The Black Beetle in "NO WAY OUT" ~ MONDO Edition

~~ Click on the cover for a large preview of NO WAY OUT MONDO Variant Edition ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

     I am so happy to announce that soon I will have regular, variant and Artist Proof editions of the very first BLACK BEETLE MONDO poster for sale on my webstore (keep an eye on my blogs and on my twitter @f_francavilla for forthcoming updates and more details).

   This huge poster (24"x36") - a nod to the classic serials posters from the '40s - debuted at HeroesCon a couple of weeks ago and it has been the first time MONDO has released a comicbook related poster that is not tied in in a movie (even though we all looking forward to see a Black Beetle movie one day, right? :))

Here's Mondo's Press Release and some detailed close-up shot of the poster courtesy of the Mondo blog.

TITLE: The Black Beetle
ARITST: Francesco Francavilla
SIZE: 24" x 36"
EDITION: 225 (regular), 110 (variant)
PRICE: $55 (regular), $75 (variant)

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that's based in Colt City. The character debuted on the pages of Pulp Sunday, Francesco Francavilla's blog devoted to all things pulp, and had a brief life as webcomic before stepping in the print world with an ashcan first, and on the pages of Dark Horse Presents anthology later. Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him, so soon after the short run in DHP, a new 4-issue mini - titled "NO WAY OUT" - was released. The first 2 issues have sold out and have required DH to go back to press for a second printing.

With issue 4 coming out next week and with the first hardcover volume - also titled "NO WAY OUT" - available for pre-orders right now, there is no better time to jump on board of the fantastic adventures of The Black Beetle.

The Black Beetle is a Detective/Vigilante SuperHero – His mission is to fight crime in Colt City. We don't know who he is, not yet anyway. We do know that he has access to some advantaged technology and that he is patrolling the city streets and protecting the citizens the best he can. He is –after all- one man. Colt City is a fictional city set in the late '40s America on the East Coast and has a very "pulp" vibe to the city's depiction and inhabitants.

Commenting on his collaboration with Mondo, Francavilla said, "I've been a huge fan of Mondo for a while, and I've recently become one of their poster artists (which brings me joy all the time), so you can only imagine how happy I was when I heard that they were a big fan of my creation, The Black Beetle. From there it didn't take too long to get to the poster you see here. Hopefully it's just the first of many. Hope you guys enjoy the poster and consider jumping on the books as well: they are what comics should be: 100% entertainment and FUN! Thanks again, Mondo, for making this happen."

Framed Poster - Photo courtesy of Z-ATL

Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

"AFTER-LIFE WITH ARCHIE"

Hello, Pulp Friends,

I can finally let this dead cat out of the coffin! :)
This Fall I will be teaming up with talented powerhouse writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Archie Comics to bring the HORROR to Riverdale with the new book AFTER LIFE WITH ARCHIE.
Above you can see my cover for the first issue and the variant cover I did last year that inspired this all.
And on L.A. TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX you can learn a bit more about the book and on how it came to be thanks to an interview with Roberto and me.
If you love the classic EC and Creepy stile horror books, you guys are gonna love this, I promise!


Here’s the solicits for #1 and - below - my variant cover for #1.

AFTER LIFE WITH ARCHIE #1
WRITTEN BY: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ART BY: Francesco Francavilla, Jack Morelli
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: 10/9

NEW ONGOING SERIES! “Escape From Riverdale”—This is how the end of the world begins… Harvey Award-winning writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Stephen King’s Carrie, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) and Eisner-winning artist Francesco Francavilla (Batman, Black Beetle) take Archie and the gang where they’ve never been before—to the grave and back! A horrific accident sets off a series of grim events and Sabrina the Teenage Witch must try to repair the unspeakable evil her spell has unleashed. Gasp in horror as Riverdale faces an impending zombie Arch-pocalypse in this brand-new, spine-tingling ongoing series—but be warned, kiddies, this one’s not for the faint of heart! For TEEN+ readers.

Have a wonderful PULP SUNDAY, everyone!

Cheers,
Francesco

~~ THE SHADOW ~~ Double Feature

~~ Click on the images for biggie ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

  After the 1970s of the last 2 Sundays, we go back to the 40s with a DOUBLE PULP FEATURE featuring THE SHADOW! :)

  Above is my cover for THE SHADOW #16 and below is the cover for #17, both of which should hit the stand in June and July.




Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday, everyone! :)

Cheers,
Francesco

More "BATMAN 1972"

~~ Click on each image for larger views ~~

   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"

~~ Click on each image for larger views ~~

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

THE BLACK BEETLE ~ NO WAY OUT #3 is here!

~~ Click on the cover for a large preview of NO WAY OUT #3 ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

     The third episode of The Black Beetle's NO WAY OUT is airing this Wednesday in all your favorite comicbook stores, and you can get a meaty preview by clicking the cover above.

Please trust me when I say this is the prettier chapter yet and make sure to be there in about 30 days for the explosive conclusion of the first adventure/foray of The Black Beetle on the shelves.
Hope you enjoy the read :)

The Black Beetle: No Way Out #3
Written by Francesco Francavilla
Art by Francesco Francavilla
On sale April 17th, 2013     
Under the watchful gaze of the mysterious Labyrinto, Black Beetle fights for his life! Is this the doing of a man that Black Beetle thought was dead? Could a zombie mobster be commanding the foes of Colt City’s dark avenger?! If he survives the night, the investigative insect will be left with questions to ponder as he takes his investigation . . . to the morgue!


Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

TALES FROM THE END OF THE WORLD

~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~

Hello Pulp Friends,

   some time ago I was asked by the Spanish publisher NORMA Editorial if I wanted to draw a cover for their upcoming Horror anthology titled TALES FROM THE END OF THE WORLD.
   "We would like something int he vein of the classic EC covers and we think you would be perfect for it", they said.
   Of course, they had me at "in the vein of EC covers" ;)

   The result is the above cover, where I didn't just draw the art, but I also hand drew the logo/title, the text TERROR on the side bar, and the inset circled-art teasing some of the tales included int he anthology.

   Hope you guys enjoy this cover as much as Norma did :)

   Have a wonderful Pulp Sunday and Happy Easter, everyone!

Cheers,
Francesco