This week, you saw some of the integral steps of how a comic book is made. Now, take a look at the final pages of ANIMAL MAN #1 that you’ve been tracing and enjoy the first official preview of DC Comics-The New 52 on THE SOURCE.
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(The cover for ANIMAL MAN #1 by Travel Foreman)
Earlier today, you got a first look at colored pages from Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman’s ANIMAL MAN #1, in stores September 7th. We caught up with Jeff about what it’s been like working on the book, his creative process, collaborating with Travel and more.
THE SOURCE: What's it like being the writer for this book?
JEFF LEMIRE: I feel like I have some pretty big shoes to fill, given the character's history and the amazing talents that have written Buddy Baker in the past. But at the same time, DC Comics-The New 52 seems like a great opportunity to give the character a fresh start. I can boil down everything that has made him great in the past and then add my own ideas to him. It’s a real thrill to be writing this book at this time.
What about this book excites you the most?
The chance to really explore the darker aspects of the DC Universe. This book is very much a horror/superhero hybrid. As such, I'm able to take it in some very dark places.
What is your creative process like? What approach(es) do you take when writing a new issue?
This book has been a strange experience for me because in so many ways it feels effortless. Unlike books I've written in the past, this almost feels like it writes itself. It kind of flows through me like I'm just the next in line to document the lives of The Baker Family. They instantly felt real to me and I just sit down and let them talk and act out the next chapter each month. I've never had that experience on a non-creator owned book before.
What is it like collaborating with Travel?
This is without a doubt the best collaboration I've ever had with an artist. Travel takes my initial ideas and expands upon them in ways I'd never imagined. Then as a result, I have to react to what he’s done and adjust and expand my plots accordingly. He's a genius. I truly believe that. If this book is a success it will be because of his incredible imagination. This book will look like nothing you've ever seen before. I know that sounds like hype, but it's true...it's truly staggering to see new pages come in. I am a very lucky man to be working with him on this.
Over the course of the past few days on THE SOURCE, you’ve watched the evolution of a proposal into a script page into pencilled art into inked art. Today, see how colorist Lovern Kindzierski took series artist Travel Foreman’s exquisite art for ANIMAL MAN #1 and enhanced it with a skilled combination of bright and muted color tones.
“I'm thoroughly enjoying working on ANIMAL MAN,” Travel told us. “I've spent my entire time in comics working on characters that have been out of the limelight for a long time or have never been in the limelight and I think the ANIMAL MAN team are doing our best to shine a bright light on a terrific character that has been lost in the shuffle for a while.”
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Earlier this morning, you saw Travel Foreman’s pencilled art for pages #9-12 of ANIMAL MAN #1. Below, see how he layered ink over these pages to provide new depth to the visual elements of the book.
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Yesterday, we showed you pages #9-12 of the script for ANIMAL MAN #1. Today, we’ll be walking you through the next steps in the creative process of creating a comic book: adapting script pages into visual mediums.
In the below sequence, see how artist Travel Foreman took Jeff Lemire’s haunting text and amplified the stakes by creating stunning art that visually captures the terror of Buddy Baker’s situation. Notice how Animal Man’s face shifts from seemingly having control of what’s going on to his urgent need for answers.
“Jeff and Travel have created the perfect hybrid of genres with ANIMAL MAN,” said DC Comics Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras. “They’ve blended together elements of super-hero stories and horror stories to create exactly the type of narratives we envisioned when we came up with The Dark. This book is full of mystery and drama and really makes you want to know what happens next. Plus the art is truly amazing. It’s a fantastic book and I can’t wait to see where it goes.”
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Yesterday, we gave you an exclusive behind-the-scenes first look at one of the first steps in the creation of ANIMAL MAN #1 by showing you selections of series writer Jeff Lemire’s original proposal.
Today, take a sneak peek at select pages of the script for the series’ debut issue, in stores September 7th. This sequence sets up the series’ first story arc and demonstrates Jeff’s new take on the story of Animal Man: one that straddles the line between super-hero and horror story. Furthermore, Jeff’s notes also set up the outstanding creative partnership between himself and artist Travel Foreman.
Without further ado, check out pages #9-12 of the script for ANIMAL MAN #1.
ANIMAL MAN #1
THE HUNT PART 1: WARNING FROM THE RED
PAGE 9.
9.1
Closer on Buddy, he turns to Krenshaw.
1. BUDDY: Let me handle this.
2. KRENSHAW: I don’t know, A-Man…all those kids.
3. BUDDY: Trust me…
9.2
Cut inside the children’s ward of the hospital. Kids are huddled together in their beds, terrified. Nurses and doctors try to comfort him. Edwin is at the window, holding his gun to the Doctor.
4. (CAPTION) ANIMAL MAN: …let me talk to this guy.
5. EDWIN: Just back off! All I want is my little girl and we’ll get out of here and I’ll let the rest go!
9.3
The doors to the Children’s Ward swing open and ANIMAL MAN enters. Buddy holds his hands up as if to show he’s unarmed. Edwin swings around pointing the gun at him.
6. EDWIN: Who the hell are you!?
7. ANIMAL MAN: Just calm down. Why don’t you put the gun down and we’ll figure this out…
8. EDWIN: No way! Just get them to back off!
9.4
Closer on Animal Man. He pulls back his mask and goggles.
9. ANIMAL MAN: Look, man, I know you’re in pain…I know you lost your little girl. I have a daughter too…
9.5
Buddy approaches Edwin, cautiously, his hands still up. Edwin’s losing it, nervous and twitchy.
10. EDWIN: They got her here somewhere! I just want her back!
11. BUDDY: Mr. Edwin…Lyle, please…you must know that’s not true. I know it’s hard to accept.
9.6
Close on Edwin, he suddenly opens fire, interrupting Buddy’s speech half way through.
12. BUDDY (op): But putting the rest of these kids in danger isn’t going to bring her ba--!
13. EDWIN: I said stay back!
14. SFX: BLAM! BLAM!
PAGE 10.
Splash.
Buddy is taken aback as the bullets hit him square on the chest, bouncing off.
He has instinctually reached out with his powers trying to connect with any animal that might protect him from the blast.
So the background fades away and Buddy is surrounded by images of animals of all kinds all around him.
1. (CAPTION) BUDDY: Instinctually, I reach out with my powers, desperately trying to connect with any animal that will protect me from the blast.
2. (CAPTION) BUDDY: My consciousness slips into The Life Web and darts around madly…searching…
3. (CAPTION) BUDDY: Rat, no…dog, no…fish no…
4. (CAPTION) BUDDY: Rhino….RHINO!
PAGE 11.
11.1
Buddy leaps through the air towards Edwin, fists clenched and barking angrily.
1. (CAPTION) BUDDY: This man is troubled. He’s experienced loss that I can barely fathom. But now he’s also endangered all these innocent children…and I can’t allow that.
2. (CAPTION) BUDDY: I grab my favorite “action hero” cocktail of animal abilities…
3. (CAPTION) BUDDY: Strength of an elephant, reflexes of a fly, speed of a cheetah…
4. (CAPTION) BUDDY: And the bark of a dog. That one always freaks them out.
5. BUDDY: BARK! BARK!
11.2
Buddy hauls off and punches Edwin with the might of an elephant. Edwin flies back, slamming into the wall, his gun falls from his hand.
6. (CAPTION) BUDDY: Truth is, I hate violence. I wish I could help this man. If I ever lost Cliff or Maxine…I’d…
7. (CAPTION) BUDDY: No, don’t think about that. I can’t help him. Not now. So I just need to stop him.
8. SFX: THWAM!
11.3
Buddy crouches by Edwin, who holds his jaw, cowering and sobbing on the floor. We only see A-Man from behind here.
9. EDWIN: I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I just want her back.
10. BUDDY: I know…I know. It’s going to be okay.
11.4
We see Krenshaw enter the room behind Buddy with a Swat Team. Buddy turns to them, so that again we only see him from behind. Depending on the angle, maybe we see the first hint of blood coming from his ear, but it should be subtle not to tip our hand too soon.
11. KRENSHAW: A-Man! Is he --
12. BUDDY: Everyone’s okay.
11.5
Buddy stands before Krenshaw, his back to us. Two cops haul Edwin away. The Doctors tend to the children, trying to calm them.
Krenshaw’s face falls. He stares at A-Man in shock.
12. BUDDY: That man needs help, Detective. I hope you can --
13. BUDDY: Detective Krenshaw? What’s wrong?
11.6
Close on Krenshaw, still shocked and dumbfounded he manages to point to his own eyes.
14. KRENSHAW: Animal Man…your eyes!
PAGE 12.
12.1
Larger Panel: Reverse to Buddy. He reaches up, touching his cheek. Blood runs from his eyes and ears, down his face. Buddy freezes in shock.
1. KRENSHAW: A-Man?
2. KRENSHAW: You okay?
3. BUDDY: I—I don’t know…
12.2
Krenshaw puts his hand on Buddy’s shoulder, and yells to a doctor nearby.
4. KRENSHAW: (yelling) We need a doctor here!
This week on THE SOURCE, we’ll be providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the upcoming titles from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, the highly anticipated ANIMAL MAN.
Today, we’re going to kick off these posts by showing you highlights from Jeff Lemire’s original proposal for the series. Keep in mind that this is not the entire proposal and that some of the information has been redacted, but there are spoilers nonetheless. So if you want your reading experience to be spoiler free, please stop reading now.
For everybody else, keep checking back with THE SOURCE throughout the week as we tease and show you more of ANIMAL MAN #1.
ANIMAL MAN monthly series, September 2011
Talent:
Jeff Lemire, writer
TBD, artist
The high concept: Family man or superman? With the power to absorb the traits of any animal Buddy Baker has made a career as a part-time superhero. But when his young daughter begins to develop incredibly dangerous powers of her own, the Bakers will have to give up their quiet suburban life and go on the run across America.
The Cast:
BUDDY BAKER: Animal Man. Father, husband and part-time superhero.
ELLEN BAKER: Buddy’s supportive wife. Her strength keeps the family together.
CLIFF BAKER: 12-year old son, rebellious and jealous of his sister.
MAXINE BAKER: 8-year old daughter. Possibly the next avatar of The Red and the most dangerous living creature on Earth.
THE TOTEMS: CONFIDENTIAL
THE HUNTERS: CONFIDENTIAL
SOCKS: Avatar of The Red from the 1950’s.
Overview:
Buddy Baker's superhero career is a part-time concern at best. And aside from flirting with an acting career in arthouse indie films, Buddy seems to be doing little to pull in a steady income, putting undo stress on his already tumultuous marriage. To make matters worse, Buddy and Ellen’s young daughter, 8-year old Maxine, is exhibiting incredible and dangerous powers, powers she’s too young to understand or control.
Outline:
For our purposes we’ll skim over all of his involvement in 52 and Countdown. That stuff happened, but let’s move on and get back to Buddy as a suburban family man, rather than cosmic globetrotter.
Basically we start with Buddy’s best days as a superhero behind him. But, Buddy has found a bit of a second life. His past exploits, his politics and his involvement in various animal rights groups have made him something of a hipster icon. The young, left wing college crowd has latched onto the image of Animal Man as if he were something of an indie/alt icon of the 90’s. Unfortunately, that really isn’t helping to pay the bills.
As our series opens Buddy is actually reading an interview he did in a “Believer-type” magazine at the kitchen table as Ellen makes diner (the first page of the first issue is actually an excerpt from this interview, complete with the little illustrated headshot of Buddy, which catches readers up on Buddy’s recent past and his lessening involvement in super heroics, and his re-emergence within youth culture). There is clearly stress in their marriage. Buddy is doing little to help make ends meet and Ellen’s career as an illustrator is drying up.
We establish their quiet suburban life and routine and reintroduce readers to their three kids: Cliff, is now fourteen, anti-social and rebellious. Maxine is an introverted and shy ten-year old, and four-year old Josie is clearly the apple of Buddy’s eye.
As our story begins, Maxine begins to develop powers of her own. Buddy tries his best to help Maxine, but instead he accidentally sets into motion an ancient evil that will send The Baker family on the run across the dark and dangerous underbelly of modern America and right into the hands of [CLASSIFIED]. And there may be only one being who can save them...Alec Holland.
During today’s Designing the New DCU 52 panel at SDCC, attendees were invited to see how characters are designed to how they end up looking in the final pages of a comic book. Below, take a look at the art we showed during this presentation for such titles as ALL-STAR WESTERN, ANIMAL MAN, BATGIRL, BIRDS OF PREY, THE FLASH, GREEN ARROW, THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN, I, VAMPIRE, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS, SUICIDE SQUAD, SUPERBOY, SUPERGIRL, SUPERMAN and TEEN TITANS.
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During today’s panel for The Dark and The Edge at SDCC, we premiered art from ANIMAL MAN, BLACKHAWKS, DEATHSTROKE, FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E., JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, MEN OF WAR, OMAC, RESURRECTION MAN, SUICIDE SQUAD, SWAMP THING, I, VAMPIRE, and VOODOO. Click through the gallery to see all this new art.
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We’re just one month after the announcement of the books in the “Dark” group of DC Comics--The New 52. There's a lot of mystery surrounding these titles and the solicitations for the second issues offer another round of questions to keep fans guessing: Can the Justice League Dark turn against one of their own? Was Alec Holland wrong about Swamp Thing’s origins? What is the S.O.M.B.I.E. appearing in FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.? Will Mitch Shelly, a.k.a. Resurrection Man, find the answers he’s looking for about his past? Find out all of these and more when the below books hit shelves this October.
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by MIKEL JANIN
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Madame Xanadu continues guiding the world’s darkest heroes in their struggle against evil. But will John Constantine, Zatanna, Shade the Changing Man and the others be able to join forces in time to defeat the dangerous Enchantress before she destroys the world as we know it?
SWAMP THING #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Alec Holland thought he knew the history of the Swamp Thing – but he was wrong. The creature’s roots run deeper than he knows, and the Parliament of Trees intends to make him understand the responsibility he wants so desperately to avoid! With this issue, the mythology of the Swamp Thing branches out in ways you never saw coming – don’t miss it!
ANIMAL MAN #2
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Maxine’s new abilities continue to terrify Ellen and Buddy Baker, and things take a turn for the worse as Buddy begins a startling transformation of his own that will lead him on a journey into the heart of The Red. Meanwhile, The Hunters Three arrive on Earth and set their sights on the Baker family. The Hunt is on as DC’s most surprising new series continues to take ANIMAL MAN in shocking new directions.
FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #2
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s all-out war as Frankenstein and his new field team, The Creature Commandos, uncover an age-old conspiracy at the heart of Bone Lake – one that will see them suit up as the world’s first “Necronauts,” traveling between worlds and through “dead space,” toward the mysterious Monster Planet. Meanwhile, the horrifying origins of the Commandos are revealed – and the S.O.M.B.I.E. makes its first appearance!
RESURRECTION MAN #2
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Mitch Shelley’s past remains a mystery. So when he goes looking for answers, will he find them? Not likely, when he has to contend with the bounty hunter femme fatales known as The Body Doubles.
I, VAMPIRE #2
Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO
Cover by JENNY FRISON
On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
True love becomes divine hatred between the Queen of Blood and Andrew, as her vampires begin their attacks across the country. Their past behind them, they find themselves ready to battle to the death... If those feelings really are all gone. Surrounded by swarms of bloodthirsty vamps, Andrew must confront his immortal beloved in a blood-soaked battle he can’t win.
DEMON KNIGHTS #2
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The siege that will reverberate through history to the present-day DCU begins as the Demon Etrigan and his unlikely lover, Madame Xanadu, face the Horde! What five (mostly) noble souls would be crazy enough to join them? The cover gives but a hint, and the point could well be moot by the time this issue’s done. For the Horde is armed with the magic of Mordru – including some decidedly different dragons!
