[HISSTANK]

Originally posted by: Shin Densetsu @ Hisstank.com

Quote:

Steve Kurth's art can be seen in the issues of IDW's current GI Joe series, but you may recognize his work from an earlier time. Kurth started working on GI Joe Comics back when Devils Due Press had the license, over a decade ago.

Newsarama has interviewed Steve Kurth and he talks about remaining on the title(his partner in crime Fred Van Lente announced that he was leaving GI Joe a while back) and what he likes about GI Joe.

The reason Kurth is staying:

I do plan to stick around for a number of reasons. It's been a year and I feel I'm getting into the groove and finding a voice. I also do my best work when I'm planted on a single title for a while and I'm excited to embrace that actual monthly schedule. Also, with who they've been talking about in regards to who the next writer is going to be [Newsarama Note: Stay tuned for our next Yo Joe column for an interview with incoming writer Paul Allor - this interview took place before that announcement] I'm definitely getting a great one so I'm happy. Allen Martinez and Joana Lafuente do great work so I'm happy there. John is a pleasure to work with and runs a tight ship so I'm happy. No reason to go if I'm happy.

Kurth comparing his days drawing GI Joe for DDP to his time drawing GI Joe for IDW presently:

It's a dramatically different experience for me. When I was working on G.I. Joe a decade ago I honestly didn't know what I was doing. It's not as if I wasn't working incredibly hard, we all were, but I just wasn't at a proper professional level yet. I think I learned pretty fast. I think you can look at it issue to issue and see a great deal of improvement but I don't really think the first few issues we did were up to snuff. I don't think we did right by the fans but it wasn't for lack of trying. Our intent was earnest enough though. Now, ten years later I've actually got some chops. I think I'm a proper storyteller now. I think I've got enough of a skill set that I can do the characters justice now. That is not to say that everyone has to like my style or choices, but as I look back at the G.I. Joe of 2001, wow was that a different animal. While we learned pretty quickly, and over time started to deliver a better product I still liken it to a garage band that's trying really hard that has potential that doesn't quite know they're not there yet. So yeah, G.I. Joe in 2013 is much more satisfying for me. As an individual, sure, but as part of a team too. Having our editor John Barber and Fred steer the ship has been great. With Allen Martinez working his magic on inks and Joana Lafuente providing some fantastic colors, this has been a great experience for me.

One of the things though that is exactly the same a decade ago as it is now, is how I feel about what I'm working on. How much fun I'm having with the property. There was a page I drew about a month ago where Duke came repelling down a bridge to deal with some motorcycle riding twins and for whatever reason thought about every morning before school. Every morning as a kid I was shoveling cereal into my mouth as I watched G.I. Joe team members shoot lasers and every Cobra soldiers’ chute open after their plane got shot down. Loved it. So I was excited in 2001 and I'm excited now. That's what is keeping it fresh for me. That and the fact that I feel I get to do it right this time.

The interview in its entirety can be read at Newsarama.... [Read More]

Read More: Steve Kurth Interview: Why He's Staying On GI Joe And More @ G.I. Joe - HissTank.com.