All October long I will be exploring the context behind (using reader danjack's term) "meta-messages." A meta-message is where a comic book creator comments on/references the work of another comic book/comic book creator in their comic. Each time around, I'll give you the context behind one such "meta-message." Here is an archive of the past installments!

Today we look at Frank Miller expressing his displeasure with Jim Lee using an art style influenced by Miller.

Reader Rob T. recommended I feature this one.

Back in 1993, Jim Lee debuted a new art style that was influenced by Frank Miller, specifically Frank Miller's work on Sin City.

Here it is, from 1993's Darker Image #1, featuring the first appearance of Deathblow...

And here, from Sin City: A Dame to Kill For #1, from later in 1993, is Frank Miller using his character Marv to show his displeasure with Lee drawing in a style inspired by Miller...

Just in case people weren't quite sure what he was getting at, Miller then explained in a letter column that he was irritated by other artists drawing like him. He specifically mentions Lee and Michael Netzer.

Years later, of course, Miller and Lee would do All Star Batman and Robin together, so I imagine they hashed things out.