Drawing Superman: Man of Style

Here's the finished Superman design. I'm glad to see, from the comments, that people pretty well support this choice. My thinking was that, Chabon's Secret Skin theory aside, the big problem with Superman's costume is the whole body-hugginess of it all. If I had superpowers, I wouldn't want to dress like that. And I'd rather not be rescued by someone dressed like that, either. I mean, of course, I'd like to be rescued, but given a choice of heroes, I'd prefer the one that leaves a little something to the imagination.

Partly, this comes from the sense of real-world aesthetics that puts me in worsted wool slacks more often than painted-on blue jeans. But another undeniable aspect is that I am now older than Superman is traditionally portrayed. As I said over on the Rooftop, it's very hard to realize that one can no longer grow up to be the Man of Tomorrow. So, I tried to come up with a costume that would allow a young man to run around being the pinnacle of all human hopes and dreams without making bitter old codgers like me feel worthless in comparison.

Weird, then, that the resulting costume looks so clerical. By weird, of course, I mean perfectly logical.

And from there, I couldn't resist drawing the other members of the Superman Family in costumes derived from the cassocked Kal-El. Pictured are: Bizarro, Power Girl, Supergirl, Superboy, Streaky the Supercat, Krypto, and, of course, Zibarro!

Not pictured are Superman's Super-Robots, although I have some sketches I should get around to scanning.

Sketching Superman: Man of Style

So, Project: Rooftop has another big redesign event coming down the pike, and this time, they're not fooling around.

Man, trying to redesign Superman is like trying to come up with a new flavor for oxygen.

Anyway, here are some sketches, as I tried to puzzle this particular conundrum out:

Geek Games

So, some of my Internet friends and I were playing the typical geek parlor game of assigning each other identities from the Justice League. I ended up with The Flash. Not because I'm, you know, speedy or anything, but because he's the only member of the team with a decent track record at fatherhood (when you stop to think about it, a surprising number of male JLAers are fathers, but their kids are all either dead or evil).

This was my first attempt at portraying Skeezix and myself in costume. This is drawn from a if-I-was-trying-to-dress-up-as-the-Flash angle.

This is more of a if-I-was-the-Flash kind of thing. And, certainly, the depiction I prefer. I wish I really could pull off wearing a winged hat.

1950's Wolverine

Mid-Life Crisis Iron Man.

Project: Rooftop and Westfeild Comics are sponsoring Iron Man: Invincible Upgrade, for which I'm a commentator. This is my ineligible little contribution.

I'm not really an Iron Man fan, and it seems me that, on some secret level, you kinda hafta want to have sex with a Japanese motorcycle in order to design a really good suit of Iron Man armor. And, well, I do not want to have sex with a Japanese motorcycle. So, it was difficult to find a direction on this one. Then I read Michael Chabon's article in the New Yorker on superhero uniforms as "True Skin." From that thesis, the notion of Tony Stark choosing to wear the machine as his flesh is distinctly creepy. From there, I liked the idea of lumpy, hirsute, middle-aged Tony wearing lithe, young machineflesh, and not really getting why the other superheroes aren't comfortable with this latest upgrade.

Not my most inspired redesign, but they can't all be Ma Hunkel.

This is a different version than will appear when the Invincible Upgrade runs. Dashing Dean Trippe generously offered to color my entry, and who'd say no to that?

Rest in Peace, Rocketeer!

Project: Rooftop is running a tribute to the recently departed Dave Stevens. Dave's most lasting legacy is probably the revival of Bettie Page as a cultural icon. But a little more in P:R's bailiwick is his high-flying retro-hero, The Rocketeer.

There's not much that can be done to improve the Rocketeer's design. It is so perfectly what it is supposed to be: the perfect leather jacket; the perfect jodhpurs; and, of course, the absolute perfect helmet. When I first saw The Rocketeer, I had a hard time comprehending that this was a new character. How could the Zeitgeist of the Thirties not have produced this character?*

So, I wasn't too sure what to do with this drawing, and I kept putting it off, hoping for inspiration to strike, until the very last minute. I like it okay as a drawing, but I don't think it makes much sense as a character design (where are the straps for the rocket? The wires for the hand-controls? Why is he wearing that particular jacket?). I'd like to take this design as a first sketch and develop it further, but given the other demands on my punch-clock, I think I'll just go enjoy some of those old Rocketeer comics, instead.

* Obviously, King of the Rocket Men only half counts.

This One The Dire Wraiths Fear More Than All Others

You know who I love? ROM, that's who. I am the exact perfect age to remember and have been captivated by every single stage of the Spaceknight's brief career. I realize that this might be hard to imagine , but there was a time when the idea of a toy with blinking lights and electronic breathing noises was very exciting. The first Star Wars movie was still a pretty recent memory, and this toy was like owning your very own special effects!

Of course the toy was very expensive, and I never so much as knew a kid who owned it. And, in the turns-out-those-grapes-actually-are-pretty-sour department (TOTGAAPS), it was a pretty lousy action figure, having something like half a point of articulation. But, aw man, the dreams ROM inspired.

And then there was the ROM comic, a merchandise tie-in comic that had no right to be good, and by today's standards probably isn't, but in 1982 I would have fought you for saying as much. There was quite a while there when ROM was my favorite character in the Marvel Universe (which is pretty much saying he was my favorite character in all of literature). The dustbins of juvenilia contain more than a few passionately scribbled attempts to figure out what my Spaceknight incarnation would look like.

ROM's comic lasted 75 issues, and each and every one of them was written by Bill Mantlo. In 1992, Mantlo was the victim of a hit-and-run accident while roller blading, and will probably spend the rest of his life in a nursing care facility. Floating World Comics is hosting an art show to raise money for Mantlo's continued care on December 6th, which will include the above contribution. For those of us not in Portland, Oregon, a book will be available of the work donated to the show. I hope you'll consider donating, or buying a print, or a copy of the book. Do it for Mantlo! Do it for ROM!

Wondering About Wondering About Wonder Woman

Project Rooftop has just posted the winners and finalists of the Wonder Woman Wardrobe War, featuring special guest commentator Gail Simone! There's some really nice stuff over there. Joe Quinones' piece just may make you swear off drawing forever, but that's okay, because Maris' will have you reaching for the pens to make up some rootin'-tootin' adventures for her adorable Wonder Woman. And, of course, Ming Doyle just rocks it.

In other news, I was just interviewed by the Associate Press (Cincinnati) about comics in colleges. I don't know when the article will run, and one never knows how widely an AP story will carry, and, geez I don't even take a paper, so if anyone sees this article, I'd appreciate you bringing it to my attention. Always good to have things like that in the job file.

More Reasons to Fear My Power

What do Darkseid, Dr. Doom, Galactus, and I have in common? Exquisite fashion sense? Unquenched and unquenchable thirst for power? Being created by Jack Kirby? Yes, yes, but also: we have all been listed by CBR as among the 365 reasons to love comics! Nice!

While I'm checking through my blog hits, here's some other points of interest:

PopMatters has reviewed the latest issue of Ballyhoo Stories, which is my first issue as the magazine's comics editor. I'm proud of the line-up of cartoonists who contributed, and delighted by their work, and it's nice to see that some other folks liked it, too.

A strip from this very blog is assigned reading for a comics writing workshop at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.

And from the always amusing realm of Google search phrases: while most Googlers swing by the blog looking for good deals on beeswax, or information on encaustic painting, there's still a steady stream of disappointed folks searching for "Supergirl upskirt" and "how to draw Ironhide" (the transforming robot, not the cursing sailor). But the hot news is the sudden increase in Shannon Tweed fans and searches for "porn movie mistakes."

Ah, geeky, horny internet, you're so delightfully predicatble. Which is why I'm changing the name of this blog to "Supergirl and Catwoman making out in a Gundam."

Spoiler Alert!

Well, Young Mr. Trippe is up to his meme-jinks, once again. This time, it's Stephanie Brown, aka "Spoiler," aka "The girl Robin who got killed real fast and then ignored."

I've never been a particular fan of Robin, but I did buy the three issues or so when Stephanie wore the red-breast. A girl Robin caught my imagination, and seemed like a interesting pants-kick to the Batman-plus-one dynamic. It quickly became apparent that the writer was only pursuing this storyline because of editorial mandate, and that said mandate ended with Stephanie getting hers. Feh.

Anyway, Dean himself has drawn a very nice take on the character.
Jemma Salume, Joel Carroll, and Ming Doyle all have great ones, too. And many more to come, I'll warrant.

I'm not sure why I drew my Stephanie in the company of Hal Jordan and Metamorpho. But I'm glad Metamorpho is in the lead. That cat looks like he's got a plan.

Wieringo Week

PRESS RELEASE
August 24, 2007

Project: Rooftop to host 'Wieringo Week' tribute

In memory of Mike Wieringo, who passed away Aug. 12, Project: Rooftop has announced an open call for redesigns of Bart Allen (Impulse/Kid Flash/The Flash), the character created in 1994 by Wieringo and Mark Waid.

Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, with the best entries showcased during a special "Wieringo Week," which also will feature some of the best costume work from Wieringo's career.

"Mike had a timeless appreciation for these awesome characters and enjoyed the heck out of online costuming/drawing events, so I think he'd really dig this kind of fun being held in his honor," writes Project: Rooftop founder Dean Trippe. "Whether you consider yourself a friend, fan, or both, come join us in remembering Mike Wieringo, whose incredible artwork and unfailing kindness continue to serve as a source of unending inspiration and joy."

For full details, visit the Project: Rooftop website at www.projectrooftop.com.

Project Rooftop is where cartoonists and illustrators bring their costume design skills to task in tribute to the superheroes and villains we've grown up with. This site is intended to promote excellence in costume design as well as foster continued interest for these amazing characters.

Press release written by Chris Arrant.

Sure, it's short notice, but Kid Flash wouldn't have it any other way.

Beeswax Bound for San Diego

So I'm shuffling all my various ducks in rows, columns, and tiers in preparation for heading out to the Big Show, where I plan on being very graceful in defeat. And, just so I don't have to turn up empty-handed, I'll be taking along 50 copies of Beeswax Bound, a little sketchbooky sorta thing I put together through CafePress. It's mostly a collection of images you've already seen, for free, here on Beeswax (sell it, Joel, sell it!), but all re-contextualized through the power of imaginative typing. For instance, I have written profiles for all the various Fist-a-Cuffs designs I've drawn, and cobbled together a fun and educational game for them called Fracas. Play along at home!

Also found within the covers:
How to Kill and Skin an Animal the Size of a City Bus
A Vigilante's Personal Ad
Words of Advice from Bell of Splendid Awakening
A Thrilling Rock Grant Assignment Log
Full Frontal William Blake Nudity

All in all, it's 52 pages of black and white single-signature stapled fury, available via your nearest information appliance, or where ever I can be found at SDCC.*


* Namely, the AdHouse table at the following times:
Thursday July 26th, 2-4
Friday July 27th, 10-12
Saturday July 28th, 2-4

Go Go-Go!

Happy Birthday, April!

This image was drawn as a birthday gift at the behest of boyfriend extraordinaire, The Chris Haley. Check out her other birthday present, and share your birthday wishes.

And then? Shake your mutant booty!

Red Tornado

What can I say? I haven't gotten drawing superheroes out of my system quite yet. I'm hard at work on a real project with emotions and plot and character development and all that stuff, but, on my breaks, my inner ten-year-old demands his due.

This is Ma Hunkel, The Red Tornado. Originally a WWII-era humor feature, this version is suppossed to be more Rosie the Riveter than Katzenjammer Kids. Her superpower is that she will beat your ass with a giant wrench.

This drawing makes use of some techniques I picked up talking with two-tone cartoonist extraordinaire, Michael Cho, who has recently joined us over on the buddy blogs list. Do yourself a favor, and check out his lovely art.

Defending the Skort

Project: Rooftop and Girlwonder have teamed up to review some of the redesigns to come out of the ongoing Supergirl meme. It's a roundtable-style discussion, and, as the week progresses, you may notice a certain Simon/Paula vibe develop between Vito Delsante and myself. I can only imagine that I'm Paula.

Intrigue!

FROM THE TOP SECRET FILES OF THE MYSTERIOUS MISTER SLINGER:

At last! Evidence of the Mysterious Mister Slinger's masked mentor, that brilliant and bombastic brutalizer of bad guys, Boomarangarella! In order to placate my itching curiosity about his missing comrade-in-projectiles, MMS sent me this "tactical file." Tantalizing, no? But it offers as many questions as it does answers: Who is this Throwing-Stick Athena? What is the TIGER FORCE(tm)? Do malfeasants really wear horizontal stripes?

Adventure!

Continuing our exclusive coverage of the Mysterious Mister Slinger: I have gained access to a catalogue of Mr. Slinger's specialized ammo. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list—we wouldn't want the malfeasants out there being able to counter all of Mr. Slinger's tricks.

Slinger Arsenal
Sourshot: releases an acrid cloud that causes paralyzing levels of pucker.
Shockshot: involves absolutely no patent infringement on TazerBallz®.
Slickshot: produces a biodegradable oil slick (cold-expeller pressed).
Stormshot: becomes a small nimbo-cumulus cloud, with rain and up to 4 lighting bolts.
Spyshot: contains full spectrum observations package.
Sonicshot: causes disorientation and incapacitation through ultrasonic waves (7 Hz).
Stickshot: transforms into a bundle of sticks, appropriate for use as melee weapons (combat mode) or kindling (survival mode).
Stapleshot: good for pinning malfeasants to walls and leaving them for the police.
Suckshot: creates a powerful vacuum, drawing everything in the vicinity towards it.
Snowshot: Caution: Extreme Cold. Do not lick.
Stingshot: full of nettles.
Spaceshot: capable of attaining a velocity of 11.2 km/s.
Stompshot: becomes a giant foot.
Spoilshot: the exact opposite of refrigeration.
Sureshot: homing shot.
Songshot: based on tried and true psychops techniques. Mp3 compatible. Comes with the complete Randy Newman oeuvre.
Sewshot: stitches malfeasants’ clothes together.
Snapshot: documents crime scene, flickr compatible.
Stringshot: lots and lots of silly-sting.
Sackshot: deploys giant sack for gathering up malfeasants.
Stakeshot: in case of vampires.
Sootheshot: emits calming tones, lavender scent.
Stinkshot: worse than you can possibly imagine. Tomato juice will not help.
Stagshot: grows antlers, charges malfeasants.
Stubshot: targets malfeasants’ toes.
Snobshot: erodes confidence with condescending remarks about your alma mater.
Swingshot: makes suggestive comments about malfeasants’ significant others.
Spinshot: causes extreme vertigo.
Sparshot: deploys comically large boxing gloves.
Sweatshot: slippery. Hard to grapple.
Swipeshot: makes off with malfeasants’ wallets.
Sugarshot: disrupts insulin levels.
Shineshot: produces blinding flash of light.
Sneakshot: really quiet.
Shipshot: inflates into USCG-approved sea craft.
Snipshot: deploys scissors (for cutting).
Slapshot: less risqué version of the now discontinued Spankshot.
Spellshot: interferes with the use of magic.
Steinshot: delivers a refreshing dose of frothy German beer.
Sawshot: goes through wood. Eventually.

Mystery!

Memphis is a town in need of a superhero. We already have themed villains: a few years ago there was Bigfoot—a man with very large feet which he used to kick in people's back doors; more recently, there was The Piebald Man, who specialized in Japanese Maple-related crimes.

Okay, so maybe we don't need much of a superhero, but, you know, something would be nice.

And so, in this, our hour of moderate need, a shadowy figure has emerged, bringing rubber-band-twanged justice to this blighted little town: The Mysterious Mister Slinger!

I had an opportunity to sit down with Mister Slinger and draw this picture of him. He started out posing with his goggles down, of course, but it seems they fog over after about two minutes. This interferes with his "Slinger-Vision," and makes him fidgety and uncomfortable. I assured him that my rendering would be cartoony enough that no one would recognize him from his eyes, in any case.

I didn't learn much about his origins or motives, except that he is not a solo act. He's the sidekick ("protégé," he insisted) of Boomarangarella, Thrower of Things Curved. But she's been out of town on a some sort of epic cross-over thing for the past year. He mentioned something about "punching a sentient galaxy," and seemed kind of miffed that he hadn't made the team.

But then, who would save our beloved Japanese Elms from the Piebald Man?

More to come.

Blue Beetle

Here's a commissioned drawing of Ted Kord, the late Blue Beetle. He was a fun superhero; part of DC's now-extinct "Bwahaha" tradition, he made jokes and took himself lightly. I especially liked a recent portrayal of him as a middle-aged man with a possible heart condition who was still donning the tights more out of fellowship than any lingering passion for superheroics. So, of course, the present editorial policy over at DC had to spend 80 pages denigrating him before shooting him through the face.

Well, such is the way of funny-books. He'll be back, if he isn't already.

My take on the character is more of an Eggplant-and-Slate Beetle, skyboarding on a miniature version of his personal transport, "The Bug."

Supergirl Studies

Well, the Supergirl meme is bringing in a lot of new traffic to the blog, so, I thought I'd double-dip and present some of the sketches I made on my way to the design I eventually chose. Most of these were drawn during airplane rides to and from Toronto.

1 I was trying to go for a dancer's look with this costume, but it's way too... um, skintight.






2 Too Fifties cheerleader, right?








3 My attempt at the skirt-and-tights solution that a lot of other people have worked with more successfully. Also, Streaky and the Kryptonian bracelet make their appearance.



4 An attempt at more of a schoolgirl approach. I like this design, but I thought it entailed too much revision of the Supergirl concept.
On the facing page, you can see the first thoughts towards the costume I eventually went with.

5 is a little more of the ganglier, fourteen-year-old schoolgirl Supergirl.






And 6 is the costume I took to finish.