posted
Hey, I know the guy's work wasn't perfect but when I was a wee kid buying back-issues of ADVENTURE, I thought his art was swell for some reason.
And to this day, looking at it in the archives, I still like it!
I think Dean may have given me the word to describe it over in the BITS... forum: groovy.
posted
I don't have any issues in front of me, but I remember Mortimer as a solid draftsman. He wasn't dynamic (which is what many fans were used to, thanks to Curt Swan) or flashy, but he could tell a story and tell it clearly.
In some ways, his art reminded me of that of Bob Brown, who was drawing AVENGERS in the early '70s -- another underrated talent.
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
There was a lot of emotion in Mortimer's faces, his best point I think. He was a guy who could make Tharok look truly horrified when things were going wrong for the Fatal Five.
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: There was a lot of emotion in Mortimer's faces, his best point I think. He was a guy who could make Tharok look truly horrified when things were going wrong for the Fatal Five.
Or at least Half-Horrified.
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I like Mortimer too. He was the only 60's era Legion artist whose work had that groovy quality, as has been mentioned. Can someone remind me, is Mr. Mortimer still with us? I'm afraid he probably isn't but it would be nice if he was.
From: Douglasville, GA | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
The thing about Mortimer's Legion work is that you kind of have to search to find the good. Overall, his depictions of the Legion's universe are fairly bland. He didn't use much creativity in drawing space ships or sci-fi, any alien or monster or creature he was required to draw usually came across as silly. His storytelling was adequate, but a lot of the stories he drew were laid out by Jim Shooter (according to the credits given in the Archive Edition).
The postitive parts of his work had more to do with aesthetics. He drew very beautiful women. Their costuming was fairly attractive. Definitely a Star Trek feel. He drew groovy plants and furniture in the "sets." I suppose this gives his work a certain level of kitch (sp?) which is fun.
Another thing is that his body of work is sandwiched between the clean, classic Swan era and the stylish, dynamic Cockrum era.
For some reason, I'm VERY drawn to the Mortimer issues. I fantasize about current artists re-doing those stories with those characters in those costumes. How cool would it be to see Adam Hughes draw that Uli Algor story? How bout Perez doing the Wanderers story? Can't help myself.
posted
Now, after so many years later, I can look back and realize Mortimer's very good storytelling ability; sadly, as with so many other artists of the 50's and 60's, it comes after their passing. I was so upset at the time because Swan was (and remains) my favorite artist, certainly my favorite Legion artist. When I realized he was no longer coming back to Adventure Comics, I was crushed. But I realize in hindsight that Mortimer was a good artist.
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I appreciated that his stories ended and Dave Cockrum's started... (Yes, I know I'm ignoring the Tuska stories )
Seriously, though... did the Legion flounder and disappear into the back of ACTION because of Win's art, or because of the uninspired stories he had to illustrate? I can't think of anything after the Mordru two-parter that I really enjoyed from that era... though the "Cham & the princess" story was cute...
-------------------- "Anytime a good book like this is cancelled, I hope another Teen Titan is murdered." --Cobalt
"Anytime an awesome book like S6 is cancelled, I hope EVERY Titan is murdered." --Me
From: Up a Gumtree | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I guess my point was, why were they bumped around at all? Sales would play a factor, certainly. Why were they stripped of their spot in ADVENTURE, and swapped with Supergirl?
For the record, I have to say I also liked the Tornado Twins story, and the two-parter that ended the Legion run in ADVENTURE had its moments.
-------------------- "Anytime a good book like this is cancelled, I hope another Teen Titan is murdered." --Cobalt
"Anytime an awesome book like S6 is cancelled, I hope EVERY Titan is murdered." --Me
From: Up a Gumtree | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I read somewhere (an archive?) that some dude editor was gonna retire and DC didn't want him to. They wanted him to start up a Supergirl series.
So he agreed to stay on a year but got the brilliant idea to swap out Supergirl and The Legion.
That way, DC got its SUPERGIRL series (starting with Adv. 381 as we all know) and he didn't have to create an additional title to edit.
I am a li'l embarrassed to admit I cannot remember the guy's name... someone help!!
posted
I have always appreciated the art of Win Mortimer and was quite pleased to see a post on the subject. Some of the admiration, however, can be attributed to the fact that I started to read the Legion with Adventure #358 (just in time for both Curt Swan and Win Mortimer). The Adventure/Action Era of the Legion is still a joy to read 40 years later.
LLL!!!
PS ...and, of course, I'm always looking for original Win Mortimer Legion art!
From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Sep 2003
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