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.

Brett Booth to join Batman/Superman in November!

Now I could've just named this post "YAAAAAYY!" but I think it needed a bit more explanation.

DC Comics artist ( and my favourite ), Brett Booth, will be taking on the role of pencilling the new series Batman/Superman this November, with issue five!

Brett has recently finished drawing Nightwing, Justice League of America and his next project before starting Batman/Superman will be a Doomsday one-shot this September for DC's Villain Month. I'm really excited to see this, as Brett is my personal favourite artist ( you can probably tell from the top 10 posts list on the right hand side of this post.)

From Booth's first issue of his run on Batman/Superman, #5

Booth will be taking over from current artist Jae Lee ( who has an extremely different style of art ) and says "I guess now they're going to be switching back-and-forth between me and Jae", which is brilliant news!

Brett Booth will be working with series writer, Greg Pak, and his usual collaborators Inker, Norm Rapmund and Colourist, Andrew Dalhouse. They start their run on the series in November with a Horizontal issue, which should be interesting. I think he mentioned him working on his next project ( which would be this ) for six-issues in my last interview with him, so expect to see his art lead through into the first few months of next year!

( Source: CBR)

Interview: Brett Booth talks Doomsday!

In September, DC Comics will be launching 'Villains Month', an event which puts DC's greatest villains to the forefront, rather than their greatest heroes. One of the characters being spotlighted during the event is Doomsday, the monster that once killed Superman. This issue is written by Greg Pak ( 'Planet Hulk', 'Batman/Superman', his upcoming run on 'Action Comics') and pencilled by Brett Booth ( 'Teen Titans', 'Nightwing', 'Justice League of America' and also a regular interviewee on this blog). I caught up with Booth once again to talk about this issue and more! Enjoy!

Top comics for June 26th 2013

As you can probably tell from the title, in this feature I spotlight some of the top and most recommendable comic books out this week. I didn't write an article for last week's comics because I was away for five days but it's back this week and there are some great comics out!

Batman/Superman #1

A book that focuses on both Batman and Superman. Not only that, but their first adventures together as superheroes. I think DC have pretty much secured a slot on a lot of people's pull lists this week. As well as having two hugely popular characters as the stars of one book, this book also has two great creators, writer Greg Pak and artist Jae Lee. Greg Pak is clearly getting more important over at DC considering this series and the fact that he's recently been announced as the new full-time writer for
DC Comics' "Action Comics", and from what I've read of his work, he's pretty good, you'll probably know his work from Marvel's "Planet Hulk", which is one of my favourite comic book stories of all time. Then onto Jae Lee, who is a fantastic artist. He has a truly unique style of art and some of the preview pages are just unbelievable, definitely a treat for the eyes. I really recommend this book, it's set to be brilliant.

The Flash #21

It's the first meeting of Barry Allen and Bart Allen ( Obviously, The Flash and Kid Flash ). It's quite hard to believe that it's been twenty-one months since the last meeting between Barry and Bart and it's something I've been eagerly anticipating for that entire time. The Flash family are some of my favourite characters in comic books, Bart being my favourite of them all. It's going to be great to see the Flash meet his 31st century grand-son for the first time in the New 52! Also, this issue is by the double-team of Brian Buccellato of Francis Manapul who are a great pair on this series. Francis Manapul's art on this series has been amazing, with all of his issue blowing me away and this new arc with the Reverse-Flash really has me interested.


The Green Team: Teen Trillionares #2

This is a series that got off to a great start last month and I'm really looking forward to seeing the team of Art Baltazar, Franco and Ig Guara have in store for us this issue! The first issue took a really unexpected turn towards the end of the leader of these rich kids taking on a super-villain. If that doesn't sound good to you, it's probably just my explanation of it, I had to explain it quickly. Seriously, if you're familiar with any of Art Baltazar and Franco's work ( Such as, Tiny Titans, Superman Family adventures ) you'll know this series is a must-buy. And on the topic of the art, I really wasn't a fan of Ig Guara's art until I read the last issue, it really turned around my opinion of his work and I really liked what I saw.

Hawkeye #11

Onto the final pick for this week, Hawkeye. Oh, god, Hawkeye. This series is just... it's honestly too good for anything I say ton do it justice, but I'll have a shot. This series is pretty much the best on the shelves, it's certainly the best thing I've read from Marvel recently. Matt Fraction is a genius, this book is so witty and fun but it really makes you feel for the characters too. He is just a brilliant writer and he's come up with a brilliant concept for this book, something used in no other comic books right now. Then there's the art. The beautiful, wonderful art. David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth are the comic book art team right now, with such a unique style. I honestly can't describe it, but there's just something amazing about it. Anyway, enough about the series! Onto this issue! If all of that stuff about the creative team hasn't got you on board for this, here's something that definitely will. This entire issue is focused on Hawkeye's pet, Pizza-Dog. The entire comic, about his pizza loving dog. You know the creative team are doing a good job when they're aloud to do this. This is my top pick, and the comic I'm most looking forward to this week. If you can only buy one comic, make it Hawkeye!


So, those are my recommendations for tomorrow, hope you try them out!

"Batman/Superman" writer, Greg Pak, takes over Action Comics

A few months ago it was announced that Andy Diggle would be taking over the Superman series, Action Comics. He then quit due to problems over at DC Comics and his third and final issue was published this month. Then, Scott Lobdell, writer of "Superman", is taking over for a few months as a stand-in but it seems DC have found a new full-time writer for the series in writer of the upcoming "Batman/Superman" series, Greg Pak.

The cover to "Batman/Superman" #1, by Jae Lee.
 Issue written by Greg Pak with art by Jae Lee.

Greg Pak will be writing this series accompanied by pencils by artist, Aaron Kuder.

Now, I don't think any official start date for Pak's run has been announced by DC Comics yet, but I assume he'll be taking over in November, the soonest month that DC haven't already solicited. Good luck to Greg Pak on his run on the series, let's hope this one lasts longer than the previous time DC hired a permanent writer for the series!

The previews for "Batman/Superman" #1 look great so I'm sure this will be a good run for the book!

( Source: USA Today )