Saturday, May 30, 2020

José Villarrubia perspective on comic book colouring

José Villarrubia
José Villarrubia, from his wikipedia entry

Mid 2000s, Paul Pope's Batman Year 100 popped into my life. And in turn, so did José Villarrubia work. José is a fantastic colourist and whenever I see a comic with his name attached I pay attention. José has the rare and under-appreciated ability to take a black and white drawing, apply a mixture of colours that enhance, compliment, and ultimately understand the emotion behind the piece.
3 illustrations of batman jumping and riding the bat bike
Batman Year 100 by Paul Pope and coloured by José Villarrubia.
(Photo taken by my mobile phone on a overcast day). 

Adam Strange issue 5 (Wednesday Comics) by Paul Pope and coloured by José Villarrubia

Recently, due to the work-home orders affecting my home town, I have been diving back into my comic collection and watching the plethora of YouTube videos on comics. A video by Comic Tropes references José Villarrubia work and this in turn focused my attention on his Facebook page (From a colorist's perspective) where José posts the art of coloring and how modern reprints are destroying original comics artistic appeal and intention. (Images from José Villarrubia Facebook page - go visit!)

selected images of colouring techniques


I've written on comic colouring before, (but I don't remember exactly when, given I last really wrote for this blog 10 years ago!), about how I detested the modern comic reprints of Red Sonja. I dislike the addition of new shading to create a 3d rendered drawing, the eye sore popping of too bright colours, and just...well it's hard to put the full feeling into words. Luckily I hunted down the original prints of Red Sonja by Frank Thorne.

red sonja fighting off a flying demon creature
Reprint on left, with digital shading added, day glow colours added.
On the right, original printing of Red Sonja #10, printed 1978
(photo taken by my mobile phone on a overcast day). 
José Villarrubia post many Conan images and points out the failings of modern colouring, the erasure of women artists work, and how to properly re-colour a comic book. Can I say it enough, check his Facebook page (sign-in first)!

I love this re-coloured image by José Villarrubia, showcasing his talent on how to properly colour an old issue for re-printing. Wicked!

Scary face lit from underneath
On left is the original colouring. On the right is José Villarrubia's re-colouring.
And lastly I love this image of Batman on the bat-bike. Kick ass!

Batman on the bat-bike Batman Year 100 by Paul Pope and coloured by José Villarrubia.
Batman Year 100, issue #3, by Paul Pope and coloured by José Villarrubia.
(Photo taken by my mobile phone on a overcast day). 

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Shredder on Tinder? Would you swipe right?

Shredder is a total chad, no?


Oruku Saki on tinder (clean shaven, angry face) "From Japan. Love America. Lots of opportunity. Proud owner and  leader of a martial arts club. Strict,  but firm."

Shredder on Tinder "You could say I have a freaky side. (shredder is in full armour). Love to party, get my foot in the club, dance it up! "

shredder on tinder, dressed in armour "Also hate turtles and rats. More a cat guy. BFF is a giant brain.    "

Shredder on Tinder (Shredder is shirtless and flexing while holding two swords): "Feeling cute, may delete later" (kissy face)


Guest contributor: We Heart Ninjas
WeHeartNinjas offers clothing print designs, accessories, stickers, and more. 
Makes great gifts for kids and adults who love ninjas (and not always Teenage mutant ninja turtles, no offense!). 


We Heart Ninja apparel: Ninjas riding bikes, jumping, hula hooping. Designs come in t-shirt, kids and adult sizes, stickers, iPhone cases and more.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Black and White Sunday: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is hitting Canadian Netflix next week. Cowabunga! 

I remember when the cartoon hit the airwaves, I was disappointed with the turtles wearing different coloured headbands (eye-bands?) and I also didn't like the Michelangelo lacking his nun-chucks. My disappointment was later alleviated with the release of the first movie where Mikey's nun-chucks were back. 

Below are some wicked black and white drawings from the issue #1 way back in 1984 and late 80's. Because the images were black and white, you had to rely on the dialogue and weapons to figure out who was who. 

(Unless noted, all art by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird).

Teenage mutant ninja turtles issue 1, signed by Kevin Eastman

The ninja turtles discovering Splinter has been captured
Remember this scene? In issue #4, Splinter is caputured by Baxter Stockman's mouser robots. Raph is distraught! This scene was adapted to the big screen when Splinter is captured by the Foot Clan.

via GIPHY


Raphael throwing the Shredders arm into an alley
Remains of the Shredder (first death, issue #1, 1984)
By Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

Raphael striking a cool pose
Just some cool action shots!

A drawing of a ninja turtle jumping at the viewer

Another cool shot of Raphael with his sais

Swagger!

Raphael leading downward at the foot clan

The Shredder arrives! Standing in dark repose




Issue 21 (1989), the second time Oroku Saki (The Shredder) died. Great issue!
Art by Kevin Eastman and Jim Lawson

The death of the Shredder, decapitated by Leo in Issue 21


A viking send off for the Shredder in the New York harbour


Issue 32, a fun one by Mark Bode, inked by Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot

teenage mutant ninja turtles fighting an Egyptian god

another image of the teenage mutant ninja turtles fighting an Egyptian God.


Back to issue 1, the alpha and omega turtles!

Splinter explaining who the ninja turtles are

Another cool shot of Raphael posing on a roof top


Guest contributor: We Heart Ninjas
WeHeartNinjas offers clothing print designs, accessories, stickers, and more. 
Makes great gifts for kids and adults who love ninjas (and not always Teenage mutant ninja turtles, no offense!). 


We Heart Ninja apparel: Ninjas riding bikes, jumping, hula hooping. Designs come in t-shirt, kids and adult sizes, stickers, iPhone cases and more.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Bruce Lee's Self Defense Techniques

** Note: another article transplanted to here, even though it's not comic related, I liked it and wanted to post it somewhere. **

I was digging through my bookshelf yesterday and came across Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Self-Defense Techniques. It was printed posthumously around 1976, but the photos date to 1966. It has a variety of techniques to help defend oneself. I've taken the liberty of scanning a few that highlight the destructive nature of Bruce Lee's Self Defense.

Defense from a Bear Hug
Bruce Lee punch to the groin
Punch the groin
Defense from headlock
Bruce Lee punch to the groin
Punch the groin
Defense from Front Punch
Bruce Lee kick to the groin
Kick the groin
Defense from Front Kick
Defense from Front kick, kick the groin
Kick. The. Groin.
Defense from Weapon Attack
Bruce Lee defends against weapon attack
Toe. To. The. Groin.
Defense From Sitting Position
Defense from Sitting position
Having a cup of tea - Bam! Punch to the groin!
Defense from Front Grab
Defense from Front Grab
To the groin!
Defense from Multiple Attackers
Bruce Lee kicking the groin
Groin!
Defense from Multiple Attackers Alternative
Bruce Lee defends by kicking their groins to oblivion
Devastating
Moral of the Story: Don't ever mess with Bruce Lee or any of his disciples. Ever.



More Comix 365 articles:  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell of the Dragon Cover
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Special
Kato the Green Hornet cover
Kato the Green Hornet




Friday, July 27, 2012

Darwyn Cooke pre Parker and Watchmen

Darwyn Cooke wasn't one of my favorite artists until I stumbled upon his Eisner award winning one shot 'Batman/Spirit'. His artwork is both retro and contemporary. He draws with bold lines and is able to create great atmospheric scenes. He is also draws Wonder Woman taller than Superman.

On the DVD 'The New Frontier' Cooke mentions that this depiction of Wonder Woman has earned him both praise and scorn. I think it's funny, and really, she is an Amazonian Princess after all! Anyway, once again enough chatter - onward artward!

Wonder Woman taller than Superman
New Frontier
Catwoman revelling in her score
Catwoman Pin Up from Solo: Darwyn Cooke
Wonder Woman deflecting bullets
Wonder Woman, back cover New Frontier
Batman jumping to plane
Batman, from Batman/Spirit
Wolverine and Doop
Wolverine and Doop vs pink lady!
Spider-Man vs the Vulture
Spider-Man versus The Vulture

Selina's Big Score interior shot
Establishing shot from interior of Selina's Big Score
free comic book day cover by Darwyn Cooke
Free Comic Book Day cover
Superman fighting Batman
Batman vs Superman from New Frontier
Zatanna Pin up, Joker and Harley gag
Solo Interior art



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Batman vs. The Hulk

I have some neat books (at least in my opinion), so I thought I would take a moment to share them with any readers that stumble upon my blog.

Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk - a paperback comic

Batman vs. The Hulk

Hulk bear hugging Batman



By Lein Wein, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, and Dick Giordana Published: 1981