Monday, June 26, 2023
Super Antics #19
In the modern telling of Batman's origin, I've never thought a bat could fly through a pane of glass under its own power. Here's my unofficial contribution to the story.
Labels:
A Callen parody,
Batman,
Callen art,
Super Antics,
Superman
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Commissions! Crisis! Vartox! More!
This client's request was for an image of Crisis on Infinite Earths if it happened in the 60’s. I TRIED to keep it all serious, but Golden Age Green Lantern slipped by me a bit. (And yes, I know Supergirl’s skirt was blue during this period, but it looks sooooo much better as red.)
The above image is a commission request that came from a person who created his own characters (when he was much younger) and now collects baseball-card size art of them. I asked if I could draw them in a retro "Marvel Value Stamp" style, and happily, he agreed! He also prints indy comics with these characters. If you're curious, you can see them here.
Here's the original 1985 cover by George Pérez.
This one might need a bit of explaining...
In February of 1974, the sci-fi movie ZARDOZ was released, starring Sean Connery.
Towards the end of that same year, DC Comics introduced a character named VARTOX in Superman #281. He looked suspiciously similar to Connery’s character. I received a commission request to draw Vartox in a "Curt Swan" style and invoke the feel of the Zardoz movie poster.
This one was a birthday present! I tried to write a gag that was occasion appropriate and felt like it came from the 60’s. It's for a collector who routinely commissions Sugar and Spike art for “Issue #100.” The actual S&S series ended at #99. Seems like they could have held on for one more “Special Cancellation Issue!” You can see ALL his Sugar and Spike commissions here.
Labels:
Callen art,
Commissions,
DC Comics,
Green Lantern,
Superman
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
The Voodoo That You Do
This commission was drawing the character from the cover of Voodoo #8. I could have drawn a more accurate snake head, but I wanted to keep the goofiness of the original cover--I tried my art with a small logo. It looks good aesthetically, but, really, Voodoo and Egypt don't go together. The original comic is from 1953. You know how it was.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Batman! Joker! Green Lantern! Dr. Fate! Ice Maidens! More Commissions!
The above commission was a request to have "first appearance" Batman hit the Joker with a large, specific sound effect. "Kablamm!" Done and done! I decided to put off-registered color on the Joker. THAT'S how hard Batman hits!!
I'm a fan of the primitive way superheroes' powers were represented in the Golden Age. So, for the above commission I played it up! I never thought about how Green Lantern's beam might be made of flame. It makes so much sense coming from an old-time lantern.The ladies above are lesser-known DC characters. I’m not sure if they ever hung out together or not. Apparently most of them were part of the Global Guardians at some point. From top to right-- Fire (or Green Flame), Owlwoman (or Owl-Woman), Godiva, Ice (or Ice Maiden II), and Ice Maiden.
Btw, on all commissions, I now offer a color print, hand-signed, by me "1 of 1." Most pieces are created in black ink on Bristol board, which you receive. I then add digital colors, and make only one print. (You also get the digital file.) If you have commissioned it from me, you're the only person to have a high res print. (I go to a printing service for this, to insure quality.) If you're interested, please shoot me an email at KerryCallenArt@gmail.com.
Labels:
Batman,
Callen art,
Commissions,
DC Comics,
Dr. Fate,
Green Lantern,
Joker
Monday, May 1, 2023
Captain America Eats His Shield!
I've come across some of my older, ink on Bristol board, artwork. I've decided to sell a bit of it. If you're interested, here's my listing on ebay for Captain America eating his shield. The listing includes a single, comic-sized printout of my mock cover. Bid on it here!I originally posted this image back in 2010!
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Commissions, Comissions
If you're one of my two readers, is it better for me to have my artwork in individuals posts, or should I group a few together? Like this--
I was asked to create Power Girl and Firestorm as a "flirty buddy cop duo." Tried my best.Batman vs. Killer Moth, inspired by Dick Sprang's art style. It's nice that Killer Moth shows Batman what a cool animal costume can look like!
Here's (a version of) my take on the original Phantom Lady #17 cover, from 1948. It is well known to comic book historians. First of all, the cover is by Matt Baker, a fantastic artist who was one of the few black comic creators back in the day. Second, the provocative image is one of the things that helped the US government crack down on comics in the 50’s, leading to the formation of the Comics Code Authority.
Here's the type of commission I always enjoy drawing-- Taking a fairly obscure character and creating a vintage pin-up, pretending they were popular! Black ink on Bristol board, plus digital color. If you're interested in a commission, please shoot me an email, seen in the right column.
Oh! And I've also recently created a portrait of a couple! 😁
Labels:
Batman,
Callen art,
Commissions,
DC Comics,
Firestorm,
Killer Moth,
Phantom Lady,
Powergirl,
Super Lana
It's Giant Aquaman Annual #1! Or IS it?
Is this a very hard-to-find issue from the 60’s? The one where most copies were destroyed after the printer discover hidden hippy symbols inside? Or, is it my newest artwork commission? Who can say for sure--
Labels:
Aquaman,
Callen art,
Commissions,
DC Comics,
Octopus
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