More "BATMAN 1972"

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   Hello Pulp Friends,

  My take on a 70s style Batploitation has been so popular (with thousands of notes on Tumblr and other social media) that I decided to do some more BATMAN 1972!

   Pictured today we have (above) a trailer style COMING SOON (a movie of this would be EXTRA COOL :)), Lieutenant Jim Gordon (with period appropriate 'stache ;)) and (here on the right) Ed Nygma AKA The Riddler.

   I have also been developing a bit more of that story pitch for a possible Elseworlds. If that ever happens you guys are gonna dig it big time, I promise :)

   Meanwhile I hope you dig the new additions to this Batploitation.
 
   Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday and Happy Mother's Day, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

"BATMAN 1972"

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Hello Pulp Friends,

     I believe early '70s exploitation/grindhouse genres qualify as PULP, don't you all agree? :)

   I have been tinkering recently with a take on Batman set in that 70s styling. So, this Sunday, I give you BATMAN 1972!

   To keep him in "the part", my Batman smokes, wear a leather coat and a turtleneck, and drives a cool 70s BatMobile (an OldsMobile maybe? ;) I still need to decide on brand and model :))

   I even have already a story pitch that could make for a cool Elseworlds or "out of continuity" GN. (I am keeping that pitch "secret" for now ;))

   Of course, as usually it happens in these cases, I start to flesh out all the other characters/stars of the story.
So following is a couple of takes on Selina Kyle, aka Foxy CATWOMAN.

   Yes, you are witnessing the first case of BATPLOITATION. Hope ya dig it :)

   I might be doing/posting more...

Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

More from "CRIMSON HARVEST"

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Hello Pulp Friends,

as promised, here some more "CRIMSON HARVEST", a story featuring The Batman I am putting together in my "spare" time.
Today's poster features also another famous bat-villain: KILLER CROC.

Hope you enjoy it and - of course- hit me back with feedback or requests for more if you want to see more :)

Cheers,
Francesco

CRIMSON HARVEST & Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

More on "The Batman's Crimson Harvest"

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Hello Pulp Friends,

superbusy with Swamp Thing and The Black Beetle (with a Shadow and a Spider cover thrown in for good measure) this week so I hope you will forgive me if I re-air this old idea I have about a pulp story with The Batman titled "THE CRIMSON HARVEST".
I have been giving some serious thought to it lately and most likely I should start to work on some layouts - what do you guys think? :)

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone.

Cheers,
Francesco

CRIMSON HARVEST & Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #879 Cover

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Hello Pulp Friends,

Cover Week continues with DETECTIVE COMICS #879 cover.
This issue will be on sale in July (see solicitation details below)and again fully illustrated by yours truly :)
If you have been reading the latest issues (#875 in particular), you will recognize that item our beloved Commissioner is holding in his hand.

I am not saying anything else except don't forget to pick up Detective Comics #876 in stores today. It's the first part of a new 3-issue arc, HUNGRY CITY, that will reveal new villains in the Gotham landscape and will add more details to the James JR storyline.
Written by mastermind Scott Snyder and illustrated by Jock and David Baron :)

And here's the solicits for #879, on sale in July.
DETECTIVE COMICS #879
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

For years, Jim Gordon has been tormented by the possibility that his son, James Jr., might be a killer. Tonight, he'll get the answers he's been after. But is the truth about James even darker than the Commissioner, or even Batman, could have guessed?

On sale July 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

What If... An Easter Carol

Click on the images for the larger VIEW!!! ;)







Hello Pulp Friends,

Hope everyone is having a Happy and Pulpy Easter :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All Artwork © 2006-2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #875 Preview

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Hello Pulp Friends,

Here's the first page of Detective Comics #875, out in every comic shop tomorrow.
Hope you guys enjoy it and don't forget to pick up your copy :)

Cheers,
Francesco

DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Edited by Mike Marts, Janelle Asselin, Katie Kubert
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
“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 © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

A look inside Detective #875

Hello Pulp Friends,

Only 2 days to the release of Detective Comics #875, def the Scott Snyder/ Francesco Francavilla's MUST HAVE Detective book. I got my comps today and I can't wait for you all to dig into it :)

Today's offering: A look at a detail from a double spread in #875 and, below, the (half inked) layout of the spread.

Hope you guys enjoy it and don't forget to pick up your copy this Wed :)

Cheers,
Francesco


~ Click on the images for a closer look ~

DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Edited by Mike Marts, Janelle Asselin, Katie Kubert
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
“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 © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

James JR. Revealed

~ Click on the images for a closer look ~

Hello Pulp Friends,

A week from today, on Wed March 30th, Detective Comics #875 will be in stores. It's, without doubts, the best issue I have done with Scott on Detective so far, and def one of the best book I have done in quite some time.

The story is self contained, so it can be read/enjoyed without needing to know that much (well, I am assuming everyone knows who Gordon is, and by now you may also know he has an estranged son, James JR. ;)). The book is only 22 pages but, trust me, it feels a 30 or more page long book. It's an excellent read and has a couple of pretty pictures in it as well ;)

Ok, enough gushuing about it, I wanted just to let you know I will be posting a few things until the book release next week. Hope you enjoy it and hope you will tell to your local comic shop to save a copy for you while you are shopping today or this week :)

Today's offering: the last splash page from Detective 874 teasing at the upcoming story in #875.

Cheers,
Francesco

DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Edited by Mike Marts, Janelle Asselin, Katie Kubert
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
“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 © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

More of "The BATMAN, 1935"

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Hello Pulp Friends,

I just wanted to share a little more of THE BATMAN 1935 concept story.
It looks like this guy and look is clicking with many fans, so I guess I am on the right path :)
More (hopefully) soon.

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

"Crimson Harvest"

~~ Click on the image for poster size! ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

Since everyone seemed to enjoy the concept art for BATMAN 1935 (a pulp noir tale, not a steampunk thing, as I read on some websites ;)), here's another concept art from another story I have in my bat-case file cabinet: "CRIMSON HARVEST".

Hope ya dig it 'cause I this one is a bit special for me :)

Have a great Pulp SUnday everyone.

Cheers,
Francesco

CRIMSON HARVEST & Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

The BATMOBILE, 1935

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Hello Pulp Friends,

Playing a little more with this story/concept :)
Hope you enjoy the above car design (click for the bigger size)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

The BATMAN, 1935

~~ Click on the image for poster size! ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

I have been messing with a Batman story set in the 30s for a while now, and decided to share some of the concept art I have done (above). Especially now with the news coming from ECCC that DC is planning a new season of Wednesday Comics, I feel even more inspired to develop a little more this story, fully packed work schedule permitting. ;)
Speaking of, I hope you guys picked up Detective Comics #874 last week: it's getting tons of supernice reviews from everyone and that makes me very happy because Scott and I did even better in #875, out later this month. More on that when we get closer to the release :)

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the above poster (click for the bigger size) and wish you all a wonderful Pulp Sunday :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

The Stakeout

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Hello Pulp Friends,

How about a little piece of Noir courtesy of Commissioner Gordon and Detective Comics #875? :)
Hope you guys dig the sneak peek at the layout for this page.

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective #874 & #875

~ 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

Everyone Loves Detective

(click on the above image for a bigger reading experience ;))

Hi guys,

Detective Comics #871 (with the brand new team of Scott Snyder on the story, and Jock, David Baron, and me on art chores, all under the great supervision of editors Mike Marts and Janelle Siegel) come out last week and since then reviews are poring in and the verdict seems to be the same: Detective is the Bat book you must buy :D
Check these reviews out :) (click on links to read the reviews)

iFanboy: 5 out of 5!

TECHLAND: I like the new look of Detective a lot--two schools of European cartooning in just one book!

CBR

Crave OnLine: t’s hard to read Detective Comics #871 and not feel like a new era is upon us. With only one issue, Snyder and the team of artists have established a very new take on Dick Grayson, Jim Gordon, and their relationship with Gotham City. If you don’t love absolutely everything the new Detective Comics, there’s something fundamentally wrong with the way you view art.

Newsarama Best Shots Extra

Multiversity Comics: I can't say enough about this book. From top to bottom, from the writing to the art to the editing to everything else, this book is simply one of the best big two superhero books of the year. 9.8

The Outhousers

Read/Rant: A-

Comics And... : Overall Grade A + - If you aren’t reading this book you are missing what could become a classic.

Paradox Comics Group: the Vertigo sophistication and sensibility being applied to the DC Universe [..] 8/10

Comic Attack!: I highly recommend it!

The Weekly Crisis: Must Read. You are going to want to be in on the ground floor for what’s going to be a great year for Batman. this reads like Dashiell Hammett’s take on the character and the city.

Weekly Comic Book Review: Snyder “get’s it” and is writing a uniquely Dick Grayson detective story. Jock and Francavilla are delivering awesome art. Must read! A-

Gotham Knights Online: Jock and Francesco’s artwork matches Snyders writing perfectly and [..] puts Detective Comics at the top of the pile for Batman titles currently out there. 5/5

Heroes Online: Atmospheric and intelligent, an excellent start for this title’s new direction.

There is plenty more reviews posted in the last days and more coming out this week, but you get the idea... :)
Thanks everyone for the support: I, Scott, Jock, David, Mike, Janelle, and all the DC COmics gang really appreciate all the bat-love you guys are throwing our way :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics

Detective Comics #874 Cover

~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

Cover Week continues with DETECTIVE COMICS #874 cover.
Tune in tomorrow for a "making of DC #874 Cover" look and some extra content about my work on Detective :)
Meanwhile here's the solicits for 874 (as they will appear in December Previews for Feb release) and don't miss the first issue of the new Detective arc (#871) by Scott Snyder, Jock & David Baron on the feature, and me on the Commissioner Gordon co-feature, on sale on Nov 24th, only 2 weeks from now :)

DETECTIVE COMICS #874
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

“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 FEBRUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla

Skeleton Cases

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

with great excitement I can finally reveal that I will be part of the new Detective Comics creative team, along with talented writer Scott "American Vampire" Snyder, talented artist Jock (of Losers fame and phenomenal cover artist of one of my fave book, SCALPED), talented colorist David Baron, and super editor Mike Marts and assistant editor Janelle Siegel.
I will be drawing the co-feature focusing on Commissioner Gordon and a mysterious but dangerous figure from his past. It's gonna be a thrilling arc!

Couldn't be more excited about this.

Here's a link tot he DC annoucement and below is a shot Gordon story I did for the occasion :)

Book is slated for November relase: will make sure to give more details as we get closer :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

"The Laughing Corpse" (Mar 10, 1940)

"You Will Laugh but not from Joy, You Will Laugh and the Laugh Will Be the Laugh of Death"
This note is the one-way ticket to the land of the dead for those unfortunate victims of this week episode of the Shadow. Once again, we are dealing with a scientist gone mad (or bad - most of the times it's both). Revenge is what is pushing the killer in developing a poison that leaves the victims with a big "grin" on their faces (the chemical affects some of the facial muscles, as it is explained by The Shadow).

It's interesting how this Modus Operandi is the same adopted for the Joker in the Batman stories (which will debut later that year). We can't really tell for sure if Batman creators were inspired by this episode, but killing people by making them "laughing" to death is not a very common cause of death, not even in today world ;)

Enjoy the show and have a great (pulp) Sunday!

Francesco

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