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The Art of George Perez Review

art-of-perez MTBy Michael Fitzgerald Troy

 

I have had the privilege to take art classes at one of the finest museums in the country, and if you asked me who my favorite artist is, I would unhesitatingly say George Perez every time and explain that, yes indeed, he does draw funny books.

If comic books taught me how to read (Sorry, Miss Berkholtz, you’ve got nothing on Wonder Woman!), my brother got me into comic books and was a Marvel Zombie, because DC Comics were stupid and not allowed. All that changed when I saw the cover of The New Teen Titans where “Terra Joins The Titans,” and she has used her earth powers to create a rock arch around her with all of the Teen Titans perched on the art around her. The figures, the detail, the energy, the everything took my breath away! I immediately snatched up the comic, and DC Comics were no longer stupid and I never wanted to hear that again. I became so obsessed with the art of George Perez and wanted nothing more than to draw like him. I did my best to ape his style as most budding swipers do. So much so, in fact, that one of my brother’s friends dubbed me a “Perez Clone”- one of the best compliments of my life, thank you very much!

IDW has released a gorgeous, comprehensive, over-sized coffee table book chronicling the career of the illustrious comic book penciller. The fact that there is a chapter dedicated to his work from every decade since the early ’70s, when he turned to comics after being fired from his bank job (tell me that wasn’t fate), to the present shows what an influential force “Gentleman George” (as he is deservedly known by his peers) has been in the comic industry for such a long time.

In his own words he chronicles the highs and lows of his careers (mostly highs) as you look through the lush detail and staggering volume of work. The tome is nearly 300 pages and could probably be twice as big.

Looking at the early work of Perez, you note his rapid improvement yet tremendous potential even in his earliest art. The book covers his career bouncing back and forth between Marvel and DC, drawing every character ever and then some. Including commissions, sketches, and other rarely seen gems, this is a treat for Perez fans and lovers of pretty art in general. Well worth your hard-earned coins. Perez’ enthusiasm for comics is unprecedented, saying he wants to “..die with a pencil in my hand and an unfinished page on my art board.” I love Mucha, Degas, Klimt, and Mondrian. But , at the end of the day, make mine George Perez!

 

 


Michael Troy is a deeply superficial person. Born in the midwest in the ’70s, Michael came to Los Angeles to pursue his bi-polar career path as an actor and artist. 2005 saw the release of Michael’s first published book, Homo-Hero’s Big Book of Fun and Adventure (www.greencandypress.com). Michael has contributed to the Lady Gaga comic book from Bluewater Productions and has his hand in various other upcoming projects. Michael has performed stand-up comedy at all of the major comedy clubs in Los Angeles and is making his triumphant return to the main stage of The Comedy Store in September. Michael offers an off-beat sense of humor as the star of such youtube cult classics As The Gays on Film (www.youtube.com/fullfrontaltv), A Minute With Margot, a loving tribute to Superman legend Margot Kidder (http://www.youtube.com/user/rktcommander), and currently hosts a vlog style series Lethally Blonde over at www.monsterburg.com. Sitting alongside industry heavyweight Phil Jimenez at the “Divas and Lassoes” panel for the 2010 San Diego comic-con, Michael maintains and cherishes his “underground” status. A staunch believer in Blonde Ambition, Michael hopes his new comic about shallow blonde super heroes in Los Angeles, The Blonde Squad, will set the world on fire (or at least brighten it a bit). Check out Michael Troy and Lethally Blonde updates here!!!

 

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