics doesn't help much.

But he was one of the top names that carried comics from the 70s through the 90s, and there aren't many that you can say that about.

[Zenguru]

I first encountered Byrne's work through Fantastic Four and Alpha Flight. As well as various back issues throughout the Marvel Universe. Curiously, I never read his X-Men when it came out. All the kids in school were screaming over his work, but that didn't motivate me to pick it up. I never read comics that people told me to read. I just picked up ones I liked.

When he took over Superman, I was hardcore Byrne Victim all the way. He could do no wrong.

Until Wonder Woman.

And then meeting him at my first Mid-Ohio Con in 1996. He pulled that stupid "reprint signature" prank on me. My opinion of the man has declined ever since. I still enjoy his older work. But because he had to get his jollies at my expense, I no longer feel enthusiasm over any current work of his.

[kingbobb]

I think that "reprint" bit of his is a crock...technically, isn't anything outside of his original boards a reprint? Of course, the lawyer in me is thinking that he's just one irate fan away from getting sued for destruction/conversion of property. I know that if I'd stood in line for an autograph, and instead got a stamped signature, I'd be thinking "that jerk just ruined my comic."

Not to mention a suit for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jokes are all well and good, but not when they impact or destroy other people's property.

[nietoperz]

I would SO love to see a fan sue Byrne for this! Especially since he probably wouldn't legally be allowed to say anything about it on his boards...

[Zenguru]

I would SO love to see a fan sue Byrne for this! Especially since he probably wouldn't legally be allowed to say anything about it on his boards...

At the time, I was so flabbergasted that he (or any artist) would do something like that. I was also kind of too numb to pissed right then. So he did sign the other books I had with me. It wasn't really until after the show, when I got home, that I felt the first pangs of anger towards him.

[nietoperz]

Byrne's biggest problem seems to be his propensity to shit where he eats: he really doesn't get the fact that his behaviour has turned fans off him to the extent that he has lost work. It's always someone else's fault and never his own.

[Zenguru]

Y'know, I talked about my reprint signature experience at length on newsarama. And someone came in and told me I was plagiarizing someone else who went through this.

This was around the time of Wisdom's famous "I have been plagiarized" thread, of course.

And then someone else told me Byrne wasn't even there at the '96 Mid-Ohio Con. That person was a moron.

[Keb]

It's a John Byrne national conspiracy!

Someone call the Invisibles!

[Starlord]

now here's a question for everyone:

Would you rather be stuck in an elevator with John Byrne or Rob Liefield?

[Keb]

Rob Liefeld. I hear that despite all the shit he gets from comics fans, he's still a decent dude to chat with.

[fieldy snuts]

true, rob liefeld may be an atrocious artist but everything about his character i've ever heard is positive.

whats this about byrne reprints though?

[Lord Simian]

true, rob liefeld may be an atrocious artist but everything about his character i've ever heard is positive.

whats this about byrne reprints though?

Are you referring to the legends of his signing?

Supposedly, and I've never seen him at a con to confirm.... but if you ask him to sign a trade, he'll whip out a rubber stamp, saying "a reprint autograph for a reprint work".

[DeadFett]

now here's a question for everyone:

Would you rather be stuck in an elevator with John Byrne or Rob Liefield?

Easily Liefeld. He at least seems like a cool guy to talk with. I haven't heard many, if any at all, horror stories about meeting him.