ARTIST STEVE PUGH TAKES ON ANIMAL MAN

Travel Foreman will be moving on from Buddy Baker’s ethereal adventures in The Rot, but ANIMAL MAN remains in good hands with artist Steve Pugh taking over illustration duties. Pugh is no stranger to Animal Man’s adventures, having drawn an extensive run of the character’s original series in the 1990s.

"For me, it's awesome to be returning to a book that was such a milestone in my creative life and with Jeff, a killer writer who's been punching ANIMAL MAN through the ceiling!” said Pugh. “Yeah, I was buying the book already but now I don't have to wait so long to find out what happens next!"

Pugh joins the Baker family full-time with ANIMAL MAN #9, in May. Check out the cover by Travel Foreman right here at The Source.

 

Tags: 
animal man, DC Comics-The New 52, steve pugh, travel foreman

ARTIST TRAVEL FOREMAN JOINS BIRDS OF PREY

With Jesus Saiz resurrected as Mitch Shelley’s ongoing illustrator, the BIRDS OF PREY need an artist up to the challenge of depicting Gotham City’s finest female fighters. Fresh from The Rot in ANIMAL MAN, artist Travel Foreman takes on urban decay alongside Black Canary, Batgirl, Katana, Poison Ivy and Starling. Beginning with issue #9 in May, the Birds face Talon and the Court of Owls in the epic “Night of the Owls” Bat-family crossover.

“ANIMAL MAN is one of my favorite books of The New 52, in no small part because of Travel’s awesome art,” said BIRDS OF PREY editor Bobbie Chase. “We’re really challenging him to go against his animal instincts in his first issue; from the woods to the city streets, from a single super character (OK, with family) to a team book, from one small corner of the DC universe right into the big Bat landscape. It’s going to be exciting!”

In the meantime, check out the cover to BIRDS OF PREY #9 (by Jesus Saiz) and a new Birds sketch by Foreman.

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Tags: 
bobbie chase, suicide squad, travel foreman

ANIMAL MAN: EVOLVE OR DIE T-shirt featuring art by Travel Foreman

Wish you could have your very own ANIMAL MAN T-shirt like the one pictured here in ANIMAL MAN issue #7 written by Jeff Lemire with art by Steve Pugh based on the cover to ANIMAL MAN issue #1 by Travel Foreman?

Well, now you can.

This ANIMAL MAN: EVOLVE OR DIE T-shirt featuring art by Travel Foreman will be available late February 2012 at comic specialty stores or directly through the Graphitti Designs website: www.graphittidesigns.com

And don’t forget to pick up ANIMAL MAN #7, Part 1 of "Animal vs. Man," on March 7th!

Tags: 
animal man, graphitti designs, jeff lemire, steve pugh, t-shirt, travel foreman

ANIMAL MAN #1 goes back to press…again!

(The cover to the fourth printing of ANIMAL MAN #1)

That’s right, ANIMAL MAN #1 goes back to press for a FOURTH printing!

ANIMAL MAN written by Jeff Lemire and with art by Travel Foreman, has become one of the most acclaimed series of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. Check out some of the praise below.

If you haven’t read issue #1 yet, now you still can!

“Stellar.” —IGN

“A solid, emotional, and thoroughly engaging book that is both complex enough to engage readers familiar with the characters, but simple enough to be new reader friendly. “Animal Man” stands out as one of the best books of the new DCU and it shows no signs of stopping.” —COMIC BOOK RESOURCES

“Powerful drama wrapped within a horror comic wrapped within a superhero story. This is a multi-layered artistic expression, the kind that elevates comics into the realm of literature.” —CRAVE

And for those of you who’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on issues 1-3, pick up ANIMAL MAN issue #4 tomorrow, as the secret history of The Red is revealed!

Head over to GAWKER's IO9 for a sneak peek at ANIMAL MAN #4, in stores tomorrow.

Tags: 
animal man, DC Comics-The New 52, Gawker's IO9, jeff lemire, travel foreman

MAXIM.COM’s Exclusive Preview of ANIMAL MAN #2

This afternoon, MAXIM.COM published their exclusive preview of the second issue of ANIMAL MAN, the critically acclaimed and fan favorite title from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. ANIMAL MAN #2, written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Travel Foreman, goes on sale tomorrow.

Haven’t picked up ANIMAL MAN yet? Check out what the critics have been saying:

On ANIMAL MAN:

“Travel Foreman's art is innovative and excellently creepy when it needs to be, and will hopefully get a lot of eyes as Lemire's everyman hero makes his mark in the new DC Universe.” – USA Today

“A profound meditation on consumer culture and the economy of disposability.” – PopMatters

“Animal Man has the sensational Jeff Lemire at the helm.” – Entertainment Weekly

“A strange, dark fantasy book with unpredictable plots and fantastic art.” – Complex Magazine

“Haunting…Travel Foreman provides sleek, meticulous art that grounds the book in reality, and he uses inventive page layouts during the scenes in the Baker home to create visual excitement where the situations are less fantastic…Animal Man is just a cool, odd character, grounded in the real world but still very much a superhero.” – The Onion AV Club

“I don’t want to overhype it, but if you don’t love it from the very first page, you’re not human.” – MTV Geek

“The best thing to come out of the DC relaunch. Absolutely knocked it out of the park…Gold stars for the creative team.” – io9

“Visceral and intriguing.” – SFX

“This book sets the benchmark.” – Comic Book Resources

“A great introduction to Animal Man for new readers, while also giving long-time fans something fresh to be excited about.” – IGN

“The character Jeff was meant to write. Lemire and Foreman did an amazing job.” – Ain’t It Cool News

“Well-crafted and bold.” – iFanboy, Pick of the Week

“Animal Man is one you can’t pass up.” – Bloody Disgusting, Pick of the Week

Tags: 
animal man, DC Comics-The New 52, jeff lemire, Maxim, travel foreman

“This book is very much a horror/superhero hybrid. As such, I'm able to take it in some very dark places.” – Jeff Lemire

(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.

Tags: 
animal man, DC Comics-The New 52, jeff lemire, travel foreman

Behind The Scenes of DC Comics-The New 52: Colored Pages from ANIMAL MAN #1

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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animal man, DC Comics-The New 52, Lovern Kindzierski, travel foreman

Behind The Scenes of DC Comics-The New 52: Pencilled pages from ANIMAL MAN #1

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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Tags: 
animal man, bob harras, Buddy Baker, DC Comics-The New 52, jeff lemire, travel foreman

Behind The Scenes of DC Comics-The New 52: Script Pages from ANIMAL MAN #1

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!

Tags: 
animal man, Buddy Baker, DC Comics-The New 52, jeff lemire, travel foreman

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