Comments on: Month of Art Stars: Artist’s Choice – John Paul Leon

By: Fabien

Fabien — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:11:11 +0000

My favorite artist in black and white

By: Tom Strong - Radio-People : News, pictures, videos, biography

Tom Strong - Radio-People : News, pictures, videos, biography — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:51:38 +0000

[...] Month of Art Stars: Artist’s Choice – John Paul Leon Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources – PeopleRank: 50 – June 18, 2009 …Tom Strong… A number of Winter Men pages… Now some color work… Three DMZ covers… A recent Static Shock cover… And finally, a Die Hard cover for Boom!… Thanks so much to Sean and John Paul for their time and effort! And Sean’s right, John… Cited people : John-Paul Leon + vote [...]

By: Dale

Dale — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:01:56 +0000

The highest point of being at Fanexpo back in 06 was meeting Sean Chen, Tommy Lee Edwards and John Paul Leon.

Sean Chen was cool, Tommy Lee quirky ( in a very good way) and JP came accross as the guy next door that you have known forever.

I have always loved Sean Chen’s work and JP Leon was just the bee’s knees, but who really blew me away was Tommy Lee Edwards.

I love em all though and got sketches from all 3

Quick head sketch from JP Leon
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=334747&GSub=30805&GCat=0&UCat=0

Quick sketch from Tommy Lee Edwards
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=334736&GSub=30805&GCat=0&UCat=0

and finally one from Sean Chen
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=334731&GSub=30805&GCat=0&UCat=0

By: kalorama

kalorama — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:02:42 +0000

Another addition to the list of JPL’s greatest hits: Superman Annual # 4: Year One. It’s a re-telling of Superman’s first meeting with the founding JLA members. Some great stuff and a rare look at how well his stuff translates to big stage superpowered action.

By: kalorama

kalorama — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:15:28 +0000

@Ian A.

There is a Winterman trade coming out towards the end of the year (December or November on Amazon, I believe, but they usually get theirs a few weeks after the shops.)

By: enero

enero — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:47:35 +0000

JPL is the One-Above-All when it comes to negative space and moody dark shadows. This guy is, I don’t know, but it is a wonder to behold.

And high praise from Sean Chen who’s Salvation Run poster is hanging on my wall.

To everybody who reads this – do yourself a favor and go to the ends of Earth if you have to and find The WinterMen. While I’m ordering you all around – on an Image forum somewhere there was a Dr. Doom art challenge – find JPL’s submissions and weep at awesome defined.

By: Ian A.

Ian A. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:24:59 +0000

Leon blows my mind every time. I keep expecting an announcement that he'll be working with Morrison on something, but it never seems to come. Their issue of New X-Men was my favorite of the non-Quitely bunch. Leon's Scalped fill-ins have been excellent as well. I'm clearly missing out by not having picked up Wintermen. Is there a trade out or in the offing? 'Cause I'll have to order that. Today.

By: Peter Krause

Peter Krause — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:03:18 +0000

Oops! I mentioned Sean Phillips twice.

Not a bad thing, tho’.

By: Peter Krause

Peter Krause — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:01:38 +0000

JPL….*sigh*

Wish I could draw that well.

He’s in my personal pantheon of all-timers with Alex Toth, Garcia-Lopez, Jordi Benet, Sean Phillips, Los Bros Hernandez, Joe Kubert and Sean Phillips (among others).

By: Zach H.

Zach H. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:10:17 +0000

Big Two books also pay a lot better then most indys.

By: A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.

A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:04:22 +0000

Ryan Day: That’s a fair point. As I said, Wintermen was great, and if he could be on a monthly or at least semi-regular book, it doesn’t really matter to me if it’s the big two or creator owned. My point was simply that Leon does what the artist on the top books do, just better. And in this industry, getting to draw the best-selling books and iconic characters is one of the main ways respect is given and success measured, however hackneyed that might be.

By: Zach H.

Zach H. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:12:51 +0000

JPL can have all my money. I wish he worked more in comics, because he is nothing short of amazing. Wintermen (IMO) is one of the high water marks just for the medium in general.

Here’s a good audio interview with the guy – (http://tinyurl.com/labbf6)

By: Ryan Day

Ryan Day — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:02:19 +0000

Why is JPL not on Batman? Or Daredevil Captain America or Wolverine or any of the many books whose quality would multiply tenfold by him doing the art?

Is it possible he doesn’t want to do those books? Maybe he doesn’t want a monthly schedule, or maybe he’s just not interested in the books or the possible alterations he might need to make to his style.

It’s possible there are other standards of success than “drawing Batman.”

By: Duff Mcwhalen

Duff Mcwhalen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:50:33 +0000

Oh and I’m glad someone mentioned New X-Men, I remember wishing very badly that he did the whole run.

By: Duff Mcwhalen

Duff Mcwhalen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:46:53 +0000

Well I’m sure it’s more than people going “let’s not use John Paul Leon.” He has the style and fluidity that a lot of writers probably wish their book had, and I doubt that he would not be able to garner praise from just about anyone over 18 if they were exposed to his work.

By: A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.

A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:06:55 +0000

John Paul Leon is one of the few artists whose work I pick up regardless of writer (Mike Mignola, Frank Quitely and Paul Pope being among the few others). It never ceases to amaze me how he never seems to catch a break. He is easily one of the top five artists doing work-for-hire today, but unlike the others (JH Williams, Frank Quitely, Michael Lark, Bryan Hitch) he always seems to wind up on fill-ins and series that are cancelled within ten issues. Wintermen was amazing, but it was a sheduling farce.

Why is JPL not on Batman? Or Daredevil Captain America or Wolverine or any of the many books whose quality would multiply tenfold by him doing the art?

The inability of fans and publishers to recognize amazing work when they see it is the biggest reason to worry about the future of the medium.

By: Jay Potts

Jay Potts — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:33:52 +0000

Why did you have to post this today? Now you’re going to drive up the price of his original art just before I was going to buy a piece at HeroesCon?

John Paul Leon is absolutely amazing! Someone once asked Brian Stelfreeze what he thought of John Paul Leon’s work. Stelfreeze just barked a short, sharp laugh, shook his head in resignation and said, “Man, that guy’s blowing the curve for EVERYONE.” That says it all.

By: DanCJ

DanCJ — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:42:27 +0000

I’ve always liked his work. Good choice

By: joeschmoe2

joeschmoe2 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:16:25 +0000

I gotta admit I love any artist that knows how to do good photo swiping.

By: Jeff Ryan

Jeff Ryan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:58:09 +0000

I first saw JPL with Static. He’s never disappointed me. How can someone draw New X-men, Earth X, gritty westerns, and Tom Strong and still maintain a coherent style? I want to see him do Archie vs. Judge Dredd. i bet he could pull it off.