Fanart by nebezial AKA Stjepan Sejic

Originally Posted by JVS3

I disagree, obviously.
I've been a professional comic book creator for over 10 years and I see this scenario time and time again both in the professional work and on fan forums.

Once again, Stjepan is a super talented guy.
I don't think anyone who is being patronizing would say that.

I'm talking about the stylistic choices of the character designs.
The art looks great! So it's only natural people respond in kind. But are the designs really what would be good for a movie MOTU and POP? I, for one, do not think so.

Exactly. You for one do not think so. And that's fine. Your opinion holds the exact same amount of weight as everyone else's.

However, what you said was, people can't see past great art to make an informed decision, which is of course wrong.

There's been lots of great art on these forums specifically aimed at movie designs, and in fact I gave you two recent examples that were of the same calibre of Sejic's work who I personally didn't think would suit the movie. The quality of the work had no bearing on the opinion of what stylistically would suit a live action interpretation and what wouldn't.

Your opinion of whether you think it would fit or not is fine. That's an entirely different matter. No-one will take issue with it.

What I don't agree with is the way you're being condescending to both the people who do like the stylistic choice and the artist. It's unnecessary, and the very fact that you need to do that to try to elevate your opinion is, if continued, more likely to have the opposite effect.

Originally Posted by fantombe

However, what you said was, people can't see past great art to make an informed decision, which is of course wrong.

I hate to say it, but I disagree 100%. I think a great number of people can't do what you just suggested. Such a comment is going to be insulting to some no matter how I present it. Everyone can be a critic, but it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. It's simply reality.

What I don't agree with is the way you're being condescending to both the people who do like the stylistic choice and the artist.

Like I said before, that's not my intention. I know what I said is a bit harsh to some folks, and I'm sure I sound like a jerk to some people, but that's to be expected.
So we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one.

To me that's exactly the style I'd like to see.

More realistic, subdued coloring, not those neon colors from the Filmation cartoon. A more realistic looking choice for armor without loosing the barbaric-futuristic fusion style I like in He-Man. Imposing and dangerous looking designs for enemies with great use of floating capes etc.

The only things I do not like is the idea for Skeletor to have hair.

And I have to disagree that He-Man looks anything close to a knight. A knight would have a completely different, more full armor. This is basically He-Man's armor in iron with some added details that give him a more 'clothed' look. And it just looks cool.

Originally Posted by JVS3

I hate to say it, but I disagree 100%. I think a great number of people can't do what you just suggested. Such a comment is going to be insulting to some no matter how I present it. Everyone can be a critic, but it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. It's simply reality.

And that's basically *the* textbook example for being condescending. So, I think it is very reasonable of him to call you out on that.

I feel a little awkward posting this again but I feel I must. Not trying to ram it down the throat of fans but I know what feedback I gotten from this over the years.

Here's your look for the movie that stays true to the sword and sorcery source material.

You can keep your shiny knight video game final fantasy He-man. I'll take my furry shorts and bare skin please!!

Originally Posted by JVS3

I hate to say it, but I disagree 100%. I think a great number of people can't do what you just suggested. Such a comment is going to be insulting to some no matter how I present it. Everyone can be a critic, but it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. It's simply reality.

Being a critic of something is entirely different to separating subject matter from the quality of its presentation.

Originally Posted by fantombe

Being a critic of something is entirely different to separating subject matter from the quality of its presentation.

Considering a critic is someone who analyzes artistic works, I disagree completely.
And like I said, everyone can be a critic, but it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.

...we're going to get into a situation where we're going to start argument semantics, aren't we?

Originally Posted by Irian

And that's basically *the* textbook example for being condescending. So, I think it is very reasonable of him to call you out on that.

I know how it sounds to anyone who disagrees. And like I said, I'm not trying to patronize anyone. I'm fully aware I'm stuck between a rock and hard place on this one.

Actually I think an ideal poster would be more along the lines of the Lord of the Rings.

Eamons is more suited to a teaser poster cos you cant really see anything definite.

Originally Posted by Eamon

I feel a little awkward posting this again but I feel I must. Not trying to ram it down the throat of fans but I know what feedback I gotten from this over the years.

Brilliant, thank you. This is what I was referencing earlier but didn't know who it was by.

Same quality of art and same wow factor as Sejic, but not what I'd like to see in a MOTU film for the reasons above.

Originally Posted by oICEMANo

Actually I think an ideal poster would be more along the lines of the Lord of the Rings.

Eamons is more suited to a teaser poster cos you cant really see anything definite.

Well there's good reasons why ya can't see anything!
If the materials were there, I would do a LOTR montage type thing too.

But do you think it's the right tone compared to Sejic's tone? you a furry man or a shiny metal man?

everybody think or conjecture here that this nebezial's art is his vision about motu for a movie and maybe this is only his vision about motu.
he never said that this art is his vision about motu for a movie , if I'm wrong .we think it's art for a movie.

people who like his art and people who do not like his art (for a movie) ,they think this art are concept for a movie in the first look ,Why will this? because he "transmits" it and it should be for any reason.

he "transmits" ,that's an artist

Originally Posted by Eamon

An artist of this caliber would generally produce artwork like this to get some attention and be hopefully chosen to be a concept artist for the movie.

This bothers me. This is why I get so vocal.

Again, I love Stephan's art but I do not think this is the right style for He-Man at all.
If you want your movie He-Man to be King Arthur like or look like so many video game heroes out there, then fair enough.

Not saying you are saying any different, but just to put this out there so everyone knows, this artist posted these as quick pieces that he did for fun cause he likes He-man. Some of them aren't "finished" and from his comments on deviant art I don't think he had any agenda in doing them other than that he enjoyed it. http://nebezial.deviantart.com/

He is still a big name artist drawing what looks like conceptual art for a film that is well known to be eventually happening. What he says they are for is really besides the point.

When a big artist does something like this, I think it's it's only natural folks discuss it at lenghth.

To be perfectly honest too, we can chat all we want about what kind of art direction we'd want for a potential MOTU movie and at the end of the day it'll be Mattel and Sony Pictures picking out a style they think will sell tickets, not a style that's "fitting".

Look at the fan reaction when the concept art for the first Transformers live action movie leaked to the fandom. People hated it. Hated it with a fiery passion. Endless threads were written just about Megatron's new "rape face".

And yet, the movie got made. It made millions and millions. It got a sequel that is one of the highest grossing american movies of all time.

Same thing with the art direction for the GI Joe movie from last year. Although in that case, it didn't do nearly as well.

Or, to take an example really close to home. If the 1987 MOTU movie had been in development now and we'd have been shown the art direction and costumes from that, we would have hated it with a fiery passion. And they still would have made it like that.

So... our debates are just that, fan debates.

Originally Posted by heavy-eternium

everybody think or conjecture here that this nebezial's art is his vision about motu for a movie and maybe this is only his vision about motu.
he never said that this art is his vision about motu for a movie , if I'm wrong .we think it's art for a movie.

people who like his art and people who do not like his art (for a movie) ,they think this art are concept for a movie in the first look ,Why will this? because he "transmits" it and it should be for any reason.

he "transmits" ,that's an artist

Exactly, all this this would be great for a MOTU movie or this is a great motu movie concept was placed onto these pictures by fans. He never even mentions the MOTU movie and this art is in the exact same vein as all his other art.

After reading the debate, I think Eamon's convinced me. Though I totally dig the shiney-knight look, I'd much prefer a movie which made the most of the early mini-comic feel - lots of crazy colours (like medieval times), twisted wilderness, barbaric-futuristic fusings.... more fur & sweat, less metal & sheen.

But to be really won over, I'd like to see Eamon's barbarian He-Man kissing Beana's Bikini-Teela. I'm betting it might sell a few movie tickets.

Originally Posted by Eamon

He is still a big name artist drawing what looks like conceptual art for a film that is well known to be eventually happening. What he says they are for is really besides the point.

When a big artist does something like this, I think it's it's only natural folks discuss it at lenghth.

Perhaps, but then we assume that everything else in his gallery is a pitch for that kinda thing? These pieces just don't seem any different than anything else in his gallery. *shrug* I mean I just don't feel like just because you are a pro everything you do is financially/job motivated. Don't you guys just do things for fun sometimes? I mean yea its very possible you are right but idk I feel like we are putting words/intentions in this guys mouth a bit. All he did is post 3 he-man pics in his very very large deviant art gallery.

Originally Posted by Patreek

Perhaps, but then we assume that everything else in his gallery is a pitch for that kinda thing? These pieces just don't seem any different than anything else in his gallery. *shrug* I mean I just don't feel like just because you are a pro everything you do is financially/job motivated. Don't you guys just do things for fun sometimes? I mean yea its very possible you are right but idk I feel like we are putting words/intentions in this guys mouth a bit. All he did is post 3 he-man pics in his very very large deviant art gallery.

And all I did was one poster and it too got banded around with very similar words of praise. I did it for fun yes, but I still intended it to be a 'hey look at what I would do for a MOTU movie". Go see my Deviant art page.

I'm nothing! Stjepan Sejic is pretty popular and well known. I think it's nieve in thinking that he did it solely for fun.
This is not a bad thing by the way! It's great that artists want to draw for MOTU. But as fans, we will slice and dice!

sorry for straying from the topic.
I really like this sketch, he -man by battle brak

I'm with JVS3 and Eamon on this one...I think this guy's art is fantastic, but not necessarily what I would want to see in a movie, and I also firmly believe that it is difficult for non-artists to see the entire picture sometimes.

I'll use my own artwork as an example. I've shown non-artists my early work which is by my standards terrible and sometimes embarrassing, and they'll love it, because to THEM, it's great. Then I'll show them some of my current work, and suddenly the other stuff doen't look so good anymore.

I have to agree with JVS3 and Eamon too. I love the art but I do not think it would suit a motu movie. To me it looks more like concept art for something like Lord of the Rings then something like Conan the Barbarian.

Originally Posted by Eamon

He-man is not knight!

Really the only armor that was added were the greaves and shoulderpads. I think He-man look much less knightly in these pics than say the accepted look of Battle Armor He-man. Saying "why armor the legs but not the torso" is no different that saying why armor the torso and not the legs, which several versions of He-man have done (along with most other MOTU characters). In addition, how many Masters characters do exactly that? Trapjaw is the glaring example of having armored legs with no chest armor.

As for some not being able to see past the great artwork, that is a definate possibility, however there are just as many of us that can appreciate the great artwork and the content of said artwork as separate entities. While I really enjoy's Stephen's art and talent there are several places where I think more detail could have been applied (Catra and Teela seem quite non-descript compared to most others in the art). Having said that, I love what Stephen has done with many of the characters, taking a more realistic approach to how they would appear. In particular I think his versions of many of the villians are spot on- particularly Hordak, Skeletor and Evil-Lyn. Granted these are all departures from the cartoons/figures/movie we have seen before, however that doesn't lessen the style choices one bit. This is after all his own art and he has every right to draw these characters as he sees fit, whether we agree with those choices or not.

I enjoy Stephen's art, but it is actually the content of that art that speaks to me more, not the other way around.

Addendum- I love his version of the Power Sword. That is the defining version of the Sword of He that I want to see in any live-action movie!!

Stjepan's work is simply outstanding as a concept! He captures some really cool MOTU qualities in his work BUT I agree with some in that he went a tad "too far". He lost that magical barbaric vibe that it should "also" sport that makes MOTU so unique (imho.) This wouldn't be "my" MOTU movie. It goes beyond the Knight look and reaches towards Buck Rogers (bad example but I mean that it's a bit too 2010.) Characters like Optikk should/would be cool to see but not everybody needs to don the same era

Awesome stuff and a great concept but if we only get one movie, I would pray that it wouldn't go down this shiny, Final Fantasy road.

Originally Posted by JVS3

I'm fully aware I'm stuck between a rock and hard place on this one.

I'm actually surprised you don't feel that these designs are appropriate for the movie. After taking a third look, and appreciating the nuances of his redesigns (Mer-Man, Evil-Lyn, Scorpia and Hordak are particularly strong), I'm finding very little that I'd like to change.

So I'd be curious to see what concepts you feel are live action movie appropriate, because honestly, I'd like up a day in advance for an MOTU movie that looked like this.

Originally Posted by Patreek

Perhaps, but then we assume that everything else in his gallery is a pitch for that kinda thing? These pieces just don't seem any different than anything else in his gallery. *shrug* I mean I just don't feel like just because you are a pro everything you do is financially/job motivated. Don't you guys just do things for fun sometimes? I mean yea its very possible you are right but idk I feel like we are putting words/intentions in this guys mouth a bit. All he did is post 3 he-man pics in his very very large deviant art gallery.

This is true. He's never actually mentioned a movie as far as I know. People who have seen the art have looked at the content and themselves thought the concepts rendered would look good as the movie renditions.

His actual art looks no different to all his other art in style or quality, apart from the 'unfinished' look in places (which personally I quite like).

Whether or not he did it with the intention of being picked up is impossible to say. I think it's quite sad though to think as an artist he can't do anything like this for fun.

Quick poll: Is all the other fan art art here by professional and semi-pro artists done with the intention of monetary gain and not a love of the property?

Do artists not create art for fun any more?

Since this thread somehow took a sudden turn left at Albuquerque, I guess I'll weigh in with my reasons for endorsing this artist for doing designs for a MOTU movie. It's not simply because he does mighty tasty eye candy, but it's not because I think he's the absolutely perfect choice either. It's because he's good enough and clearly has a clue of what the source material is about. Yes, I'm a pessimist, but after seeing the concept paintings of teenaged fully armored techno-knight trying to pass off as He-Man and listening to the interview about how you can't have bare skin or big muscles in action movies anymore, I think I have reason to be.

I'm sure many of you still remember Marko Djurdjevic's MOTU redesigns. Those were nice to look at too, as far as pure art goes, but to me they were also absolutely wrong for MOTU. The general feeling was completely off. Morbid, depressing, full of angst and anguish. The costume design was a bit more faithful, and his Fisto and Trap Jaw were quite good for what they were, but that's about it.

Stjepan's art on the other hand I can mostly get behind of. Yes, he has too much sleek silver on He-Man, the palette is pretty cold and bleak and the feel of the good old rugged and savage barbarian fare seems to be largely missing, but even still, I think he gets a whole lot more right than wrong and his departures are acceptable. I get the feeling he cares about the world, the characters and respects the old designs. And quite frankly they're much better than I believe we can hope to get from a live-action MOTU movie.

Let's face it, Hollywood doesn't care what we think. They're after a bigger audience, one that doesn't know Panthor from Battle Cat or Trap Jaw from Tri-Klops. You don't make effects-heavy spectacles just to please niche audiences. So if by a happy accident we got a MOTU movie that was this close to the source material, I'd be too happy to care about the things they got "all wrong".

But then, this is just the two cents of a a marginalized no-talent hack who pretends to be an illustrator...