Secret Underground Headquarters

In Brightest Day, In Dar— WHY DOES HE HAVE A GUN?

2012-06-11T19:12:00.002-04:00

So I recently saw the list of DC's solicitations for september over at Comics Alliance and found this as the cover of Green Lantern #0.

So now with all the hubbub of Alan Scott (Green Lantern of a parallel Earth) being being gay in his debut in DC's New 52 Universe, I really can't wait to see what we think of the new Muslim (note the Arabic "tattoo") Green Lantern coming out this fall.

The way I see it, kudos for DC bringing in a Muslim character. I really wish it wasn't another Green Lantern since now there's 6 of them and that's at least 4 too many. Domino masks are a classic, I don't know why DC can't just do that. I never liked Kyle's noseless mask thing and I never will. This "Ski mask from TRON" thing goes even further away from the simple Domino. Boo.

Beyond the odd choice in mask, or how there's a (possible Green Lantern light construct of a) tatto in Arabic on his forearm, I'm really most confused about the gun.

A Green Lantern ring is a weapon limited by only the user's imagination. In the past such rings have been used to recreate an entire city complete with tens thousands of living citizens, an entire space station complete with all the moving parts required therein, and in the case of the Orange Lanterns, an entire army. Why on Earth would you need a gun? I mean, if you wanted to use a gun, the ring could just make one. And it could be a super gun, like an extremely long range sniper rifle with armor piercing bullets or a gating gun with the infinite ammo cheatcode turned on. Carrying around a regular gun just doesn't make any sense.

Unless... and I sincerely hope this is not the case as it is a horrible idea. This guy used to be a terrorist. It's an appealing enough story arc, while signed up as a suicide bomber he's recognized by the Green Lanterns as being "without fear" and has a nice little story line where he stops being a terrorist and starts being a hero. The plot writes itself. Except that's incredibly lazy storytelling and the worst idea for a Muslim superhero ever. Don't do it. Just don't.

However, there's always the chance that this character is just Night Runner from Batman Inc.

Night Runner is a Muslim from France, not a terrorist, AND both costumes in question have fingerless gloves, and short sleeved shirts with a chest design that comes up and over the shoulders. Most importantly not a terrorist. In fact, if he had a moment of crisis and had to struggle with using a gun to save an innocent person's life or break the rules Batman set, that could be interesting. Perhaps that explains why he's no longer part of Batman Inc. Though I would encourage them to ditch the gun soon after this plot point.

A plucky young hero with ties to Batman AND Green Lantern? (both DC's two top-selling groups of books, mind you) Sign me up.

Diagram For Delinquents Poster

2012-02-11T00:20:00.001-05:00

Diagram For Delinquents: Finished Poster, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:Yay! This is (hopefully) the finished poster for Robert A. Emmons Jr's new documentary, "Diagram for Delinquents: Fredric Wertham and the Evolution of Comic Books".
It was quite the challenge fitting as many Comics Code breaking images on just one composition without being explicit (Dr. Emmons wanted to keep it "PG").

My favorite has to be the zombie dressed as the mom from The Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand" music video, so it's both undead (FORBIDDEN!) and disrespectful towards parents (ALSO FORBIDDEN!).

I love doing this sort of thing.

James Bond Playing Card Collection

2012-01-04T14:13:00.002-05:00

From my Flickr description:

Here's my entry for SuperPunch's James Bond Art Jam, I figured a collector's edition luxury playing cards seemed like a good idea, with each one of the suits for one of my favorite Bond actors, one of their Bond girls and one of their villains. The cards have a matte finish on the backgrounds, while the suit, value and art have a glossy finish. -Joe D! & Jessica.

Because It's The Batman Cartoon We're Getting, Just Not the One We Want Right Now

2011-10-04T22:44:00.000-04:00

Here's a de-blued version of that new Batman series that has been hitting the interwebs as of late. If you haven't seen it, the original picture was taken of a projection screen, greatly distorting the colors.

As much as I loved Bruce Timm's work over the past 20 years, and I'm excited to see Professor Pyg et al, the people working on this are aware Batman doesn't dig guns right? Like, did Alfred just decide "Hey Brucey, remember how your parent's died? I thought it would be a great idea to remind you every night as I hung out with you shooting bad guys without due process. Bang, bang, bang, your parent's are dead."

God Bless America.

American Gods Comic

2011-10-03T11:22:00.001-04:00

American Gods Comic, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My entry for the SuperPunch American Gods ArtJam.

It's the cover for American Gods #1 in the style of Jack Kirby's New Gods. I don't know if it's noticeable, but I'd like to mention that I used the old Chemical Color Chart color pallet and instead of just using Photoshop's Color Half-tone Filter to make that Zip-a-Tone look, I actually separated each color and shade on to separate layers and applied them one at a time (all the tiny blue dots at once, then all the solid yellow, etc.) all trying to mimic the resources and workflow of Jack Kirby. I'm sure I butchered his art style, but it's great to get a look into how things used to be done and a find a new respect for the old masters.

I was only tangentially familiar with American Gods before this project, and after I did some research the American Gods/New Gods mash up idea crept into my head and I couldn't get it out.

If I can find out how, I'll upload the template I made with the historically accurate colors and Zip-a-Tone style process to my site for anyone else who wants to try this method, as well as a tutorial if I have the time. *UPDATE* I probably won't have time.

As usual, this was a blast and a great exercise in creativity. I can't wait to see what SuperPunch comes up with next.

Is Anne Hathaway's Leaked Catwoman Mask Made Out of a Batman Mask? (UPDATED)

2011-09-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

Ok, everybody, this might be crazy but the new leaked images seem to show Anne Hathaway wearing a cut-up Batman cowl as the Catwoman mask. Look at the image and decide for yourself. If this is right, that opens up new questions and maybe a few spoilers.

*UPDATE* 9.26.11
I actually don't think this is the case anymore. JMC from the SuperHeroHype forums demonstrates what we're most likely seeing here.

And based on other images that have leaked, I'm inclined to think this is pretty plausible. Sorry for the misinformation, Internet.

Sporty Spider-Man

2011-08-08T00:24:00.003-04:00

Sporty Spider-Man, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This design features a more down-to-earth look for the ol' Webhead. A light zip-up jacket and track pants are paired with lace-up gloves and boots. The laces work really well with the web motif and the padded webbing on the jacket and hood are strong enough visually that a spider logo isn't necessary. This makes for a light and quick Spider-Man with a parkour and free running influence, as well as drawing inspiration from cafe racer motorcycle jackets, the Bride's yellow jumpsuit from Kill Bill, '80s break dancer's, athletic sportswear, and classic super-hero design.

For the sake of disclosure, the laces were from an earlier design of a co-worker, Oren Schott's Spider-man, but he dropped them on his final version, so I picked them up. Check out his awesome ongoing webcomic here.

Tech Spider-Man

2011-08-08T00:10:00.002-04:00

Tech Spider-Man, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Another of my redesigns for Project Rooftop's Spider-Man Contest. I went for a Tron inspired high-tech look. Glowing piping, armor, and chest emblem, plated effect on the blue section. The negative space of the red armor blocks are recall the traditional webbing pattern.

Dieter Rams' Spider-Man

2011-08-07T17:05:00.003-04:00

Dieter Rams' Spider-Man, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Yet another submission for Project:Rooftop's Spider-man Redesign, so if you're keeping count, that's Golden-Age Spider-Man and Home-made Spider-Man, and Hipster Spider-Man.

The premise behind this concept is "What would it look like if Dieter Rams designed a Spider-Man costume?" , and while I'm not about to say that I can pull it off as well as ol' Dieter could, I could rip him off at least as well as Apple can. I gave him just two levels of detail, the red glossy hexagon pattern and the dark, dark, blue pattern. I would have gone for wood veneer and brushed aluminum, or black glass and white plastic, but Spidey would've been immobile. The eye elements have been replaced by a red visor helmet, though I kept a hint of the eye socket shape. I kept the original spider logo, since under this premise, I'm saying Paul Rand did it.

"Does Whatever a Hipster Can"

2011-08-04T23:59:00.006-04:00

Hipster Spider-Man, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
The next submission for Project:Rooftop's Spider-man Redesign, joining Golden-Age Spider-Man and Home-made Spider-Man.

Facts: Peter Parker is a scrawny, dorky, 20-something in NYC that putzes around all day with a camera being poor and acts like his life is "soooooo" tough. He has emotionally distant parents, periodically finds himself in a dumpster and in an upcoming storyline, he complains that all of New York is stealing his style.

Ipso facto: Peter Park is a hipster

BONUS
What he's wearing: Stuff he got from this one vintage thrift store, you've probably never heard of it.

Project:Rooftop Spider-man Redesign

2011-07-18T00:38:00.003-04:00

Project : Rooftop - Golden Age Spider-Man, a photo by Joe D! on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Project : Rooftop announced another contest last week, and I already have a few ideas for this one. I've already done a Spider-Man redesign last year when P:R took a bit of a vacation, and I'm sure I have a few more ideas more up my sleeve.

This concept was based on how Spider-Man (and most of Marvel's characters) is a silver-age character. Characters that get their powers from science (GAMMA RAYS!) instead of magic (CRAP FROM EGYPT!) and of course, the litany of personal problems that all characters have had since then. Since today's Peter Parker is growing up and no longer the angst ridden teenager, I thought it might be nice to see what he'd be like in older, vintage duds, trying to inspire the next generation of heroes like he was inspired by the generation before him. So he's a little more mature, can easily be cheerful and even patriotic out in the daylight, but can be dark and pulp noir-y at night for when he meets up with a cowardly, superstitious lot. Spidey's always been honest and truthful, and perhaps a little bit naive, so I think he fits well with a little bit of Golden Age flair.

Super Punch Contest:3DS Error Page

2011-05-08T23:40:00.006-04:00

From my Flickr page:

This month's contest at Super Punch was to create a "Fail Whale" to replace the 3DS' "Red Screen of Death".

The directions were to makes something "delightful", however, the 3DS kind of creeps me out. Beaming a third dimension directly into your brain mush through your eye holes is neat, but probably the Devil's work, like cursive handwriting or Justin Bieber.

So I made the creepiest "delightful" thing I can think of. I'm just bummed I can't have "low growling sound" play quietly behind this image.

X-Men: First Class Title Sequence

2011-04-04T10:38:00.001-04:00

Description from my vimeo page:

Inspired by classic Sixties movie titles and prompted by John Struan of Super Punch fame, I've built a 1960s style title sequence for the upcoming X-Men: First Class film.

Set during the midst of the Cuba Missile Crisis, X-Men: First Class tells the story of the first team coming together, before they would become the heroes and villains we know from the original X-Men Trilogy.

This sequence was designed to give a very brief primer on the time period, the setting, as well as show the relationships of the characters in this film, as they are very different from the previous movies and audiences shouldn't be confused as to why Professor X and Magneto, enemies in the original trilogy, are the best of friend in this prequel.

Super Punch held a contest redesigning the posters for the film, which played it safe by sticking very close to the correlation to the original trilogy, and winding up rather mundane compared to the slick trailer rife with espionage, red fear, and 60s hair. Several people were quick to make posters in the Mod, Saul Bass, and James Bond style that I had in mind, so it was decided that I'd make a title sequence instead.

And yes, that music is a very melancholic rendition of the 90s cartoon theme song.

Please visit SecretUndergroundHeadquarters.com and SuperPunch.blogspot.com for more awesomeness.

Special thanks to Jessica Heaton, the World's Greatest Robot Girl.

The rest of the entries can be seen here

Static Redesign for P:R's McDuffie Week

2011-03-04T23:51:00.000-05:00

Comics creator Dwayne McDuffie died last week. McDuffie worked for both Marvel and DC, as well as help found Milestone Comics. He's also the creator of Static, star of Kids WB's Static Shock, and currently a Teen Titan. In memory of McDuffie's legacy, our friends over at Project:Rooftop threw together a quick call for redesigns of Static. There was only a few days to work on it, but I thought it was a nice thing to do and I wanted to be a part of the project.

P:R Aquaman Redesign

2011-02-20T23:24:00.002-05:00

Aquaman is Arthur Curry, the King of Atlantis raised in New England.

This is my entry for the current Project:Rooftop Contest for an Aquaman Redesign. I mixed elements from naval uniforms and yacht clubs to make an outfit that any young and popular political leader would be proud to save the day in.

So what if he was always a fish out of water compared to the rest of the SuperFriends, this Aquaman has lunch with Obama and and golfs with Putin. The SuperFriends can wait.

On a side note, I'm teaching myself how to paint with Photoshop. This is an early example, hopefully I'll get better at it as time goes on.

First Look: Red Skull

2011-02-06T20:36:00.004-05:00

I might be the first to get this up, just thought the internet would appreciate that.

Got it from Marvel's tweet posting links to their Super Bowl trailers:

"Marvel:
The Captain America #FirstAvenger & #Thor #SuperBowl spots! Cap: http://bit.ly/fnF0Ep & Thor: http://bit.ly/etiMPU"

And after a few tries, got a good freeze frame. I really can't wait to see this movie.

UPDATE: Other internet nerds are faster than I am

Woody Allen Has a Posse

2011-01-18T13:10:00.001-05:00

JOE D!: MAN OF ACTION

2010-11-12T10:49:00.001-05:00

So the company I work for was ready to do employee photos for the site, but we didn't want to do regular yearbook style portraits.

I love my job.

Full size here.

Hey Joe D!, Who Did You Vote For This Year?

2010-11-05T11:03:00.002-04:00

So did you know that when you vote for a Write-In candidate they let you write in anybody?

And I mean anybody.

God Bless America.

How To Break the Shaving Cycle

2010-09-07T12:08:00.001-04:00

In response to LOLDWELL's "The Shaving Cycle" I've put this little diddy together:

I'M WITH TROCO

2010-08-02T16:08:00.005-04:00

(of course it links to full size)

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Brontosaurus,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Brontosaurus.

THEN THEY CAME for Pluto,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't Pluto.

THEN THEY CAME for Triceratops,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Triceratops.

THEN THEY CAME for me

and by that time no one was left to speak up."

UPDATE: Front Page on BuzzFeed! (and a Gold Star!)

SuperPunch Art Show

2010-08-02T14:43:00.001-04:00

Posters based off the works of China Mieveille for John Straun's SuperPunch Art Show!

As usual, every image links to where you could download (free) full sized versions for yourself.

Another Project:Rooftop Redesign

2010-07-31T23:51:00.000-04:00

All images link to higher res

versions

Here's my redesign of BuckyCap, the premise was "If the classic Captain America is middle aged, from the 40s, and unfrozen in the 60s, what would his former sidekick, 15 years his younger, and brought into the world of iPhones, facebook, the Internet and Hipsters be like?

Bonus: Free Red Skull redesign!

Red Sonja: Superpunch's May Art Contest

2010-05-30T22:09:00.008-04:00

Superpunch threw an art contest ending in about ten minutes. So without further ado, here's my submission: a Baroque style woodcut of Little Red Riding Sonja & The Big Bad Wolfman.

The caption reads "She devil with a sword", the tagline on the Red Sonja comics.

Celebrocaust Oh Ten: Who Will Live? Who Will Die?

2010-05-30T22:06:00.004-04:00

I've started a brand new feed over at Buzzfeed.com, and yes, I went there. I'll be updating it all summer long to keep everyone posted on the latest tally.