No, I'm complaining the new stuff is shitty. Do you want to eat shit, because I don't.

 

Especially cause Josh Burcham colored most of the iconic modern TF Comics and is known to post TFW.

 

Then...don't.

 

Nobody here has anything against Josh.

You don't know if you will enjoy a comic book until you read it and if you enjoyed or did not enjoy it, your praises and criticisms should be heard.

 

But this isn't issue #1. If you keep buying something you hate, that's now on you. If you've already identified that you hate it, then move on to something else.

 

It's a stylistic choice and obviously one IDW and, in turn, Hasbro got behind. I was honestly surprised I was even asked to begin with because my style is what it is but I think I can safely assume, at this point, that it being a different spin on the original designs rather than just recycling the 90s cgi look is why I was even asked.

I wish it was to everyone's liking, of course, but I don't intend on changing anything drastically. I definitely strive to improve with each issue and I do listen to crits and try to address them, within reason.

But yeah! I exaggerate things like spikey fins and head crests. It's my nod to that stylized japanese Mecha/manga art/even studio ox. I don't go for toon accuracy but their designs are obviously my reference.

Like I say, I wish it was to everyone's (and your) liking but I don't take it personally (heck, you and I used to interact a lot back in the day, iirc!). But everyone has their preferences and I'm happy to talk stuff out if people like or have questions about the process or my inspirations/creative choices. Obviously sometimes rougher stuff slips through that I wish I could refine but times always a factor, too. The nature of the beast (hur), I'm afraid!

 

I'm constantly surprised by the way people on these boards talk about Josh's artwork, knowing full well he's a member here and can read what we say. You'd think people would have the basic courtesy to be a little bit respectful (even if his style is not to their taste).

But i guess that's too much to ask for.

 

At least none of them have doubled down and said something horrible to his face.

...Yet. Give it time, I'm sure someone will.

 

Lol, ah I don't make a big deal of it. Some might not know I've been a member here for as long as I have and others just like to get their opinions across, which is just as well. We all have our likes and dislikes and I won't take any offense, as crass as some of them can be  

I like to try and be as open about my work/art as I can, though, and hear people out so I welcome the discussion, critiques, and questions. I'd rather they be honest about what they like or don't like vs buttoning up just because I'm here. I promise my feelings don't get hurt, hehe. Its all fuel to inspire me to grow better at what I do

 

I know we're kinda beating a dead horse here, but I'll throw my two cents in anyway.

Look man, I get that you want to emulate Animated, I really do and that's great. But I don't think you get what made said art style great, particularly with the proportions; Optimus Primal really doesn't need a Rodney Copperbottom-level Mohawk. Factor in IDW lighting and it looks, frankly, like shit.

The other biggest thing is the lack of almost any kind of curved outline, y'know, the thing that makes beastformers look organic. Everyone, (Megs especially) looks about as stiff and articulated as this:




That's bad, Josh.

 

Lol no you don't get it, because Josh has had his style since before Animated was even a thing.

 

It aint "nobody" just read the thread more

 

Yeah, I'll take the blame for this one. This is what I get for tempting fate.

 

I was under the impression that Josh only handles the colouring and it was someone else who did the art.

That’s awkward.

 

@Josh I really do love your coloring work. You're my favorite colorist at IDW rn. Have you ever talked to Livio Ramondelli? You two should be the only colorists allowed near TF lol.


Other than that one panel with Primal's mohawk I've enjoyed your Beast Wars work as well. I hope they let you and the rest of the team keep pushing past issue 12. Part of what made BW/BM so successful in story telling was having the time to flesh out the world and take it to new places.

12 issues with modern page counts? Maybe not enough.

Can you provide any insight as to whether or not the 12 issue number is set in stone or if there's a chance at a true ongoing here?

 

I appreciate that! Livio and I get on well! Always great to see him at cons and stuff. Though we haven't ever worked together, yet. Might have to try and remedy that someday! Somehow!

We absolutely agree and definitely have ideas for beyond 12! But I can't confirm anything past that just yet

 

I isn't just him, we had this reply to Alex on the first page:

 

Honestly, yeah. It's perfectly fine to criticize in a respectful manner but the way some people talk about Josh on here greatly irritates me, especially when you consider he's a pretty nice person who even engages with people on here. You don't have to be a fan of his work but for god sakes at least try to remember that he's not a bad guy and is just doing his best.

I noticed people were often pretty awful in regards to Livio as well.

 

I think Josh is a good colorist, but in regards to the character designs there is "doing his best" and "intentionally getting things wrong that fans of the TV show would be outraged about". Again, I point to Optimus Primal's stupidly oversized mohawk. That's as respectful as it can be described. That's not the artist "doing their best", its being "completely out of touch with the readers expectations". When you're writing or drawing for a book that's cashing in on the original fans nostalgia for that property (not just Transformers but anything), those nostalgic fans will have certain specific expectations when they come to read your book. They enjoyed the original property and want more of it. And when the book falls short of expectations they rightfully will complain.

The below artwork would be good for little little kids but since the Beast Wars comic is aimed towards fans of the original TV show from 1996, those fans have grown and matured. They deserve better or as good as the original show. I just don't think the Beast Wars comic was the right choice to go for an experimental Animated style aesthetic given that it has an established long-time fanbase and character designs. Animated worked because it was a completely new continuity universe; and while it borrowed elements from past designs, Animated was not those past characters with a completely new stylised aesthetic. People also complained when the IDW1 comic started copying the movie aesthetic. That was short lived and was changed to become more traditional as soon as they could.






Now this here is an example of the artist clearly respecting the original TV show and readers expectations. The three characters look exactly like they should do with no deviation or personal touch. Some may say the art is unoriginal and uninspired for not trying anything new or different, but not everything has to be new and different. The writer and artist just has to know their audience and not go chasing some imaginary new audience that story and artwork respecting the original TV show wouldn't appeal to.

 

I think I'm one of the few on these boards that really does like his art even though he may not be my favourite artist.

Well unless it's a continuation of something that's just plain boring.