Jim Lee draws Batman on the iPad

How can you not love this man?  Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Joker, etc. all on the iPad  for our viewing pleasure.  Well now Jim has provided us with a wonderful drawing of Batman, the iPad edition.

Here is what Jim Lee tweeted,

"This is a very sped up clip of me messing around on my iPad. Original video was 20 mins in length; it usually takes me about 60-80 mins to get one of these pieces done using @sketchbookpro. I prefer using my finger to a stylus of any sort--makes it more fun. I honestly have to say this piece was not going in the direction I wanted so I stopped and got back to real work : ) but you get a general sense of how I layer on colors and work positive and negative shapes back and forth to get edges...like in painting."

Jim Lee draws Batman on the iPad

How can you not love this man?  Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Joker, etc. all on the iPad  for our viewing pleasure.  Well now Jim has provided us with a wonderful drawing of Batman, the iPad edition.

Here is what Jim Lee tweeted,

"This is a very sped up clip of me messing around on my iPad. Original video was 20 mins in length; it usually takes me about 60-80 mins to get one of these pieces done using @sketchbookpro. I prefer using my finger to a stylus of any sort--makes it more fun. I honestly have to say this piece was not going in the direction I wanted so I stopped and got back to real work : ) but you get a general sense of how I layer on colors and work positive and negative shapes back and forth to get edges...like in painting."

Jim Lee Admits That He Has Trouble Drawing Superman

Jim Lee and DC Comics have a new book coming out entitled the ICONS: The DC Comics and Wildstorm art of Jim Lee.  It looks like one heck of a cool book, and you should go buy it HERE. 

As part of the promotion surrounding the new book, Jim Lee is being asked all of the typical questions that you would suspect.  But he certainly surprised us with his answer to the question of which character he has had trouble drawing by answering Superman. 

LEE:  Superman is the hardest character to draw. There are a couple of things that make him difficult. He’s got a very simple costume, and doesn’t have the long cape like Batman. He’s not a character that is necessarily always in shadow, and he doesn’t have a mask. He has to be Superman. He has to be the most grand, the most idealized form at all times, so he has to look powerful, but he can’t look bloated. His face has to look noble and handsome and rugged. It’s a war of subtleties. Every little change on that character makes a big difference in how he finally looks.


I think that I erase that character more than I draw that character, to be honest. He’s a character that doesn’t have the gloves, and doesn’t have the big boots, so you're really drawing sort of an idealized human form with a very simple costume. He’s got to be in a pose that suggests nobility. It's got to be a pose that suggests his idealized form, and it's tricky to do. Batman hunches over. He’s crouched and he’s in the shadows, so he’s in slightly more dynamic poses. Superman tends to stand very upright and he’s very symmetrical, and those are actually the most difficult poses for me to draw.

Jim Lee's Superman drawing are nothing short of iconic, so it is a little more than surprising to hear him suggest that he struggles with him.  You certainly wouldn't have guessed that based on the final product. 

Getting a peek inside the mind of the greatest artist in comics today is always fascinating.  To see more of his interview with MTV, click HERE. 

Jim Lee Admits That He Has Trouble Drawing Superman

Jim Lee and DC Comics have a new book coming out entitled the ICONS: The DC Comics and Wildstorm art of Jim Lee.  It looks like one heck of a cool book, and you should go buy it HERE. 

As part of the promotion surrounding the new book, Jim Lee is being asked all of the typical questions that you would suspect.  But he certainly surprised us with his answer to the question of which character he has had trouble drawing by answering Superman. 

LEE:  Superman is the hardest character to draw. There are a couple of things that make him difficult. He’s got a very simple costume, and doesn’t have the long cape like Batman. He’s not a character that is necessarily always in shadow, and he doesn’t have a mask. He has to be Superman. He has to be the most grand, the most idealized form at all times, so he has to look powerful, but he can’t look bloated. His face has to look noble and handsome and rugged. It’s a war of subtleties. Every little change on that character makes a big difference in how he finally looks.


I think that I erase that character more than I draw that character, to be honest. He’s a character that doesn’t have the gloves, and doesn’t have the big boots, so you're really drawing sort of an idealized human form with a very simple costume. He’s got to be in a pose that suggests nobility. It's got to be a pose that suggests his idealized form, and it's tricky to do. Batman hunches over. He’s crouched and he’s in the shadows, so he’s in slightly more dynamic poses. Superman tends to stand very upright and he’s very symmetrical, and those are actually the most difficult poses for me to draw.

Jim Lee's Superman drawing are nothing short of iconic, so it is a little more than surprising to hear him suggest that he struggles with him.  You certainly wouldn't have guessed that based on the final product. 

Getting a peek inside the mind of the greatest artist in comics today is always fascinating.  To see more of his interview with MTV, click HERE. 

DC Universe Online Character Creator Trailer is Simply Spectacular

Why DC and Sony do this to us is beyond me?  For the last few months they have plowed us with pictures and videos of this gorgeous game, but yet rip our heart out by delaying the release until 2011.  Today, they pull the most malicious move to date by releasing one of the best trailers for the game to date.  Enjoy the trailer for the character creator portion of DC Universe Online. Brainac, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, it doesn't get any better than this.  Enjoy! (via: Superhero Hype)

DC Universe Online Character Creator Trailer is Simply Spectacular

Why DC and Sony do this to us is beyond me?  For the last few months they have plowed us with pictures and videos of this gorgeous game, but yet rip our heart out by delaying the release until 2011.  Today, they pull the most malicious move to date by releasing one of the best trailers for the game to date.  Enjoy the trailer for the character creator portion of DC Universe Online. Brainac, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, it doesn't get any better than this.  Enjoy! (via: Superhero Hype)

Jim Lee & Brian Azzarello Launch BATMAN: EUROPA Miniseries in 2011

Normally, I am the first to jump on the "too many batman title" bandwagon, but I am going to make an exception for this little miniseries.  The reasons why?  It's a miniseries and Jim Lee, Brian Azzarello, and many other top-notch writers and artists are involved on the project.   

From DC's The Source:

Coming in January BATMAN: EUROPA, a four-issue mini-series written to gritty perfection by FIRST WAVE’s Brian Azzarello and Matteo Casali with an all-star cast of artists, including Giuseppe Camuncoli (who is handling layouts for the entire series!), Diego Latorre and Jock. With a first issue painted over Cammo’s layouts by none other than superstar artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who as you know, is no stranger to Batman. And if it involves Jim, you can guarantee it’s a major Batman tale.

In the pages of BATMAN: EUROPA, the impossible has happened – the Batman is on the brink of defeat, at the hands of a virus with no cure. Surely there’s someone that can help him? Well, there is – the Joker. Who infected Batman with the virus? What does the Joker have to do to save him? And how can it all happen before the Dark Knight collapses? Together, the unlikely teammates and arch-foes travel through Europe cobbling together clues while the clock ticks down.

Here is the first cover from the series, by Jim Lee, and it is beautiful.  I cannot wait to read this tale. 

Jim Lee & Brian Azzarello Launch BATMAN: EUROPA Miniseries in 2011

Normally, I am the first to jump on the "too many batman title" bandwagon, but I am going to make an exception for this little miniseries.  The reasons why?  It's a miniseries and Jim Lee, Brian Azzarello, and many other top-notch writers and artists are involved on the project.   

From DC's The Source:

Coming in January BATMAN: EUROPA, a four-issue mini-series written to gritty perfection by FIRST WAVE’s Brian Azzarello and Matteo Casali with an all-star cast of artists, including Giuseppe Camuncoli (who is handling layouts for the entire series!), Diego Latorre and Jock. With a first issue painted over Cammo’s layouts by none other than superstar artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who as you know, is no stranger to Batman. And if it involves Jim, you can guarantee it’s a major Batman tale.

In the pages of BATMAN: EUROPA, the impossible has happened – the Batman is on the brink of defeat, at the hands of a virus with no cure. Surely there’s someone that can help him? Well, there is – the Joker. Who infected Batman with the virus? What does the Joker have to do to save him? And how can it all happen before the Dark Knight collapses? Together, the unlikely teammates and arch-foes travel through Europe cobbling together clues while the clock ticks down.

Here is the first cover from the series, by Jim Lee, and it is beautiful.  I cannot wait to read this tale. 

DC Universe Online Director’s Cut Video With Jim Lee & Tim Miller

Jim Lee sits down with Tim Miller of Blur Studio, the company who created the awesome DC Universe Online trailer that debuted at the San Diego Comic Con.  This is a rather long video but very interesting tidbits about the game, characters, story, etc.

DC Universe Online Director’s Cut Video With Jim Lee & Tim Miller

Jim Lee sits down with Tim Miller of Blur Studio, the company who created the awesome DC Universe Online trailer that debuted at the San Diego Comic Con.  This is a rather long video but very interesting tidbits about the game, characters, story, etc.

DC Ends WildStorm Comics, Kills ZUDA & Pledges Enhanced Digital Publishing

Today has been a very busy day for DC comics and Warner Brothers. As reportedly earlier, DC Entertainment will move it's offices from New York to Burbank, California. Now, DC is reporting that the WildStorm Comics will end in December 2010 and Zuda Comics will cease to exist.

WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999. The WildStorm imprint remains editorially separate from its DC parent, with its main studio located on the West Coast. The imprint takes its name from the combining the titles of the Jim Lee comic series WildC.A.T.S. and Stormwatch.

"After taking the comics scene by storm nearly 20 years ago, the WildStorm Universe titles will end this December. In this soft marketplace, these characters need a break to regroup and redefine what made them once unique and cutting edge. While these will be the final issues published under the WildStorm imprint, it will not be the last we will see of many of these heroes. We, along with Geoff Johns, have a lot of exciting plans for these amazing characters, so stay tuned. Going forward, WildStorm’s licensed titles and kids comics will now be published under the DC banner."

 

Zuda Comics was DC Comics' webcomics imprint from 2007 until 2010. It featured comics for Flash player instead of in a web page. Announced in a press release on July 9, 2007 and the first ongoing series and competing comic entries went live October 30, 2007. Zuda comics series have won awards and nominations from comic industry's Glyph Comics Awards and Harvey Awards. Bayou, Volume 1 was also named one of the 2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association.

"After this week, we will cease to publish new material under the ZUDA banner. The material that was to have been published as part of ZUDA this year will now be published under the DC banner. The official closing of ZUDA ends one chapter of DC’s digital history, but we will continue to find new ways to innovate with digital, incorporating much of the experience and knowledge that ZUDA brought into DC. "

"We could not be more excited by the successful launch of our Digital Publishing products in June, which exceeded all sales forecasts and will be building on our early success with new applications for DC material on all major formats and hardware, partnering with Warner Bros Digital Distribution"

It's been a very busy day in DC Comic and Warner Brothers land.  What do you think of all these moves and decisions that were announced today?  Do you think it poised DC and Warner Brothers to continue to be a dominate player in the entertainment industry?  Can DC keep-up with Marvel or even surpass them?  Let us know!

Zuda Image via Rich Lovatt

DC Ends WildStorm Comics, Kills ZUDA & Pledges Enhanced Digital Publishing

Today has been a very busy day for DC comics and Warner Brothers. As reportedly earlier, DC Entertainment will move it's offices from New York to Burbank, California. Now, DC is reporting that the WildStorm Comics will end in December 2010 and Zuda Comics will cease to exist.

WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999. The WildStorm imprint remains editorially separate from its DC parent, with its main studio located on the West Coast. The imprint takes its name from the combining the titles of the Jim Lee comic series WildC.A.T.S. and Stormwatch.

"After taking the comics scene by storm nearly 20 years ago, the WildStorm Universe titles will end this December. In this soft marketplace, these characters need a break to regroup and redefine what made them once unique and cutting edge. While these will be the final issues published under the WildStorm imprint, it will not be the last we will see of many of these heroes. We, along with Geoff Johns, have a lot of exciting plans for these amazing characters, so stay tuned. Going forward, WildStorm’s licensed titles and kids comics will now be published under the DC banner."

 

Zuda Comics was DC Comics' webcomics imprint from 2007 until 2010. It featured comics for Flash player instead of in a web page. Announced in a press release on July 9, 2007 and the first ongoing series and competing comic entries went live October 30, 2007. Zuda comics series have won awards and nominations from comic industry's Glyph Comics Awards and Harvey Awards. Bayou, Volume 1 was also named one of the 2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association.

"After this week, we will cease to publish new material under the ZUDA banner. The material that was to have been published as part of ZUDA this year will now be published under the DC banner. The official closing of ZUDA ends one chapter of DC’s digital history, but we will continue to find new ways to innovate with digital, incorporating much of the experience and knowledge that ZUDA brought into DC. "

"We could not be more excited by the successful launch of our Digital Publishing products in June, which exceeded all sales forecasts and will be building on our early success with new applications for DC material on all major formats and hardware, partnering with Warner Bros Digital Distribution"

It's been a very busy day in DC Comic and Warner Brothers land.  What do you think of all these moves and decisions that were announced today?  Do you think it poised DC and Warner Brothers to continue to be a dominate player in the entertainment industry?  Can DC keep-up with Marvel or even surpass them?  Let us know!

Zuda Image via Rich Lovatt

DC Comics/Entertainment Moving to West Coast

Holy Sh*t Batman!  DC Comics is moving to the West Coast... Some of it, at any rate. The publisher is moving a significant portion of its staff to Burbank, California (home of Warner Bros. Entertainment) while keeping its core comics publishing unit in New York.

From an announcement released this morning, DC will "relocate its business functions related to and supporting multi-media and digital content production." That is later clarified to encompass all of DC Entertainment's work in film, television, videogames, digital media, consumer products as well as administrative functions. The move is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

"These organizational changes reinforce the strengths of DC's greatest legacies – most importantly its people and its creative talent – and offer greater opportunity for maximum growth, success and efficiency in the future," said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment (DCE). "Our two offices will stretch and build their respective areas of focus, while prioritizing and aggressively striving to connect and cooperate more strongly than ever before between them and with their colleagues at Warner Bros." 

I know this is not a BIG surprise it has been rumored to happen since the formation of the DCE entity last year.   Diane Nelson, DCE Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee and DCE Executive VP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development John Rood are all based out West, so some shift to California seem likely.

I like this move and hope it boosters (gold) DC's entertainment arm.  We will hopefully continue to see more DC character movies, animation, video games and other entertainment projects in future. 

Lastly, the farther away any portion od DC can get from Dan Didio the better. 

What do you think?

Batman image courtesy of Jerahu

DC Comics/Entertainment Moving to West Coast

Holy Sh*t Batman!  DC Comics is moving to the West Coast... Some of it, at any rate. The publisher is moving a significant portion of its staff to Burbank, California (home of Warner Bros. Entertainment) while keeping its core comics publishing unit in New York.

From an announcement released this morning, DC will "relocate its business functions related to and supporting multi-media and digital content production." That is later clarified to encompass all of DC Entertainment's work in film, television, videogames, digital media, consumer products as well as administrative functions. The move is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

"These organizational changes reinforce the strengths of DC's greatest legacies – most importantly its people and its creative talent – and offer greater opportunity for maximum growth, success and efficiency in the future," said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment (DCE). "Our two offices will stretch and build their respective areas of focus, while prioritizing and aggressively striving to connect and cooperate more strongly than ever before between them and with their colleagues at Warner Bros." 

I know this is not a BIG surprise it has been rumored to happen since the formation of the DCE entity last year.   Diane Nelson, DCE Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee and DCE Executive VP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development John Rood are all based out West, so some shift to California seem likely.

I like this move and hope it boosters (gold) DC's entertainment arm.  We will hopefully continue to see more DC character movies, animation, video games and other entertainment projects in future. 

Lastly, the farther away any portion od DC can get from Dan Didio the better. 

What do you think?

Batman image courtesy of Jerahu

Jim Lee's Designs Yet Another Wonder Woman Costume

Now THIS is the Jim Lee we all know and love.  Let's all just forget about the recent Wonder Woman in pants design he rolled out.  Everyone has a bad day now and then.

But here we see Jim Lee's designs for Wonder Woman in the upcomming DC Universe Online game coming this fall.  This is classic Wonder Woman, and classic Jim Lee. 

Jim Lee's Designs Yet Another Wonder Woman Costume

Now THIS is the Jim Lee we all know and love.  Let's all just forget about the recent Wonder Woman in pants design he rolled out.  Everyone has a bad day now and then.

But here we see Jim Lee's designs for Wonder Woman in the upcomming DC Universe Online game coming this fall.  This is classic Wonder Woman, and classic Jim Lee. 

DC Releases huge BRIGHTEST DAY Cover Montage. Can You Spot the Hints?

In an effort to pump some life into an otherwise boring and incoherent story DC unveiled this beautiful BRIGHTEST DAY cover montage featuring all the key players in this "saga."  The covers fit together into this massive piece of art that teases what may come out of this story.  Click the image above to see it in all it's glory.

I could care less about the events that may or may not unfold in this series since to date it has been painfully underwhelming, but the art of this HUGE cover montage is wonderful.  This colossal spread features figures by the very talented Ryan Sook, with additional artistry from Fernando Pasarin and Joel Gomez (and a guiding hand from Co-Publisher Jim Lee, natch)

DC's the Source teases, "what does it all mean? Too early to tell, but all the more reason to spend a few more minutes enlarging the image below."  Do you care?

DC Releases huge BRIGHTEST DAY Cover Montage. Can You Spot the Hints?

In an effort to pump some life into an otherwise boring and incoherent story DC unveiled this beautiful BRIGHTEST DAY cover montage featuring all the key players in this "saga."  The covers fit together into this massive piece of art that teases what may come out of this story.  Click the image above to see it in all it's glory.

I could care less about the events that may or may not unfold in this series since to date it has been painfully underwhelming, but the art of this HUGE cover montage is wonderful.  This colossal spread features figures by the very talented Ryan Sook, with additional artistry from Fernando Pasarin and Joel Gomez (and a guiding hand from Co-Publisher Jim Lee, natch)

DC's the Source teases, "what does it all mean? Too early to tell, but all the more reason to spend a few more minutes enlarging the image below."  Do you care?

New DCU Online Trailer Demonstrates the Beauty of Custom Storylines

Everyday, I wake up and count the days until the new DCU online game will be released.  We've had discussions, teasers, pictures, videos, etc. and I cannot take it anymore.  I want this game.  No, I need this game.  You can sing the praises of all the other massive online games that are currently available or will be available soon, but none of them will hold a candle Jim Lee's baby.

The new trailer shows off brand new in-game footage demonstrating how every player can immerse themselves in a custom storyline defined by their character choice and decisions made within the game. A few armored villain characters are depicted clashing with members of the JLA (with pretty impressive force) in and around sprawling locations rooted in DC lore, while opposing heroic characters seem to aid champions like Wonder Woman in their respective fights against injustice.


Source Comics Alliance

New DCU Online Trailer Demonstrates the Beauty of Custom Storylines

Everyday, I wake up and count the days until the new DCU online game will be released.  We've had discussions, teasers, pictures, videos, etc. and I cannot take it anymore.  I want this game.  No, I need this game.  You can sing the praises of all the other massive online games that are currently available or will be available soon, but none of them will hold a candle Jim Lee's baby.

The new trailer shows off brand new in-game footage demonstrating how every player can immerse themselves in a custom storyline defined by their character choice and decisions made within the game. A few armored villain characters are depicted clashing with members of the JLA (with pretty impressive force) in and around sprawling locations rooted in DC lore, while opposing heroic characters seem to aid champions like Wonder Woman in their respective fights against injustice.


Source Comics Alliance