The Hollywood Reporter’s announced Marvel’s new so-called initiative to promote whom they claim will make the greatest artists going forward:

Marvel Entertainment has announced the launch of Marvel’s Stormbreakers, a new program intended to promote selected artists across its publishing line, with the company describing the chosen eight as “the next generation of elite artists in the industry.” […]

In a statement accompanying the announcement of the program, Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski said, “This year’s Stormbreakers embody pure talent and creativity that, time and time again, have shown us all there are no limits to what visual storytelling can do. We are continuously blown away by their innovative styles and by the power in how they capture the heart, humor, and humanity of our characters.”

Yup, some “talent and creativity” alright! Take a gander at the following promo picture:

The facial design for Storm looks atrocious, and the design for Carol Danvers looks repellent in the extreme. Even the design seen here for Black Widow is underwhelming, and come to think of it, the design for the Hulk looks…boring. It already goes without saying there’s a sex-negative muting of the artwork for the 3 ladies seen in the promo, but then, it’s been apparent for several years now that they sold out to social justice under people like Axel Alonso, Joe Quesada and Sana Amanat, among others. Cebulski sure has proven he’s got an eye for talent, alright. Oh sure, maybe this was mandated from above by the higher echelons, and he couldn’t override the decisions. It’s still no excuse. Jack Kirby’s “swipe art” was far more inspired than this.