Grim'n'Gritty vs Four Colour
 

In the interest of actually generating some sort of discussion in this forum, I've come up with what I think is a pretty neat topic. How graphic/realistic do you like to have your comics?

Is the Silver Age your thing? Do you enjoy the style of The Ultimates more than say, something lighter like Robin? Is there one company or brand that does it just how you like?

I'll wait for a few people to write something before I give my own opinion.

You make sound as if there is no discussion in this subforum.

But in regards to the thread topic, I don't have a preference. Many comics establish themselves as campy, realistic, satiric, etc. As long as they don't betray that concept and the story remains appealing, I'm perfectly fine reading it. Ultimate Spider-Man has lost much of its appeal to me in this regard. That's just one example.

The initial question asks about how graphic I want my comic. I tend to avoid graphic tales. Sure, if it's a murder mystery or a fantasy tale, bloodshed is hard to avoid. I don't see a need for similar graphicness in much more readily-available comics, such as those fitting more into the superhero genre.

Is the Silver Age my thing? Sometimes. Although I haven't read much from that period, it does have its own charm and, despite some fashion styles or turns of phrase, the stories stand the test of time.

Do I enjoy Ultimates more than something lighter, like Robin? Robin is lighter than the Ultimates, but it isn't light. I regularly enjoy Ultimates and do prefer it over Robin. That's not to say I don't ever read/enjoy a Robin issue.

Is there one company or brand that does it just how you like? Probably not, but that's mostly due to the way things are right now. Marvel and DC are too into big events and shock-moments. Image and Dark Horse, though offering a variety, rarely offer items that look truly inspired. And smaller companies such as IDW or Dynamite are often forced into licensing the rights to do comics based on preexisting concepts, whether it be a TV show or another comic.

What does the thread title mean?

It's a reference to the two extreme limits of the level of violence and "realism" in the genre. Grim'n'Gritty books, like The Boys or The Authority, have no issues displaying extreme violence, rapes and other things. They do not paint a happy, fun loving superhero world. Four Colour comics are the opposite. They are extremely campy. Think really old school Action Comics or Batman.

My preference is the more realistic styles (though, I still do enjoy the other kinds, whatever they're defined as). Such as Hitch's the Ultimates, McNiven's Civil War, Alex Ross's Justice, or Greg Land's X-Men Phoenix Endsong and current series Ultimate Power. Especially Greg lands though, he really gives the character more life with the realism, 3D, seem less like a cartoon and more like a movie or something live action (something possible?). It just gives the overall comic more.. mmm.. depth ?.... not sure on the word to describe it.

I dunno, ahh, just not really sure how to describe, but I definitely feel like I'm getting my money's worth with work of that quality and gives the comic more value. I mean, even if the writing/story is crap I'm still willing to pick up the comic if I think the artwork is incredible.

Hantei, I'm not referencing just the artwork. I'm referring to the style as a whole. How "mature" the stories are is just as important as how graphic the art is.

Hmm, in terms of story then... well, I guess my preference would be the more mature stories like Samurai: Heaven and Earth, the Ultimates (yet again), and Sin City. However, I'm not too picky when it comes to the story aspect, like I mentioned before, artwork is really what sells the book for me.

I prefer the realistic and noir/gritty styles. I'm a fan of Alex Maleev's art, Michael Lark, David Aja, and Sean Phillips since they kinda fall into one art style, which is dark and gritty. In terms of stories, aside from the noir/crime genre, I do like weird & occult stuff from Dark Horse and IDW, and even Image. But I'm still a fan of the general Marvel style of comics like Avengers and Ultimates and the main X-Men titles. I don't really care much for the "softer" titles.

My preference changes depending on the title. Some styles just work better for some of them.

Like, I love how Daredevil's done right now. And (adjectiveless) X-Men is good, too--Even though I don't normally enjoy manga style art in western comics at all. X-Factor's art works really well, too, I think.