Gen 13: Ordinary Heroes Paperback – October 1, 2004
I've been a HUGE fan of Adam Hughes since my teenage years when I worked at a comic book store (Collector's Edge) back in Milwaukee, WI. My first exposure to his work was when a coworker had shown me a sketch he commissioned from Hughes. This was when I learned about the term "Good Girl Art" or Pin-Up Art. From that point on I tried to collect any comic book, pin-up or cover Adam Hughes would draw. There was a LOT. Then I went as far as finding any and every interview that was printed in fanzines back then. Which there weren't too many of. Sigh…
Right around the same time - I was discovering Dave Stevens through his Rocketeer comic book and his art book "Just Teasing" (that had just come out). Which then introduced me to Betty Page. I could go on and on about my love for Stevens' work. Expect a post on that soon.
Anywho… I could see the shared interest and influence between the two artists. Which I loved! They both had a style that I really wanted to aspire to! A lot of my inking has been HEAVILY influenced by these two artists. Oh and Charles Burns too!
I remember picking up the original issues of "Gen 13: Ordinary Heroes" back in 1996 when I was living in Minneapolis, MN. I was regularly haunting Big Brain Comics back then and bought all my comics and books from the owner and all-around good dude - Drivas. He was my sherpa to good music and comics back then.
I used these 2 issues as my bible for drawing good female faces and hair. Eventually, I destroyed the books because I was constantly referring to them whenever drawing and (my futile attempts at) inking with a brush. I'm sure I have every panel memorized.
A few years later, a friend had some full-size xerox copies of the original pages that he gave me while cleaning out his studio. To me, that was the Holy Grail. I studied those copies to DEATH. Never wanting to be an Adam Hughes clone but definitely wanting to let his work wash all over me like Gatorade at the end of the Super Bowl. That's not too weird, is it? More than 15 years later - I still have the xerox copies and still find them inspiring.
One day, while looking for replacement copies of the two issues, I noticed that Image/ Wildstorm Comics had collected them into a trade paperback along with a story I didn't know about - that was inked by Kevin Nowlan!!! Don't get me started on how awesome Nowlan is!!! PLUS there are a few pages of pin-ups by Hughes - reprinted inside!
The TPB also includes a story drawn by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer. In all honesty - I don't think it should have been included in this collection. It's great art but doesn't fit. You can tell the publisher was banking on Hughes' work to sell the book. And that was what got me to buy it. Apologies to Davis and Farmer. You guys deserve your own collection!
It's TOTALLY WORTH the cover price of $14.95! You could find the individual issues for less but you get that plus the short story (PLUS the pin-ups) all packaged in an affordable book.
Like I said earlier, the issues drawn by Adam Hughes were my art school. I'm proud that I can still see his influence in my work. Especially with how I try to draw hair and eyes.
I had to limit my picks to a few pages that I liked the most and found inspiring. I also made a quick flip video of the book so you can see all the amazing art inside. Hopefully, it'll inspire you to go to a convention, bookstore, follow Adam Hughes on Instagram @atomhues or troll Amazon to geek out some more on his work!!!
Gen 13: Ordinary Heroes Paperback – October 1, 2004
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Wildstorm (October 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401204279
ISBN-13: 978-1401204273
