in the early 90s, I worked at a comic shop in San Diego that was close to Wildstorm Studios, so Jim, Jeff (J.Scott) and Alex would all come by from time to time and buy comics and see what was selling, etc. All nice guys - Jeff and Alex especially were so excited to see their inaugural effort doing so well. I had many chats with them over the first two years of their success and I can say that they were well compensated for Gen13 and the riches it brought to the studio. And yes, the Art Adams influence was strong - they also both admired Michael Golden quite a bit. Jeff was a gifted caricaturist - he often snuck in guys from the studio and famous people into the backgrounds of his comics.
I was always under the impression for the longest time that J Scott Campbell wrote and drew Gen 13 I never even realized he just did the art. This comic works because of him it wouldn't work any other way.
I was picking up every issue up until issue 25 when J Scott Campbell left. I first got a look at the mini series, and I enjoyed the art style and became one of my favorite books to pick up. Gen 13 was awesome for my generation, which I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time the mini series was out. Campbell became one of my favorite image artists.
Campbell has spoken about having Art Adams books on his desk during this period and that he was a huge influence. Essentially that he felt that Adams was doing the best work in comics at that time, so Campbell was constantly using that work as the benchmark and reference point for what he wanted to do.
I still have a soft spot for it. Some of the early issues, what they seemed to be setting up with Burnout and Bliss interested me. Caitlin had potential, ditto Rainmaker (?) and Freefall... I liked the characters and some of the early issues were really fun and interesting. Even later issues still had that sense of fun. And "No Ordinary Heroes" was great, I'll fight you.
I’ve actually never had an editor mention tangents to me. I’d hope that’s because I’m careful enough to catch them all myself, but I’m sure I’ve had some. It kills me though, when I see them in stuff I’m reading.
Some of the first comics I bought from a real comic shop, probably cause it was the hot new thing on the rack. But in retrospect, wow, kinda cringey, including my poorly done Gen13 fairchild tattoo at 16...what was i thinking. At least some people mistake it for Aeon Flux...oh childhood regrets.
The only Gen13 things I’ve read was a little of Gail Simone’s reboot, but I don’t remember much of it. I thought the Adam Warren Bootleg storyline, Grunge: The Movie, was a lot of fun, with some moments that made LOL. I also have Warren’s Gen13 miniseries, Magical Drama Queen Roxy, but haven’t read it yet.
@20:51 I'm glad Ed brought that up.For one, I agree, if it was me, tbere would a much more visual, multi panel FMG page, LOL. And for yrs, I always slightly hated on Fairchild because of how she was supposed to be a biggie or a powerhouse, but JSC and others never really took her "there". A uncover potential nerd hottie to Oversized bolleyball player with fun bags was how, IMO, she was shown (of course we know why) when she gave been bulked. The biggest let down for me was the animated movie, same thing like....she ripped up the shirt but did she really grow any?? 😅
I was team Generation X back then, a friend was all about Gen 13 and there was just no comparison imo, the Bachalo art on Generation X was miles ahead of Gen 13.
J scott campbell has become an amazing artist (i just wish he’d draw COMICS again) but this early style of his didn’t appeal to me at the time at all. I didn’t start collecting this book untill several issues into the regular series when he refined himself. But he was clearly very talented from the start.
my whole comic book collection from the early 90s are 90 percent image comics...Image was geared toward the teenage boy and girl unlike todays comics that are geared towards brain damaged adults and that is why they sold so well and why comics sell so few now...i still love those books even though they are all monetarily worthless.
This was so much a part of my young years that I can't hate it. It's straight up cheese, to be sure, but I have a soft spot for stuff that embraces the fact it's cheese. I have a rule that I know a Nicolas Cage movie will be good only if they let him go Full Nic Cage with it (Mandy, Renfield, Kick Ass). Gen 13 is the "full Nic Cage" of 90's comic "Teensploitation".
I wonder if his expierence kinda soured his taste for work for hire? Besides his creator owned, I don't think he's done any other comic work. Own what you create! Right Ed? 😉
My copies of Gen 13 are not in good shape. They were not kept with the rest of my comics, but with stuff like SI Swimsuit issue and Victoria's secret models
I read some early Image stuff (mostly Gen 13 and Cyber Force) driven by the hype and was forcing myself to like it, but in the end it did nothing for me.
When I think of Campbell, I just think of a guy who COULD'VE been one of the greatest of all time. Now, he's just a glorified cover artist. I mean hey, I guess it worked out for him, but in my opinion he'll never be one of the greatest. The sad thing is, is that he could've been. His storytelling was great earlier in his career. He's a famous artist who got it the easy way. He'll never be even close to the level of the greats. Guys who had memorable runs on multiple titles. Told epic stories. In the world of comics, he'll be remembered as just a cover artist in my opinion.
I love Switchblade Shorties❤❤❤❤❤ just the little you showed on stream. Look forward to seeing it in print so can own a physical copy. Mad funny and crazy original.
in the early 90s, I worked at a comic shop in San Diego that was close to Wildstorm Studios, so Jim, Jeff (J.Scott) and Alex would all come by from time to time and buy comics and see what was selling, etc. All nice guys - Jeff and Alex especially were so excited to see their inaugural effort doing so well. I had many chats with them over the first two years of their success and I can say that they were well compensated for Gen13 and the riches it brought to the studio. And yes, the Art Adams influence was strong - they also both admired Michael Golden quite a bit. Jeff was a gifted caricaturist - he often snuck in guys from the studio and famous people into the backgrounds of his comics.
Cool story, thanks for sharing =).
Jim Lee did layouts for 1 and 2. 3's where Campbell comes alive.
Maybe slightly trash, but spectacular trash that hit me at the perfect time. Dragged me right back into comics at a time I had started drifting away.
I was always under the impression for the longest time that J Scott Campbell wrote and drew Gen 13 I never even realized he just did the art. This comic works because of him it wouldn't work any other way.
@Cartoonist Kayfabe, The 3 page add art was used for the cover of gen13 #1/2 via Wizard mail in promo.
I was picking up every issue up until issue 25 when J Scott Campbell left. I first got a look at the mini series, and I enjoyed the art style and became one of my favorite books to pick up. Gen 13 was awesome for my generation, which I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time the mini series was out. Campbell became one of my favorite image artists.
Would love to see a Shoot Interview with Brandon Choi! 😏
lol that would be pretty uncomfortable, although I'm sure he has amazing stories
Campbell has spoken about having Art Adams books on his desk during this period and that he was a huge influence. Essentially that he felt that Adams was doing the best work in comics at that time, so Campbell was constantly using that work as the benchmark and reference point for what he wanted to do.
I was the target audience for this run 😊
I still have a soft spot for it. Some of the early issues, what they seemed to be setting up with Burnout and Bliss interested me. Caitlin had potential, ditto Rainmaker (?) and Freefall... I liked the characters and some of the early issues were really fun and interesting. Even later issues still had that sense of fun.
And "No Ordinary Heroes" was great, I'll fight you.
Gen13 #1 was the exact moment that I realized the "Image Style" I was initially obsessed with was actually really lame and poorly drawn.
It’s one of the last comics I was buying regularly before I gave up reading comics in 1997.
I’ve actually never had an editor mention tangents to me. I’d hope that’s because I’m careful enough to catch them all myself, but I’m sure I’ve had some. It kills me though, when I see them in stuff I’m reading.
Ahh the tiny feet of Art Adams.
Some of the first comics I bought from a real comic shop, probably cause it was the hot new thing on the rack. But in retrospect, wow, kinda cringey, including my poorly done Gen13 fairchild tattoo at 16...what was i thinking. At least some people mistake it for Aeon Flux...oh childhood regrets.
The only Gen13 things I’ve read was a little of Gail Simone’s reboot, but I don’t remember much of it. I thought the Adam Warren Bootleg storyline, Grunge: The Movie, was a lot of fun, with some moments that made LOL. I also have Warren’s Gen13 miniseries, Magical Drama Queen Roxy, but haven’t read it yet.
Weird how this book was the biggest deal ever right up until the moment that it wasn't.
Agree with Ed on the problem of scale on the splash 20:43 page. Clothes are ripped that is all. I had no idea she had grown or gotten larger.
@20:51 I'm glad Ed brought that up.For one, I agree, if it was me, tbere would a much more visual, multi panel FMG page, LOL. And for yrs, I always slightly hated on Fairchild because of how she was supposed to be a biggie or a powerhouse, but JSC and others never really took her "there".
A uncover potential nerd hottie to Oversized bolleyball player with fun bags was how, IMO, she was shown (of course we know why) when she gave been bulked. The biggest let down for me was the animated movie, same thing like....she ripped up the shirt but did she really grow any?? 😅
For some reason this reminded me that Doom's IV was a thing. Can't recall if that ever saw release lol
One of my all time favorite comics.
Love Gen-13! Hope to see you guys breakdown more issues.
Dude that street angel cover with the skateboard is killer.!
I was team Generation X back then, a friend was all about Gen 13 and there was just no comparison imo, the Bachalo art on Generation X was miles ahead of Gen 13.
Bachalo’s art was so fresh, I loved it. Gen 13 is laughable to me, those rubbery wonky figures bugged me.
J scott campbell has become an amazing artist (i just wish he’d draw COMICS again) but this early style of his didn’t appeal to me at the time at all. I didn’t start collecting this book untill several issues into the regular series when he refined himself. But he was clearly very talented from the start.
Heyyy Rob!😂
my whole comic book collection from the early 90s are 90 percent image comics...Image was geared toward the teenage boy and girl unlike todays comics that are geared towards brain damaged adults and that is why they sold so well and why comics sell so few now...i still love those books even though they are all monetarily worthless.
This was so much a part of my young years that I can't hate it. It's straight up cheese, to be sure, but I have a soft spot for stuff that embraces the fact it's cheese. I have a rule that I know a Nicolas Cage movie will be good only if they let him go Full Nic Cage with it (Mandy, Renfield, Kick Ass). Gen 13 is the "full Nic Cage" of 90's comic "Teensploitation".
the HUNT for these books was epic at that time. such the good ol days
Do a video on the Gen13/The Maxx one shot. I absolutely love Tomm Coker's artwork on that.
I wonder if his expierence kinda soured his taste for work for hire? Besides his creator owned, I don't think he's done any other comic work. Own what you create! Right Ed? 😉
Am I remembering it wrong that it was first billed as Gen-X before publishing and Marvel piped up with their objections?
My copies of Gen 13 are not in good shape. They were not kept with the rest of my comics, but with stuff like SI Swimsuit issue and Victoria's secret models
Wow, Fairchild really does look like Taylor Swift on issue #1.
I read some early Image stuff (mostly Gen 13 and Cyber Force) driven by the hype and was forcing myself to like it, but in the end it did nothing for me.
yes
When I think of Campbell, I just think of a guy who COULD'VE been one of the greatest of all time. Now, he's just a glorified cover artist. I mean hey, I guess it worked out for him, but in my opinion he'll never be one of the greatest. The sad thing is, is that he could've been. His storytelling was great earlier in his career.
He's a famous artist who got it the easy way. He'll never be even close to the level of the greats. Guys who had memorable runs on multiple titles. Told epic stories. In the world of comics, he'll be remembered as just a cover artist in my opinion.
This was funny. Love the analysis. I have these comics. LOL
Generation X was so much better.
Gen 13 #1 - Subtitle: The Writer's Barely Disguised Fetish
I love Switchblade Shorties❤❤❤❤❤ just the little you showed on stream. Look forward to seeing it in print so can own a physical copy. Mad funny and crazy original.
I thought this would hurt more than it did! 🫣