Comments on: “Do I Think DC Comics Owes Me Anything? Yes and No”

By: Veola Malley

Veola Malley — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 05:27:12 +0000

People have always been drawn to the new or fresh, and thus one of the drawbacks of knowing who the creators are behind the comics like we do now and have since the 80s. Is that the new and fresh also applies to creators now as well. Meaning creators who do good work, on time, aren’t as valued as the new guys and gals coming in.

By: beane2099

beane2099 — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:48:34 +0000

I concur with James. It seems that art style is a dying breed at the big 2. It’s shame, but I see both sides of it. On one hand those artists are what made comics what they are now (along with Kirby, Ditko, etc). They shouldn’t just be put out to pasture as they still have a lot of good work in them. On the other hand, a lot of that style is a bit dated. I have to admit, if I have a choice between the work of Ivan Reis and Dexter Soy or those odd gummy smiles that pepper Ordway’s work I have to go with Reis or Soy. But I’m not saying that Ordway and co. need to go and don’t deserve work. But I wouldn’t advise they put any stock in friends at the big 2. I think Ordway and others would do better at IDW, Image, and Valiant (to name a few). There’s a lot of quality work coming out of those companies and they could use artists like Ordway, Jiminez and Lim. Definitely some stories that would fit their styles too.

By: James

James — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:01:53 +0000

I have always been a fan of Ordway’s work, and hope to see more of it. Yet honestly isn’t this the way the industry has worked for a while now? I don’t see much from Chris Claremont, or Ron Lim or Marv Wolfman or Phil Jiminez either. The creators with long careers these days are the ones who have diversified and they still are more the exceptions than the rule.

By: GSHAG

GSHAG — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:31:52 +0000

Another vote for Mr. Ordway at Valiant. Get him on Archer and Armstrong, that would be the tits.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:56:47 +0000

I’d LOVE to see Ordway over at Valiant.

These days, over at DC, exclusive contracts come with guarantees of work, or else a small financial penalty is paid out. I suspect it was cheaper to just pay Ordway the penalty than to actually give him work. The real pisser here is that he’s a genuine work horse, he meets his deadlines, has a fan following and does incredible work. Why they’re screwing him over while coddling the Ethan Van Scivers of the world is a mystery.

I guess the old saying is true: It’s not who you know, it’s who you blow.

By: FDR

FDR — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:15:13 +0000

Why not create a digital-first JSA anthology (like the Batman and Superman books) that Ordway can draw? Rotate writers and let him draw as much as he wants; he’d be perfect.

By: Mo Walker

Mo Walker — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:29:42 +0000

I agree with Corey Scott. Ordway would be a good fit at Valiant, especially given his inking style (in my opinion) compliments Stefano Gaudiano.

By: Kyle Garret

Kyle Garret — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:54:10 +0000

Ordway started off as an inker, didn’t he? If his page rates really haven’t changed in 17 years, it seems insane that he’s not getting work.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:25:23 +0000

The MAJOR diff between Mackie, Lobdell and Ordway is that Ordway is talented.

By: Corey Scott

Corey Scott — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:27:02 +0000

Have to agree with Paul on this: I had no idea nor care about the ages of people DC is hiring. My concern was that people were being hired into DC, being given multiple titles, that hadn’t seemingly earned a spot there, and given treatment over people who had.

I agree it may be that Ordway isn’t getting work at DC because of their darker tones in storytelling. Which is a big, BIG problem I have with DC right now.

We (as an industry) need to get past the point where DC and Marvel are the top spot that you need to achieve to “make it.” I’m not saying Jerry is wrong about the pay, or that he should have to work as hard for less money or recognition. But we need an exodus of these great creators that are being ignored at the Big Two to a place that will showcase them, where the fans can find them and support them. Image works solely on that it’s up to the creators to invest themselves first, and reap the potential rewards later.

It’s time for a new CrossGen, but one with better business sense. I think Valiant may be the closest we have to that right now.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:17:33 +0000

jerry should be able to get some work at dc or marvel but you know maybe he should look at dark horse maybe could do some star wars or conan.

By: Alexa (Ladies Making Comics)

Alexa (Ladies Making Comics) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:14:20 +0000

I would start with making exclusive contracts come with guaranteed work. It’s frankly legally dubious not to. Of course, that would probably result in fewer veterans being offered exclusives in the first place, which could be a double-edged sword.

By: Drivers

Drivers — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:01:16 +0000

“Hmmm…I wonder if this is also due to the current climate in books, as they are now returning to a bit of a darker tone,”

Returning? When did they leave?

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Hmmm…I wonder if this is also due to the current climate in books, as they are now returning to a bit of a darker tone, while Ordway’s style is more bright and open. This makes it less likely that he will find an appropriate match. I mean, for goodness sakes, if a upbeat-sounding title like “Batman/Superman” is being drawn by “shadows-are-everywhere” Jae Lee (Who I love and am excited about this book), where would you put Ordway?

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:27:05 +0000

That’s the dumbest analogy I’ve ever heard. DeFalco, Mackie and Lobdell WERE hired because of cronyism. It’s hardly coincidence that Lobedll couldn’t get arrested in the industry for years, and is now writing three monthlies for his pal, Bob Harras. Ordway has contributed to the DC Comics mythos for twenty five years, and is worth TEN Scott Lobdells any day.

Jerry is better off moving away from DC. IDW treats their creators with respect. I’d love to see Jerry team up with John Byrne again.