“I Hate Rob Liefeld”
If it wasn’t for comic books, I would have never bothered to learn to read. I loved the imagery, the constant storylines and of course, the merchandise.
I still read comics to this day, with my heart belonging to the X-Men franchise, which is better written and drawn that it has been in years. But, back in the 1990s, we weren’t so lucky to have greats like John Cassady and Chris Bachalo handling the artwork these books. No, we had guys like Rob Liefeld.
As you can tell by the title of this article, I have no love for Rob Liefeld. I’m sure many of you are scratching your heads, and asking, “Who?” Rob Liefeld is a comic book artist, or so they say. In the 1990s, Liefeld was worshipped for his artwork. Even at a young age, I thought he sucked, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to the realization as to why he sucked.
Liefeld’s career started when he did the art for DC Comics “Hawk & Dove” miniseries in 1988. After that, he moved to Marvel Comics, and was handed “The New Mutants,” which was having problems selling. Liefeld changed the overall plot of the book from kids learning how to control their mutant powers into big guns, big tits and stupid stories. His run on “The New Mutants” is remembered for one thing and one thing only: the introduction of Cable; an X-Men mainstay.
“The New Mutants” was cancelled in 1991, and replaced with “X-Force,” featuring many characters from “The New Mutants” series. The first issue of “X-Force” was the highest selling single comic book issue of all-time, until the Jim Lee drawn “X-Men (2nd Series)” #1 came out a few weeks later. The introduction of these titles gave way to an era of comics being wrapped in polybags, which were loaded with trading cards and other assorted shit I needed to have at the age of seven.
Soon after, Liefeld, along with many other Marvel artists, had a falling out with Marvel Comics, and they all left to start Image Comics. Unlike Marvel and DC, the Image characters were creator-owned, meaning if one were to leave, they would take their characters with them (DC and Marvel characters are company owned). Liefeld’s first Image creation, “Youngblood,” broke sales records with its first issue, becoming the highest selling single issue of an independent comic ever.
Liefeld’s biggest enemy was himself. He kept missing the deadline for issues of “Youngblood.” But, Image was kicking Marvel’s ass for a while, so Marvel decided “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Four Marvel titles (“Captain America,” “Fantastic Four,” “Iron Man” and “The Avengers”) were contracted out to Image. Jim Lee handled “Fantastic Four” and “Iron Man,” while Liefeld took control of the other two. However, like he did with “Youngblood,” he turned in issues late, and eventually, Marvel gave Lee the other two books as well.
The beginning of the end came when Image Comics fired Liefeld (being the only member of Image to ever be fired). Liefeld then created “Awesome Comics,” which had a character named “Fighting American.” Essentially, the character was a Captain America rip-off, and Marvel sued Liefeld. It was settled out of court, with each side claiming victory.
Nowadays, Liefeld is drawing for both DC and Marvel, doing covers and a few issues of certain series. His career is not once like it was, for good reason: he sucked. But, why? Why do so many geeks hate this man?
1.
He can’t draw feet. Look at an issue of “X-Force” or “Teen Titans” that he drew. The feet are usually conveniently covered. When he does draw feet, it’s pathetic.
He can’t draw feet. Look at an issue of “X-Force” or “Teen Titans” that he drew. The feet are usually conveniently covered. When he does draw feet, it’s pathetic.2.He’s a rip-off artist. Fighting American is the best example, but Shaft of “Youngblood” was essentially Hawkeye, minus the cool. He ripped off Spider-Man’s mask and put it on Deadpool, and his character, Supreme, was cooler when he was known as Superman.
He’s a rip-off artist. Fighting American is the best example, but Shaft of “Youngblood” was essentially Hawkeye, minus the cool. He ripped off Spider-Man’s mask and put it on Deadpool, and his character, Supreme, was cooler when he was known as Superman.3.He can only draw the mouth opened real big, or closed. The man cannot draw facial expressions to save his life.
He can only draw the mouth opened real big, or closed. The man cannot draw facial expressions to save his life.4.When he writes, it’s hilarious. There was an issue of “Youngblood,” where the character of Shaft screams at the villain, “EAT SHIT AND DIE, SHITHEAD!”
When he writes, it’s hilarious. There was an issue of “Youngblood,” where the character of Shaft screams at the villain, “EAT SHIT AND DIE, SHITHEAD!” 5.Anatomy is not his friend. The best example of this is his drawing of Captain America. Look up Rob Liefeld on Google Images, and that will be the first picture that comes up. Hilarious. I won’t even go into how tacky the cover to “Glory/Avenglyne” #1 was.
Anatomy is not his friend. The best example of this is his drawing of Captain America. Look up Rob Liefeld on Google Images, and that will be the first picture that comes up. Hilarious. I won’t even go into how tacky the cover to “Glory/Avenglyne” #1 was.6.The biggest reason: he’s the cause of comics in the 1990s sucking. All his books were about big guns, horrible anatomy, and little emphasis on dialogue. They’re like a bad Steven Segal movie on paper. They had no substance to them whatsoever.
The biggest reason: he’s the cause of comics in the 1990s sucking. All his books were about big guns, horrible anatomy, and little emphasis on dialogue. They’re like a bad Steven Segal movie on paper. They had no substance to them whatsoever. I think the best summation of Liefeld was, “Rob Liefeld is a lot like hair-metal; at one time you thought he was the coolest thing ever, now, you won’t even admit to having enjoyed his work.” I forget where that quote comes from, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.
by
Pill
