Hack is a word bandied around a lot by fans, basically for anyone whose work we don't enjoy (sometimes even people whose work we used to enjoy who has suddenlyhad a run of bad form), but recently I think Ellis has been showing true hackery.
His work for DC and Marvel on their company owned books has been passionless just for the paycheck work. we all know he is capable of better which is what makes this stuff hack work.
He has had some nice ideas, but they have been executed in pretty uninteresting ways. Most of the characters in ther JLA arc spoke in the same cynical Ellis voice.
Anyone else think he should stick to his creator owned stuff where he actually has some passion?
(Feel free to lynch me now)
I enjoyed his Ultimate Fantastic Four, but I'd rather see more Transmetropolitan, Stormwatch/Authority, and Planetary.
I used to really hate his work, but lately I've been enjoying it more and more...I really like his UFF & Ultimate Galactus stuff and Nextwave seems pretty cool too...
I have been liking Iron Man. Even with the delay I've found it's worth the wait.
JLA felt a bit flat, but his Ultimate stuff has been enjoyable. nextwave was hilarious.
interesting that you guys clamor for more of his creator owned work, yet you never seem to discuss the creator owned work that he is doing.
Planetary, Transmet, Stormwatch/Authority aside.
there are other Ellis creator owned works out there. people say this is what they want, but no one seems to be getting them?
just off the top of my head in the current Previews are:
Available Light
Black Gas
Wolfskin
Scars (tpb)
Come In Alone (tpb)
Fell
and Down
and I know that there's other stuff out there that I can't remember. so what's up?
Desolation Jones is a good read, as is Down. Fell is a quick read, but interesting. Come In Alone is a great series of essays. My shop was sold outta Black Gas, but they're getting it from another one of their stores. Any info on that book is interesting. Ellis, in my mind, is like a Hollywood actor or director: he more interested in doing his creator-owned stuff (art movie or independent movie) and doing the for-hire stuff (studio flicks) funds that. His self-created stuff will always be better, but you get a decent story from the company-owned properties. UFF and JLA:C weren't great, but they were good enough and still better than a lot of other writers' best efforts.
I'm reading Fell. So far, it's quite enjoyable. I love the shortened format and concentrated story-telling. So far, I have every issue, but Ellis seems to have so much on his plate that even his creator-owned stuff is suffering as a result (in terms of shipping).
I read the first arc of Jack Cross but doubt very highly doubt that I'll be picking up the rest. I liked the action, but the dialogue really seemed to slow the pace as opposed to the dialogue setting the pace for Fell. Cross just isn't my cup o' tea, I s'pose...
Thanks Diabolos Ex Machina.
Ellis, to his credit, refers to his current batch of contracts as his "year of prostitution", or somehting like that. Guess he has bills to pay. I was deeply sceptical of his current output which seemed to me to directly contradict the Old Bastard's Manifesto, but it seems he's doing it knowing what he's doing doesn't help the industry.
I'm really enjoying Desolation Jones, mildly enjoying Jack Cross, loving Planetary, and am bemused by Ultimate Galactus. I'm probably pick up the trade for Iron Man and will look at Next Wave.
His JLA stuff showed his disinterest for superheroes. I didn't find enough difference between the dialogue to see a variety of character between them. Jack Cross didn't really seem to go anywhere or have very developed characterization. Desolation Jones has been great so far. Weird and crazy. His Marvel work has been ok. He's found something to keep his interest, mostly working on the sci-fi elements of developed characters and doing what he wants with the rest. Though his Iron Man work is a little slow, I hope Marvel keeps the drastic changes he brough on in the last issue.
