Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Well, since I finally managed to settle on a style for the Supermanica online encyclopedia, I thought it was time to start a new art thread for the artwork that can be previewed. I've settled on a more simplistic animated style that combines the great styles of Wayne Boring and Curt Swan that produce the "iconic" feel that I've been searching for. Here's the first one of the line. And naturally, Superman had to be the first one rendered.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Bill_9000/iconicsuperman.jpg)

Now, THAT is Superman!  

Bravo, Bill!  Thanks for the pic!  

Gernot...

Thanks, Gernot. Like I said, I'm striving for the "iconic" look for these characters. I've never agreed with the long, flowing cape look that characterizes the Post-Crisis Superman. I much prefer the shorter cape of the Plastino/Boring/Swan eras (which I'll duplicate for Superboy and Bizarro, too).

I'm currently working on the inking of Lois Lane, and then I'll start inking Hercules (just because the pencil work for him is already done). After that ... I wanna do a really offbeat character like maybe Mongul or (even larger) Validus ...

... which'll probably make me wanna draw the ENTIRE Fatal Five!  :twisted:

I just stole that Superman pic for my files, Bill!  LOL  

Be SURE to let us know when you do Superboy, Supergirl, Mongul (YES!), Lex Luthor, and Brainiac!  ;)  

Gernot...

Then my Earthly future shrinked victims - check this -

http://www.superman4444.com

Just to let everyone know, I'm in the process of creating a library of emblems for the various characters in the Pre-Crisis Superman universe so I don't have to keep redrawing them over and over again. So far, I have the following:

Superman (Curt Swan style) (Used for Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, Superman 2965 and the various members of the Legion of Super-Pets)

Bizarro (simply the Curt Swan Superman emblem backwards)

Anti-Superman (the Curt Swan Superman emblem with a yellow "S" inset in black)

Superman (Wayne Boring style) (used for Superman 2956 and the original Super-Girl)

Superman (Modern Style) (used for Superwoman, Laurel Kent, Superboy-Prime, Superman 2020 and Superman Jr.)

Earth-2 Superman

The Defender (Lex Luthor's "heroic" identity on the planet Lexor)

Nightwing

Flamebird

Captain Thunder

Captain Marvel (Also used for Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., Uncle Marvel and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny)

The Flash (Barry Allen)

Batman (1960s style) (Also used for Anti-Batman)

The Composite Superman

Ultraman (Crime Syndicate of America)

These might also make good avatars, too. More to come ...

Those would make great avatars!

Just added the following emblems to the list:

Golden Age Superman

Batman (Bronze Age)

Power Ring (Crime Syndicate of America)

Ultra Boy (Legion of Super-Heroes)

Saturn Girl (Legion of Super-Heroes)

Saturn Woman (Adult Legion of Super-Heroes)

Saturn Queen (Legion of Super-Villains)

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

Futuro

Wonder-Man

Ferro Lad (Legion of Super-Heroes)

Excellent ideas, Bill 9000!  Perhaps also:

Jor-El's "Red Sun" symbol

A smaller version of the Kryptonese Flag

The Legion of Super-Heroes "L"

A small version of the Legion of Super-Heroes Clubhouse

The Daily Planet Globe

Fleischer Brothers Animated Superman Shield ("Red S on Black")

Marvel Man/Marvel Maid Shield ("MM")

Was the George Reeves "S-Shield" noticeably different?

JSA

JLA

All would make great emblems/avatars.

From what I can observe, the emblem on George Reeves' costume was basically the same as the Curt Swan version. Ditto for the one on Christopher Reeve's suit.

I may get to the others, but right now I'm trying to concentrate on the emblems for individual characters, like Superman, Nightwing, Flamebird, Batman, etc.

And speaking of which, I've just completed the following:

Kingdom Come Superman (the only Post-Crisis emblem I'll do, so don't ask for any more  :evil:  :wink: )

Original Superman (from waaaaay back in ACTION COMICS #1)

Fleischer Superman

Jor-El (the mainstream "sun" version)

Jor-El (1949 version; the circle with a ringed planet in the centre. I call this one the "Jor-L" version to differentiate it from the more familiar sun emblem)

U-Ban

Kizo

Mala

Microwave Man (from ACTION COMICS #487)

Mighty Boy (from SUPERBOY #85)

Solar Boy (from ADVENTURE COMICS #269)

Mano (Fatal Five)

Krypton Kid (from ADVENTURE COMICS #242)

Stone Boy (Legion of Substitute Heroes)

Superman Revenge Squad

Whew! Finally finished this one!! Here, after at least a couple of months, is Superman's girlfriend Lois Lane!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Bill_9000/loislane.jpg)

Wow, I can't believe nobody commented on this all weekend.  Another stunning work, Bill 9000!  I like the hair, and the wardrobe is Classic Lois.  Out of curiousity, which Lois served as your main inspiration (comic, movie or TV), or is this a synthesis of several?

Well, as you probably know, I've been looking to establish an "iconic" look for each character that I render. So my version of Lois Lane is based heavily on the work of Wayne Boring and Curt Swan. Most (if not all) of my work is based on the comics.

Whew! Finally managed to set aside some time to finish this one. Here he is ... the strongest hero of the Greek Heroic Age ... Hercules!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Bill_9000/hercules.jpg)

Fantastic  :D

I agree completely, Super Monkey!  

Bill, I hope we'll see your renditions of Lex Luthor, Joker, and Robin, The Boy Wonder sometime soon, please?  :)  

(Hey!  I'm not TOO particular!  I'll take The Teen Wonder, but if you give us that, you'll HAVE to give us a Batman to go WITH him!)   :D