The Ethan Van Sciver Talk Back thread

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

What is your Opinion on Aquaman?

Aquaman is one of DC's icons that seems to be so easy to goof up. Creative teams have either made him silly or boring in the past, and I just haven't enjoyed reading an Aquaman book in a long time. Sub Diego was a cool story. Geoff has ideas for him, I have ideas for him...would they work and be well received? Making Aquaman relevant now is a big challenge. But I really like the character, and wouldn't mind taking a crack at it.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

ethan, In regards to final crisis, 52, and countdown. As a comic fan and not part of the industry. How did you feel about these 3 titles?

Well, I didn't like the cover layouts for Final Crisis, that's for sure. Those two big red bars running up the sides of the comic screamed, "Put me down! Don't flip through or consider purchasing me! I am poison!" Aside from that Final Crisis , or at least the first four issues, which is all I've read to date, is a tight, scary story. I heard it ends badly, but I'll wait and judge for myself.

52 was terrific.

Countdown just seemed to fixate on tiny, insignificant corners of the DCU and just dragged on and on. I didn't enjoy that one, although portions of it were quite good, and quite a few of the artists kicked ass, for the schedule they were on!

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

Aquaman is one of DC's icons that seems to be so easy to goof up. Creative teams have either made him silly or boring in the past, and I just haven't enjoyed reading an Aquaman book in a long time. Sub Diego was a cool story. Geoff has ideas for him, I have ideas for him...would they work and be well received? Making Aquaman relevant now is a big challenge. But I really like the character, and wouldn't mind taking a crack at it.

Obviously I'm a fan of your work, but I can't say that I would be thrilled to see Aquaman in the hands of Geoff. That being said, if you could read an Aquaman book that wasn't written by Geoff, who would it be by?

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Mr. Van Sciver,

As it's going on my Christmas List, did you have any input in designing the TBN Power Ring Set that DC Direct's putting out in the fall?

Heh, they called me and grilled me about the symbols that I created, making careful sure that I didn't "borrow" them from anywhere! Obviously, if any of them resemble some corporate logo, DC could be in big trouble.

But of course, no need to worry. They're all original. Other than that, I didn't work on that ring set, but I think it looks very nice!

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

First of all Ethan, great job on the Flash Rebirth covers so far! Used #2's on my signature. Now onto my question:

Can you say if we'll be seeing dead Flash villains like the original Trickster, the Top, or Professor Zoom in Blackest Night?

I don't think so. At least, if you do see them, they might not be Black Lanterns!

[Mewzard Say what you will about masturbation... Find all posts View Profile Close Mewzard]

Oh Ethan? I talked to my comic shop about the idea, and they liked the idea, but I come to one question. I'm not quite sure how one goes about inviting a talented artist to such an appearance.

Oh, and what was your favorite Sinestro Corps member to design?

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Ethan....Please PLEASE tell me Geoff isn't going to off the GLC. Even to the extend it was in GLC Vol1 where there were just a few lanterns left. I Love having the full corps around.

I'll stop buying GL and GLC if this is what he does. I promise that, Bringing it all back just to off it again even in a big way isn't what I signed on for.



Darth_Andrea

Yeah, but Andrea, it's Blackest Night! Wait and see!

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

The Flash: Rebirth is only two days away, but from the covers/solicitations we see a much bigger Barry Allen as Flash. Is that just the way you felt he needed to be drawn or something that may be essential to the story? It just seems like Barry is a very bulky(muscular bulky) compared to what we've seen in the past.

Also, if Rebirth ships on time, we'll be done by September. Will we have a Flash ongoing title directly following by the end of the year, or will we have to suffer like we did at the end of Flash #247?

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Will the Flash title follow directly after Rebirth? Month wise not story wise....

What are the chances that a former GL artist will be your replacement for the Flash title when it returns?

Any chance of you giving Linda her long hair back? I miss it dearly.

Have you ever been disappointed with your art once it hit the stands? example?

First question, I'm pretty certain there will be a monthly FLASH book, but no creative teams have been confirmed, nor has the schedule been laid out officially.

Second question, I think you're referring to Ivan? Last I heard, the project he wants is NOT Flash. So no, but then again, things change! Maybe he'll love REBIRTH and want to come on board!

Oh, I misread "Linda" for "Iris". Iris has long hair again. Linda hasn't been seen yet in the book. Just heard from.

I'm usually disappointed in my own work once it hits the stands, because I know that I am capable of excellence, and frequently fall short. So it's important to never be satisfied and always try harder.

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Wow, you're turning in scripts now? We talking about a backup, a full-issue story, or what? Will it deal with her Sapphirizing by the Star Sapphires?

Any idea when we'll see some of the Red Lanterns you designed in GL #25? Like the conjoined twins attacking John on the double-splash, the lady with the two firey swords (whose name you mentioned in this thread but escapes me atm), and others?

Yeah, I turned in a script because I had a story to tell, no other reason. The idea of actually getting an assignment doesn't appeal to me yet, but maybe later on down the road. It's a full issue.

And those conjoined twins! They share a body and hate each other's guts! I liked them, but I guess they haven't caught on yet, same as Antipathy. I just offer ideas and move on, Andrew. If they go somewhere, groovy, if not, I'm usually none-the-wiser.

[Andrew NDB Shot Caller Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew NDB]

Got nothing for you right now, Ethan, but thank you for continuing to stop by and I can't wait to give Flash: Rebirth a gander in 2 days!

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

Hey Ethan, which character do you prefer...Hunter Zolomon aka Zoom or Eobard Thawne aka Prof. Zoom? Do you consider Hunter to be Wally's personal rival? The Joker to his Batman, kind of thing..

Hunter Zolomon is a pretender. He's not a part of the aristocratic Thawne bloodline, nor is he an educator like Eobard! I prefer the good Professor.

And Wally has many, many enemies.

[Old School Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Old School]

ethan can you confirm or deny that bruce wayne will be a black lantern?

and thanks for the answer in regards to final crisis, 52, and countdown. appreciate it.

and your flash covers are simply awesome

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

So Ethan, what do you like to do outside of art? Or do you not get much free time?

I like to ride roller coasters, eat at nice restaurants and see great movies. But there isn't much free time, especially not these days!

[Ethan Van Sciver Honored Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Ethan Van Sciver]

About Wally's new costume. Will it be a closely guarded secret until pretty much the time we're holding the issue that features him in it in our hands, or will it be revealed pretty soon?

How happy are you with it, in retrospect? (or are you still tweaking it, perhaps?)

It'll probably get leaked in a month or two. I'm still tweaking it, though.