? of the day

[Static]

I was wondering? When i read a lot of comics from the big 2 come how come the balloon tails don't point towards the mouth? Is that a stlye thang?

[Gonzogoose]

That's a good question. In fact, I see a lot of problems with various lettering throughout the big two, especially Marvel. Maybe it's style, maybe it's inexperience, maybe it's just me, I don't know.

[Jason Arthur]

That's a good question. In fact, I see a lot of problems with various lettering throughout the big two, especially Marvel. Maybe it's style, maybe it's inexperience, maybe it's just me, I don't know.

All I know is I HATE! HATE HATE HATE! The new Marvel mixed case lettering. There's no variation between letters and it just looks computer generated (I know, I know...it IS, but my point is that it shouldn't LOOK like it is).

Look at the DC/Vertigo books for great lettering done in a more natural way. Our own Clem Robins is brilliant at making computer lettering look like hand lettering. Not kissing his ass, he knows how good he is...I'm just stating facts.

Marvel could learn a lot from Clem. They could also learn a lot from Nate if they'll let him continue his style of lettering on various books.

Nate? Do the Marvel editors ask you to use the Marvel lettering template with the pre-made tails and balloons (if you're allowed to discuss)?

-- J

[Gonzogoose]

Well, I like mixed case lettering sometimes, but I agree that overall DC's lettering is superior to Marvel's right now. There are a few exceptions, but they are rare.

[Piekos]

Other than the Marvel template -- which is just an AI file that has alignment marks for the art, no balloons or tails -- I pretty much decide on style. Some editors will request a font from my catalogue occaisionally. It's requested that I don't go totally over the top, and keep some modicum of traditional Marvel style, but they don't beat you over the head with it. At least not my editors. None of the books I'm doing currently have mixed case lettering. I don't know if that's an editorial decision or not. (But I'm not a big fan, personally).

But the balloons and tails and SFX are my own choice.

As for balloon tails pointing toward mouths, it could only be A) the letterer's fault or B) the person who pre-presses the lettering with the art.

Dark Horse pretty much gives me total freedom to come up with a style for any given book in conjunction with input from the editor. They have a "You're the expert, do your thing" attitude, which is nice.

~N

[Ron Phillips]

Dark Horse pretty much gives me total freedom to come up with a style for any given book in conjunction with input from the editor. They have a "You're the expert, do your thing" attitude, which is nice.

~N

Aren't you supposed to be furniture shopping? :whistlin:

Man that's cool that Dark Horse has that attitude. Then again, you are the "expert."

[augiedb]

I have to disagree. So much of DC's lettering in the past year or so since they switched to computers in house has looked stiff and with ugly fonts. Of course, since I've stopped reading so many DC titles in the last year, maybe it's gotten better and I just haven't noticed. I'll pay closer attention next time I'm around my comics.

Of course, I'm talking about the DCU titles here. WildStorm does its own thing, as I imagine does Vertigo to a certain degree.

Reading some Marvel books last night I did notice, though, that some alignments were off. Balloons that were meant to butt up against panel borders were shifted down on the page, which probably means ALL the lettering was. Maybe that's why the tails aren't pointed at the mouths.

-Augie

[Piekos]

Eh. Mistakes happen. But it still makes you cringe a little when you open a book you just lettered and the pre-press was a little off on a page. Becuase the readers (all two of them who care about lettering) are going to think it's the letterer's fault (assuming it wasn't...)

Aren't you supposed to be furniture shopping?

That was last night, Ron.

~N

[Ron Phillips]

That was last night, Ron.
~N

I guess I really need to read posts more thoroughly. Um ... yeah.