TriSaber
Superman Emergency Squad
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Posts: 97
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« Reply #68 on: February 17, 2004, 04:57:20 PM » |
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Yep. It is harder to nail down Superman's appearance than most people believe ... especially when you're trying to capture the period look that you're shooting for.
For example, most people would look at the Pre-Crisis Superman, the Post-Crisis Superman and the Birthright Superman and say "Meh! What's the difference?" In actual fact (and I'm sure all of you posters here are aware of this), there are a few differences that distinguish each one.
The Pre-Crisis Superman's emblem has a more curved shield shape and a thicker "S" than the other two versions, the cape only goes as far as the knees in length, and attaches more snugly to the collar of Superman's shirt, and the blue in his uniform is more of a sky-like blue than the other two, as well. Also, the emblem is not as large. This is the look that Curt Swan developed for the Pre-Crisis Superman, and I take it as the definitive appearance for this version of the Man of Steel.
The Post-Crisis Superman has a larger, more angular shield shape to his emblem, and the "S" is not quite as thick. The cape is much longer, going down to the ankles, and the collar attachments are much more loose. His facial features should reflect a somewhat younger look than in Curt Swan's Pre-Crisis version. Also, his hair is somewhat longer and sports no curl, being only parted on the left side. This is the look that John Byrne developed for the MAN OF STEEL miniseries, and even Curt Swan himself followed this pattern when he and Jerry Ordway provided the art for SUPERMAN: THE EARTH STEALERS.
The Birthright Superman is basically an amalgam of the previous two incarnations. Like the Pre-Crisis version, the hairstyle has fallen back to the classic curl look with the hair slicked back, but with the addition of sideburns now. Also, his facial features are more chisled than either the Pre-Crisis or Post-Crisis versions. The emblem is still angular and crisp like the Post-Crisis version, but now approaches the size customarily used by Alex Ross in his many paintings of Superman. The length of the cape is still long, but the collar attachments reveal much more of the neck and shoulders, harking back to the days of the Golden Age Superman. This is the look he now sports in the SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT miniseries.
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