2 - Posted on 12/12/2024

I'm telling you to loosen up my Buttons babe (uh huh)
But you keep Ranson (uh)
Slayin's what you gon' do to me (uh huh)
But I ain't seen Exton (uh)

I'm telling you to loosen up my Buttons babe (uh huh)
But you keep paintin' (uh)
Sayin' what you gon' do Harry (uh huh)
But I ain't seen Exton' (uh)

Typical and hardly the type I fall for
I'm liking it’s personal, don't leave me gunnin’ for more
I'm a sexy killer (Arthur)
Who knows just how to get what I wanna (color)
What I wanna do is bring this color (on ya)
Backup all the inks that I show’d ya (show’d ya, show’d ya, show’d ya)

1 - Posted on 12/13/2024

I think I spent over an hour trying to figure out if this book was published in the exact same style as the IDW Artist's Edition, because the publisher did such a piss poor job of marketing it. After even more research on this series, I finally figured out that the coloring was done over the original line art, which, while certainly nice enough as far as coloring goes, still disappointed me so I elected not to order the book. But the reason I was willing to invest so much time in researching exactly what the book was offering is because of the obvious magnificence of the line art. Such beautiful work. Truly incredible! Since Ransom still had all of the art, I assumed he intended to continue holding onto it. Congrats on getting this, Mark, it's outstanding!

1 - Posted on 12/13/2024

Thanks, Rubén!

FYI, Ranson used watercolors over his line art on all of his pages from the series. I agree with you that I far prefer looking at black and white line art but I'm willing to cut Ransom more slack than I would if the page was colored directly on the board by a random 2000 AD colorist. A good portion of the scenes in the book are also set at night so the more limited palette on those pages might be more to your liking. Some of those pages are sprinkled around CAF. 

As far as not hearing about the book, I feel like I couldn't avoid hearing about it! The press releases and social media are what encouraged me to re-read the series, order the artist edition and seek out a couple pages to buy. 



 

1 - Posted on 12/13/2024

wow. I have not read this so wasn't familiar with the publishing history you shared (thanks for sharing so I could learn though) but the artwork is really nice, love the coloring, and that scene is extremely intense. 

1 - Posted on 12/15/2024

HA ! I had a feeling that absolutely perfect John Hicklenton piece wouldn't be your last. Beautiful. Welcome to the club.

Posted on 12/15/2024

Thanks. Probably more coming!

1 - Posted on 12/22/2024

I've never read that series and like Ruben,I debated pre-ordering the Apex book but decided not to because I would not be able to read it for one and second, ultra realistic work is not what I prefer.

(so waiting for the complete collection here, 2000AD people)

All that being said, that is one INTENSE page and that 4rth panel alone is truly chilling (the victim's sense of panic).

1 - Posted on 12/22/2024

Just a heads up that the collected edition has been available for years!

1 - Posted on 12/27/2024

Unfamiliar with this book, but definitely love the art style. It successfully creates a feeling of tension and that's impressive. Some great detail in those panels as well. Definitely makes me want to read.

1 - Posted on 1/9/2025

I'm not familiar with the book, but I'm intrigued by the art. It has a strong realistic look with some fairly explicit scenes, I take it. I love the simple, straightforward look of the art. And the use of color is subtle, I like that as well. The scene from this page is set in Central Park but artist Arthur Ranson doesn't give us widce shots to set the scene. He seems to prefer tightly composed closeups of the action. He creates a sense of intrigue by NOT showing you more detail. The panels themselves are framed to show the reader only as much as they need to follow the storyline. Intriguing approach, I'm going to have to track down a copy of the book to learn more. But thanks for sharing. I always love to discover new artists and new titles.