I'm moving! ( sort of )

Hello!

So, I haven't written on here in a while ( which is quite the understatement ), and this post is basically to let anyone still here know that I'm starting a new blog, called "Kind of  good at Art!".

You can find that here: harry-ballentyne-art.blogspot.co.uk

Whereas this blog being basically news and interviews etc., this new one will be, as you've probably guessed, my art blog.

So, I'd really appreciate anyone checking that out and sharing it if you do like it!

I'll start posting on there soon, and, hopefully, it'll be good!

Thanks, people, hope you check it out!

Interview: Brett Booth talks Batman/Superman

I recently caught up with DC Comics artist, Brett Booth, to talk about his new project, Batman/Superman, written by Greg Pak. Check out the interview below and enjoy!

 

The first thing to ask about is your upcoming project, Batman/Superman. What's it like to be drawing two of the greatest comic book characters of all time at the same time?

 

A lot of fun! I wasn't sure how it would go. I usually have problems when I first start working on the more iconic characters. And I did, but after that it's been mostly smooth sailing. I'm really enjoying Superman, I don't have to hold back, I can go as big as I want!

 

Batman/Superman #5 Cover

Your first issue on the series is horizontal, why was this decision made?

 

Right before I started the first cover, [editor] Eddie Berganza called me up and pitched me the idea. I thought it was a fun idea so I said cool. When I started the issue wasn't sure. After the first Double Page Spread I hated it, but after that I started to love it! It's like drawing 22 double page spreads in miniature! 

 

And to let you know ALL 3 are this way. I liked working this way so much it seemed odd to just do one this way so the whole arc is now sideways! 

 

What are the advantages of drawing an issue that way?

 

The big one is it's easier to read, you naturally read from left to right so you automatically follow the flow of most of the pages. Also, for some reason vertical panels are faster to draw... I have NO idea why, but they are, so I save a bit on time which I needed for 6 and 7, holiday deadlines are killers!

 

Batman/Superman #6, with Mongul

Is there a particular villain for your arc, if so what can you say about them?

 

Mongul! He's trying to take over the world! OK, not exactly, but I don't want to spoil it!

 

If you could draw any other duo of characters, who would you pick?

 

It would be a toss-up. Wally West Flash and Nightwing OR Blue Beetle (Ted) and Booster Gold.

 

What's your favourite part of drawing this series?

 

Bruce and Clark’s relationship... It's not exactly what we've seen before but it feels quite real, Greg's done an excellent job with them! And of course the action!

 

Which of the two characters do you think is more challenging to draw?

 

Superman. When in doubt you can simply cover Bats with his cape, close him off. With Clark, he needs to be open, larger than life. So it's big and bold, you can't skimp and toss him in a shadow.

 

What can you tell us about what's to come for the series?

 

From what I've been told it will be about exploring the greater DC U so expect lots of guest stars! Eddie and I had talked about doing an undersea arc with sea monsters.. only time will tell!

 

When both characters are together do you have to exaggerate an aspects of them separately to make them both stand out in different ways?

 

Nope, they are basically opposites so they seem to automatically do that. 

 

Batman/Superman #1 cover, by the second
series artist, Jae Lee

You've said in a previous interview that you and your fellow Batman/Superman artist, Jae Lee, would be taking turns with the art duties for this series, is that still happening and if so, what will be the difference between your two arcs, apart from the obvious?

 

Yes and no, I can' really say more. The arcs will be more tailored to the artist so the ones I'll be doing are action oriented. 

 

If you had to sum up this arc of Batman/Superman in one word, what would it be?

 

3-D. Not sure if that's one word or not. But it's the feel I'm trying to give the pages.

 

The last time we did an interview it was on Justice League of America, the time before that it was Nightwing, can it be refreshing have short runs on loads of different projects?

 

Batman/Superman #7 cover

Yep, it's fun to draw lots of different characters, that way you never get bored with anything. BUT I do miss the longer run, getting to really know the character/s!

 

Can we expect to see some other projects after this?

 

Since I'm not doing the next arc, I'll be doing a few issues on another book then back to Batman/Superman! 

 

Brett Booth took over the art duties on Batman/Superman ( along with Inker, Norm Rapmund and colourist, Andrew Dalhouse ) with #5, which is in stores now! You can also check out his blog and his twitter page.

First official 'X-Men Days of Future Past' trailer released

If you remember, around two and a half months ago, somebody leaked the first 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' trailer from footage shown at the Fantasia Film Festival, which was, of course, removed by FOX pretty quickly, but now, we've got the official release for the trailer, which you can check out above.

I'm really looking forward to this film, the X-Men movies have never been my favourites, but this looks really impressive.

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' is released on May 23rd, next year, and is directed by the director of the first X-Men film, Bryan Singer. It stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and many more.

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' trailer released

Yesterday Marvel released an around 10-15 second teaser trailer for the next instalment to the Marvel cinematic universe; after 'Thor: The Dark World', that is; 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'. Now we have the full first trailer for Cap's second solo film, which you can check out right now, below...

Batman: Eternal, the new Batman weekly from Scott Snyder, Jason Fabok and more

The 75th anniversary of the comic that first introduced the Dark Knight to the world, Detective Comics #27, is coming soon, March 30th of next year to be exact, and DC are commemorating it in a big way.

Starting some time next year is "Batman: Eternal", a new weekly Batman series, mostly written by current "Batman" writer, Scott Snyder, with art from Jason Fabok. As well as Snyder, some other writers will be on board with the book, with contributions from writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Tim Seeley and Ray Fawkes.

Snyder told USA Today about the series, including the fact that it's going to have some pretty important moments:

"You'll see some humongous newsworthy stuff in it, I promise,"

As well as a Year-Long weekly series, DC are also making the 27th issue of the current Detective Comics run memorable as well, with a 96-page special issue, with work from creators such as Paul Dini, Gregg Hurwitz, Neal Adams, Frank Miller and Francesco Francavilla.

I think it's pretty safe to say the Caped Crusader's 75th anniversary isn't going to be disappointing.

(Just a quick side note here, I'm not sure if anybody else has noticed, but Nightwing doesn't appear on Jason Fabok's Batman: Eternal artwork above... Beginning to wonder just how much the events of DC's current event, Forever Evil, are going to impact him...)

DC Comics announce Forever Evil: Blight

DC have been making a big deal out of their current event, Forever Evil, and understandably so, it's been pretty great so far, revolving around the Crime Syndicate of Earth 3 ( effectively an evil Justice League, consisting of Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick, Deathstorm and Atomica ) claiming to have killed the main earth's Justice League, and that "The World is Theirs".

The Crime Syndicate's presence has had impacts on every corner of the DC Universe, and now it's heading for Constantine, with who DC claim to be the physical manifestation of evil, named Blight.

 

Review: Breaking Bad- 'Felina'

So, this is it, one of the greatest TV dramas to ever grace our screens is over. The final episode was broadcast on Sunday night, but after all of the hype, was it worth it? Well, take a guess, the answer's going to be pretty obvious, but anyway, check out my review of the much anticipated final ever episode below.

However, be warned, this review will contain a lot of spoilers, so only read further if you've seen the episode, and I really do recommend watching it rather than spoiling it for yourself...