Podcast

12 Days of Christmas, #9 – Frank Quitely

December 15, 2016

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Even more beautiful art, as our 12 Days of Christmas celebration continues…

Frank Quitely first attracted mainstream attention with Flex Mentallo, his first of many collaborations with writer Grant Morrison.

During the 1990’s, in the midst of what is known as the ‘Dark Age’ of comics where superheros were rendered as pseudo-realistic, ‘grim n’ gritty’ vigilantes, Quitely’s characters appear to be ripped directly from the four-colour pages of 1960’s superhero comics. Quitely’s characters are drawn in such a way as to suggest that they are not ashamed to be superheroes. His figures feature a magical quality that is informed by both retro and futuristic art styles. This gives his human (or in some cases alien) figures an organic quality, ‘breathing’ life into his drawings and ultimately the surrounding story.

Though, many aspects of classic superheroes were disregarded by artist’s and audiences of late 1980’s: headbands, masks, and pastel colour schemes, they appear perfectly normal –almost undetected, in Quitely’s capable hands.

As an artist, Quitely’s panel’s capture precise moments in time. Where body language and facial expressions offer another level of storytelling rare in most mainstream comics.