Thread by @ManFirestorm, This was the first comic I ever read. Giant Sized X-Men 2, [...]

Let’s Talk Comic Book Art

ManFirestorm

This was the first comic I ever read. Giant Sized X-Men 2, Roy Thomas, Neal Adams and Tom Palmer. This is what comic book perfection looks like. This issue is a master class in comic book art, pacing and style. Prepare to be amazed.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

The top is his depiction of Cyclop’s optic blast, it takes up the panel. Look at how he moves the perspective, you start above the omnijet, then near it, then just below, then far below it with the isolated character. It’s cinematic.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Look how he uses color here, to wash out the background to indicate darkness, the use of greys to indicate the television (and look at the lines on the TV), so many details, all perfectly flowing.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Adams knew how to draw for comics, the last panel of the previous issue put the monster outside the window, the first panel of this one has it smashing through. His art is kinetic, note how everyone in this picture is moving.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

So many cool details, the side of iceman’s head is flat, his turning body on that “surfboard” of ice, the floating TV screen, the blast of steam coinciding with the words from the screen. It’s all perfectly situated.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Adams has a dynamic visual style, check out the positioning of frames on this page, Hank knocking the vase into the TV on the way out, his acrobatic escape and the final, tight focus head shot for dramatic finish!
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Look at the floating shot of Havok, Iceman and Polaris with the headshots of Bobby and Lorna in the background. Note the phenomenal costume design on everyone, and the energy signature of Havok’s blast, Adams has great design chops.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Havok’s blast looks amazing, the expanding circles capture the urgency and barely controlled destruction of his powers. And check out the page layout, nary a straight page box in sight, so awesome.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Look at that sentinel’s foot, hooking the panel box as the sentinel falls back. Adams was a master of creating the illusion of depth and motion. And check out how badass beast is, I loved how Adams conveyed his strength and agility.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Adams never wastes good action, he shows Hank’s catch and spin, and finishes up with a great perspective shot on Scott’s optic blast.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

Adams has a rare talent, not only does he make fantastic “realistic” art, but he also imbues it with dynamism that flies off the page. Positioning, framing, sequencing, perspective, this is the best of the best.
#Xmen
#NealAdams
#TomPalmer
#RoyThomas

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