MERIDIAN #39 - #40 [Archive]

MattBrady

06-03-2003, 09:34 AM

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/39MR00.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/39MR00_t.jpg" width="185" height="285" align="right" border="0" alt="Meridian #39"></a>from CrossGen

<blockquote>With another school year over, it's time for a new graduate to spread his wings. Beginning with August's MERIDIAN #39, Vincenzo Cucca, another success story of CrossGen's Associate Penciler program, will join the acclaimed fantasy series as its ongoing illustrator. Steve McNiven, after flying high with Sephie for nearly two years, is rocketing on to new CrossGen projects after MERIDIAN #36.

"I've seen a lot of artists grow on the job, but I've never seen as accelerated an evolution as that which Steve McNiven displayed on MERIDIAN," stated writer Barbara Kesel. "Steve impressed us with his sample work, and continued to impress legions of readers ever since. Steve brought invention and innovation to his work on this book, and he's always going to be one to watch."

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/40MR00.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/40MR00_t.jpg" width="185" height="285" align="left" border="0" alt="Meridian #40"></a>"So what's next for MERIDIAN?" asked Kesel. "Readers already have a hint if they've seen the lovely cover to the direct market version of the MERIDIAN Vol. 2 graphic novel. Vincenzo 'Enzo' Cucca, the latest graduate of our Associate Penciler program, is already making MERIDIAN his own, aided and abetted by inker Don Hillsman II and colorist Sumi Pak New art team, same old writer, and some incredible surprises coming up!"

And to give you a taste of the excitement on the way, feast your eyes on these two covers -- MERIDIAN #39 and #40 -- by the new team of Enzo Cucca, Don Hillsman II and Sumi Pak!</blockquote>

nebachanezzer

06-03-2003, 10:45 AM

well done on the art...Steve's run was magnificent, but change is good to keep it evolving

D.J. Coffman is your daddy

06-03-2003, 01:07 PM

I miss Middleton's work on it. it really set the tone.. now it's looking like Jim Lee-ish or something..

dj_me

06-03-2003, 06:04 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by D.J. Coffman is your daddy:
I miss Middleton's work on it. it really set the tone.. now it's looking like Jim Lee-ish or something..<hr /></blockquote>I will agree that Middleton's work was the best on this title. Too bad things happened the way they did. I am happy though that they tried to keep the consistancy in art. I don't know if I'd be as hooked to this book if they dramatically changed the look. Still, with a few issues as exceptions, it is continually done well.

KittyPop

06-04-2003, 01:20 AM

I found Middleton's art rather... flat. The colourist did most of the work with him.

jclem3

06-04-2003, 02:27 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by D.J. Coffman is your daddy:
I miss Middleton's work on it. it really set the tone.. now it's looking like Jim Lee-ish or something..<hr /></blockquote>Hey, D.J.! Middleton's work was good but have you seen Steve McNiven's art on this book? Fantastc, especially as of late.

Cucca's work looks suited to the book as well.

dj_me

06-04-2003, 09:34 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jclem3:
[QUOTE]Hey, D.J.! Middleton's work was good but have you seen Steve McNiven's art on this book? Fantastc, especially as of late.

Cucca's work looks suited to the book as well.<hr /></blockquote>Meridian is one of my monthly books, so yeah, I've seen McNiven's work. As I posted previously, they're art resembles one another. I just feel that McNiven was still growing, where as Middleton had set his style in stone. I do agree that of late, McNiven's work has grown, and whatever book he goes to next I might take a look at, but Middleton set the standard. After he left, there seemed to linger an awkwardness in the art as McNiven tried to continue the style (you ever notice how awkward the word awkward looks). I'm not sure what his art looked like before he signed on Meridian, but it would be interesting to see how close it comes to his work on the title. It wouldn't strike me as strange if Crossgen forces a certain style, which really is good for the fans and the artist. The fans get continuity and the artist might be forced to try a different style, allowing him (or her) to grow. I am looking forward to seeing more of Cucca's work. Hopefully it is all as good as the previews.

Taltos

06-04-2003, 11:39 AM

The problem with Middelton was that he WAS set in his style. He had no growth. Yeah, his splash pages were gorgoues, but he had terrible sequence. The artwork did not flow at all.

Now take a fresh look at McNiven's stuff, especially between 33-36. That stuff is absolutely drop dead beautiful. His stuff wasn't that remarkable towards the front end of his run...but now...the linework is so competently handled. McNiven has grown up to be an artist in the truest words.

I'm greatly looking forward to Cucca's work. Those previews let me realized that this book has nothing to worry about.

stlfan79

06-04-2003, 09:58 PM

This just made me breathe a sigh of relief. I was going to drop this book because it is probably my least favorite of the 8 or so CGE books I buy. In all honesty McNiven was the only thing keeping me around b.c the pacing of this book is just a tid bit too slow for me. However now I will at least give the book a fair chance to stay on my list. Looking forward to it.

Hank Wirtz

06-05-2003, 03:22 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by dj_me:
I just feel that McNiven was still growing, where as Middleton had set his style in stone. [/QB]<hr /></blockquote>No, his style wasn't so much set in stone, as we only saw six issues of Middleton, and nearly thirty of McNiven. Take any six-issue stretch of McNiven's run and you won't see much change.

FWIW, Middleton's New Mutants covers don't look remotely like his Meridian stuff.

KittyPop

06-06-2003, 01:03 AM

Steve has a very art deco style.

He couldn't exactly break away from a look that was already decided.

The transition was seamless and not glaring. Steve actually had to do like 6 or so pages of Middleton's last issue.

Eventhough the book has a clearing defined look... Steve's style really isn't anything like Middleton's.