I met him a few years ago at NYCC. He did a Batman sketch for me (for only $20) and when he started to draw all the other artists around him stopped what they were doing to watch him draw.
I was honored to meet him at Planet Comic Con in KC. The sweetest guy ever. Didn’t even charge for pictures or autographs. He just asks that you donate to support aspiring creators. Truly an inspiration.
In both Chris' video and your description, he comes across as the type of guy that if you would try to hire him, but tell him you don't have a lot of money to spend, would just tell you that he "likes the concept for the comic", is "excited to work on it" and "not to worry about it and just pay him what you can afford". In other words, I don't think he cares all too much about the monetary aspects of his craft.
Perez has even more merit because, back in these days, there were no 3D programs nor Photoshops. All these scenes were handled with such a respect to perspective and proportions, it's really impressive. And all that was drawn in a record time.
I am 53 years old. I started boxing and rejected getting signed because my mother took the news of my being a professional boxer as if i announced i was committing suicide. I started boxing because bullies would beat me up ... to take my comics... yeah. I start with that to say boxing stayed with me and I am still today disciplined and rigorous in everything I do. I admire Chris as a journalist, always prepared and well spoken, even when he does his...drinking challenges he remains stout, intelligent....respectful. I hope TRULY hope Chris continues to grow... his beautiful renderings on racism and human rights are soooo inconspicuous because he speaks of Black and Hispanic...any minority artists without mentioning they are Black or Minorities. Perhaps, who knows...maybe we will have another truly decent public servant in Chris. Thank you Chris.
Big respect to Chris no doubt. It was kinda nagging at me tough in this video whether the artist was maybe a little exploited as an immigrant. references to 'more recognized or professionally established figures' read to me as 'better paid', hence 'just being happy to be at DC' feels like part of that. I know Chris kinda said it without saying it; shame he didn't have any creator owned stuff, they kept him working continually even while 'imploding' buy never gave him any kind of exclusive contract or bonus. But hey, he's happy, were happy, s'all good then right?
Jose Luis Garcia Lopez was the face of DC comics for me...I didn't know it at the time, but his versions of their characters defined them for me and are still the ones I think of to this day... Great video, Chris. :)
Jose Luiz Garcia-Lopez truly is a great artist, criminally overlooked. His work and Jose Gonzales( Vampirella, Barbie) are examples of supreme, clean artistry with gorgeous details!
Maybe I’m the only one, but I absolutely adored the Atari Force comics DC series. The characters, and design were off the charts, and would have been welcomed even without a famous name brand attached. My Dad worked for Warner which owned Atari and DC at the time. Jose’s art was amazing. I finally got him to sign my issues. He was appreciative of someone being a fan of that work.
The most underrated comic book artist out there and yet his style is as iconic and defining as those of Jim Aparo, John Romita Sr, George Perez, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons or John Buscema. He's up there. Edit: Why no mention of the Superman vs Spiderman crossover? Because it is quite MASTERFUL.
I suspect you got the Superman-Spider-man crossover confused with the Batman-Hulk which was by Garcia-Lopez and was the second big DC-Marvel crossover.
I have never seen you put “MASTERFUL” on any episode. You must think highly of JLG-L I do too. For me him and Neal Adams are quintessential DC especially during the 80’s Super Powers era. He really drew DC how they should look which I wasn’t surprised when he was selected to illustrate the style guide. I never knew that existed. I WISH I owned one! Great episode again. It took me back.
When i was a kid my friend had his oversized Hulk vs Batman comic and there is a panel where the Hulk is trying to smash Batman with a car. Batman leaps through the passenger side, and straight through the drivers side window and the art is amazing. I stared for hours at the action and linework of that panel that JLGL drew. Also the Jonah Hex comics, I used to have lots of those and loved them when I was becoming an artist myself.
Growing up in 70's, early 80's as a kid, my favorite DC artist were Neal Adams, Jim Aparo and Garcia-Lopez. Loved how dynamic JLGL art looked. Loved his Jonah Hex. And DC covers.... ohhhh the covers. Particularly 'DC Comics Presents'. Superman and a different hero each month drawn by JLGL.
I remember being a 10-year-old kid reading the first issues of DC Comics Presents with the Superman/Flash race with art by Lopez. I was blown away even then.
One of my favorite artists. The editors of the Danish DC comics in the 1980ies agreed as well since a lot of García-López was featured. Luckily we got translations of Atari force and his Deadman stories as well. :)
Thank you for doing this video. Every time I go into a dollar store if I see any type of DC merch at all I immediately recognize the artist. Jose Luis garcia-lopez it's definitely an unsung Genius of the industry
@pippin except JLGL didn't start working at DC until after the silver age ended. I like a lot of Frank's stuff but there were people focusing on story and characterization beige him. And there was better art in the bronze age, too.
It's absolutely magical when JLGL is inked by Kevin Nowlan. They've worked together on Dr. Strangefate, a 3-parter for Batman Confidential, and Action Comics 1000 (and maybe some others I'm missing). Fantastic collaboration.
OMG! Yes! Didn't care too much for the whole Amalgam schtick when it came out but couldn't pass on the opportunity to see the results of two of my favorite artists working together.
Amazing. Here in the UK in the 1970s we had superhero collectible cards given away free with breakfast cereal. I didn't realise until now that the art was done by José Luis García-López. It was my first experience of more grown-up comic art and I loved it!
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez is one of my favorite artist ever. I remember a lot of DC's merch from the 80's even tought I didn't know who was the artist back then I always love how cool all the super heroes and villians look. My favorite episode of ComicTropes so far, thanks Chris for this homage to Garcia-Lopez work.
"Inked mostly by Dick Giordano" with a panel of Hulk that was clearly inked by Mike DeCarlo.😉 JLGL is a legend and even as a kid, his artwork was a selling point on a book for me.
Amazing artist and, as always, you made him justice. To add to your point, I think it'd be hard to find ANYONE working in comics today that hasn't seen his work. He's inspired us all.
Thank you for such a passionate, insightfull and respectfull video about one of our greatest artist. José was THE style of comics I grew up with here in Argentina and it is still what pops in my head when I think about a good comic drawing.
Thank you for this video. I've been a fan of Garcia-Lopez art for more than 25 years and I think he doesn't get enough credit for how good he is. Thank you again!!
Thank you for this video Comic Tropes!! I don't know if it was available in USA, but in Argentina the complete Style guide was published in trading cards and stickers album in 2 series in 1985 called SUPERAMIGOS, it was a massive hit and still well remembered and it is reprinted today.
The fact that DC hasn't released an artbook of Garcia Lopez is a travesty. What a FANTASTIC artist; I hope his gorgeous style of realistic yet aesthetically beautiful looking characters never go completely out of fashion. I always loved George Perez & Curt Swan and didn't pay much attention to Garcia Lopez, if only because like this video states, he doesn't have a very famous run in a superhero comic or a massive event like Crisis. I knew about the special issues like Batman vs the Hulk but those aren't that memorable besides the curiosity of the crossover. But in a way, knowing that he's responsible for the Dc Comics Style means he's probably among my favorite artists ever without me noticing it.
Thank you for the enthusiasm you showed toward the work of Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. He's always been one of my favorite artists, and the importance his body of work in mainstream comics (specifically DC Comics) can't be overstated. This was a masterful showcase of a singular talent!
José Luis García López is my favorite comic book artist ever. Considering the medium of comics, no-one has combined the realism of fine, traditional art and the exaggerated visuals of comics. Every issue or comic cover he's done has always been MASTERFUL!
Amazing video. I went to a panel about him once, I remember him saying he kinda grew to dislike drawing Superman around the time after the first movie came out because DC became very strict about how he had to look. He didn't seem to dislike the character himself, like you explained he really comes across as someone fully comitted to the craft of drawing for comics itself.
Mr. Garcia-Lopez was such a nice and accommodating man in person. I was fortunate to meet him at the Baltimore comic con last year. He was selling and signing prints, which look like they came from the pages of the style guide. I treasure them.
Finally, somebody recognizes the greatness of JL Garcia-Lopez! "Dynamic" is definitely the word for his artwork and style. I got big into comics in 1978, so I saw a lot of his DC stuff from around this time, Jonah Hex, DC Comics Presents, Batman/Hulk, etc. His artwork was the main reason I bothered to read Atari Force. And it is a shame that he didn't have more regular features, or more special projects to draw attention to his artwork. An independent, creator-owned project on something he truly loved would have been awesome. But obviously, I've missed some of his work over the years and need to go find it! And if you want to do videos on some other underrated artists, you might check out Mike Nasser/Netzer and Trevor Von Eeden.
I want to say thanks for this episode, it brought back many memories from my childhood. About the DC style guide, some companies still use it for products in Mexico.
Great episode, Chris. The dedication and respect is really shown in the result. I have to say, as an argentinian, that sometimes I'm a little ashamed that you may know more of the local comics history than I do. And about Garcia Lopez, DC merchandising was very popular here during the '80s and early '90s, and to many of us his designs are the default looks of the whole DC Universe.
His work is so iconic that his Batman images are often used in promotional images. I was shocked when I found out that many of those famous poses and illustrations are José's. What a masterful creator. One of my favorite bronze age artists.
A special thank you, Chris. I REALLY appreciate this episode. I, too, have always been a fan of José Luis García-López and believe him to be one of the best and most underrated and under-appreciated comic artists out there. I remember John Byrne joking about how he once got into an fairly heated argument with a fan of HIS after he told the crowd assembled before him that he regarded García-López as a better artist than himself. 😄
I was just posting about him on Facebook saying how his art was a BIG part of my childhood. His versions of the DC characters were the definitive versions for me growing up.
One of my favourite artists. Thank you so much for highlighting unsung heroes. His corporate work through the Bronze Age has inspired me since I was a kid. 🙏🏼
13:19 - OMG Atari Force!! I was OBSESSED with this! I didn't even know it was supposed to be about a computer game at the time I read them. And Cinder & Ashe. These were printed in some special compilation comics that were published in my country (not US). SO many covers and spreads I recognize from my youth. So glad you have highlighted his work.
Garcia-Lopez' run on Atari Force is awesome! I just managed to get a complete set in a grab box and it is such a great book! One of the better sci-fi comics I've seen! It's a shame that it was tied so close to the video game company and collapsed at the same time. It stood on it's own just fine!
One of the greats! I loved his work on New Teen Titans, which is where I first encountered his artwork (filling in George Perez’s very big shoes), and that Deadman series. Star Raiders is gorgeous, too.
Thanks for the video on Garcia-Lopez. I wasn't really a DC reader growing up but whenever I saw his name I knew it was more than worth the time to get. His Deadman mini-series was absolutely brilliant.
All right. You got me. I'll admit it. I miss the opening teaser, 'Oh, Hi!' stinger that usually kick things off before your opening credits theme. They're iconic and have become they're own event within an event. And always seem to have wildly elaborate production value, which might explain why it's missing from this week's episode....all the same, just wanted you to know those segments are appreciated, and yes, highly addictive.
Yeah, man... García-López is a phenomenal artist. One of the best artists DC ever had in their roster. He's just incredibly talented. But for some reason I still feel like he's underrated. I hadn't heard of him up until I got the first issue of Venom back in the day, and I was around my 20s... I had seen his art on the Super Powers action figures, though. Probably in t-shirts as well. When you see those characters the way he drew them is like he's distilled them to their essence. I don't know if I would've liked to see him doing comics for Image... Maybe Dark Horse. Maybe some Star Wars comics... That could've been nice.
I really like these in-depth looks at creators and artists. Story Arcs in a book are cool and all, but it's a very saturated field on UA-cam. This format gives me a greater appreciation for who does and does not deserve credit. Great work, Chris!
His style guide images are definitive. From Super Powers to the wall art encouraging kids to brush their teeth in dentist offices - it was always Lopez. When I think DC, I think of his art.
I know this really late comment but that shows how super talented an artist Garcia really is! I met him in Niagara Falls/1985, a friendly polite professional who did free drawings I gave him 20bucks because he sure as hell earned it! Great job,Chris! Thanks again!
I am too young to have read those comics at the time when they came out, but José Luis García-López' art is one of the main reason I try to find DC comics even though I am a bit of a Marvelite. His art is truly MASTERFUL!
the closest thing available right now its the argentinian book" Jose Luis Garcia Lopez - Una Vida Entre Super Heroes" from editorial "Universo Retro", if you can get your hands on it
Superman vs Wonder Woman was probably one of the first American comic books I read as a kid. Even back then the art just stood out to me. I see from the comments that other people also think of his art when they think about DC comics, and how iconic he made the characters look.
He lives in NYC like me. Always wanted to meet him. I admit, I wasn't happy as a kid when the great George Perez left Teen Titans and JLGL took over, but his art grew on me. Years later his work on Twilight blew me away.
All those titles you listed Cinder & Ashe; Atari Force; Twilight; Road To Perdition I happened to find over the years solely on Garcia-Lopez's work alone, the man is an underrated legend in the field.
JLGL is just the definite look for me. I remember finding a licensed DC coffee mug when my FYE was closing down with the entire Justice League in his style. That mug survived college, 2 girlfriends, several down points in life, and still sits proudly in my cupboard.
JG-L is up there with Kurt Swan, John Byrne and Frank Quitely as the guys who perfectly understand how to draw my ideal Superman. Joyful, radiating warmth and kindness, yet also strength through his confidences instead of needless scowling aggression. If you can capture that vibe which those guys were the masters at that's how you capture who Superman is.
You made me remember my teen days with that single image of the Escuela Panamericana de Arte; I studied there in the late eighties. In one of the inner walls, among the legendary masters like Breccia, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez had his site of honor. And I used to talk about him with Alberto Breccia, the Old Man was fond and surely proud of his former pupil (but he was not a very demostrative in such matters, hahaha!) And yeah, here we do everything, so we understand each part of the process of making the comic page; you start usually doing the minor parts with one professional and get a "second teaching" and when you get work you get young artists to do what you did at the start, it was a continuous cycle... sadly most of it was lost when the industry collapsed in the nineties, and today, in Argentina, the production is mostly cartoons and humor. But one always hope the rebirth of the adventure and more realistic comic art, who knows?
Wow, looking at the DC Style Guide on the web, it's amazing that José Luis García-López's artwork was THE look of DC in the early 1980s. And I do remember much of that artwork on T-shirts, drinking glasses, lunchboxes, etc. If anything, Lopez's artwork reminds me of George Perez, and I may have comfused the two as a kid. I did have the Hulk / Batman crossover when it came out...I'll have to track it down for a re-read. Great vid, Chris!
Garcia-Lopez's work has always reminded me a bit of George Perez's work in his ability to fill so much detail in and how he's able to distinguish between all his characters with facial changes and distinct body language. You can look at a large cast and not feel they're all too similar
This video and those like it are why I think you're one of the best channels on the platform. Always either bringing new work to my attention, or perhaps more importantly giving context through history and study of some of the most important works in comics. I hope you continue to do what you do as long as comics are around.
I've been a fan of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez's art since I was reading Jonah Hex back in the 70s. I never knew that the Wonder Man picture from the Marvel handbook was his only work directly for Marvel. One of my all-time favorite comic artists.
Not probably. Definitely. We definitely were influenced by his artwork without knowing. I remember my earliest exposure to comics being his work. Thank you so much for this video. You've given me back a prized memory that was buried and thought lost.
nah, vivió acá desde chico, estudió acá, empezó a trabajar en Columba (para España no hizo nada), y habla en porteño, no con acento gallego. Garcia Lopez es de acá, loco!
I met him a few years ago at NYCC. He did a Batman sketch for me (for only $20) and when he started to draw all the other artists around him stopped what they were doing to watch him draw.
Wow!
This story gave me chills. He's an absolutely next level amazing artist
I was honored to meet him at Planet Comic Con in KC. The sweetest guy ever. Didn’t even charge for pictures or autographs. He just asks that you donate to support aspiring creators. Truly an inspiration.
In both Chris' video and your description, he comes across as the type of guy that if you would try to hire him, but tell him you don't have a lot of money to spend, would just tell you that he "likes the concept for the comic", is "excited to work on it" and "not to worry about it and just pay him what you can afford".
In other words, I don't think he cares all too much about the monetary aspects of his craft.
I haven’t been to a con in 20 years. Do artists charge for autographs and photos now?
@@RealMuperSan yes
JAbell1966 ah, that’s too bad
Perez has even more merit because, back in these days, there were no 3D programs nor Photoshops. All these scenes were handled with such a respect to perspective and proportions, it's really impressive. And all that was drawn in a record time.
I am 53 years old. I started boxing and rejected getting signed because my mother took the news of my being a professional boxer as if i announced i was committing suicide.
I started boxing because bullies would beat me up ... to take my comics... yeah.
I start with that to say boxing stayed with me and I am still today disciplined and rigorous in everything I do.
I admire Chris as a journalist, always prepared and well spoken, even when he does his...drinking challenges he remains stout, intelligent....respectful.
I hope TRULY hope Chris continues to grow... his beautiful renderings on racism and human rights are soooo inconspicuous because he speaks of Black and Hispanic...any minority artists without mentioning they are Black or Minorities. Perhaps, who knows...maybe we will have another truly decent public servant in Chris.
Thank you Chris.
Nice to see another kindred soul here who has both the comics and boxing bug! All the Best!
Big respect to Chris no doubt. It was kinda nagging at me tough in this video whether the artist was maybe a little exploited as an immigrant. references to 'more recognized or professionally established figures' read to me as 'better paid', hence 'just being happy to be at DC' feels like part of that.
I know Chris kinda said it without saying it; shame he didn't have any creator owned stuff, they kept him working continually even while 'imploding' buy never gave him any kind of exclusive contract or bonus.
But hey, he's happy, were happy, s'all good then right?
Jose Luis Garcia Lopez was the face of DC comics for me...I didn't know it at the time, but his versions of their characters defined them for me and are still the ones I think of to this day...
Great video, Chris. :)
Kevin Scott Halter Same. I say this often
Dhat "Batman: Venom" dhough..
Jose Luiz Garcia-Lopez truly is a great artist, criminally overlooked. His work and Jose Gonzales( Vampirella, Barbie) are examples of supreme, clean artistry with gorgeous details!
Maybe I’m the only one, but I absolutely adored the Atari Force comics DC series. The characters, and design were off the charts, and would have been welcomed even without a famous name brand attached. My Dad worked for Warner which owned Atari and DC at the time. Jose’s art was amazing. I finally got him to sign my issues. He was appreciative of someone being a fan of that work.
The last thing he drew for DC was the Dove Corps story in the Joker 80th Anniversary special just recently :)
That's awesome!!! Thanks for mentioning it!
I didn’t know he was still alive
@@thelittlepasty8360 Hale and hearty at only 72.
Some other guys besides Alan Davis who I feel have a Garcia-Lopez vibe are Carlos Pacheco, Eddy Barrows, Ivan Reis and Jorge Jimenez
Lol jjpnp0
The most underrated comic book artist out there and yet his style is as iconic and defining as those of Jim Aparo, John Romita Sr, George Perez, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons or John Buscema. He's up there.
Edit: Why no mention of the Superman vs Spiderman crossover? Because it is quite MASTERFUL.
Not to be that guy but the Superman vs Spiderman crossover was done by ross andru with some work by neal adams and dick giordano
@@blootography2867 You're correct, for some reason I always believed that it was Jose Luis behind it. I wonder why?
Because they're all MASTERFUL artists
I suspect you got the Superman-Spider-man crossover confused with the Batman-Hulk which was by Garcia-Lopez and was the second big DC-Marvel crossover.
Garcia-Lopez is one of the industry's unsung greats. His Atari Force is still a favorite of mine.
I have never seen you put “MASTERFUL” on any episode. You must think highly of JLG-L I do too. For me him and Neal Adams are quintessential DC especially during the 80’s Super Powers era. He really drew DC how they should look which I wasn’t surprised when he was selected to illustrate the style guide. I never knew that existed. I WISH I owned one! Great episode again. It took me back.
José Luis García-López is like air. He's there, we just don't notice him unless we're forced to.
When i was a kid my friend had his oversized Hulk vs Batman comic and there is a panel where the Hulk is trying to smash Batman with a car. Batman leaps through the passenger side, and straight through the drivers side window and the art is amazing. I stared for hours at the action and linework of that panel that JLGL drew. Also the Jonah Hex comics, I used to have lots of those and loved them when I was becoming an artist myself.
I still have that book, and I was VERY impressed with the entire package. He knocked himself out on that book.
His pencil is responsible for the image of DC from my youth and he's in my top 5 Superman artist (Byrne, Adams, Lee, Ross)
Jim Lee is okay, but Excellent list.
I think that's actually the general consesus!
Growing up in 70's, early 80's as a kid, my favorite DC artist were Neal Adams, Jim Aparo and Garcia-Lopez. Loved how dynamic JLGL art looked. Loved his Jonah Hex. And DC covers.... ohhhh the covers. Particularly 'DC Comics Presents'. Superman and a different hero each month drawn by JLGL.
I agree whit you ....Garcia lopez, Neal admas and Jim Aparo were the best artist that DC comics had in the 70's and the early 80s
Yes. All 3 of them were my favorites and still are. Jim Aparo is the definitive Batman artist for me.
I remember being a 10-year-old kid reading the first issues of DC Comics Presents with the Superman/Flash race with art by Lopez. I was blown away even then.
I instantly liked his art when I saw it in the late 70s.
Same here.
This video was just published about 35 minutes ago. And this bit rate was not available 40 years ago.
My experience as well.
YES this guy is such a genius. his art style is absolutely timeless
DC was so wholesome at that time, and his origin story is really inspiring
One of my favorite artists. The editors of the Danish DC comics in the 1980ies agreed as well since a lot of García-López was featured. Luckily we got translations of Atari force and his Deadman stories as well. :)
Thank you for doing this video. Every time I go into a dollar store if I see any type of DC merch at all I immediately recognize the artist. Jose Luis garcia-lopez it's definitely an unsung Genius of the industry
Cinder & Ashe is one of the most under-rated comics ever. Thanks for highlighting it, Chris!
11:39 "Superman is powerful and HAPPY!"
Those were the days...
@Dreams_in_ Clay
That's why these "were" the days. We grew up meanwhile.
@pippin except JLGL didn't start working at DC until after the silver age ended. I like a lot of Frank's stuff but there were people focusing on story and characterization beige him. And there was better art in the bronze age, too.
It's absolutely magical when JLGL is inked by Kevin Nowlan. They've worked together on Dr. Strangefate, a 3-parter for Batman Confidential, and Action Comics 1000 (and maybe some others I'm missing). Fantastic collaboration.
OMG! Yes! Didn't care too much for the whole Amalgam schtick when it came out but couldn't pass on the opportunity to see the results of two of my favorite artists working together.
Just yesterday I re-read a classic comic by Ross Andru and fell in love with his art again. Could you do an episode about Ross Andru?
Oh Yes please!
Amazing. Here in the UK in the 1970s we had superhero collectible cards given away free with breakfast cereal. I didn't realise until now that the art was done by José Luis García-López. It was my first experience of more grown-up comic art and I loved it!
Hell yeah, Chris. I'm so here for underappreciated writers and artists.
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez is one of my favorite artist ever. I remember a lot of DC's merch from the 80's even tought I didn't know who was the artist back then I always love how cool all the super heroes and villians look. My favorite episode of ComicTropes so far, thanks Chris for this homage to Garcia-Lopez work.
Oh hi! You caught me being sad because there is no intro.
🤣
Speaking of being sad, let’s talk about suicide
@@SonicXtreme99akaCreeperMario Erm....
Don/t cry 4 moi Argentina
@@SonicXtreme99akaCreeperMario Well, that took a dark turn instantly.
Just one word for you dear sir: MASTERFUL!
DC are finally putting out his style guide this year!
"Inked mostly by Dick Giordano" with a panel of Hulk that was clearly inked by Mike DeCarlo.😉
JLGL is a legend and even as a kid, his artwork was a selling point on a book for me.
Amazing artist and, as always, you made him justice.
To add to your point, I think it'd be hard to find ANYONE working in comics today that hasn't seen his work. He's inspired us all.
Thank you for such a passionate, insightfull and respectfull video about one of our greatest artist. José was THE style of comics I grew up with here in Argentina and it is still what pops in my head when I think about a good comic drawing.
Cinder & Ashe gave me the names for my first 2 cats I had as an adult - Cinder was pure black mini panther and Ash was his grey tabby brother.
Thank you for this video. I've been a fan of Garcia-Lopez art for more than 25 years and I think he doesn't get enough credit for how good he is. Thank you again!!
Great to see the Atari Force love! Such a great and under-rated comic. His work on that and the Deadman shorts are a huge part of my childhood.
Thank you for this video Comic Tropes!! I don't know if it was available in USA, but in Argentina the complete Style guide was published in trading cards and stickers album in 2 series in 1985 called SUPERAMIGOS, it was a massive hit and still well remembered and it is reprinted today.
Justo ayer pensaba lo bueno que es José Luis García-López
Praise be his name
x2
Uno de los grandes talentos que pasaron por Argentina en el mundo del cómic
Muy bueno...hizo historia en Dc
The fact that DC hasn't released an artbook of Garcia Lopez is a travesty.
What a FANTASTIC artist; I hope his gorgeous style of realistic yet aesthetically beautiful looking characters never go completely out of fashion. I always loved George Perez & Curt Swan and didn't pay much attention to Garcia Lopez, if only because like this video states, he doesn't have a very famous run in a superhero comic or a massive event like Crisis. I knew about the special issues like Batman vs the Hulk but those aren't that memorable besides the curiosity of the crossover. But in a way, knowing that he's responsible for the Dc Comics Style means he's probably among my favorite artists ever without me noticing it.
Thank you for the enthusiasm you showed toward the work of Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. He's always been one of my favorite artists, and the importance his body of work in mainstream comics (specifically DC Comics) can't be overstated. This was a masterful showcase of a singular talent!
José Luis García López is my favorite comic book artist ever. Considering the medium of comics, no-one has combined the realism of fine, traditional art and the exaggerated visuals of comics. Every issue or comic cover he's done has always been MASTERFUL!
Lopez is one of the greats. He always stood out to me during my life for decades. Thank you for making this episode on a legend.
Another amazing artist coming out of my beloved Argentina!
I'd like to see Atari Force as a single hardcover book including all the mini-stories and the original video game series from the 70s.
Atari Force is really good, it is more of a solid sci-fi adventure than the kind of product placement you would expect it to be
Clarkster I thought Dart was pretty hot, Heather Thomas from The Fall Guy should have played her in a movie.
@@MrDepechefan1 Atari Force should be a movie or TV SERIES
Amazing video. I went to a panel about him once, I remember him saying he kinda grew to dislike drawing Superman around the time after the first movie came out because DC became very strict about how he had to look. He didn't seem to dislike the character himself, like you explained he really comes across as someone fully comitted to the craft of drawing for comics itself.
His artwork is definitely something we grew up with, and is so recognizable. I have a Flash t-shirt, and I am pretty darn sure it’s his art on it.
Mr. Garcia-Lopez was such a nice and accommodating man in person. I was fortunate to meet him at the Baltimore comic con last year. He was selling and signing prints, which look like they came from the pages of the style guide. I treasure them.
I loved his work on Jonah Hex. I was a weird kid and really loved horror comics.
Finally, somebody recognizes the greatness of JL Garcia-Lopez! "Dynamic" is definitely the word for his artwork and style. I got big into comics in 1978, so I saw a lot of his DC stuff from around this time, Jonah Hex, DC Comics Presents, Batman/Hulk, etc. His artwork was the main reason I bothered to read Atari Force. And it is a shame that he didn't have more regular features, or more special projects to draw attention to his artwork. An independent, creator-owned project on something he truly loved would have been awesome.
But obviously, I've missed some of his work over the years and need to go find it!
And if you want to do videos on some other underrated artists, you might check out Mike Nasser/Netzer and Trevor Von Eeden.
Okay, I'm re-reading Atari Force, and I'm forced to admit that the story is better than I remember it being (so far!).
I want to say thanks for this episode, it brought back many memories from my childhood. About the DC style guide, some companies still use it for products in Mexico.
look at chris face when doing this episode, he looks very enjoying talking about jose luis garcia lopez
Chris can't make bad videos. This is perfect edutainment!
JLGL possesses perfect technique. the consistency, the anatomy, all perfect from his first work till now.
I love José's art!! One of the best without a doubt.
Great episode, Chris. The dedication and respect is really shown in the result. I have to say, as an argentinian, that sometimes I'm a little ashamed that you may know more of the local comics history than I do.
And about Garcia Lopez, DC merchandising was very popular here during the '80s and early '90s, and to many of us his designs are the default looks of the whole DC Universe.
His work is so iconic that his Batman images are often used in promotional images. I was shocked when I found out that many of those famous poses and illustrations are José's. What a masterful creator. One of my favorite bronze age artists.
Soy de Argentina
Que orgullo que se reconozca el talento de García López!!!
Garcia-Lopez's designs are how I see 90% of DC's characters in my head. Also hearing him sounding like a really nice guy makes me happy.
A special thank you, Chris. I REALLY appreciate this episode. I, too, have always been a fan of José Luis García-López and believe him to be one of the best and most underrated and under-appreciated comic artists out there. I remember John Byrne joking about how he once got into an fairly heated argument with a fan of HIS after he told the crowd assembled before him that he regarded García-López as a better artist than himself. 😄
Sr. Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez is my favorite living comic book artists and a heck of a good guy.
Thanks for sharing this.
My favorite Superman artist. Thanks for covering him!
I was just posting about him on Facebook saying how his art was a BIG part of my childhood. His versions of the DC characters were the definitive versions for me growing up.
One of my favourite artists. Thank you so much for highlighting unsung heroes. His corporate work through the Bronze Age has inspired me since I was a kid. 🙏🏼
13:19 - OMG Atari Force!! I was OBSESSED with this! I didn't even know it was supposed to be about a computer game at the time I read them. And Cinder & Ashe. These were printed in some special compilation comics that were published in my country (not US).
SO many covers and spreads I recognize from my youth. So glad you have highlighted his work.
This guy is a class-A artist. Love his work at DC.
Garcia-Lopez' run on Atari Force is awesome! I just managed to get a complete set in a grab box and it is such a great book! One of the better sci-fi comics I've seen! It's a shame that it was tied so close to the video game company and collapsed at the same time. It stood on it's own just fine!
Gotta say... "MASTERFUL" took me by surprise. I was like "what the hell was that?"
Love the reference to “El eternauta”
I read The Eternaut for the first time a few months ago. It's awesome work.
which reference?
querido , que bueno verte por aca!
Atari Force is one of my favorite series of all times, and it's incredible how it, along with Rom where so important to my love of comics.
I have old school posters of DC characters in my room. One of them is a Garcia-Lopez drawn Batman, Robin, and Batgirl poster from the late 70's.
One of the greats! I loved his work on New Teen Titans, which is where I first encountered his artwork (filling in George Perez’s very big shoes), and that Deadman series. Star Raiders is gorgeous, too.
He and Jim Aparo were my favorites back in the 70's and 80's
Thanks for the video on Garcia-Lopez. I wasn't really a DC reader growing up but whenever I saw his name I knew it was more than worth the time to get. His Deadman mini-series was absolutely brilliant.
All right. You got me. I'll admit it. I miss the opening teaser, 'Oh, Hi!' stinger that usually kick things off before your opening credits theme. They're iconic and have become they're own event within an event. And always seem to have wildly elaborate production value, which might explain why it's missing from this week's episode....all the same, just wanted you to know those segments are appreciated, and yes, highly addictive.
He’s an amazing artist. A lot of my childhood was surrounded by his art.
I got to meet him a few years at NYCC and he was a class act all around.
I would buy that Style Guide in a heartbeat.
I loved his work thought the 80s and felt he really made the characters *feel* real! Sr. Garcia-Lopes, I so appreciate and respect you!
The greatest is an understatment.
I grew up on his work.
Jose is a way of life.
Yeah, man... García-López is a phenomenal artist. One of the best artists DC ever had in their roster. He's just incredibly talented.
But for some reason I still feel like he's underrated. I hadn't heard of him up until I got the first issue of Venom back in the day, and I was around my 20s... I had seen his art on the Super Powers action figures, though. Probably in t-shirts as well. When you see those characters the way he drew them is like he's distilled them to their essence.
I don't know if I would've liked to see him doing comics for Image... Maybe Dark Horse. Maybe some Star Wars comics... That could've been nice.
I met him at Motor City Comic Con and got his exquisite Batman '66: the Lost Episode cover art print autographed
Thank you for this. In the 80's I loved his work. I remember buying DC Presents just because he did the Flash-Superman team-up.
I really like these in-depth looks at creators and artists. Story Arcs in a book are cool and all, but it's a very saturated field on UA-cam. This format gives me a greater appreciation for who does and does not deserve credit. Great work, Chris!
His style guide images are definitive. From Super Powers to the wall art encouraging kids to brush their teeth in dentist offices - it was always Lopez. When I think DC, I think of his art.
I know this really late comment but that shows how super talented an artist Garcia really is! I met him in Niagara Falls/1985, a friendly polite professional who did free drawings I gave him 20bucks because he sure as hell earned it! Great job,Chris! Thanks again!
I am too young to have read those comics at the time when they came out, but José Luis García-López' art is one of the main reason I try to find DC comics even though I am a bit of a Marvelite.
His art is truly MASTERFUL!
Apparently DC doesn’t like money. A reprinted Jose Garcia’ Lopez style guide would sell like hot cakes (I hear that is very good) 😀
Dr. Masque I know I would buy it.
Me too.
Funk O'Matic looks like he did JLA classified 16-21 if that counts
the closest thing available right now its the argentinian book" Jose Luis Garcia Lopez - Una Vida Entre Super Heroes" from editorial "Universo Retro", if you can get your hands on it
They DON'T like money. Or they have bad ideas about how to make it.
Always one of my favorite artists back in the late 80's early 90's during my first comics stint.
Superman vs Wonder Woman was probably one of the first American comic books I read as a kid. Even back then the art just stood out to me. I see from the comments that other people also think of his art when they think about DC comics, and how iconic he made the characters look.
He lives in NYC like me. Always wanted to meet him. I admit, I wasn't happy as a kid when the great George Perez left Teen Titans and JLGL took over, but his art grew on me. Years later his work on Twilight blew me away.
All those titles you listed Cinder & Ashe; Atari Force; Twilight; Road To Perdition I happened to find over the years solely on Garcia-Lopez's work alone, the man is an underrated legend in the field.
JLGL is just the definite look for me. I remember finding a licensed DC coffee mug when my FYE was closing down with the entire Justice League in his style. That mug survived college, 2 girlfriends, several down points in life, and still sits proudly in my cupboard.
Thanks for highlighting this massive underrated artist. Absolutely love Jose’s art .
JG-L is up there with Kurt Swan, John Byrne and Frank Quitely as the guys who perfectly understand how to draw my ideal Superman. Joyful, radiating warmth and kindness, yet also strength through his confidences instead of needless scowling aggression. If you can capture that vibe which those guys were the masters at that's how you capture who Superman is.
You made me remember my teen days with that single image of the Escuela Panamericana de Arte; I studied there in the late eighties. In one of the inner walls, among the legendary masters like Breccia, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez had his site of honor. And I used to talk about him with Alberto Breccia, the Old Man was fond and surely proud of his former pupil (but he was not a very demostrative in such matters, hahaha!)
And yeah, here we do everything, so we understand each part of the process of making the comic page; you start usually doing the minor parts with one professional and get a "second teaching" and when you get work you get young artists to do what you did at the start, it was a continuous cycle... sadly most of it was lost when the industry collapsed in the nineties, and today, in Argentina, the production is mostly cartoons and humor. But one always hope the rebirth of the adventure and more realistic comic art, who knows?
Wow, looking at the DC Style Guide on the web, it's amazing that José Luis García-López's artwork was THE look of DC in the early 1980s. And I do remember much of that artwork on T-shirts, drinking glasses, lunchboxes, etc. If anything, Lopez's artwork reminds me of George Perez, and I may have comfused the two as a kid. I did have the Hulk / Batman crossover when it came out...I'll have to track it down for a re-read. Great vid, Chris!
Garcia-Lopez's work has always reminded me a bit of George Perez's work in his ability to fill so much detail in and how he's able to distinguish between all his characters with facial changes and distinct body language. You can look at a large cast and not feel they're all too similar
This video and those like it are why I think you're one of the best channels on the platform. Always either bringing new work to my attention, or perhaps more importantly giving context through history and study of some of the most important works in comics. I hope you continue to do what you do as long as comics are around.
I've been a fan of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez's art since I was reading Jonah Hex back in the 70s. I never knew that the Wonder Man picture from the Marvel handbook was his only work directly for Marvel. One of my all-time favorite comic artists.
Not probably. Definitely. We definitely were influenced by his artwork without knowing. I remember my earliest exposure to comics being his work. Thank you so much for this video. You've given me back a prized memory that was buried and thought lost.
As an argentinian listening to the history of a famous argentinian , i am obliged to say: VAMOS ARGENTINA CARAJO !
He has the epithet among people I follow “Praised be his Name)
Siempre aparece alguno haciendo quilombo...
Es gallego man, bajale un toque.
nah, vivió acá desde chico, estudió acá, empezó a trabajar en Columba (para España no hizo nada), y habla en porteño, no con acento gallego. Garcia Lopez es de acá, loco!
Es tan español como Gardel era francés (o uruguayo).