Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Green Lantern, The Doom Patrol and a host of others. DC Comics has been one of the leading American comic book publishers since the 1930s. And often, it’s the smaller, lesser known series that are some of their best work.
Many of the items here are process posts showing recolouring. Largely utilising scans of original art, I restore art when it needs it, and re-create logos and other trade dress. Some pieces have their originally-published colour schemes reconstructed and a version with new colour.
While most pieces are of vintage material, I bring my design, colouring and production skills to commissioned art as well. Check out the Production Services page.
Green Lantern by Marcio Takara
For this colouring and packaging commission, the client wanted this ink-wash drawing turned into a vintage Green Lantern cover.
Claw the Unconquered by Michelinie, Chan, Giffen et al
Claw the Unconquered was a DC Comics title that debuted in 1975. DC wanted to get a piece of the market Marvel had established with adaptations of Robert E Howard's Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, Kull the Conqueror and Solomon Kane. Editor Joe Orlando talked with writers, and after a false start settled on David Michelinie. Claw emerged as a Conan-like character at first, and the art supplied by Ernie Chan – himself a Conan contributor over at Marvel – for the first seven issues of the comic deviated little from that conception.
Salvation Run No. 7 Cover by Neal Adams
I came across the pencils for this 2008 cover by Neal Adams, loving the energy. So this time out we're going to go backward from the published cover to the pencils, and then back up to a new final version with inks and colours by myself.
Star Hunters No. 1 Cover by Rich Buckler and Bob Layton
One of the casualties of the DC Implosion was this science fiction swashbuckler which debuted in DC Super Stars No. 16, and then continued for seven issues of its own magazine between November 1977 and 1978.
Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country Cover by Jerome K Moore
It was the last time the original Star Trek crew would be together and they sent the original cast off with a great story helmed by writer/director Nicholas Meyer – the man who'd been behind a lot of great movies: Invasion of the Bee Girls, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Time After Time, The Day After, and two previous Trek films, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Robin, the Boy Wonder
Debuting in 1940, Dick "Robin" Grayson changed Batman from a vengeful, lone creature of the night into a parent with a young ward. At the time, comic book publishers added junior versions of the main characters in an effort for kids to have someone to relate to that was closer to their age, not realising the obvious – kids wanted to be the adult hero, not the sidekick.
The New Teen Titans v1 No. 21 Cover by George Pérez
From its launch in 1980, The New Teen Titans was a hit for DC Comics – arguably bringing some Marvel-style storytelling and energy to a team of young characters. And as a popular book, it was prime real estate to introduce new series, especially if it was Titans writer Marv Wolfman's new project. The Night Force was nothing like Titans, but I thought it was good and still have my copies today.
Star Trek DC v1 No. 1 Cover by George Pérez
In the US, Star Trek comics began with Gold Key and they spanned 1967–79 with tales based on the original series. With the release of Star Trek – The Motion Picture in '79, Marvel picked up the licence and published from 1980–82.
The Barren Earth by Gary Cohn & Ron Randall
Throughout its run, DC Comics' The Warlord – created by Mike Grell – was the anchor of the publisher's fantasy books. It also meant a number of new fantasy series were carried in its back pages. In No. 63, The Barren Earth debuted and appeared in most issues until No. 88. It continued in a four-issue mini series Conqueror of the Barren Earth.
Star Trek DC v2 No. 16 Cover by Jerome K Moore
Star Trek has supported a number of comic book series, almost from the beginning of the original series. Gold Key, then Marvel had the licence, but it wasn't until it landed at DC Comics that the property found its footing and enjoyed longer runs. A return to Marvel in the 90s was short lived, and IDW has been steadily producing quality series for a number of years now.
Wonder Woman No. 249 Cover by Buckler & Giordano
It's a great Wonder Woman drawing by Rich Buckler and Dick Giordano. Plus Hawkgirl is fluttering about like a pigeon, and some assassin with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher behind them is about to learn the effect of Newton's third Law of Motion as he swings free there on a painting platform.
Superman No. 344 Cover by José Luis García-López
It's most likely unique in the history of Superman covers. Superman, bright and happy, gets his powers from our yellow sun, at the mercy of Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster on a dark and stormy night with no Batman to help him combat their supernatural forces. And drawn with dramatic flair by García-López, coming into his own and on his way to becoming the recognisable look of DC's licensing art.
Swamp Thing No. 6 Cover by Bernie Wrightson
Swamp Thing is one of the great American comic book horror characters. During its initial run at DC Comics in the early 1970s, each issue was a mini masterpiece by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.
House of Mystery No. 231 Cover by Bernie Wrightson
Bernie Wrightson had just come off his groundbreaking run with writer Len Wein on Swamp Thing. He would move onto other projects, like the shared working space with Michael Wm Kaluta, Barry Windsor Smith and Jeff Jones which would be documented in the book The Studio and his illustrated Frankenstein.
Hawkman Pencils by Patrick Olliffe
A little over a year ago, the latest Hawkman series began, this time with writer Robert Venditti and artist Bryan Hitch. After many a year of reboots, retcons and retreads, most leave me feeling pretty meh. However, this retelling of the Hawkman mythos rivals Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben's re-envisioning of Swamp Thing in the 1980s.
Adventure Comics No. 469 Unpublished Cover by Jim Aparo
Covers get drawn and re-drawn all the time. For Adventure Comics No. 469 from March 1980, Jim Aparo drew both the Plastic Man and Starman scenes. But when it went to press, the Plastic Man scene had been re-drawn by James Sherman. The revised scene was more compelling and better staged by Sherman, with Plas and Woozy cowering in the corner while Alex Pinkus cuts a swath of destruction with his ray gun.
DC Special Series No. 1 Cover by Neal Adams
DC Special Series was a catch-all for the one-off specials DC released over the following years, beginning with Five-Star Super-Hero Spectacular in 1977. The series spanned comics, tabloids and digests, and the Special Series was likely done to reduce the number of US postal permits DC had to apply for. A paperwork hassle to be sure. But the Special Series is well-remembered by Bronze Age DC readers for some truly great comics.
Adventure Comics No. 477 Cover by Andru & Giordano
Regular readers of these posts will know my affection for this run of Adventure Comics, with Levitz and Ditko's Starman as one of the features. With issue No. 477 from November 1980, the series was only one issue away from being done. With No. 479, a revamped version of the 1960s series Dial H for Hero would premiere.
A Batman Cover That Was Never a Batman Cover by Jim Aparo
In 1976, Jim Aparo was known for being the regular artist on The Brave & the Bold. So, finding this scan of a cover he did that year for The Comic Reader is a nice score. Here it is in colour for the first time, packaged as a Batman cover.
The Secret Six No. 1 Cover by Frank Springer
E Nelson Bridwell and Frank Springer co-created The Secret Six, and the characters first appeared in this No. 1 issue of their comic. The powerful and innovative cover by Springer is also the first story page.
Ronin Colouring Commission
About a year ago, a client approached me through the site to colour a Rōnin figure he'd commissioned from Frank Miller, and I was glad he did. Rōnin is my favourite of Frank Miller's work.
Wonder Woman No. 306 Unpublished Cover by Gil Kane
Towards the end of the Bronze Age, Wonder Woman's popularity was at a low, the book better known for The Huntress back-ups than the main feature. Gil Kane drew a number of pin-up-style covers for the book during this time, including this one for No. 306, cover dated August 1983.
Christmas with the Super-Heroes No. 1 Cover by John Byrne
John Byrne had come to DC Comics to relaunch Superman in 1986 in the wake of Crisis on Infinite Earths. He also contributed to other titles, like this cover in 1988 for a special of reprinted Christmas stories. Having found a scan of the original art, 30 years on I wondered what something a little less starkly white might look like. New packaging and colour.
Earth III Crime Syndicate by Bob Layton
A few years back, Bob Layton posted this commission based on the cover to Justice League of America No. 29 by Murphy Anderson. I accurised the trade dress, coloured it up, and neglected to post it for whatever reason. Here it is now.
Adventure Comics No. 467 Alternate Cover by Dave Cockrum & Dick Giordano
Published in January 1980, Adventure Comics No. 467 brought back Plastic Man and introduced a new Starman. However, before that issue hit the stands, DC had thought of combining Adam Strange with Plastic Man. They took the idea far enough to have Dave Cockrum and Dick Giordano put together a cover.
Strange Adventures No. 144 Cover by Murphy Anderson
Who says DC Comics of the early 1960s were dull and boring? The Atomic Knights wore medieval armour and rode Dalmatians across the post-apocalyptic landscape of 1986. That took some pretty wacky thinking to come up with, whether writer/creator John Broome consumed illicit substances or not.
Detective Comics Annual No. 4 by Tom Grindberg
Published in 1991, 'Tec Annual No. 4 was a showcase for young Tom Grindberg, then emulating the bronze-age Batman work of Neal Adams, in particular the original Ra's al Ghul saga from Batman Nos. 242–244.
Super Powers No. 2 Cover by Jack Kirby
In 1984, DC moved their toy licensing from Mego and awarded it to Kenner. The result was The Super Powers Collection. A successful toy line, DC cross-pomoted it with a refreshed Super-Friends animated series from Hanna Barbera co-branded with the toy line, and comics mini-series published yearly from 1984 to 1986.
Superman Family Colouring Commissions
The 1960s Superman books were the last time superheroes could be as innocent and corny and fun as they were. The world was changing, and the comics would change with it. In many ways, they got better. More inclusive, more culturally aware, and deeper than the light ambrosia of a young reporter with a signal watch, and a neurotic girlfriend who cared more about her place in Superman's orbit instead of her own needs as a person.
The New Adventures of Superboy No. 51 Cover by Frank Miller
During his Ronin period, Frank Miller produced this great cover for The New Adventures of Superboy. The comic was a throwback to the simpler times of the 1950s and 60s in comics, so seeing a Miller cover was an unexpected and welcome surprise. And as much as I liked the original colouring, I never thought Superboy would leave town in shame at sunset. No, if he'd been humiliated, he'd skulk away in the dead of night, in the shadow of his supposed greatness.
Darkseid – Master of Death No. 1 Cover by Jim Lee
As an artist, Jim Lee has made a career on good draughtsmanship backed up with superior rendering skills. Recently, he did this Darkseid piece via live feed and I loved its looseness and strength. By not getting in there to sweat the details there's a freshness and power to this piece which is a welcome departure from the usual.
Mister Miracle No. 24 Cover by Marshall Rogers
While Marshall Rogers is rightfully remembered for his groundbreaking run on Detective Comics with Steve Englehart and Terry Austin, his early work for DC also included the most-accessible of Jack Kirby's Fourth World characters, Mister Miracle.
Batman No. 234 Cover by Neal Adams
Two-Face is one of those characters that is fantastic when he's written well. In August 1971, Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams (with Dick Giordano on inks) delivered one of his best stories for his first appearance of the Bronze Age in "Half An Evil," the lead story in Batman No. 234. And, of course, it was wrapped in an iconic Adams' cover.
Black Canary No. 1 Cover by Trevor Von Eeden
By 1983, Trevor Von Eeden had matured into a bold, expressive style that was all his own. From Batman Annual No. 8 to the Green Arrow mini-series, and eight stunning issues of Thriller, he was on the cutting edge of dynamic storytelling.
The Shadow No. 1 Cover by Michael Wm Kaluta
The early 70s enjoyed a renewed interest in pulp magazines, and Conde Nast owned more than one popular character which would appear in comic books. While Marvel secured the Doc Savage license, DC acquired The Shadow, and put one of their best young artists – Michael Wm Kaluta – on it, with the first issue having a cover date of November 1973.
Time Warp No. 2 Cover by Michael Wm Kaluta
Time Warp No. 2, January 1980, with a cover by Michael Wm Kaluta showing his Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences, plus some science fiction pulps thrown in for good measure. The cover wrapped 64 pages of science fiction short stories drawn by Joe Orlando, Steve Ditko, Gil Kane, Howard V Chaykin, Mike Nasser (Michael Netzer), Jerry Grandenetti, Don Newton, Dave Simons, Romeo Tanghal Sr and John Celardo.
Time Warp No. 5 Cover by Michael Wm Kaluta
Time Warp was a science fiction anthology series published by DC Comics in 1979 and 80. Each 64-page issue had stories by seasoned pros and newcomers alike, and we can all wish that anthology books were still a regular staple in comics today. All five issues had fantastic covers by Michael Wm Kaluta, including this one for No. 5, July 1980.
Ronin No. 4 Cover by Frank Miller
I missed most of Frank Miller's first run on Daredevil (though I would later acquire them as back issues). Being a DC fan, the news of Miller leaving Marvel to come to DC to work on his own project – Ronin – was exciting. Things got even better when we saw sample art from the first issue.
Green Lantern No. 71 Cover by Gil Kane
A simple and powerful composition by artist Gil Kane for this issue cover dated September 1969. Kane's cover design abilities were advancing steadily and would serve him well when he moved over to Marvel in the coming years.
Green Lantern No. 104 Cover by Mike Grell
Mike Grell saved DC Comics from itself. He came along just as DC made things very unwelcome for Neal Adams, the artist who had modernised American comics and saved DC from itself a few years before. Mike probably came cheaper then. He was also full of energy, produced more pages than Adams; his tight, detailed work exuded freshness and fun, and we ate it up.
Green Lantern No. 158 Cover by Keith Pollard
In between Green Lantern No. 151 – when Marv Wolfman and Joe Staton left after one of the best runs on the title – and Green Lantern No. 172 – when Len Wein and Dave Gibbons took over, Green Lantern went through a number of writers and artists. In spite of experienced talent, GL floundered, lacking solid editorial direction and decent writing.
Interlac: The Language of the 30th Century
Interlac – the intergalactic universal language of the 30th century and the Legion of Super-Heroes – was first referenced in Adventure Comics No. 379, March 1969. It was turned into a tangible alphabet with Paul Levitz, Keith Giffen and letterer John Costanza in Legion of Super-Heroes v2 No. 311, May 1984.
The Legion of Super-Heroes Logos
When Superboy left the Legion in No. 259 of his former book, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes was retitled to Legion of Super-Heroes v2 for the January 1980 issue. DC Comics staff letterer Todd Klein created a new logo for the book. I've always thought it a great logo utilising three-point perspective.
The Best of DC Digest No. 40 Cover by Gray Morrow
Beginning just as the 1970s ended, DC Comics' digest-sized comics followed on the success of the format at Archie Comics and Gold Key Comics, and lasted until the mid 1980s. They most often offered reprints based around one hero or a theme in each issue.
Green Lantern No. 74 Cover by Gil Kane
At the end of the first era of the Hal Jordan Green Lantern, Gil Kane – the series' first artist – had gone from a reserved, unremarkable style to a bold, dynamic style informed by his mastery of structural anatomy.
Green Lantern No. 141 Cover by Dick Giordano
Dick Giordano's last Green Lantern v2 cover as a solo artist went unpublished. Instead George Pérez's illustration – teasing the first appearance of The Omega Men in the issue – appeared on the cover of Green Lantern No. 141, June 1981.
Green Lantern No. 124 Cover by Dick Giordano
The late Dick Giordano had a solid association with Green Lantern, notably for his collaboration with Neal Adams at the beginning of the Bronze Age, and later for drawing GL backup stories in The Flash.
Ghosts No. 59 Cover by Luis Dominguez
Luis Dominguez was born in Argentina in the early 1920s and has had a long and distinguished career in comics in Argentina and the US. For my generation, he's well remembered for his work with DC Comics in the 1970s. From what info I've been able to find, he's still alive today.
DC Special Series No. 2 Swamp Thing Cover by Bernie Wrightson
The late Bernie Wrightson made his name on the first 10 issues of DC Comics' Swamp Thing before moving on to Warren Publishing and other venues. He returned to Swamp Thing in 1977 to do this fantastic wraparound illustration to cover DC Special Series No. 2, which reprinted Swamp Thing Nos. 1 and 2.
Batman No. 255 Cover by Neal Adams
At the end of his industry-changing run at DC Comics, Neal Adams turned in this solid cover. However, with Batman then running 100-page issues, the art didn't get the packaging it deserved. Shrunk to fit a smaller box in the cover template, we've always wondered how it would have looked as a normal cover.
Giant-Size Blog Headers
Online friend Richard Guion (aka Cousin Dick) was kind enough to give this site a couple of plugs on his blogs Giant-Size Marvel and Giant-Size Geek, and I returned the favour by making new blog headers.
Wonder Woman No. 108 Cover by Andru & Esposito
For my money, one of the best Wonder Woman covers ever. From early in the Silver Age, cover dated August 1959 and drawn by long-time WW art team Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.
Action Comics No. 500 Cover by Andru & Giordano
As the Seventies were drawing to a close, the long-running Action Comics and its star Superman were celebrating the comic's 500th issue. Andru and Giordano were the regular cover team and they drew the iconic characters with their usual flair.
The Secret Six No. 2 Cover by Nick Cardy
Nick Cardy is one of best DC cover artists of all time. From Aquaman to The Brave & the Bold and Superman, his work is noted for the power of its composition and the emotional depth of his characters.
The Secret Six No. 4 Cover by Jack Sparling
An interesting cover design most likely sketched by Carmine Infantino and then passed to Jack Sparling – The Secret Six's regular artist – for illustration. From November 1968.
The Secret Six No. 3 Cover by Jack Sparling
It was a small series of only seven issues beginning in early 1968 and running bi-monthly. The Secret Six was created and plotted by E. Nelson Bridwell, with dialogue by Joe Gill. Frank Springer drew the first two issues and Jack Sparling the remaining five.
Detective Comics No. 379 Cover: Novick or Novick?
Just because you do a good drawing doesn't mean it's going to make the best cover, at least in the eyes of the art director or editor. Case in point, Irv Novick drew two covers for Detective Comics 379 from September 1968. The first is beautifully drawn. You can see the care he put into it with the rendering of the man's hand, for example.
The Demon No. 1 Cover by Jack Kirby
With his Fourth World books at DC Comics cancelled, Jack Kirby moved on to a second series of books which included Omac, Kamandi, Kobra and The Demon.
Batman No. 210 Cover: Novick or Adams?
As can happen, one artist draws a cover, and the editor chooses to have it redrawn by another artist. Case in point the cover for Batman 210, March 1969. The layout had been done by Carmine Infantino and passed on to Irv Novick who was enjoying his early years of drawing super-heroes for DC, which included Batman and The Flash.
Wonder Woman by HG Peter
HG Peter was Wonder Woman's original artist, and this piece by him was a rejected cover from the 1940s. A perfect illustration to colour and package. A lost gem is rediscovered.
Batman No. 351 Cover: Colan or Colón?
Gene Colan was the penciller on Batman in 1982, and he did up a cover for No. 351, inked by Frank Giacoia. Perhaps wanting a larger, more active Batman, Ernie Colón and Dick Giordano were tasked to re-draw the figure. Here are both of them coloured up.
The Doom Patrol Covers III
Following up on a previous post and this one too, here are three more interpretations of The Doom Patrol done by current artists, with cover layouts by myself.
The Doom Patrol Covers II
Following up on a popular post, here are three more interpretations of The Doom Patrol done by current artists, with cover layouts by myself.
DC Comics Presents No. 26 Cover by Jim Starlin
DC Comics Presents No. 26 is more often remembered as the first appearance of The New Teen Titans, but it also marked the first appearance of Jim Starlin as a DCCP artist.
The Doom Patrol Covers I
The original Doom Patrol was a comic book series from DC Comics in the 1960s. Created by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani, they first appeared in My Greatest Adventure No. 80, 1963, and the book was renamed for the team as of No. 86. The series ran until No. 121, 1968, when the Patrol seemingly sacrificed themselves to save the small fishing village of Codsville, Maine. They'd come back in different incarnations with different characters and different levels of popularity with readers.
Batman Year One
From 1986, this house ad was the first piece we saw from what was going to become a classic Batman storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.
Wonder Woman No. 269 Cover by Andru & Giordano
From July 1980, we have a great cover by Ross Andru and Dick Giordano, a prolific cover team for many DC titles during this period.
Justice League of America No. 66 Cover: Dillin or Adams?
From November 1968, two versions of the cover to DC Comics' Justice League of America No. 66 have survived. The first, drawn by Dick Dillin and Joe Giella was rejected. The second was drawn by Neal Adams and made it to the newsstands. I've coloured them both up here from scans of the original art.
Hawkman and The Justice Society of America by Joe Kubert
From 1970, Joe Kubert provided this powerful illustration for The Steranko History of Comics 1. Here it is in colour, and with trade dress from different eras of DC Comics.
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Green Lantern No. 114 Cover by Saviuk & Giordano
From March 1979, Alex Saviuk and Dick Giordano knock Green Lantern and Green Arrow off their feet for DC Comics.
Secrets of Haunted House No. 39 Cover by Buckler & Giordano
From August 1981, Rich Buckler and Dick Giordano put a new spin on a horror icon for DC Comics.
The Warlord No. 82 Cover by Jurgens & Giordano
Another Warlord cover. Cary Burkett and Dan Jurgens' run was a good successor to Mike Grell's.
The Warlord No. 76 Cover by Jurgens & Giordano
Another Warlord cover. Cary Burkett and Dan Jurgens became great stepafathers to the series.
Superman vs. Spider-Man Cover by Andru, Giordano & Austin
When this came out in 1976, fans went apeshit. And rightfully so. For the first time, rivals DC and Marvel teamed up for mutual profit. Written by Gerry Conway, pencilled by Ross Andru (with some polishing by Neal Adams), figure inking by Dick Giordano and background inks by Terry Austin. It was a whole lot of fun to read.
The Warlord No. 31 Cover by Mike Grell
I'm a long-time fan of Mike Grell's The Warlord. It started with me finding issue Nos. 30 and 31 on the stand.
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Starman by Darren Goodhart
I saw this and knew I had to colour it. Darren Goodhart shared this art over on facebook and he was kind enough to send me a copy. Levitz & Ditko's Starman has always been a favourite of mine, and we're celebrating his return to Adventure Comics.
DC Comics Presents No. 36 by Levitz & Starlin
With DC Comics recently releasing the second volume of DC Comics Presents in its black & white Showcase line, we now move into a number of great issues with art by Jim Starlin. My favourite of the bunch is No. 36, which completed the original run of Starman, late of Adventure Comics. Another cover I've done logo and colour reconstruction for.
Charlton Comics Cavalcade Weekly
As Charlton Comics' managing editor in the 1960s, Dick Giordano put together the Action Heroes line with talents that included Joe Gill, Steve Ditko, Pete Morisi, Pat Boyette, Frank Mclaughlin and others. Charlton was petering out in the mid 80s, so DC bought the rights to those characters and presented them to Giordano – now DC's executive editor – as a gift.
Batman Family No. 19 Cover by Michael Wm Kaluta
Batman Family stands out among the late 1970s Batman books. The last few issues, oversized dollar comics, featured the work of Michael Golden, Jim Starlin, Marshall Rogers, P. Craig Russell, and this fellow, Michael Wm. Kaluta. The published version pulls most of the artwork off the black plate for a white-out day scene. I wondered what the exact opposite might look like. Here's a recoloured version.
Batman : The Brave & The Bold
If you want to have a whole lot of fun packed into 30 minutes or less, watch an episode of the new Batman: The Brave & the Bold TV series on Cartoon Network in the US and on Teletoon in Canada. You also might find it – ahem – on the web while we await a DVD package.
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Defending Skartaris
If you blinked, relatively speaking, you probably missed it. Beginning in February 2006 with an April cover date, DC revived The Warlord. This time around the book lasted 10 issues. (The original had 133 and went through a number of ups and downs during the run.)