Simone and Byrne on the Atom sounds wonderful. I'll definitiely buy that book.

Byrne decided a long time ago he was going to do what he wanted to do, and not the projects that would make him the most money. I can't help but think that our response to that should be to respect him as a person and then buy what we like. I found the Doom Patrol run enjoyable and She-Hulk a joy and the ... what was the name of that comic? With the wiz kids and the virutal reality dreamworld? Anyway, barely remember it, didn't care for it, stopped buying it. I wish Mr. Byrne continued success with his future projects.

I'd love to see inked pages from Action to compare next to Byrne's pencils, to see this "erasing" you're talking about. Anyone have links?

Yet, that is the exact opposite of his stated reason for not continuing NeXt men

I've always been a fan of Joh Byrne and in fact some of his past work are some of my favourite comics. His run with Roger Stern on Captain America is my favourite interpretation of Cap to date. The two issue story with Baron Blood is a prized part of my collection. Fantastic covers and still hold up today. I also liked his run on the Avengers and alson with the George Perez issues are also my favourites.

I have to admit that I wasn't impressed with the story-arc recently in JLA but that was the story not the art; I also liked the Action issues, particularly the issue with Black Adam.

I think he has a place today as his artwork is very distinctive. Byrne/Ordway together are great. I think he needs an inker like Ordway to bring the best out of his work.

M

All arguments about Mr. Byrnes character aside, let's take a look at exactly why he is still a great comics talent:

http://byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11297&PN=1&totPosts=43

That piece, pencilled and inked by Mr. Byrne himself is ample proof of his talent and viability as an artist in this field.

I agree. Great piece and a very nice site. Forget to mention that Byrne's run in X-men was also one of my favourites (that and Romita Jr's). In fact when I was getting into comics in the 80's he and George Perez were the artists that maintained my interest in the field.

That whole era of X-Men was the stuff that I remember most fondly. The Byrne and Claremont stuff, Paul Smith's run, and those Art Adams pencilled annuals from around that time...all that stuff. Those were X-Men that were still relatable as characters to me, before the whole history got too convoluted and hard to follow.

Seeing that Byrne piece with the "fastball special" brought me back to those days on a comfy little wave of nostalgia.

Great stuff.

That nostalgia pretty much validates the original premise of this thread, i.e., Byrne's career is over.

Um..OK...well THAT'S some inescapable logic there. That's why I come here. Genius (he says, tongue planted firmly in cheek).