Spider-Man By Design

[Lord Kancho]

I prefer the look Marvel went with. Maybe kids would like the cartoony look, but not me. Looks absolutely amazing, man.

[Bruce Lee]

I prefer the look Marvel went with. Maybe kids would like the cartoony look, but not me. Looks absolutely amazing, man.

Thanks, Kancho! I'm glad you enjoy it!

Loston

[Bathill8]

Phenomenal work all around Loston....Marvel and the kids couldn't lose either way! First time I ran across this thread.(how'd I miss it?) Hope to meet up some day and enrich myself in a smidge of your artistic knowledge!

[Bruce Lee]

Phenomenal work all around Loston....Marvel and the kids couldn't lose either way! First time I ran across this thread.(how'd I miss it?) Hope to meet up some day and enrich myself in a smidge of your artistic knowledge!

Thanks, Bat. I guess I've been around the block a few times. :gushes:

Anyway, I just wanted to say that it's guys like you that really make Penciljack a great forum on the web. Since the first day you arrived here, you've amazed us with your art, and you're unwavering positive attitude is greatly appreciated as well. I hope for good things in your future.

Loston

[malachimanson]

Loston- I've looked over this thread a few times. Never really know what to say. The stylized version of your Spiderman was a really excellent design. The flaw though however wasn't in the design nor marvel wanting a more realistic one. It was due to it being with the movie. Trying to tie it in would making a Stylized version of Spiderman almost fail in all respects.

If you were pitching a animated style Spiderman book. I think it would of gone over more. The style I feel specially with the webbing approach you did would of made Spiderman pop out at you. For this style approach I think it would make kids gravitate towards your art.

As always continue to grace us with your presence and tutor us in the ways of art. I've learned a lot from reading your section of the board. Thanks again.

[Bruce Lee]

Loston- I've looked over this thread a few times. Never really know what to say. The stylized version of your Spiderman was a really excellent design. The flaw though however wasn't in the design nor marvel wanting a more realistic one. It was due to it being with the movie. Trying to tie it in would making a Stylized version of Spiderman almost fail in all respects.

Meredith Books thought differently about this. I had done a SUPERMAN RETURNS movie book for Meredith in a more animated style, and it proved to be the biggest seller of their SUPERMAN RETURNS line, outselling the other SUPERMAN RETURNS books. Since my book was meant for preschool agers, and it was the only SR book Meredith put out with the animated style, Meredith concluded that the animated style sold better. That's a big reason that they wanted the SPIDER-MAN 3 Soundbook to be in an animated style. Since Meredith paid a STAGGERING amount of cash for the licensing, they really wanted to hedge their bets and hit one out of the park to recoup cost and turn a profit with the Spidey books.

Marvel Entertainment at that time were concerned with their branding, and didn't want to risk deviating from their standard format. I understand their thought process and logic, but I really don't know that I agree with it much. Spider-Man is Spider-Man. Kids also relate to more animated style art, seeing it on television, in video games, toys and elsewhere on a daily basis. I don't think they'd have trouble making the connection with the movie Spidey--- I doubt many kids even know ANY other version anyway of the character anyway.

An interesting situation in my career, for sure. I was stuck in the middle, but I did favor the animated style more. Either way, the SPIDEY 3 Soundbook wound up being one of Meredith's biggest (if not THE biggest) children's book hits. It sold extremely well at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldens, and on Amazon. To be honest, I'm not sure the art was any kind of factor in the sales, considering the popularity of the movie franchise. I just did my job, and even though I didn't agree with the approach, I'm happy to gotten a chance to draw the book. It was a very crazy experience.

Loston