Artist Francis Manapul has done a stellar run on THE FLASH series with Geoff Johns. Want more of Francis' artwork and speedsters? We've got the exclusive first look at the stunning cover to FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #3 he did with colorist Brian Buccellato.
Want to know more about FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST? Then check out Newsarama's exclusive interview with writer Sterling Gates.
When you read a comic book, you expect danger. You expect the stakes to be high and for there to be a threat - a challenge that the hero may or may not be able to overcome. You expect to see something you've never seen before. In some ways, it's a little bit like going to the circus.
In FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS, writer J.T. Krul tosses Boston Brand and Dick Grayson into the center of the ring. We reached out to J.T. for some initial thoughts on the series:
"Getting a chance to write Boston Brand and Dick Grayson in their original element - the circus - was reason enough to sign for the FLASHPOINT project. But there was another perk - research. This story gave me the opportunity to interview a real trapeze artist who spent time with a traveling circus and now instructs others in the craft. Richie Gaona not only offered some insight into the heart and mind of a trapeze artist, but he also gave me the chance to actually try it for myself. True, I was harnessed in the whole time, but I climbed the ladder, grabbed the bar, and took a swing. It was awesome. Although, I probably won't have Dick or Boston squealing in fear like I was. They live up in the air."
Illustrating the first issue of this series is the hugely talented up-and-coming artist Mikel Janin. Below, take a first look at some of Mikel's interior art and see how it evolves from his pencils to his inks to be ultimately topped off by Ulises Arreola's masterful coloring.
FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1 swings into stores June 15th.
If ever there was a character destined to achieve cult status, it's the Canterbury Cricket. Rags Morales, the fan-favorite artist behind FIRST WAVE and the legendary IDENTITY CRISIS, gives a visual guide to one of the strangest characters in mainstream comics.
Below, take a first sneak peek at Rags' exciting interior art for FLASHPOINT: CANTERBURY CRICKET #1 before you see the final version when the issue hits stores next month:
Awesome, right? Series writer Mike Carlin thought so too:
"Rags Morales and Rick Bryant have outdone themselves on CANTERBURY CRICKET #1-- not only introducing the cursed (or blessed?) title character-but showing the FLASHPOINT universe's own Ambush Bugs in action for the first (last?) time! They're all here: Firefly! Queen Bee! Blue Beetle! And the mysterious Cockroach! With the Cricket by their side they intend to infiltrate this Invisible Planes' hangar stronghold-- before the Amazonian invaders can enact their failsafe plan to keep the United Kingdom out of Atlantean hands-- or die trying!"
Mera was unarguably one of the breakout stars of last year's BLACKEST NIGHT event and her evolving story was central to BRIGHTEST DAY. Today, she's a fan-favorite character. So what's FLASHPOINT got in store for her?
Here's what Tony Bedard had to say:
"Mera's at the heart of the issue's big mystery, namely, 'Why did Aquaman drown Western Europe?' Answering that question will reveal Aquaman's origins, the change in his childhood that led him to become such a heartless despot, and the tragedy that spurs him to sink a whole continent."
Head on over to Newsarama for an exclusive interview with Bedard.
The Batman is an iconic and dark creature of the night who inhabits a world of noir sensibilities. A figure cloaked in mystery, he's a man of action and few words.
Brian Azzarello is a New York Times bestselling author who writes great noir dialogue and riveting crime stories. Like his protagonist in the upcoming FLASHPOINT: BATMAN, KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE, he too is a man of few words. So when he weighs in with something to say, it's always worth listening. Here's Brian on the FLASHPOINT mini series he's creating with his longtime 100 BULLETS collaborator Eduardo Risso:
"It's invigorating for us to be working on Batman again. If you like your Knight dark, well, we might have the darkest Knight you've ever seen. This story goes in some really grim places. You'll be picking your jaw off the floor."
Head on over to Newsarama for more on FLASHPOINT: BATMAN, KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE and an exclusive interview with Brian.
USA Today ran a feature today on the making of FLASHPOINT, as part of their coverage of Free Comic Book Day.
Head on over to their website to read creator and editorial commentary and to get an insider's pass to the creation of the series. And while you're there, be sure to also click on the image slideshow to see a gallery of stunning art, including Andy Kubert's process piece of the first two-page spread of the series, character designs, and all three of the first issue's covers.
FLASHPOINT #1, in stores next week, is written by Geoff Johns and is illustrated by Andy Kubert and Sandra Hope and colored by Alex Sinclair.
When you rush to Free Comic Book Day, you’ll be picking up a copy of the second chapter in Geoff Johns’ GREEN LANTERN: SECRET ORIGIN. You’ll be super excited to see an exclusive first preview of FLASHPOINT #1. But what will your kids be reading?
In addition to the GREEN LANTERN title, we’ll also be releasing a super sampler featuring two all-new, exclusive YOUNG JUSTICE and BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD stories by the regular creators of the monthly series. In YOUNG JUSTICE, Psycho-Pirate will figure out a way to weaken the team by manipulating their emotions and causing them all to doubt their abilities. And since much of FLASHPOINT centers around the world of forensics detective Barry Allen, it is only fitting that BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD zooms in on the friendship he has with Batman, the world’s greatest detective.
Don’t forget to pick up copies of these two titles for yourself and your family on Free Comic Book Day this May 7th.
It was recently announced on LA TIMES/Hero Complex that Geoff Johns, the superstar writer of the ongoing GREEN LANTERN and THE FLASH comic book series, will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day with two signings in LA this Saturday May 7th.
Geoff will be signing copies of the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY GREEN LANTERN Special Edition comic book which includes a classic chapter of GREEN LANTERN SECRET ORIGIN.
The FREE COMIC BOOK DAY GREEN LANTERN Special Edition comic book also includes the very first preview of FLASHPOINT, this summer's eagerly anticipated super hero mini series in which "everything you know will change in a Flash." The series has been shrouded in mystery since it was first announced and Saturday will be the very first time fans will have a look at the series.
Geoff will be at Earth-2 Comics in Los Angeles, CA from 12:00-2:00pm at the Sherman Oaks location (15017 Ventura Blvd.) and 3:30-5:30 pm at the Northridge location (8967 Reseda Blvd.).
Today, I’ve already shown you process pieces for the cover and first page of FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1.
Below you will see the evolution of the cover to FLASHPOINT: REVERSE FLASH #1. With each step in the process coming into fruition, everything from the Reverse Flash’s sinister grin to the signature icons of DC’s greatest superheroes getting tossed aside in the background becomes more detailed and pronounced, resulting in this awesome, collaborative final product.
1. Let’s begin with the initial sketch:
2. Followed by Ardian Syaf’s pencils:
3. Then Vicente Cifuentes provides depth with his no leaks inks:
4. And as the last hoorah, Kyle Ritter adds color as the ultimate step:
And in other FLASHPOINT news, be sure to head on over to Comic Book Resources for an interview with FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN writer Peter Milligan, as well as to IGN for an exclusive interview with series creator and mastermind, Geoff Johns.
Earlier today, I gave you a step-by-step visual rundown of how a script page turns into a final piece of art. Now I want to show you two more process pieces by breaking out a couple covers. Let’s start with the cover to FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 – the same issue I gave you a sneak peek of this morning.
Covers tend to be tricky because not only does the artist need to capture the essence and themes of the whole book, but they also have to be careful not to reveal any spoilers. For these reasons, FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 is the perfect example of a successful cover. Looking at it, you certainly don’t get the impression that Aquaman is, to put it lightly, the nicest guy. He’s a warrior – one with attitude. He towers over a scene of destruction with his trident glimmering and ready for battle. So while the cover does not reveal any plot-specific spoilers, the overall feel of the book is made very evident upon first glance at it.
1. It all starts with a rough sketch based on brainstorming ideas about what the cover could look like.
2. Next, penciller Ardian Syaf takes this sketch and provides more detail and context.
3. Vicente Cifuentes then expertly layers on his inks.
4. And to conclude the process, Kyle Ritter fills in the inks with eye-popping colors.
Pretty cool stuff, right?
Tons and tons of work goes into this process. This is world-building one page at a time. Head on over to Comic Book Resources for two exclusive interviews with FLASHPOINT creators Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and Scott Snyder & Lowell Francis for a more in depth breakdown of these processes (and for some sneak peeks at the FLASHPOINT titles they’re working on).
