arctoscomics

Name: Clifford VanMeter

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arctoscomics's Recent Comments
February 21, 2011 11:50 pm While I appreciate Garfield-esque and Far Side-type strips as much as the next guy, there are a lot of Flash Gordons, Secret Agent Corrigans and Prince Valiants out there too -- and not just mine.

Will this column also focus on long-form stories and other genres?

Cliff VanMeter
http://artcoscomics.com
September 22, 2010 11:09 am

I'm using the Harris/Ross method for Belter, the webcomic I'm writing and drawing for Arctos Comics. Firstly, it's definately NOT faster. As ya'll mentioned I've got to find the models, set up the shoot, light it, compose it, etc. It's actually a lot more work. The reason I'm doing it is to acheive a specific look in the work, a noirish feel that's distinct from the stylized work Joe Querio is doing on our other title, Orion the Hunter.

Artists have been working from models for thousands of years, long before there were photos. Taking a photo is just a way of not having the model stand around for hour. Working artists (illustrators) have always used reference of one kind or another. I love the stylized work of guys like Darwyn Cook and Mike Mignola, or even Joe Querio's style on Orion the Hunter, but it's not right for everything.

Cliff VanMeter
http://arctoscomics.com

Belter previews at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belter-Webcomic/138924176144067?v=wall.

May 6, 2010 4:35 pm

As a fan, reader, creator and publisher (all be it an online publisher), I have really mixed feelings about this. Back issues have become virtually non-existant and finding a single issue or two to fill you in on the story is just often not possible. I do believe that there should be some ongoing record or ongoing format that archives comics online. Even if its a DC/Marvel/Dark Horse/IDW/whatever specifc site where you can buy digital backissues for a niminal fee each. Not for the collector, for the reader. Not to make precious the paper and ink, but just to make available the story and art. The legacies of the great creators should be preserved in some way. It's a shame that these companies don't recognize that.

Clifford VanMeter (http://arctoscomics.com)

January 22, 2010 11:41 am

21? I've got socks older than that (well maybe not, but I do have kids older than that). I turned 53 on Dec. 26th.

Comics and the desire to work in comics were the driving force in my life right up to the turn of the century. In the 90's I achieved many of my goals working for Valiant Comics and later for companies like Milestone, Marvel and even Image.

For the last decade I've given up on ever "...playing the Dane," and worked in the "real world", but something was missing. Lately I've come back to comics, and now I'm back in the game as a writer and publisher. Some things just get into your blood and you can never shake'em. Comics is like that for me.

I'll never be too old.

Now excuse me... I've got to head out to Detroit Comics and get my weekly fix.

Clifford VanMeter