Check out newsarama.com to see an article about Todd Nauck’s new series, “Wildguard.” Basically it’s Justice Leage of American Idol. I always thought it was absolutely criminal that Todd go so little recognition from his spectacular work on Young Justice (particularly when so many fans complain that no artist sticks with a series). I’d really like to see “Wildguard” be a success, which is something of a challenge in today’s market. So read all about it and then spread the word.
PAD
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Sorry to say this Peter, but Todd’s art was always my least favorite part of the series. If it wasn’t for the fact that you wrote the book I wouldn’t have bought it. Styles like those of Todd, Ale Garza & Pop Mahn aren’t really to my liking. I tend to favor styles like Greg Land, Leonard Kirk, Mike McKone, Don Kramer (the upcoming penciler on JSA). The preview art from Fallen Angel looks great too.
Fazhoul
P.S. I would like everyone to notice that nowhere in here did I say that the artists or their styles suck. They just aren’t to my liking. So please don’t flame me for something I DIDN’T say. Thanks.
One major problem I found with the article: nowhere in it is the name of a publisher given. I’d like to add this title to my reserve, but without that bit of info it’s difficult to do. Like many retailers today, indy titles are only available on order, or they’re never on the shelves.
American Idol-style mixed in?
Ughhh. Even I was still in the comics-reading game, that bit of description would kill my interest right there.
So sick of these fake “reality” TV shows… Survivor being one of the biggest jokes of all.
Still Wish him luck for me, in today’s job market, hopefully he’ll stay steady…
It’s like my mama used to say, “If you don’t have anything really nice to say….don’t say it at all”
Personally, I think Todd’s art is great! I will be buying it, and hope that many others do too.
And it’s an Image book.
Better yet, go to http://www.wildguard.com to get a look at what’s going on. It looks to me like it’s going to be a fun series, and I can’t wait to see it come out.
One major problem I found with the article: nowhere in it is the name of a publisher given.
i am 99.9% sure that the publisher is image.
-eD
just went to double check; image comics is the ones doing it.
t.t.f.n.
-eD
I loved Todd Nauck’s work on YJ… his style was perfect for the fun tone of the book. He’s one of the reasons I own the whole series.
Nauck’s new series looks like it will be hilarious… some of the heroes on the Wildguard web site are inspired.
Glad to see him back on a project, and even more glad to see him doing his own thing. Sounds fun…
My disappointment is that you’re asked to select the five characters you *think* will make the cut. IMO, it would be much more interesting (and more American Idol-esque) if the follow-on series were based on the 5 most popular vote getters from the pool of available heroes.
I’ll be first in line for this one! I was always of the opinion that the combination of David/Nauck was the biggest selling point of YJ. Would it have been as good with a David/Sienkiewicz or a Millar/Nauck team? Maybe, but I doubt it. =)
Now if only we could get David/Nauck on a Thundercats mini….
Uh…BTW, I know that Mr. David isn’t writing Wildguard. Sorry for the poor construction…I meant to echo that Nauck was underrated and that the gestalt of the YJ creative team was the drawing point for me.
When Nauck was named penciler of YJ, I was dissapointed, having not cared for his work in the past (ok, I hated it)…but his style and talent really grew while on YJ, and I think he’s awesome now (have one of his YJ original pages..the Dark Arrowette splash up on my wall, in the PAD gallery).
Looks like fun, so I’ll give it a try. (Hey, if we’re not reading these books for fun, why are we bothering?)
I like Todd Nauck’s work but he doesn’t win my award for most underrated, overlooked penciller. To me, that’s Tom Grummett who does amazing, consistent work and seems to be almost invisible to fans.
Actually, I had my own idea for a comic book/reality series hybrid which would also be a revival and a possible new use for a Silver Age character.
This series, like the 90’s series starring the character, would be called “The Power of the Atom.” The basic premise is that Ray Palmer sees his generation of heroes being replaced by the next generation and he decides it’s time to give up his power. So he announces a graduate level course at Ivy University. The successful grad gets the size-changing belt and name of the Atom.
The book would be filled with a number of types: The military or cop, by-the-book type who trained for this his or her whole life and who appears to be a perfect candidate. The overeager type who wants to be a super (literally) star. The quiet studious type who has hidden reserves of courage. And so on. I’m sure anyone reading this could easily come up with another half-dozen character types off the top of their head to fill out the list. I would have also thrown in one of those forgotten heroes from the 80s or 90s. Maybe one of the New Blood guys that spawned Hitman or someone like that. His or her hook would be that s/he never really made it in the hero biz but s/he believes it’s possible with the addition of the Atom’s powers to their own. Each character has their chance to use the belt for missions or assignments and Ray Palmer would grade them on their results.
I would have readers vote on which characters stay and which go and come up with some other “wild card” type gimmicks to mimic the appeal of reality TV (which I see as being that “anything can happen”) like having random plot twists thrown in. Just off-hand, my idea on that end would be that if, say, PAD was writing the series and maybe the Atom was supposed to rescue lost campers, the editor would call up and say, “Okay, I just talked to Greg Rucka. The Atom is rescuing these kids and suddenly Superman and Mongul come crashing down and they’re fighting tooth and nail. Now the Atom has to rescue the kids from burning woods where two super beings are raging against each other and he has to try not to distract Superman and get him killed.” or “This twist is from John Ostrander. In the middle of the next mission, the candidate, whoever it is, has a panic attack and runs away. What happens next and how does the character deal with it?” Of course, the writers who came up with the twists (and I’m sure they could come up with better than my weak efforts) would be credited.
I thought this would be a fun idea. It hasn’t really been done before, it’s a logical next step for a character who’s been around a long time, it could revive the character and it would make for interesting stories in the DCU as other characters reacted to Ray Palmer’s decision and the new Atom. Also, the structure of the series would not prevent the “new” Atom from being Palmer (if he got the votes). If it was successful, the Palmer character would stick around as an adviser (He would essentially be the new Atom’s ‘Watcher’) and for those nostalgia, Hal Jordan-loving types, the possibility would always exist that Ray Palmer could become the Atom again.
“American Idol”
This pretty much killed any intention that I had about trying this serie.
I kind of liked his art on YJ.
But reality shows are so awfull……. I can’t find the words.
Heh. “American Idol” references don’t bother me; after all, it’s basically one big, long audition process….and as a producer, I identify with the judges (who’re just saying what I think….)….
I really liked Mr. Nauck’s work on young justice. It was fun to look at and also fit the writing very well.
I thought Todd Nauck did some excellent work on Young Justice. He may have started off a little shaky and was doing excellently long before the series ended. I’ll get Wildguard if I can. I don’t have access to a real comic book store, so I’ll probably have to order it online.
RE: Pack’s idea.
Sounds a bit like the old “DC Challenge” series. Now _there’s_ a concept I’d like to see revived.
You are missing out! I am totally ADDICTED to Wildguard. The team is now decided and we get to see the beginning stages of a newly formed superhero team. We get to see the members struggle to find their place within “the system”… and we get to watch different teams butting heads. It’s been a blast. Watching heroes evolve, update their uniforms, etc… it has been a treat. Looking forward to the new Wildguard coming this month. Thanks Todd!