Check out Gary Frank's sketchbook as he takes over Action

posted by Tygrrius @ 7:37 AM

Gary Frank is taking over art duties on Action Comics, starting with #858 in October. He'll be teaming up with writers Geoff Johns and Richard Donner, who started with much fanfare last October.

The Johns/Donner run so far can only be described as mixed. While the writing has been fantastic, their first storyline has been plagued by horrible delays by artist Adam Kubert. Various fill-in stories by other writers and artists have been interesting, but disappointing sidetracks from the main storyline.

Things are definitely looking up, though, as Wizard Universe released Wednesday an interview with Frank and a few pages from his sketchbook.

Note this sketch of Superman in particular. That is Superman.

Plus, Frank and I are definitely inline on how Superman should be portrayed:

"I don't understand the 'monstrously huge' approach at all. The truth is, it doesn't matter how big your pec is, you aren't going to stop a bullet with it. Superman's power doesn't come from having a buff physique; it comes from the fact that he's from Krypton. So it makes no sense to me that he needs to look like a steroid freak. Plus, he also has to look right as Clark."

Would I sound like too much of a geek if I said this is the best news I've read since the revelation that ILM is creating the Enterprise for Star Trek XI? Well, I am a geek and I'm finally excited about Action Comics again. Art that lives up to the story.

Long live Gary Frank on Action!