Hard-On for Adi Granov

Because I’m a frustrated graphic artist (I draw fat stick figures), and because I’m mediocre in everything I do except sucking, I feel compelled to look up to a lot of people. This includes, but is not limited to, writers, artists, actors, businessmen, atheletes, wrestlers, entertainers, sex offenders, and exotic dancers. Every now and then, I like to think about those who have created something on this world that is not only enjoyable for me but also super beneficial to humanity, as well.

I was going through some images and I was reminded of how much of a raging boner I had for the Extremis armor designed by Adi Granov. My mind kind of spiralled out of control after that, because it was filled with thoughts of exactly how godlike Ade Granov’s talent really is. Unfortunately, a scale of such magnitude has yet to be devised.

Adi Granov has got to be one of my all time favorite artists. Dare I say that, to me, he’s at Alex Ross level. Djurdjevic and Granov share almost a similar style, but for some reason, Adi’s art is half a notch more appealing to me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Marko Djurdjevic. I would give my left nut to have 1/8th of the talent Djurdjevic has. For now, though, I want to focus on Mr. Granov, whose name should be synonymous with perfection and cotton candy.

I first noticed him during the arc right before the restart of Iron Man, when he was doing the covers. I first thought it was some 3D app with a funky, ink-like texture applied to the models. It was awe inspiring. He did internal art for Warren Ellis’ Extremis arc and I was blown the fuck away. Since the art was realistic and dynamic at the same time, I was immediately engaged. Add to the fact that I am a big fan of the Extremis Iron Man concept despite a lot of fans hating the idea. I was hooked on Granov.

The man has a certain style that I really love. The realism in his art makes me feel like the panels are photographs of actual technology and people; this is why he was tapped to design the Iron Man armor for the movie.

His textures are brilliant and life-like. It gives materials a sense of roughness or shininess or hardness, something that not all digital painters can convey. His anatomy is accurate, too, without it seeming boring. Unlike most comic book artists from the 90s (*cough cough leifeld cough*), his art can be, and is, taken a lot more seriously. I absolutely love this direction that comics are going back into- realism, realistic art.

His colors are subdued and quite desaturated. This works because when he adds loud colors, the pages explode off the page. Emotion is conveyed so fluently through color in way that is neither gaudy or distracting.

The one thing I think his art lacks is diversity in facial features, but then again, a lot of comic book art is like that. Everyone does it. John Cassaday’s visorless Cyclops looked exactly like Piotr. But apart from that, you’re good, Adi.

Mr. Granov, I give you two thumbs up! Three if you count the digit I’m lifting for that picture above.