Can an artist ruin a read for you?

[JTFSX]

So I've been reading comics for 35 years and for me story has always trumped art. There have been a few notable exceptions where a book was so visually compelling (like Hawkeye) that I would keep investing in it even if the story didn't grab me. However, I can't remember a single time that the artwork was so distracting that it ruined a book for me...until now. I've tried...really...but I just can't stand Bachalo's work on Uncanny. I get that it is different, and I'm sure he's a great guy and a lot of folks love him...but I can barely stand to look at it.

Anyone else have an artist that bugs them that much?

[Vaishakh]

It is a visual medium so art does really affect storytelling. Different art styles work well for different stories. Bachalo's art is quite good for action scenes but Uncanny doesnt have many fights so it looks out of place

[SchismOfMadroces]

I can't get into Nick Bradshaw's art. To me, it looks like everyone is about to make Dreamworks face all the time.

[Supernature]

Story absolutely trumps the art in my opinion. If the story is stellar, I can enjoy a run even if the art is a bit subpar.
I don't like Deodato's and Bradshaw's styles but I can power through them as long as I'm enjoying the story.

The only exception is Greg Land. It doesn't even look like there is an attempt to tell a story in a coherent manner. It's just a collage of pin up pictures.
I'll straight up skip a book if his name is on it, at this point.

[Neko]

I'm going to say yes and no. Yes, its a visual medium and the art should compliment and add to a story. I've found artists I'm not partial too when given the right book and story actually works well even if I don't like the art. And example would be on Magneto's book, I'm not a fan of the art but because of how gritty the book is and its story telling is more dark in nature, the art works. Not picking on the book. Walta's art takes some getting used to, still I think his art works.

Sometimes an artist is put on a book and it just doesn't work with the writer's style. And when it doesn't and art and story clash a little is when the art can really hamper the story.

While I think the story is still more key, the art should always help not hurt. IMO

[Anduinel]

The only exception is Greg Land. It doesn't even look like there is an attempt to tell a story in a coherent manner. It's just a collage of pin up pictures.
I'll straight up skip a book if his name is on it, at this point.

This right here. Art can distract from a story, sure, even actively make it worse, but there are only a few artists who can straight-up wreck a book for me and Land's one of them. Even on Mighty Avengers, where he wasn't doing a bad job (for Land, I mean), there would just be the occasional panel that would pull the rug out.

I will say, though, if I'm thinking of trying a new book, art will usually be the deciding factor if I'm otherwise on the on the fence. If the art's sub-par, I'll give it a skip.

[Fokken]

I won't BUY if the art don't JIVE

[BlitheringToot]

Chris Bachalo's art hurts my eyes sometimes. When he's got a good inker, I can handle it, and some of his earlier stuff is great, but I usually spend too much time trying to figure out what's even going on.

[Daithi]

Oh yeah. Was reading old Excalibur issues and when Davis isn't drawing it's really noticeable.

[JTFSX]

Chris Bachalo's art hurts my eyes sometimes. When he's got a good inker, I can handle it, and some of his earlier stuff is great, but I usually spend too much time trying to figure out what's even going on.

Exactly. And I find that the characters all look too much alike. Same features with just different costumes.

[Wind Rider]

I value the story and characterization over the art so if the these two essential elements are goo then I'd still get the book. However it does diminish my enjoyment of the read when the art is bad.

[Magneto]

Definitely Bachalo for me. I can't stand his art. I might have to do some research for other artist I can't stand.

[xpyred]

[deleted.]

[Flight]

Greg Land completely ruined Fraction's run.

[Hatbar]

I got really fed up of Greg Land's work in Uncanny X-Men although the stories were rubbish too by Matt Fraction. His porn faced women just got very tiring and boring. Igor Kordey's stuff on Xtreme was also off putting after Salvador Lorroca's art.