Flash #6 Now 1/27/2010

[Ethan Van Sciver]

I am truly sorry that FLASH REBIRTH is late. Except for right now at this moment, I am working overtime, overnights, to get the last issue finished. It'll be done soon, and it's good stuff! A great finale, and it'll be worth the wait.

Thanks for everyone's patience. (Except for Kevin T. Brown. But even with him, I know it's just because he loves my comix so much and wants more of them!)

[Ethan Van Sciver]

Ok, since you and quite a few others here are still relatively new to posting here at the 'Bloc, let me clue you in on a few things: EVS and his family lived in Orlando, FL for quite some time. Through the 'Bloc - back in it's glory days - all the members in central Florida would get together for group outings (with Ethan, Sharis, and sometimes Hunter) in what was called "Nerd Herds". If you look back about 4 years or so through the Random Junk section, you can find photos and stories of the group going to places like Florida Aquarium, MegaCon, etc. as well as videos of us on YouTube. In fact, there were times EVS would invite everyone back to his house at the end of the day to watch movies. Some of the Herd were even lucky to catch a sneak peak on what he was working on. Now, personally, I've known Ethan online ever since Bob Rozakis used to host a trivia chat on AOL. He would come in and hang out along with this guy who later turned out to become a big-time writer by the name of Geoff Johns. In fact some might say their collaboration might have first begun in the said chatroom. In Chicago, 2007, EVS and I may have had a minor falling out - due to me being intoxicated, but we've been civil since (those of you that saw me or didin't see me at Wizard Con due to me being passed out in the hotel room will recall this). He's always been nothing but cordial in our Facebook exchanges, in which I played and sang a-ha "Take On Me" and he filmed a vid playing it back on piano. I even took him up on his challenge and entered his "Play Break My Stride" contest. While I do not pretend to know him as well as some of the others here, I DO know that he respects honesty and what people really have to say, as well as their true feelings (because let's face it, we're all deeply passionate about comics - whether we're fans or creators) over some of the brown-nosing, wannabe-professional Yes-Men they inhabit these boards and feel the need to stick their nose in and rise to a creators defense when any type of criticism is aimed at them - positive or negative. So, ever since this place was known as GeoffJohns.com, there has been a certain level of intimacy (like going with Moose and fellow 'Bloccers to the nudie bar in Chicago), if not familiarity amongst members here who have known each other over the years - professionals and fans. I guess looking at this from a poster's perspective - one who has hasn't been posting here quite as long or one who has never met his fellow 'Bloccers or heroes - our legitimate complaints might come across as smack talking or being two-faced. Talking smack? Sure, but like I said before some of us have that level familiarity in which we're encouraged to do so. Two-faced? Hardly, because I know myself and a couple other posters in this thread (whom I've had the pleasure of meeting in person, or known as an online presence for at least a decade) would say the exact same thing as we've said here to EVS. And you know what? He's got a pretty thick skin. And he'd also respects us more for being honest rather than kissing his ass.

Scott Mateo

Scott, what did you do in 2007?

[General grievous]

@Scottmateo

Nice post dude. Very informative and honest.

I still think every time a book is late we don't need 30 pages saying so. The fact that the mods have had to clean up disputes and lock said threads at times says they pretty much end up going that road anyways.

Honestly is one thing. Obbession is another.

Still. Being tactful,No need to name people so that's why I didn't. So it's about everyone and nobody.

Nudie bar? Awesome!

[Ethan Van Sciver]

If I pointed out his lateness as much as some people do here. I would feel very awkward shaking his hand at a convention.

General grievous

Nonsense!

[fastestmanalive]

Hey Ethan quick question if your'e still about?
when you finish a page do you email it over to the colorists straight away or do you finish all 22 pages then send it all at once?
just curious really
p.s any clues as to how your'e geting along right now? page 6/7/8 etc?
cheers

[General grievous]

Nonsense!

Ethan Van Sciver

You'd be surprized.

Still. lateness doesn't bother me too much. I can always try finish kerouac's on the road each time a book is late

[Ethan Van Sciver]

Well, it was actually his own posts in the "EVS" thread at greenlanterncorps.com message board. He snidely commented that he could be a monthly artist if he wanted to be, and he now "wanted to be." This was about 5 months ago. I could care less if a comic is early, late or whatever. For some reason it does irritate me how pompous Van Sciver seems to be. Saying things like "i feel like it, so i inked it" etc. The sad thing is that this was announced JUNE 2008. Since then ethan pencilled JLA #21, a dozen covers and 5 issues of Flash. This series should have been in the bag before issue #1 even came out. Frankly, I don't understand the drooling over his art. The perspective on the "Jesse Quick boot to the face" page is laughable. perspective in general, and proportion of body parts (you know, fundamentals of art) are not a strong suit of Ethan's.

dfb8084

There's nothing "snide" or "pompous" about it. I'd never done a comic book in 4 weeks before, and I decided to try it. I did it, and for a while thought that maybe it's what I wanted to do. But I realized I wouldn't be happy with my work if I continued that kind of situation.

Also, sometimes I get excited about drawing with ink, and sometimes it's more fun with pencil. How saying "I feel like inking" irritates you is fascinating.

[General grievous]

Nonsense!

Ethan Van Sciver

You'd be surprized.

Still. Lateness doesn't bother me too much. I can always try finish kerouac's On the road each time a book is late

[General grievous]

"I feel like inking"

Ethan Van Sciver

Stop being snide

[Ethan Van Sciver]

Well, I'm sure the allure of inking one's own work means you do not have to then share the art with the inker.... Thereby making more money on re-sale. 3 vacations/conventions actually. Fanexpo Canada in August. Armageddon in Australia in mid-October. Lucca Comics in Italy in late-October/early-November.

KevinTBrown

The allure of inking one's own work is simply to work in a different medium (drawing with ink, as I do, is smoother...the effect of putting solid blacks down instead of scratchy pencils is often more pleasant.) and to be sure that the final product meets with my approval. Money is nice too, but when I'm drawing comics, I'm not usually thinking about that. (Or else I'd draw more, and faster, you see.)

Conventions are not "vacations." They are a vital function of what we do, to promote the comics and meet fans. I do not ride roller coasters, lie on beaches, or relax in any sense. They are work.

And if you were to ask Australian fans what meeting me was like in mid-October, you'd find that I canceled my appearance there to stay home and draw.

[fastestmanalive]

There's nothing "snide" or "pompous" about it. I'd never done a comic book in 4 weeks before, and I decided to try it. I did it, and for a while thought that maybe it's what I wanted to do. But I realized I wouldn't be happy with my work if I continued that kind of situation. Also, sometimes I get excited about drawing with ink, and sometimes it's more fun with pencil. How saying "I feel like inking" irritates you is fascinating.

Ethan Van Sciver

Thanks for putting that in context, i know you shouldn't have to... but there we are!

[Ethan Van Sciver]

Hey Ethan quick question if your'e still about? when you finish a page do you email it over to the colorists straight away or do you finish all 22 pages then send it all at once? just curious really p.s any clues as to how your'e geting along right now? page 6/7/8 etc? cheers

fastestmanalive

Hey fastest! Original art is sent to the office in NYC as soon as it's finished. I'll usually wait till I have 3 pages, and then turn them in. I don't know how soon they go to the colorist from there.

Issue 6 is more than halfway finished.

Thanks!

[fastestmanalive]

Thanks for that
I know I have criticized elements of your style in the past, but i agree with everyone who says; im sure it's worth waiting for....

Do you have any plans to do any projects where you write and draw the whole thing again? I think your biggest strength is your storytelling and i'd be interested to read your writing.

[KevinTBrown]

But this time, you'll wait in line with everyone else, right?

Ethan Van Sciver

Why start now? And besides, 99.9% of the time I'm generally I'm already talking to the person sitting next to you when I say hello to you anyway.

[KevinTBrown]

The allure of inking one's own work is simply to work in a different medium (drawing with ink, as I do, is smoother...the effect of putting solid blacks down instead of scratchy pencils is often more pleasant.) and to be sure that the final product meets with my approval. Money is nice too, but when I'm drawing comics, I'm not usually thinking about that. (Or else I'd draw more, and faster, you see.) Conventions are not "vacations." They are a vital function of what we do, to promote the comics and meet fans. I do not ride roller coasters, lie on beaches, or relax in any sense. They are work. And if you were to ask Australian fans what meeting me was like in mid-October, you'd find that I canceled my appearance there to stay home and draw.

Ethan Van Sciver

Well, I was basing that on the post you had for your con appearances in your little corner of the Bloc.

As for yout Italy con/trip, you did mention on Facebook about how you were extending it a few days to make it a vacation.....

Just sayin'.

[Ethan Van Sciver]

Why start now? And besides, 99.9% of the time I'm generally I'm already talking to the person sitting next to you when I say hello to you anyway.

KevinTBrown

You say long hellos! This time a wave will do.