"Reign's End" (Black Panther #529 cover)

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Hello Pulp Friends,

above you can see the cover for Black Panther #529, out in February. This is also my last Black Panther cover for the time being since the series will end with issue 529, which concludes the Kingpin of Wakanda arc, the current arc written by David Liss and drawn by Shawn Martinbrough and Mike Avon Oeming. As mentioned earlier in here, this arc is another great noir, pulp tale of our hero set in NYC so I suggest everyone to pick it up until its conclusion in February.

I wanted also to say THANKS to David Liss, guest artist Jefte Palo, letterer Joe Caramagna, editors Bill Rosemann, John Denning, and Jon Moisan, and everyone at MARVEL, all a joy to work with, and a huge THANKS to all of YOU guys who loved and supported our book since day one - it has been a wonderful ride and hopefully will get together again in the future, like old friends, to tell more Panther tales :)

Until then, I'll see you all on the pages of Captain America and Bucky starting in December.

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

La Pantera Noir (Black Panther MDMA #526 & #527 Covers)

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Hello Pulp Friends,

above are my covers for Black Panther MDMA #526 and #527, both on sale in December. As you can see, I am keeping with my homage to classic noir/pulp magazine/movie posters, completed with title/taglines :)
Hope you guys dig it and can't wait to see what those insanely talented Shawn and Mike fellas will bring to the interiors.

Here's the solicits for these issues:
BLACK PANTHER: THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN ALIVE #526 & #527
Written by David Liss
Penciled by Shawn Martinbrough & Michael Avon Oeming
Covers by Francesco Francavilla

The war with the Kingpin heats up – with two issues hitting this month! Lady Bullseye and Typhoid Mary are out to kill T’Challa…time to call in Falcon and Luke Cage! The former King of Wakanda and the former Kingpin of crime wage in a deadly game, with the Panther’s homeland as the prize!

32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ …$2.99 (each)

Wish you all a wonderful Pulp Sunday :)
Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

C. and H. Private Investigations

Click on the image for the larger BIG POSTER!!! ;)


Hello Pulp Friends,

A couple of days ago I did the below illo for last week topic at Comic Twart. Since Calvin imagines so many adventures with his friend Hobbes, I imagined the hard-boiled duo you can see here.
C&H Private Investigations seems to really have clicked with lots of people to my surprise :)
Please note: C&H in C&H Private Investigations DOES NOT stand for Calvin and Hobbes. This duo is a complete different couple of characters, and the guy with the luchador mask is Hector, while the blondie is... well, please lemme know if you want to know more and I will be posting more here on Pulp Sunday :)

For now I hope you enjoy the new poster (above) about a new case for C&H Private Investigations: "THE SMOKING MAN".

Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

"C&H INVESTIGATIONS" & Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Click on the image for the larger BIG POSTER!!! ;)

CHILLS! THRILLS!! FEAR!!!

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Hello Pulp Friends,

Since I am up to my eyeballs working on 2 full books this month (and a few covers and illustrations as a side ;)), I hope it's cool with you all if I repost a couple of recent fake movie posters I did for Comic Twart, just in case there are a few Pulp friends here who don't follow that blog and might have missed these.

"WHO SHOT THE CHIEF" A Doom Patrol Murder Mystery

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The classic "whodunit" with a murder in an isolated mansion and only a small cast of possible murderers, a few suspects who each had a possible reason to kill the victim. That's right up Hitchcock's alley and would be cool to have the Doom Patrol crew as cast.

I think they are some of my best movie posters yet, but maybe I am biased with my own work, so I'll leave you the last word. :)
Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Black Panther Layouts

~~ Click on the above and below images for the preview ~~

Hello guys,

Black Panther TMWF #514 come out yesterday and early reviews are all agreeing: this new arc of Hell's Kitchen is a good one :)
For those who enjoy the "making of" I am posting some layouts from issue 513 (click on the above image).
Click on the below image for a 9 pages preview plus cover. Hope you guys pick up the book an enjoy the read :)




Here's MARVEL solicts for it:

Luke Cage guest stars as T'Challa's new adventure in NYC continues!

The former King of Wakanda has sworn to protect the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen, and while battling the mob is one thing, how does he stop a killer targeting innocent people?

It's a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, as T'Challa hunts ruthless new crime lord Vlad the Impaler, while Vlad concocts a desperate and bloody scheme to entrap the mysterious new vigilante that's ruining his plans.

T'Challa learns what it really means to be a man without fear.

Story by David Liss
Art by Francesco Francavilla
Cover by Simone Bianchi, Simone Peruzzi

Price: $2.99


Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla.
All Characters ™ and © 2010 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved.

LA PANTERA NERA!

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

Hello guys,

I am very happy to see Black Panther (#513) finally out because I know all of you pulp fans will enjoy it. One of the reasons I was chosen to draw this is actually Black Beetle, and I was asked to keep the visuals in that vein (as you can see from the attached images).


-Initial Concept Art for Black Panther-

Not only the pages will look very pulp, but writer (and award winning) David Liss has been cooking a very noirish gritty tale for this.


-Concept for a recurring location in the story-

Click on the image below for an overall look at the interior pages and I hope you like what you see here (and if you do I hope you pick up #513 this coming Wed :)

Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday everyone and tune in next Sunday for a verr Pulp Xmas story :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
All Characters ™ and © 2010 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved.


~~ Click on the above and below images for the preview ~~

A Colt Is My Passport

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

Hello Pulp friends :)

I was honored to be included in a small group of comic artists that was commissioned by Criterion to produce some movie-inspired posters in comic style.
The posters were for a series of movies they aired last week at the All Tomorrow’s Parties music and film festival head up to Monticello, New York.

When I got the list of movies to choose from, I had to go with some good ole Japanese noir, hence my tribute to "A Colt Is My Passport" you can see above. Hope you guys idg it and if you want to see the other cool posters, check this link out :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Skeleton Cases

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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.

Meet Me At That Diner At The Corner...

(click on the above image for a larger view)

Hello Pulp Friends,

I am currently working on two (2!) comicbook projects I am not allowed to talk about yet.
So, yeah, this is some pre-production design work I did for one of them. A little sneak peek to you all friends of Pulp Sunday of things to come (very soon) :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Ben Grimm, P.I.

(click on the above images for a larger view)

Hello Pulp Friends,

I did the above fake cover as (a bit silly) take on Ben Grimm for Comic Twart - inspired by an initial headsketch of Ben with fedora-like and coat on by Ramon Perez, sketch that I inked and transformed in the above cover.
This morning I couldn't help to do another take on this noir Ben Grimm as warmup sketch and the result is the above (quick) splash page that could actually open the story, which is...

Synopsis:
What if Ben and Reed part ways (not in a good way). After a few years Ben is a PI and (femme fatale) Sue steps in his office. She wants Ben investigating on the murder of Mr Fantastic.
How does that sounds for a NOIR take on the FF? :) Now if only I could find anyone at Marvel who lets me do it ;)

I am reposting these here becuase I think they belong here :)

Cheers,
Francesco

"Kara Bocek": more studies

Hello Pulp friends :)

I am sharing these with you all as they come along.
Please meet Aziz Haktan (on the left) and Ihsan Bey (on the right).
Aziz is the owner of an Antiques shop in Constantinople, and he has a special item Black Beetle is interested in.
Ihsan... well, he is one of the bad guys of this story, but you have to wait to see how bad he is ;)
This is gonna be FUN :D

Spread the word: BB is back! :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

Black Beetles - Part 2

Hello Pulp friends :)

Yesterday I shared the beautiful Black Beetle sketch I unexpectedly received from Dan Brereton this past weekend. I was already very excited by this joyful surprise so you can imagine how I felt when I saw a seconf BB tribute being dropped on my table. My dear good friend Dar left me speachless when he delivered this in my hands. Thank you so much, Dar! :)

I will be talking about his beautiful "HUNTER" soon. (If you haven't picked up yet, do yourself a favor and pick up the hardcover: a magnificent book and a true labor of love for the subject matter)

To see the past tributes/homages to BB check this after Heroes Con post.
I am a lucky man :D

Tomorrow I will be back with more Pulp Sci-Fi.

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 respective Creators.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

Black Beetles - Part 1

Hello Pulp friends :)

as I was mentioning earlier, I received some unexpected surprises at this past weekend Dragon*Con. No, I am not talking of the Power Woman who turned out to be a dude ;). I am referring to some tributes to my Black Beetle drawn by a couple of artists who I have a huge admiration for and that I am honored to call friends :)

Let's start first with the awesome Dan Brereton, of Nocturnals fame. He did a quick sketch of BB and I took a little time this morning to put some colors on it. Hope you guys dig the drawing as much I did :)

It's always cool to see my own creation drawn by artists whose work I admire, like it happened in the past with Steve Epting and Dave Flora, among others.

Stay tuned tomorrow for part.2.

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 respective Creators.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

TUMP!

Hello Pulp friends :)

with today's page, "NO WAY OUT" is taking a little break. Good things are happening to Black Beetle so you will be able (hopefully sometime soon-ish) to read the whole first mini (132 pages circa) printed on nice paper and holding it in your hands :D
Somehow I managed to package a really good story, I think, and can't wait to show it to you guys :)

Meanwhile I am planning to go back and doing a few more illustrated OTR shows (with related mp3) and few more special weeks (like Mad Doctors or a British Pulp week, like a friend was suggesting :)). And there will be more little tales from Colt City: that city is just too big to be just about BB ;)
As you can see, there will be still pleanty of Pulp goodness in here so stay tuned!

Hope you dig page 10 and have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

OOOOPS!!!

Hello Pulp friends :)

Sorry for the "CLICK HERE" button but when you see the pages (yep, double spread this week, baby! ;)) you will know why :)
Lemme know when you click on it ;)

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

CHINK!

Hello Pulp friends :)

Things will get REALLY HOT next week: meanwhile hope you are enjoying the story (and this Holiday weekend) so far. :)

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

UH?!?

Hello Pulp friends :)

here's page 6, another silent (kinda) page. I did say Black Beetle is done talkin', right? ;)

Hope you guys dig it and wait to see what happens next :D

Thanks again to all those who purchased the ashcan at Heroes and online: will be shipping the books soon, time to draw a little sketch of our hero inside for you guys :)

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Hello Pulp friends :)

Page 5 is here - I told you things were getting HOT, didn't I? ;)

Next Sunday I will probably take a break since I will be at Heroes Con in Charlotte (if you are going make sure to stop by my table and say hi - planning to have also some Black Beetle goodies with me), so I will see you in two weeks for the new Black Beetle page (or maybe sooner...).

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

Enough Talkin'...

Hello Pulp friends :)

ANd here's page 4 - things are getting HOT ;)

Speaking of Black Beetle, I set up a couple of online stores where you can pick up some cool BB merchandise, if you feel inclined to, of course ;)
Cafe Press
Zazzle

Also below the poster for this week special: starting tomorrow, you will find a daily Mad Doctor visiting Pulp Sunday. Make sure to stop by and say hi to the doctors ;)

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco



All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla

Black Beetle: Page 2

Hello Pulp friends :)

While working on putting together its own space, I hope you don mind if I post here the second page of the first Black Beetle story, a continuation from last week.

Have a great Pulp Sunday everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.
BLACK BEETLE & COLT CITY created by, ™ and © 2009 Francesco Francavilla