I love Rags Morales' work, but...

...I really wish he'd get some references when he's doing a period piece like First Wave. As gorgeous as the art is, about the only things that he used to indicate a late '30s time frame were the double-breasted police uniforms and the fedoras on the men on the streets. The cars, the buildings, and the dress of the people were way too modern. I guess the woman running standing on the street next to the cop on the first page is supposed to be a hooker, but even prostitutes of seventy years ago wouldn't have gotten away with that top. And what's with guy in the head scarf and the midriff baring shirt? Is he a gay time traveler from 2010?

And what's with the (newly female) Ebony White. She's walking around in a green and white football jersey in a style that hadn't been adopted yet by any football teams that I know of.

The most egregious anachronism, however, was the plane being flown by the Blackhawks. It looked more like the X-Men's Blackbird than anything that could have been designed in the 1930s.

From what I understand, this book isn't set in the 30s. I think there's supposed to be some 30s-style touches to it (in some fashion & cars & such), but there should also be things like cell phones, etc. I could be wrong about that, but I seem to recall Azzarrello saying something to that effect in an interview. (A wordballoon podcast, IIRC, though there's probably print interviews where he says the same thing.)

I haven't read issue 2 yet, but here's an example from issue one, where some reporters are shoving mini tape recorders in Doc's face:

That doesn't necessarily make it better, I know. But I'm pretty sure it's a deliberate stylistic choice (from both Azz and Morales) that isn't working for you, rather than Morales just being asleep at the switch.

Replies

Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) May 12, 2010 at 9:35pm

From what I understand, this book isn't set in the 30s. I think there's supposed to be some 30s-style touches to it (in some fashion & cars & such), but there should also be things like cell phones, etc. I could be wrong about that, but I seem to recall Azzarrello saying something to that effect in an interview. (A wordballoon podcast, IIRC, though there's probably print interviews where he says the same thing.)

I haven't read issue 2 yet, but here's an example from issue one, where some reporters are shoving mini tape recorders in Doc's face:

That doesn't necessarily make it better, I know. But I'm pretty sure it's a deliberate stylistic choice (from both Azz and Morales) that isn't working for you, rather than Morales just being asleep at the switch.
Figserello May 13, 2010 at 1:02am

I checked it at lunchtime and was indeed shocked at the seeming anachronisms in it, along wth the fedoras.

That it's set in modern times, or some semblance therof, possibly raises a problem. It kind of makes it obvious that this party is only for blue-eyed white boys.

Setting it in the 30s, when these heroes first flourished, would have excused that for some reason. Only white people were accepted as being heroes then...
Lumbering Jack (M'odd-R8-Tr) May 13, 2010 at 5:39am

The weirdness of the era really detracts from the story for me. I like pulp, its conventions and imposed limitations, but this just ends up a confusing mess for me. It really pulled me out of Doc Savage no. 1, and I likely won't be back. I did buy the Spirit no. 1, but we'll see.
Alan M. May 13, 2010 at 6:10am

Rob Staeger said:
From what I understand, this book isn't set in the 30s. I think there's supposed to be some 30s-style touches to it (in some fashion & cars & such), but there should also be things like cell phones, etc.

Based on this description and the picture you posted, it sounds like this series is set in the same type of setting as Tim Burton's Batman was....
Lumbering Jack (M'odd-R8-Tr) May 13, 2010 at 7:41am

Minus the Tim Burton-brand atmosphere.
Dagwan May 13, 2010 at 12:15pm

The whole First Wave universe is set on a present-day Earth that has had a lot more of the 1930's style hold over into the present day.

Think of it as a world where every city is like Opal or Fawcett in the DCU.
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Doctor Hmmm? May 13, 2010 at 12:20pm

Dagwan said:
The whole First Wave universe is set on a present-day Earth that has had a lot more of the 1930's style hold over into the present day.

Think of it as a world where every city is like Opal or Fawcett in the DCU.

"Opal Fawcett" does sound like a name Walter Gibson would have come up with.
Doc Beechler (mod-MD) May 13, 2010 at 12:32pm

Batman - The Animated Series had a similar setting.
Rich Lane May 13, 2010 at 3:25pm

To me it seems like they're aping the style of the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica. I'm not sure it works as well here.

Alan M. said:
Rob Staeger said:
From what I understand, this book isn't set in the 30s. I think there's supposed to be some 30s-style touches to it (in some fashion & cars & such), but there should also be things like cell phones, etc.

Based on this description and the picture you posted, it sounds like this series is set in the same type of setting as Tim Burton's Batman was....
Lumbering Jack (M'odd-R8-Tr) May 13, 2010 at 9:21pm

I think then the emphasis should be on the 1930s appeal -- including dialogue, clothing styles, gadget looks -- and 2000s-style tech, attitudes and knowledge should then slide inside that framework. Right now its just a mix-n-match time warp. In this, cell phones are dainty palm-sized boxes. Instead, "cell phones" should be a hand held mic with a cord that plugs into a belt pouch. It does the same thing -- could even have a shitload of "apps" for all I care -- but it fits the aesthetics.

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