Customer Reviews

Modern Masters Volume 9: Mike Wieringo (v. 9)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mike WIERINGO died in 2008 at age 44, from a heart attack. This book was made just two years before that. It is an interview with WIERINGO conducted by Todd DEZAGO, with whom he co-authored TELLOS earlier in the 2000s. A "late-bloomer" by his own account, WIERINGO started relatively late in the comics industry but both TELLOS ("tell us") and his run on the FANTASTIC FOUR with author Mark WAID (arguably the best FF in years) made him a star. WIERINGO had still much to learn, much to do and so much offer when he died. His final words in the interview and the great port-folio at the end of this book gives hints to that. In my opinion, he was to be one of the comics industry few true stars of the 21th century. Only four stars for this book because I think friends interviewing friends don't always allow for real insight into an artist's path. Friends understandably just don't ask you some questions.
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This book celebrates the work of the late mike wienringo in a way that makes you feel sorry that his talent was taken from us so soon. Absolutely worth the purchase. A lot of insight into his mind and awesome works!

This book was my first "Modern Masters" volume, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It has a great interview spanning 'Ringo's perspective on his career, told in the chronological order of the books he worked on. It has his great uncolored artwork and sketches of various comic characters throughout, with a few colored pieces at the end of the book. It was sad though, reading about how he was determined to continue his creator-owned book Tellos, as this book was created before his unexpected passing. If you are a fan of Mike's work than you can't pass this up!

I'll be getting other volumes of Modern Masters for sure now. Next up is Bruce Timm!

Mike Wieringo is one of those artists who sometimes seems overlooked when the talk turns to the top comic artists, but it is certainly company he deserves to be in as proven by being the subject of the latest edition of Modern Masters from TwoMorrows Publishing. The thing I love about Mike is that he's really worked hard to develop a unique style all his own. So many modern artists are quite polished, and yet have little personality to their work. They seem to have all been graduates of the same art school with the same techniques. This is where Wieringo really shines. He's melded a style that combines traditional cartoon art with elements of animation and Manga for a truly unique look.

Mike's life and career in comics is told through a book long interview with Todd Dezago and along the way we get to see dozens of examples of Mike's work including published and unpublished work, some of it from when he was just 11 years old. It's really a great book for aspiring artists. I loved to draw comics quite a bit when I was younger but never felt I had the talent to go anywhere with it. Seeing Mike's early work I couldn't help but think, "I drew as well as that when I was 11!" This is a true testament to persevering and perfecting one's technique and skill. As we see Mike's work in high school when he was doing his own panel comic books and in college, you can see the steady progress he made as an artist.

Mike grew up as an army brat and moved around quite a bit. He talks about how he never had time to make many friends and kept to himself a lot, working on his art. Luckily Mike's dad was a comic book fan and both his parents encouraged him in his goal to become a pro comic artist one day. Mike took a trip to the San Diego Con in 1991 and started showing off his portfolio. He got his break at DC doing several short stories for the Justice League Quarterly anthology title but would soon graduate into his first major job as artist on The Flash, working with writer Mark Waid.

After his run on The Flash, Mike would go over to Marvel and work on Sensational Spider-Man with writer Todd Dezago. This is where I really took notice of his work for the first time. Mike and Tony talk candidly about this very tumultuous period at Marvel as they were going through their bankruptcy and soon had Sensational Spider-Man and other projects canceled. In fact you can see some fantastic unused pencils of Mike's from a She-Hulk & Thing project.

Mike would have an less than enjoyable run The Adventures of Superman before returning to Marvel again to work on the Fantastic Four where he would once again team with Mark Waid for a memorable run, again cut short by Marvel's inept management.

The book concludes with a 32 page gallery of Mike's work. The gallery includes both finished pieces and pencil layouts. There's also an 8 page color section which includes my favorite piece in the book, Mike's rendering of Captain Marvel that would make C.C. Beck proud. TwoMorrows has made another great choice in their Modern Masters series.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

This book is awesome. It's by far my favorite tome in the Modern Masters series. It's loaded with fantastic artwork from all different stages of Wieringo's career, even childhood drawings and early portfolio pieces. This is what these books should be, just overflowing with artwork. Readers will also learn more about the man behind the art through the long interview contained within. There's a small color section of artwork too, wonderful stuff!

In my opinion, Wieringo is one of the best artists working in comics. His drawings are full of life, energy, and emotion. His work also has an amazing clarity to it that when combined with his great storytelling ability makes for wonderful comics.

This book is a must for fans of Mike Wieringo and anyone who appreciates great cartooning.

Mike Wieringo's first major job was The Flash, and his exciting introduction to the comic book field was followed quickly by drawings of major characters from Superman and X-Men to Fantastic Four. But don't expect the usual reproductions of comics in this celebration: it includes sketches accompanied by an essential interview with Wieringo discussing perspectives, drawing challenges, achievements and comic book history and provides many important keys to understanding Wieringo's works and his place in the industry. A 'must' for any collection strong in comic book history and artists.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

You should have this book!

What, you need more? This features a comprehensive interview with Mike (nice job again Eric!), a detailed overview of his career, and tons of rare art. Buy it, the link is right there!

Now, if only there was a free sketch in every copy, then it'd be perfect.