Superman Through the Ages! Forum

If you've read through the article (http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/about-the-story.php) explaining how we are putting together Siegel and Shuster's lost "K-Metal" story, you know that only 10 of Joe Shuster's original 26 pages are known to be in existence.

Since we don't have access to the original artwork, Angel Criado is redrawing the Shuster pages using the copies that we have as reference.  Then Bob Rivard is inking and coloring Angel's pages.

I just received their completed page 5 and am completely blown away by the absolutely incredible job that they're doing.

As an example, here for comparison is the sixth panel from the original 1940 Shuster page as it was reproduced in Alter Ego #26:

(http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/buttons/panel-6-old.gif)

Keep in mind, this is only one panel from an 8 panel page.

Here's the same panel from Angel and Bob's completed page 5.  This is before I've added the dialogue, and the full-size presentation here really lets you see the amazing amount of detail work they've done. (As usual, click to zoom-in.)

(http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/buttons/panel-6-new.jpg)

There's a lot that I like in this panel, but the main focus for me is the painting, which Bob has done a fantastic job on.

But just wait until you get a look at their Lois Lane!

:s:

I hate to criticize such an obviously worthwhile project that all involved seem (deservedly) passionate about, but the newly-drawn,  color-ized version of that panel eliminates all of the charm and storytelling power of the original.

The most colorful aspect of the panel is now the painting.  Its microscopic detail is glaringly at odds with the simplicity of the forground figures.  The people who are having the discussion and carrying the story forward are eclipsed by this giant painting, which is described adequately enough in the original word balloon (charming and effective in its own right).

Again, this is a great project, presenting a free, readable, complete version of this "lost" story from the Golden Age of Superman, but I won't be raving about the "improved" Shuster studio art based on this sample.

Call me Mr. Crusty Curmudgeon :cry:

I partly agree about the painting, but I think its a relatively minor thing.

But I don't think it will be a problem in the completed piece as a whole...I can't wait until its done, its a cool project and I thank everyone who is putting in all the time to make it a reality...it rocks...  :)

Thanks, Tenzil! :)  We're all putting in a lot of work on this thing!

Sorry you don't like the painting, Telle.

One of the reasons I posted this particular panel was so that people could get a glimpse of the detail in the finished artwork.  Once all the dialogue is in place (and if it's anything like the original artwork, that means that about half the panel will be covered with dialogue balloons) and once the page is shrunk down for online presentation, most likely all you'll be able to see of the painting is a smudge of color.  So get a look at it here while you can.


One of the points that Scott McCloud makes in Understanding Comics is that if you look at something like, say, Tintin (http://tintin.tk/) (probably my all-time favorite comic book series), you'll notice that the characters are surprisingly simplistic and cartoony, but the backgrounds are incredibly realistic and detailed.  This has the effect of helping the reader to indentify with the characters and also places them in the environment, smack-dab in the middle of all the action.

But that's merely an intellectual point raised on my part in response to your statement.  I don't think it even applies here.  Like I said, once the page is done I don't think the painting will stand out so much.  In my eyes that would be a loss and I hope it does stand out, because it looks great!

Angel made this point, and I agree with him on it:

:s:

Thanks to both Telle and MatterEater for their comments, opinions and support.  I am very happy to be working with Rao and Bob Rivard on this and am very excited to see my dream on this become a reality.  When I envisioned this project some time ago, my 1st impulse was to do this  because I sincerely admire what Rao has created here, and I wanted to do something worthy of this site.  I mean, this is the only site with an original Maggin story, and with on-line comics to boot.  I think this site, out of all the Superman sites there are was one of the very few that was willing to stand up to a corporate giant and keep the pure idea of this character alive.  I was brought up on Supes, Pre-Crisis and the period as a whole carried with it a magic and innocence that I feel I can only get glimpses of since, but I get it in spades here.

I remember when I 1st found this site, I spent hours upon hours reading everything I could find on that site.  So words are difficult to express the appreciation I have for the work done here.

So - thank you all for continuing to frequent this site and making it a cornerstone of the web for Superman.

You keep flying, Angel baby! :s:

Thanks!!!!

Hey, nobody's more old school than me, so I don't do the effects lightly!  I thought that since the painting represented another medium, an artsy style would differentiate it from say, a photograph or drawing.  Besides, the art critic goes on for half the page about how kitschy and amateur it is - I figured gaudy was called for.  I haven't seen the whole script yet, but I presume the painting actually is a story point, so a little attention to it also seemed called for.

Oh, hey Bob.  By the way - I just saw the work you did coloring page 5.  I think it's excellent!!!!  Good job and great work!!!

(I know - I could have sent you the private e-mail, but nothing like creating mystery in what's coming.)

Angel

Angel and Bob, thanks for commenting.  I admire artists who can stand up to their critics (it's funny that the scene involves a "know-it-all" art critic).  Trying to find something positive in your response, and avoiding the obvious wise-cracks, it struck me that something like photoshop and the ability to blow up images would have aided Shuster enormously as his vision declined.



(http://www.time-cat.com/tintin_look.jpg) (http://www.time-cat.com/tintin_painting.jpg)

My pleasure!  I actually do appreciate honest opinions - despite my 1st urge to reach out and strangle someone.  :lol:

gulp! :shock:

No need to reach for THIS Superman fan's neck!  :D:  

I can't WAIT to start reading the completed story, gentlemen!  :D

Thanks very much.  As I'm sure Telle figured out - I am very much kidding and your necks are very safe despite your thoughts that may not agree with mine.  :lol:

So for the record, your views are appreciated regardless of critique or otherwise.

Once again, thanks for your interest and support of the work we're doing here.

Angel

I am pretty excited to finally read this story. I do hope that the line art tries to ghost Joe's art as close as possible.

That's one of the criteria for us on this project.  If you look at the sample at the beginning of this thread, you will note how much of an outstanding job Bob actually did.  So you know, we just didn't color the original Shuster page.  I redrew it, Bob re-inked it and then colored it.  So - that pic should answer your questions about our maintaining the art as close to the original as possible.

Angel

great!

I do hope however, that The Great Rao also puts up the original pages and script in addition to the new restored version.

That's something that is up to Rao and his infinite wisdom.

Angel

At Rao's suggestion, I wanted to let you know that I have finally got my site up and running.  Much of it is still under development - however, much of my pre-inked KMetal art will be posted there as we release it as well as some other art associated with the project.

www.criadoman.com

Hi all,

I just wanted to say that I've been away just a little while enough to miss the presentation of this new one.  Great work again, great work from J.Siegel & J.Shuster, great work & great iniative from the people who are handling this project, great scoop from this website.  You know, you guys have the website that I'm doing...  I'm always posting new stuff, trying to make Superman (character) alive by showing novelties, et al...

Once more - great teamwork from this website - exceptional!

Brainiac (Friend)

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

Here's the final result for page 5, panel 6.  The original 1940 version is on the left; the all-new, redrawn, reinked, colored, and lettered-from-scratch version is on the right.

(http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/buttons/panel-6-old.gif) (http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/hidden-gold.php)(http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/buttons/panel-6-hidden-gold.jpg) (http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/hidden-gold.php)

This should allay any concerns.

:s:

beautiful art work .I love the colors

In all honesty, the real credit of this page belongs to Bob.  He was rather unwavering in his committment to authenticity that he took some additional pains to ensure the final product came out so well compared to the original.

More soon to come...

Alright Telle, what do you think of the panel now (http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/index.php?page=5)?  The old all-new isn't new anymore, this is the new all-new:

(http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/buttons/panel-6-redo.jpg) (http://superman.nu/k-metal-from-krypton/index.php?page=5)