Dan Duncan's art, how do you feel after 5 issues?

[CyberCubed]

From what I gather, Dan Duncan is going to do the entire main IDW series for however long it goes on for. The only time we're going to see alternate artists is in the specials or one-shots, as see in the Raph/Mike mini's and the Infestation 2-parter.

So after 5 issues, do you think Dan Duncan is a perfect fit for the Turtles? I have to say it feels like his Turtles look better with each passing issue. Sometimes they look a little too "lanky" for me, but I guess I am getting used to it.

I like the way the humans look, they have this sorta of sketched look to them but still look well done enough.

[Metropoliskid41]

I've really enjoyed his art so far, and I agree he has gotten better with each issue. I remember seeing his covers for #1 and being on the fence about his art, but he has since silenced all doubts I have. I've really been digging his style.

[King Suck]

My issue 5 wont be here until tues. That said....

Hated it at first. Luke warm to it now. His turtles have looked like they have meth mouth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meth_mouth) in more then a few issues. Ive seen a noticeable improvement with the way he draws his shells. His action poses can sometimes look weird with the way he draws his 3d.

His issue 1 covers are the big stand out for me and are an example of his worst tmnt imo. Still waiting for something standout awesome to counter weight that.
Overall though I think hes gotten better with his turtles.

[Samhain]

While I really love his style, sometimes, the finished product is a little lackluster. I actually have no problem with the way he draws the turtles. I love that ''paint brush'' stroke style he has with his art. I just wish he would work a bit more on backgrounds. Alot of panels are just the turtles with splotches of color for a background.

But I love his version of the Tmnt. Even ''cave man'' Donny.

[Cowabunga Carl]

I'm okay with the art. Then again I like crazy new looks from time to time. Heck Arkham Asylum is one of my favorite Batman books. For me the book, both art and story, feel like a Turtle book. So as long as that continues I'll continue to read it.

[azrael]

I like it - but some areas I feel can be improved

was my vote.

I enjoy his art nothing wrong with it, I feel everyone can improve.. though. His turtles have a natural feel to them. 5 issues down and ready for 500 more.

[Matches Malone]

I really loved the covers for #2 and #3 but it seems like Dan's turtles get lankier with the new covers and interior art. Many say he's getting better but I actually feel like his turtles were more polished early on and they are getting a bit more inconsistent as time goes on. For the most part the interiors look good, so I'm not too worried, but there is usually at least one part in every issue that looks a bit off or rushed. Still, at this point I'm pretty happy with it.

[Samhain]

I really loved the covers for #2 and #3 but it seems like Dan's turtles get lankier with the new covers and interior art. Many say he's getting better but I actually feel like his turtles were more polished early on and they are getting a bit more inconsistent as time goes on. For the most part the interiors look good, so I'm not too worried, but there is usually at least one part in every issue that looks a bit off or rushed. Still, at this point I'm pretty happy with it.

I agree. If you look on the first cover they all had a rounder look to them. Which I prefer. Now they are skinnier and look a bit younger, atleast to me.

[Powder]

I love it.

[Andrew NDB]

I agree. If you look on the first cover they all had a rounder look to them. Which I prefer. Now they are skinnier and look a bit younger, atleast to me.

Yeah, especially on the covers of the upcoming issues. For a minute I was wondering if those issues were to be further flashbacks or something, of when they were younger... but then I remembered this series has the Fred Wolf instant mutation business so that wouldn't make any sense.

I don't know that I love his art but I will say it's greatly improved over the course of the issues.

[CyberCubed]

I don't care for the lanky look because they're too tall but also look skinny. It also makes their heads stick out. There are a few scenes where this was awkward to me.

Overall I hope to see his Turtles in the next few issues.

[AquaParade]

I loved the interior art, until issue #5 came out and I realized how awesome this book could potentially look with another artist.

That being said, I still love his cover pieces, and don't mind the interiors.

[CyberCubed]

I loved the interior art, until issue #5 came out and I realized how awesome this book could potentially look with another artist.


If you're talking about the Feudal Japan scenes, I thought Duncan nailed those perfectly.

[AquaParade]

If you're talking about the Feudal Japan scenes, I thought Duncan nailed those perfectly.

correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that the feudal Japan scene's were not done by Duncan. I do agree though, that they looked fantastic!

[Powder]

Yeah man, Santolouco did the Feudal Japan art.

[Donnie]

Yeah man, Santolouco did the Feudal Japan art.

Santolouco should guest draw on many issues to come. His art was fantastic.

[Spitfire]

His stuff is alright. Not the best TMNT art we've gotten but surely not the worst. Maybe as time goes on he will get better at it though I would like to see some other artists take a stab. Not the ones that did the mircos though...nice place to visit I guess but not to live.

[Matches Malone]

Here's my cue to unabashedly petition for David Peterson... his covers for the micro-series are the first pieces of art I've ever wanted to own. Great writer and even better artist, he is a double threat for some awesome TMNT stories! Bobby Curnow says there is definite interest if only David can free up some time to take on the project...

[King Suck]

Ive considered the leaner turtles as one of the more noticeable signs of improvement.

[Hermano Dyvas]

As of now, I think it's decent. I do notice improvement as the issues go on which is a very good thing.

[Hermano Dyvas]

His stuff is alright. Not the best TMNT art we've gotten but surely not the worst. Maybe as time goes on he will get better at it though I would like to see some other artists take a stab. Not the ones that did the mircos though...nice place to visit I guess but not to live.

I really liked the art in Raph's micro.

[Spitfire]

The art overall was good but I wasn't too fond of how they drew the turtles.

[CyberCubed]

Better than the art for Volume 4 at least.

[Spitfire]

Well unfortunately I liked the writing, setting, and overall tone of Volume 4 better. Even if the art wasn't amazing it was strong in other areas. And as much bitching as we've all done about Lawson's art I've gotten used to it and it really doesn't bother me anymore. Some of the best TMNT artists didn't work on a lot of issues, just how it was.

[CyberCubed]

We've become desensitized to Lawson's art, that's the only reason we're OK with it now. Could you imagine if Volume 4 was drawn by Dooney? The covers he did were amazing and we could have had that art in the interior.

[Metropoliskid41]

Dooney's art is amazing, however I really do like Lawson's work. Maybe it is desensitized as you say, it bothered me at first, but I think his art is definitely unique and very recognizable, and is from an era I really enjoy and it has really grown on me. I actually enjoy it quite a bit. I really hope to get some original art pieces by Lawson into my collection and hope they have him, as well as Dooney, do some variant covers for some of the upcoming issues.

[pannoni1]

I voted "I like it, but some improvement could be made". The designs are generally good, but just search the various threads and you'll see a fair number of issues with how the characters are drawn. The backgrounds are drawn quite well for the most part, Casey and Hob are exceptional, but April comes up a bit flat and the turtles don't quite have the classic Mirage inspiration though Duncan does a good job imitating the previous drawers, especially as the series goes on as we adjust to the new designs.

[Powder]

The turtles don't quite have the classic Mirage inspiration though Dooney does a good job imitating the previous drawers, especially as the series goes on as we adjust to the new designs.

A. That's because these AREN'T the Mirage turtles.

B. What does Dooney have to do with this?

[DrSpengler]

I voted "like but needs improvement".

He's very good though he can ocassionally be a little sloppy with perspective and the angles of the landscape and ocassionally be a little lazy by copy-pasting and flipping panels so he doesn't have to draw them twice.

His pages for issue #5 were probably his most unsatisfying work on the series to date, but the problems are mostly negligable and didn't suck me out of the experience like truly "bad" art would do.

[Donnie]

Ive considered the leaner turtles as one of the more noticeable signs of improvement.

Same here.

I also think Santolouco should take over art for many issues to come. If he draws the Turtles anything like he drew the humans, this book would be a lot edgier and more realistic in its artistic approach, at least for me. Duncan is good, but he still hasn't come totally into his own yet. Santolouco's attention to detail surpasses Duncan's, for sure.

[Plasticplayhouse]

his stuff is growing on me. his stuff has been gradually improving. issue 5 is the first issue that hasnt had the usual "ugly turtle". in the past issues there has always been one turtle in the group that either odd looking or just plain ugly.

art is a funny thing, living almost. it is always evolving. look at all the major artists renditions and you will see it. (which i will continue in another thread)

[CyberCubed]

How did Dan Duncan score the gig to be primary artist?

[Matches Malone]

How did Dan Duncan score the gig to be primary artist?

According to his DeviantART, this is one of the pieces that helped him get the job. Pretty nice piece, in my opinion.

http://dan-duncan.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d47qsgr

[Vegeta]

I thought the art for the raph micro series had been by far the best penciling/ink work out of all the new turtles comics. Duncan's art is cool, but its not great. His April design really doesn't do anything for me.

[Metropoliskid41]

According to his DeviantART, this is one of the pieces that helped him get the job. Pretty nice piece, in my opinion.

http://dan-duncan.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d47qsgr

That is a nice piece, kinda abstract, but really shows off the turtles in different poses. I'd like to have a print of that! I'd like to see them work that into a variant cover or pin-up page at least!

[Toby Barrett]

Heck, I'd love to have that as a cover for an actual issue someday!

[Candy Kappa]

I like his art, but I'm not really diggin' the plastrons on the turtles

[Andrew NDB]

I like his art, but I'm not really diggin' the plastrons on the turtles

Apart from an excess of "sketchiness" in the first few issues that would be my only gripe. Though even those have improved somewhat.

[CyberCubed]

I have to say, his art has gradually gotten better after issue 5 yet there are still some points where the Turtles just look odd. Like that scene with Leo trying to fight off the Mousers while Don/Splinter were knocked out, or sometimes their heads look a bit lanky or disproportional.

There is a definite improvement though when you look at issues 8 and 9 and then go back to the earlier ones. But it can still be fine tuned.

[Lampy]

I like Duncan's art and his Turtles. His turtles have improved as you guys say... but i feel as though they are starting to look odd. i like the height of the new Turtles. however, his plastrons are looking like cardboard as the issues go on. his art is great... but it definitely needs improvement. i don't see that being a big problem though. he is improving.

i still love the old heads he drew for the Turtles in the first few issues. despite their ugly mug... they looked very mean and intimidating. there are times now where the turtles look like nemo's head shape (big dome, big eyes, non-cloth-like bandannas, etc). i'm not saying i don't like how the turtles look now... i just prefer how he drew them before.

[AquaParade]

I love the crap out of his covers. Especially on issues 2 and 3.

However, contrary to some members here, I have actually grown less appreciative of his style over time. A lot of it is starting to appear lazy to me, and I apologize to Duncan, if he is actually pouring a lot of sweat into his work, but that's the impression I get. Still, I always find a few panels every issue that get me excited. I am still enjoying his art overall.

[Venom]

I hate the domed heads on the Turtles, otherwise I dig the dude's art.

It's sketchy and vaguely reminiscent of Lawson with the sharp angles. He does have some inconsistency with foreshortening and such, but otherwise it clicks well. :tcool:

[Donnie]

I love the crap out of his covers. Especially on issues 2 and 3.

However, contrary to some members here, I have actually grown less appreciative of his style over time. A lot of it is starting to appear lazy to me, and I apologize to Duncan, if he is actually pouring a lot of sweat into his work, but that's the impression I get. Still, I always find a few panels every issue that get me excited. I am still enjoying his art overall.

Gotta echo this statement, I like his art less and less with each issue. I hate bug eyed Turtles.

[Matches Malone]

I love the crap out of his covers. Especially on issues 2 and 3.

However, contrary to some members here, I have actually grown less appreciative of his style over time. A lot of it is starting to appear lazy to me, and I apologize to Duncan, if he is actually pouring a lot of sweat into his work, but that's the impression I get. Still, I always find a few panels every issue that get me excited. I am still enjoying his art overall.

Yup, this is me too. A lot of his preliminary work and those covers he did for #2 and #3 are awesome and made me really excited to have him on board, but that slowly diminished as the issues started coming out. I wouldn't say it's lazy, but perhaps rushed due to the hectic schedule from going month to month. You can see a significant difference between his Shredder on the cover of #10 and the way he's drawn at the end of #9. If that's the case, then I would almost prefer to have the book come out every other month so he has time to make the turtles look right. Almost. The turtles are pretty inconsistent with their dome heads and bodies. Much of it doesn't compare to his work before the ongoing, unfortunately. I love the way he draws humans and everything else, even other mutants. Presumably outside of the monthly crunch, I love his turtles too.

http://dan-duncan.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4q2p6j

[Toby Barrett]

If I remember correctly, Bobby once said at the IDW forums that Dan doesn't really get more than one day to relax a month...

Found it. (http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=284498#284498)

Duncan will indeed be off for issues #13 & #14, and returning for #15 on. Will reveal fill-in artist soon, but I think his style meshes well with Dan's, and shouldn't be too jarring. #13/#14 is a stand-alone story arc, so that should help too.

I'd love to have no interruption of course, but Dan will have delivered eleven and a half issues, on time, in a year, on a licensed book. And that includes covers and character design work. That's an incredible feat, and I'm happy to indulge him in a little off time. (It should be noted that Dan won't be lounging around for those two whole months... he will be spending part of that time getting ahead on future issues, so we have a little safety cushion that we have so sorely lacked from the start)

With that cushion room, Duncan probobly won't be stretched so thin and his work will recover from it! I really like his work, and look forward to seeing it every month, but I can certainly see some exhaustion in his pages.

[ToTheNines]

I think his action scenes are amazing, but sometimes he gets kinda sloppy when characters are just sitting/standing and talking. Mainly just with the turtles though... like their legs and plastron.

[gbhq]

the art is just ok, I definatelly like the covers more for some reason. But
I must admit it does slowly grow on you.

[Plasticplayhouse]

I'm liking his stuff more now then before. His art has gotten more consistent. The only thing that still idle me a bit is the lack of tails and the bendy, blocky bottom of his plasteron.

[Lampy]

I love the crap out of his covers. Especially on issues 2 and 3.

However, contrary to some members here, I have actually grown less appreciative of his style over time. A lot of it is starting to appear lazy to me, and I apologize to Duncan, if he is actually pouring a lot of sweat into his work, but that's the impression I get. Still, I always find a few panels every issue that get me excited. I am still enjoying his art overall.

this is what i meant by the Nemo heads. all the turtles look lazily drawn. but i have to say that ... with everything else besides the turtles... his art is improving.

[marcelangelo]

I spoke my mind about dans turtles in the #9 preview thread a few days ago in detail thats why I don't repeat myself here. most of my points however are picked up in matches answer here...woah!thanks for sharing his sketches from before the gig at idw turtles was his, they look much more fleshed out!...I knew with a little more time to breath in between pages the book would profitate from it...hope bobby and tom will give it a thought or two...

[Powder]

Dan has been getting really creative with poses & perspective as of the last few issues, and those are things I really look for & like.

[LeoNerdo]

I actually like it more now than I did at the beginning. The first images I saw I thought were just okay. They looked kinda ugly. Now that I've had some time to digest a larger sample, I like it. I like that it stands on it's own and has a distinctive look. Artists have different styles but I don't think I would have liked it as much if Dan was attempting to imitate someone else's turtles.

[Grimlock]

Duncan's art is good. But at times, it can and has looked rushed. His style is very ''messy'' and sort of has that painted, brush stroke thing going on. I like it, especially his earlier, more beefy turtles.

[CyberCubed]

His humans are very sketchy. Notice April, Casey and Baxter with all the sketch lines or whatever you call them along their faces.