A look at Top Cow and Marc Silvestri, Witchblade and Darkness

[@karlosn5579]

This is great. What a strange few days in the comics world it's been...😢

[@MDHaughton]

Yeah. I hope everyone out there is doing alright. I really would have preferred not to be at work today, just take it easy and process shit.

[@jonthestarving]

If you don't mind me asking, what's all been happening?

[@karlosn5579]

​@@jonthestarvingEd Piskor's untimely passing

[@RichardFriendartist]

hey thanks. I appreciate it. and yes it's all been a lot to take in and understand. I am not sure it's all sunk in yet.

[@Rtombooksart]

​@@jonthestarvingI'm guessing it's the suicide of Ed piskor over misconduct allegations😢

[@Trripps]

Thanks Richard. Your videos are so inspiring, what a gift at the end of a hard days work.

[@RichardFriendartist]

awesome thank you.

[@russellsmith1605]

Every video you publish is a cause for celebration! Thanks for sharing, Rich

[@RichardFriendartist]

ah thanks man. Trying to hopefully bring a little positivity and fun in a dark time. I wasn't sure what else I could really do.

[@Hum0ng0us]

Man I miss Super Fun Sunday! I can't wait until you and Kelsey can get back to it again. Thanks for the short video. I've been digging into Marc and John Byrne later and this video is just a great part of my deep dive on Silvestri.

[@RichardFriendartist]

if I did a live show...it might have to be a different day of the week. I'm not so sure I can do Sundays right now~ I did speak with Kelsey and we are texting back and forth. He's really busy too...so it'll happen we just need to sync up and have our schedules mellow out a bit.

[@Hum0ng0us]

@@RichardFriendartist -- Wonderful. Also, please don't rush. If business is good right now, absolutely TCB!! We'll be waiting.

[@MaxwellMurdok]

I mainly read comics from the 70s to the 00s, but Marc Silvestri's recent Batman book is one of the few comics in recent years that piqued my interest. I consider him to be the greatest of the founding Image artists, and I he's only gotten better since then.

[@Jezeriah]

Been jonesing for some Super Fun Sunday. RIP Ed. Not a fan of their work but that Rob Liefeld tweet choked me up.

[@gingerbearhaus]

Thanks for this Rich, Ive missed your videos and this was a nice bright light on a dark day.

[@RichardFriendartist]

yeah. I really didn't know what to do. There's so many conversations going and so many people who are hurting. I figured a simple video might be something to at least give people a break if they needed it.

[@josephleonardo6404]

What's up Richard, thank you for the great video today bro. We're all a little bummed out by the events of the past few days😢 and I super appreciate it my man

[@RichardFriendartist]

No problem. I felt like something fun and simple might be a good diversion from all the bad news. It's hard not to watch that stuff and then it can start to really weigh on you..so a little simple art video is hopefully a good diversion.

[@DLC_-mw4mc]

@@RichardFriendartist What bad news, what are you talking?? What happened???

[@jcandram]

@@DLC_-mw4mcit was the news of artist Ed Piskor death. If you have come across it. He was a comic artist and also has a KZbin channel with Jim Rugg, Cartoonist Kayfabe .

[@johnsonbenjamin887]

It was so great to see this video in my feed. Thanks for the video rich, made this week a bit better

[@TheDaniel71234]

Really tasteful intro, today. I need to amend my last comment, you bring so much more than just cat mishaps and sound effects. But I will also double down on “pew, pew!” Or “hellloooo!” I crack up every time!

[@liquididentity101]

Funny that you mention Brandon Peterson. I just picked up the full run of his short-lived Arcanum series. I've been on a huge mid to late 90s Image kick lately, re-buying my favorites and re-reading them.

[@MerchMetrics]

Love this, welcome back Rich. The art posts lately have sick! You should do an original art of Rich Friend video some time.

[@studiorobroy2259]

Lovely to hear your voice again, Rich...a win win as Silvestri is a fav!

[@nathancamposart]

these are always great to watch Richard, the analysis, input and behind the scenes is always great

[@RichardFriendartist]

hey cool thanks. I've always felt my channel is pretty informative albeit it's a bit casual compared to other super legit YT channels...But I do try and at least give some decent info without just copying some other channel or reading Wikipedia. haha

[@TerryParr]

A real sad situation... now you have to take up the mantle of best comics reviewer on KZbin!

[@RichardFriendartist]

ah thanks I appreciate it. KZbin is really fun. I will feel it out. The one thing I'd always saved was the idea of guests and interviews for my channel. I knew if I did that,YT the channel would grow a lot...but with that...then you have a responsibility to really be a content creator...and I am for sure more an artist than YT personality. ha

[@etiennelecomte9068]

Nice to have you back, I was saving this video to watch whilst I was drawing, you do make inspiring vids

[@MDHaughton]

I love that Top Cow style!!

[@RichardFriendartist]

oh yeah!

[@henryjaremek2644]

Great video Rich . That 1st piece , Witchblade with the Skull background , reminded me of Jae Lee . Love the Wolverine vs Darkness page . Thanks Rich

[@RichardFriendartist]

I could see that. Jae has had some many eras. What year (or series was he working on ) does it remind you of, or what other Jae Lee pieces feel that way to you.

[@henryjaremek2644]

@@RichardFriendartist .. Uncertain .. His Namor stuff possibly .. his Spider-Man co-starring Iron Fist was Cool as well .. check that out .. if unknown to you .. take care brother

[@Jameswindsorsmith]

Welcome back! Beautiful stuff

[@RichardFriendartist]

thanks James!

[@DamienDrgv]

Thanks for the Video! ELRIC T5 by Glenat drawing by Valentin Sécher is available tomorrow with spécial édition on black and white...Idea for another vidéo..it will be awesome !

[@RichardFriendartist]

oh wow cool. I follow him on Instagram and have been enjoying his posts. I'll have to look into that. thanks~

[@dustinrogers8593]

You had me at Silv… I am always down for a Marc video. It is sad times, we as a society need to normalize mens mental health and we as men need to support each other in actually talking about our feelings. Thanks for keeping this fun!

[@alariatcg5853]

I made a previous comment, but also wanted to ask if you could do an analysis of Jim Salgado art. His comic artwork is amazing and super detailed. I think you’d enjoy going over it.

[@andyWEASEL]

Hey Rich, Cool video so far, I'm halfway through but I was wondering something. At 14:30 you can hear a background noise, is that a a vacuum cleaner or your your PC fans cranking up?

[@NoFearZero]

Welcome back Rich! Did you ever do a video on Carlos Huante ?

[@farben_]

I wish they made artists editions from these late 90's period, to me the draftsmanship from this time was the highest we've ever seen but people have this bad option of 90's comics because of the stigma created in the early 90's not realizing that they're missing on some really really good art. Joe Weems inks deserve more praise but all Top Cow inkers were really good.

[@RichardFriendartist]

yeah I haven't seen any Top Cow ones. I would imagine that between all the artists they might be able to cobble a few together. Hopefully one day!

[@alariatcg5853]

Hey Rich! Hey I know you’ve shown David Finch’s work, but could you do a deep dive on his work, like you have with Franklin Booths, etc? His work now is amazing and would love to see your analysis on his work. Either way, wanted to add a comment 😆

[@DennisCNolasco]

Welcome back Richard!

[@RichardFriendartist]

thanks Dennis!

[@rogermarrocco4937]

Hey Rich, are you going to be vendor at San Diego Comic-Con this year?

[@calebconver2188]

Cool video! Always love and hate seeing Marc’s work. I love it because it’s so cool to look at but I hate it because when I go to draw I get discouraged how much worse it looks than Marc. lol

[@RichardFriendartist]

I know the feeling...he's really a special artist and even with tons of hard work...to do what he does is almost a gift or just something in him. hahaha. THAT'S how good Marc is! ;)

[@farben_]

You're back? I don't use IG since the platform is absolutely terrible, youtube is easier to keep up with the updates. As for Cartoonist Kayfabe, it hit people hard because they have been putting videos every single day and now it's gone, I personally grew out of the channel but was still subscribed, he never broke kayfabe, even in the end he was still in character. I did read his last words and he made a decision that was too rushed with permanent emotional damage for his family and specially for Jim Rugg, I never imagined this outcome, very surreal and unexpected. The dangers of social media aren't taken seriously,

[@RichardFriendartist]

I had been trying to find the time the last month or so. I did upload a video on the fly this past Sunday and then had been trying to get another one done I liked. But they all felt too "inside" and not really a good video for just people who want to see some art. Yeah that whole situation was something I don't think anyone could imagine. Thanks Farben.

[@farben_]

@@RichardFriendartist I made another IG account some time ago but your new stuff doesn't show up on the timeline, lots of ads do though. That's something to take in mind that these platforms aren't pushing the new posts to the top because we can't sort by new, Facebook big appeal to me was that you could sort by new, not anymore.

[@jerm22278]

I just don't know why respect for others is so hard.

[@Hum0ng0us]

Why don't you try to bring him on SFS to ask him. That would be great!!

[@RichardFriendartist]

ha. I wish. I don't know him at all. But maybe one day!

[@Trripps]

😁

[@Rtombooksart]

The news hits hard even if all allegations were true just some stupid texts But if they were just random texts taken out of context and this was just some shameless attention seeking... This is a huge tragedy that i cant just forget

[@luxuriousmindset1906]

Hi 👋

[@dreigros]

Silvestri is the artist Rob Liefeld wanted to be but failed miserably. Imho new x-men 151-154, which was written by grant morrison, was Marc Silvestri's best work. Not that I don't like the rest of his work his pages always amazing to look at.

[@bozoclown2098]

Too low volume

[@RichardFriendartist]

Thanks. I kept it a little lower anticipating the desktop fan might pick up too much in the mic.