Todd Klein's Blog, page 154

And Then I Read: GREEN LANTERNS #20

Image © DC Entertainment.

Part Two of “Polarity” begins with Jessica and Simon trapped 600 feet underwater by Doctor Polaris, who in this iteration not only has very powerful magnetic powers, but is mentally bipolar, making him difficult to reason with. Simon is freaking out, but Jessica finds a way to access her own ring powers and gets them out of the trap. Meanwhile, Polaris is having a debate with several versions of himself, while his brother and best friend lays dying of brain cancer that Polaris is convinced only he can reverse. We have some flashbacks for both Polaris and Simon explaining more of their back stories, and then an interesting interlude on Mogo, Green Lantern Corps headquarters, where events on Earth are being discussed, and a plan of action begun.

I like the writing on this title by Sam Humphries and the art on this issue by Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira. Nice work on the colors (especially the flashbacks) by Blond, and fine lettering by Dave Sharpe. An entertaining read.

Recommended.

And Then I Read: THE FLASH #23

Image © DC Entertainment.

After skipping over the “Button” crossover issues, which I’m not interested in reading, I came to this one. Flash and Green Lantern team up, a familiar idea since the 1960s. Could be fun, right. But…

I think this book is trying to draw in readers who are fans of the TV show. Nothing wrong with that, but it makes for too much soap opera moaning and angst here. Barry Allen’s friends and workmates have thrown him a surprise birthday party, but he hardly seems aware of it, as he stands around reviewing all his troubles and worries. Some of his friends are understandably annoyed. Me too. Hal Jordan shows up at the party, and for a moment things brighten up. Then a villain called Multiplex crashes the scene, and action ensues. That part of the issue is more fun, though rather predictable. The twist ending is also not too surprising, so we’ll see where things go next.

Mildly recommended.

And Then I Read: BUG! #4

Image © DC Entertainment.

This series isn’t making a lot of sense to me, but I like it anyway. I feel the influence of Gerard Way this time, as the “plot” grows in absurdity and complexity with the feeling that no one, even the characters, is taking it very seriously. Meanwhile, we have great art by Michael Allred and a bunch of fun characters from Jack Kirby and elsewhere in the DC Universe (Deadman, Kobra) chasing after one McGuffin after another, hopping from one reality to another, and carrying on surreal conversations with enough humor to be entertaining. Fair enough, I’ll go along.

Recommended.

Pulled From My Files #71: FACTOR-X

This and all images © Marvel.

In 1994 I was asked by editor Kelly Corvese to design a Factor-X logo for a mini-series that would replace X-Factor briefly. This turned out to be quite a lengthy process with several rounds of marker sketches. I’m not sure if the one above came first, but I suspect it did.

It’s based on this X-Force logo by Alex Jay, and I doubt I would have done that on my own, it must have been a suggestion from Kelly. They decided not to go that route, and I think it would have been confusing to buyers.

More sketches followed, this one stacking X below Factor, an approach I had used successfully on a few other X-Men logos. It takes up a great deal of space vertically, so not really an ideal logo plan.

I’m missing sketch 3, but it may reappear below. This one is again quite tall, and I can’t say I like it now.

Another stacking attempt. I quite like this one, but it’s also very tall.

I suspect the missing sketch 3 included this version of the word FACTOR, which they liked, and I was then asked to do variations on the X.

This goes back to the kind of X that once appeared on the character’s costumes I think, and the black gave it effective contrast.

This version combines the X from A and the circle from B, but smaller.

Same design with an inset black X, which I like a lot today.

And one more with the circle simplified and filled in.

Version 6C was the winner, as you can tell from the star next to the version number, and here’s the final logo traced on plastic vellum in ink.

A lot of work for four issues, and this is the only one where the logo is not partly covered! So it goes in comics. I was paid well, so I didn’t care what they did with it, to be honest.

More in this series can be found in the “Pulled From My Files” topic on the right column of this blog.

Incoming: KINO #1, SHADOW OF THE BAT Vol. 3

Image © The Lion Forge LLC.

The first issue of a new series I’m lettering for Lion Forge, part of their Catalyst Prime overall storyline, but it reads fine on its own. Each of the first four issues contains a “retro” 1970s superhero section that was fun to do. Written by Joe Casey, art by Jefte Palo. If it’s not out yet, it will be soon. Nice logo by Rian Hughes!

Image © DC Entertainment.

Volume 3 of the SHADOW OF THE BAT in trade paperback is due out January 10th. I’m enjoying looking back at these, haven’t seen them since I lettered them in 1993-94. Collects issues 24-31, 0 and Annual 2 (lettered by Albert DeGuzman).

And Then I Read: WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1

Image © DC Entertainment.

There are four short stories in this comic. The lead story by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott is the important one, as it features the first meeting (in current continuity) of Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. As always, Rucka handles the characters well, playing to their strengths, and taking the opportunity to show the “boys” that Diana is very much in their league. The other three stories by other teams have Diana coming to the rescue of Aquaman villain King Shark, dealing with a noble warrior afflicted with a monstrous curse, and confronting a giant monster. All mild fun after the main course.

Recommended.

And Then I Read: MISTER MIRACLE #2

Image © DC Entertainment.

I’ve long felt that no one could handle Jack Kirby’s Fourth World characters as well as Kirby himself, but this book is proving me wrong. Writer Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads have come up with a version of Mister Miracle that is firmly anchored in the Kirby original, yet fresh and surprising. And they even do it with mostly nine-panel grid page layouts and standard comics storytelling, though there’s always a subtle feeling of oddness…is this really what’s happening to these characters, or is it some kind of dream or hallucination? Scott Free and Barda find themselves on the front lines of war on New Genesis against the forces of Darkseid, facing enemy forces again and again, relentlessly, becoming ever more weary. After they finally get a chance to rest, they’re called before Orion, the new High Father of New Genesis, who behaves in a troubling way, demanding formal courtesy and obeisance. He then sends the pair after Darkseid’s sub-commander Granny Goodness, once the mistress of Scott and Barda in their childhood, and things get even stranger.

I don’t know where this is going, but I’m intrigued. Recommended.

Pulled From My Files #70: HAWKWORLD, HAWKMAN

This and all images © DC Entertainment.

In 1989 I was asked by DC to design logos for a new series, HAWKWORLD, and a matching one for HAWKMAN. I took inspiration from the Ira Schnapp logo, above, that first appeared in the 1960s, not sure if that was completely my idea, or suggested by the editor. I love this logo, so it was fun to come up with a modern variation.

I have three marker sketches in my files. I decided to keep the serifs at the top of the letters from the original logo, then have the vertical strokes narrow as they went down to a bevel that added depth.

Here’s HAWKWORLD in the same style.

The other sketch is the same logo with a gentle arc, and I tinted it with colored pencils to give an idea of how color might bring out the depth of the bevels. I suspect this was my first idea, and the straight-across ones came after. In any case, they preferred the straight version, and it went to final.

Here’s HAWKWORLD inked on plastic vellum over the sketch, I don’t see any changes.

And the final version of Hawkman. I think this was a fun and relatively easy assignment for me based on the fact that I still like these logos, and there are few variations and no changes from sketch to final.

The new HAWKMAN series began in 1990. The logo looks okay, but I don’t care for the color choices on this issue. Others worked better.

HAWKMAN as a separate title began in 1994. Again, not loving these color choices, and the logo was often partially covered, but that’s comics for ya.

With issue 6, a version without the bevels, just an evenly-distant outline around the letters began. I don’t recall if I did this version, but I probably did. One advantage was that it was a little less tall, but as you can see on this cover, still not always easy to fit into the cover art. The art by Steve Lieber and Rick Magyar is great, though, so who cares about the small logo? Not me.

Other posts in this series can be found in the “Pulled From My Files” topic on the right side of the blog page. More when I have time.

Rereading: I DISCOVER COLUMBUS by Robert Lawson

I don’t know when people started denigrating Christopher Columbus and his “discovery” of America, but I don’t think anyone has done it as well and as humorously as Robert Lawson in this 1941 book. It’s told by Aurelio, a South American parrot who is caught in a massive storm in 1491 that blows him all the way to Spain. He lands in a monastery which is currently home to the penniless Don Cristóbal Colón, who teaches the bird Spanish. Before long, Aurelio has come up with a plan to get himself back home by helping Columbus get an audience with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to explain his grand plan of discovery. Isabella is the smart one, and Aurelio is soon conniving with her to get the Columbus expedition underway, but Chris seems very reluctant to actually take charge of the ships and crew he’s been given command of. Aurelio figures it out: he gets terribly seasick! With the help of the Queen and the actual ship captains, Chris is fooled into setting out with his three ships. After that, it’s Aurelio’s show all the way. When they do reach land in the Western Hemisphere, Columbus continues to get everything wrong. Only Aurelio can set things right.

A very entertaining read, and Lawson’s illustrations are as good as his writing. Recommended.

Incoming: STARSTRUCK, SUPER-HEROES

Image © Elaine Lee and Michael Wm. Kaluta.

After what seems like years of work, it’s finally here! The new Starstruck hardcover, sequel to the previous one, and built on stories that appeared mainly in the Epic (Marvel) version of Starstruck. Lots of new material has been added, the lettering has been heavily revised by me (I wasn’t the original letterer on the Marvel material. Some has been relettered, some has not). The colors by Lee Moyer are all new, and gorgeous. The printing and presentation are excellent. If you’ve never read Starstruck, you can certainly start here, though familiarity with the earlier material adds insight. Not sure when is is out from IDW, U.S. price is $39.99. There is a Kickstarter version also long in the works, not sure where that stands at present, but check the Kickstarter page.

Images © DC Entertainment.

Also just arrived is a new printing of the deluxe boxed hardcover edition of ABSOLUTE JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPER-HEROES. This collects six tabloid-size comics written by Paul Dini with amazing painted art by Alex Ross  that came out originally from 1998 to 2003. Four focus on individual characters: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Captain Marvel. The other two are about the Justice League as a group. This collection includes tons of extra material, and an eight-page foldout featuring every JLA character, which may be new for this printing. Not sure when it’s out, the U.S. price is $75.