~ Above: The making of #874 cover: layout & inks - Click on the images for a closer look ~
Hello Pulp Friends,
this week has seen the release of Detective Comics #873 with part 3 (and conclusion) of the Black Mirror story, Scott Snyder's and Jock's first critically acclaimed arc on Detective. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you better do it soon cause they are selling out (once again!)
With the book out, I have read about lots of people wondering what happened to the co-feature, "SKELETON CASES", I was illustrating. Part 3 was supposed to be in 873 but it wasn't, fans noted. Some wondered if the co-feature has been killed because of the new format and reduced price tag of $2.99.
To help to clear some of this confusion, I thought to dedicate this post to SKELETON CASES and what's coming up in Detective.
~ Above: An intense moment between Jim Gordon and his estranged son James Jr. ~
With the new format there was no room for the initially planned co-feature in 873. For that reason we all decided to move pt 3 of Skeleton Cases to #874. So, next issue (out in February), will see the conclusion of SKELETON CASES in the first half of the book, and the second half will have a little Batman tale - featuring guest star Red Robin - that is a bridge between the first and second Snyder-Jock arc.
The whole issue is written by Scott and entirely illustrated by me.
~ Above: Batman and special guest Red Robin study the adversary... ~
And in March we will have Detective #875, (see below) a full issue dedicated to a Jim Gordon story, a "hardcore cold case mystery" that has been haunting him since Jr was a little kid. And speaking of Jr., we will find out more about him in this issue.
This will be written by Scott and - again - illustrated entirely by me.
I read the script and it's a chilling story, so you guys don't want to miss it, trust me :)
Detective #876 in April will see the first part of a 3 issue arc with Jock and David Baron back to art duties: hints of this new arc are in the short story that will be in Detective 874 next month.
I (and Gordon and Jr.) will be back on the pages of Detective after this arc.
And that's it for now: hope you guys have a clearer idea of what's ahead and hope to see you on board for the whole run: Scott is a talented writer and it's making this a hell of a run: Jock, David, and I are all happy to be on board with this and you can tell :)
Hope you enjoy the making of the cover for 874 above and below are the solicits for #874 and #875.
Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone :)
Cheers,
Francesco
DETECTIVE COMICS #874
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~
Gordon faces James Jr. in the conclusion of the 3-part SKELETON CASES arc. Meanwhile Batman - and guest star Red Robin - gets a little taste of a new menace for Gotham City while still dealing with the after effects of the Black Mirror arc!
On sale FEBRUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~
“There are some cases that come screaming back at you…like phone calls in the night…”
For years, Jim Gordon has been haunted by the unsolved case of Gotham’s notorious
“Peter Pan Killer.” Now, armed with new evidence, Gordon is determined to put the case to rest.
But as he digs deeper, he’ll unearth a shocking discovery about his own past – a revelation that will shake him to the core. Skeletons will be exposed and secrets revealed in this special issue featuring art by Francesco Francavilla!
On sale March 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla
10 comments:
Thank you for the information, Mister Francavilla. I was disappointed not to see the conclusion in 873, but seeing all that is coming has me much more pleased than I was disappointed! Very excited! Thank you, and thank you to DC as well!
Man, what an amazing post! This is exactly why you are one my top artists today. I need to ask, do you do your own coloring work? It's all so eerie and not boring, (if that makes any sense?) everything has a tonal uniqueness. Just awesome!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers
Can you explain to me how you turn out such high quality work at such a crazy speed? You're still on this AND Black Panther, no?
You disgust me in all the right ways, sir. :)
Soz un capooo!
Like Astro, I too am curious as to how you can be so fast! There are very few artists of your caliber that can keep a monthly pace, but somehow you make it with a much heftier workload. The only other person even close as far as I know, is Romita, Jr.
Thank you so much for the kind words, everyone, I really appreciate it :)
JC: I hope you picked up 873 - it's a great issue and contains elements that will be played in 874 as well
BRAO: yes, I have been coloring myself for a while now, glad you like the colors :)
Astro & Matthew: I wish there was a simple answer like "it's magic" ;) but the truth is that it's the result of many things: always been fast and a natural (no art training whatsoever here) at drawing, heck I was drawing before I even learned to write and read; a very planned out schedule and - most importantly - a dedication to stick with it; finally no distractions (I don't own any videogames or other time consuming devices ;))
There is a little more than that (like not everything that comes out it's done at the same time - I just worked on a cover that will be out in 6 months) but that's pretty much why I am able to be this productive.
Of course I do need breaks to re-charge every now and then: after all... I am not a robot ;)
CHeers,
Francesco
I did not pick up 873 as I was reading them primarily for your story-telling. I will pick it up, though. The power of suggestion...
It is interesting to read that you have no formal art training--you have a wonderful gift with telling the story, and to know that you have developed this talent through your own activity is all the more impressive. Or perhaps that is a factor in what sets you apart in the industry, you do not have the training that teaches how to draw "still life" so you are much more able to freely release the flow of life from your sequences and people. I am artistically void so I have no authority or experience from which to speak, but I know what I like when I see it, and you are one of the two people I believe are best able to not only arrange scenes not only in order but in and of themselves such that the story flows more naturally than the written word. And you are able to release life from the people in your scenes and splash pages more powerfully. I doubt all that makes sense as I don't have the language of art with which to express my thoughts. Comments on art are always prisoner to the words and heart of "the beholder", but I can say what I behold is that you can release life with your pencils, and I want to take part in every story you tell. So, my hope is that you never play video games so you can tell more stories. Can't wait to see what you have with BP, Detective, and your own creator-owned story.
Wow, this actually answered all the questions I had about the next 2 issues of Detective. Glad I stopped by your website. I also wanted to say that I love your work and hope you get to stick around on Detective for a while. I really like what you and Snyder have going.
Detective 874 was chilling to me, I am a little scared to see what 875 brings. But, spectacular art and story. And since you will be back after the next arc, you should get double commission from DC as I would never have thought to join this title if you weren't on it. Now I'll be buying an arc sans you just to make sure I am in the know when you rejoin the tale.
You have some of the best sequential art in the comic industry, but your splash pages really stood out in 874 as well. The page with Jr.'s face and a few scenes was enrapturing. The double-splash with Batman is wonderful. You don't seem to worry about wowing people so much as drawing us into the scenes--too good. Can't wait for 875 (though I admit I am a little scared) and BP 516...and that creator owned tale to be named at a future date. YES.
I know in the grand scheme it doesn't matter, but DC still lists Jock as the artist for 875. I was thinking it seemed like too long since the last issue (nice to be anticipating a comic release) so checked for the release date and noticed the listing.
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