And yet, his popularity paved the way for real change in  the comics universe buy introducing Image comics. Thank God for competition.

Agreed. but sometimes a bad thing leads to a good thing.

Thing was, Rob showed promise, at first. He was raw and undisciplined; but, he had a good visual sense. I thought he was someone to watch, on Hawk & Dove. It turned out that Karl Kesel was doing a lot of cleanup. It seemed to me, when he had more editorial scrutiny, his work was better. As he got more and more freedom, he got looser and sloppier. He was a mess with Youngblood and it's related books. Greg Burgas covered him in his Year of the Artist, at CBR (the late, very lamented Comics Should Be Good blog) and you could see some growth. He had some stuff from post 2000 that looked far sharper than his 90s material. He still used too many lines and his sense of anatomy was still not good; but, his proportions were better and his storytelling stronger. One thing I will say, though, the boy had no grasp of science.

In an interview in Comics Scene, in advance of Youngblood, he was talking about characters and was discussing one of his generic "big guys," Brahma. He said the inspiration came from friends, who were triplets. He asked how that occurred and they said one egg that splits into three (which is rare, as most triplets are born from more than one fertilized egg). Rob says his "warped mind" (his words) wondered what would happen if the egg didn't split? Would a giant baby come out? I sat there, stunned, and said out loud, "No, stupid, normal birth!" It isn't a giant ovum that splits. He then says, elsewhere in the article, that he wanted to quit school to get into comics; but, his parents forced him to get his diploma, before trying to get work. That said it all to me. Later, in the debut issue of Youngblood, he had Shaft, a human character, throw a ballpoint pen, upwards, to a second floor stairwell landing, and impale someone in the throat. That's a neat trick since, (a) the pen has little mass and won't have much impact, (b) he's throwing against the pull of gravity and (c) a ballpoint pen is rather blunt and isn't likely to penetrate the skin unless it is jammed in at close range and in a soft spot. I laughed hysterically at that scene, when I looked at the comics in my LCS.

I can make fun of his work; but, he was very successful and was able to chart his own path, free of the shackles of DC and Marvel. That's worthy of respect, even if his swipes are not.

This is one of those "it takes all kinds posts.  Not trying to be a jerk...but I really hate this book.  

At the time it came out I was buying pretty much anything with Elseworlds on it.  I loved the concept (still do) just as I'd loved DC's imaginary stories and Marvel's What If?  But man...this was a perfect storm of stuff I just do not like (but probably didn't realize at the time.  

First I hate Bolton's art.  I know that's probably anathema.  But it does nothing for me.  I'm not a huge fan of painted comics to begin with, but Bolton's work totally turns me off.  

I'm also generally not a fan of Delano.  I did like his first run on Hellblazer.  But other than that, I'm not a big fan of anything else he's done.  

I'm glad you like it though.  I want my money back.  

The 90s was an explosion of juvenile, overblown dreck, generally led by anything with "X" in its title, and of course, the entire influence of those who would form Image Comics. the industry has yet to shake off the ill effects and reputation caused by that period.

The only true standouts were Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, and a series of stand alone books, among them, several that were not only instant classics of the industry (a rare feat), but earned richly deserved attention by non-comic readers and media: Marvels, Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth & Batman: War on Crime. Each had no problem surviving the test of time, and are given the respect of any true landmark of a medium.

I have that issue of Comicscene where there is an interview with Rob where he talks about Brahma's origin - it's actually a fascinating interview about the beginnings of Young Blood and there is a real sense of excitement and passion form Rob, along with some actually interesting ideas... but there's some real howlers as well, including describing Cougar's race as being a 'cat-wolves'!

90's?

most of the best work from vertigo.

bad executions of decent ideas by Danzig.

significant work paid for/'allowed to be done' by women and non anglo men.

introduction of metaphysical expressions of Batman (thx Kelly Jones).

Deadman mini by Baron and Jones paying tribute to, but not whoring out,the classic film 'Freaks' by Browning.

unlike the 80's (sorry, hipsters, suck some vinyl your mammy paid for), the 90's, in comics gave a lot.