ComicPanelsOfTheWeek: Singing time

..and one more for today!

(Click for bigger pic)

Nightwing & Batwoman © DC Comics

Outcast Studios - LIVE DRAW NIGHT December 2011

http://outcaststudios.com/forums/

Hi guys!
Yesterday evening was my 4th participation in the Outcast forums all-new "Live Draw Nights" for this quarter!
(You can find all my previous blogs by either following my meme tag or checking out the following links for the LDN February 2011, LDN May 2011 & LDN September 2011)

This weekend was yet another rude sessions of sketching, sketching and even more sketching!
Like before, I tried to keep my Twitter account updated as I went along.

If you're just joining me and don't know in what this LDN art jam challenge consists, it was roughly 4 hours long of various challenge thrown at us.
It's kinda like being in a "virtual convention" with various online members of the Outcast forums, getting various different challenges every hour and having to quickly (either digitally or traditionally) draw a lot of random characters.
It's a real challenging practice.
It was fun to get all together and draw, draw, draw! Keep our senses sharp and our hand fast. A great way to work your skills if you will!

Like the previous times, we had a great time. Various characters and fun ideas during the night.
Just trying to keep up is a fun challenge in itself!~

Now, let's dig into yesterday's entries!
Hour ONE
HOUR ONE was a nice warm-up.
Simply, 10 minute/sketches coming for an hour!

We started with one of Outcasts' own creations, The Checkeredman!
Great way to get things started.

The Batwoman!
Since we only had 10 minutes for these, I decided to go the simplistic route

Le Marquis, from a French bande dessinée, from what I gather.
Never heard of the guy. Fun design though.

Dr. Manhattan.
Fun one to draw I gotta say.

Leonidas from 300, with obligatory meme, if you please!

...and that was the last one for this "HOUR".

[BREAK!! BREAK!! EVERYONE TAKE A BREAK!!]
This was the time to walk around a sec'. 10 minutes break for everyone at this point.

Hour TWO
Hour two consisted in two 30 min. sketches.
With a twist!
2 selected characters fighting random foes.

The first random subject was Blueberry & Lone Wolf (and Cub)  versus Violent Cowboys!
Was getting carried with this one..
I had this epic western scene pictured in my mind.

..and the 2nd drawing was Lobo & Judge Anderson (from Judge Dredd) against, I quote, "homicidal telekinetic Toddlers", I kid you not.

[BREAK!! BREAK!! EVERYONE TAKE A BREAK!!]

Hour THREE
HOUR THREE - It consisted in a longer 50 minutes drawing of Ghost in the Shell's main protagonist.

Motoko Kusanagi.
The idea was to either emulate this reference pic of a cosplayer or simply the character she was representing.

[BREAK!! BREAK!! EVERYONE TAKE A BREAK!!]

Hour FOUR
Fourth - and last final hour.
A drawing with a twist!
The subject was a steampunk'd version of one of the proposed characters. We had a whole hour for this one.

I decided to select the DK2 Batman & Robin, just for kicks

And that was all for this night!
Our next session will be in March, from what I gather.
All in all, it was a pretty fun challenge to keep up with :D


Why don't ya try joining in the fun for next time. (log in the outcast studios or even, try to keep up even if you don't follow these forum boards!)

Hope you enjoy these!
Until next time~

Drawings - Bat-doodles #02

And here's finally my second batch of BAT-Doodles using the ideas some of you guys suggested me on twitter!

This time, people asked me for Bat-family or Batman Inc characters specifically for some reason :P

Comic NEWS! DC Reboot: Part VII - Issues #2 and other titles

DC Reboot: part I

DC Reboot: part II

DC Reboot:: part III

DC Reboot: part IV

DC Reboot: part V
DC Reboot part VI 

It's been a long time since I posted anything related to DC's upcoming reboot/revamp/relaunch, right?

Well, DC just revealed some of October 2nd issues of this new direction.
Mainly, the Bat-books.
And amongst them there's already some other newly announced titles. (which will make the total of books over +52-ysh? or are some of the previous quoted books in fact bi-monthly? quarterly?)

DC told: "This October, Gotham City will be overrun by new villains. In DETECTIVE COMICS, Batman will face the Gotham Ripper. In BATGIRL, Barbara Gordon will take on Mirror. Mysterious villains will be terrorizing Gotham in BATMAN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, BATWOMAN and NIGHTWING. And around the globe, evil takes new forms in BATWING and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS. Can the Bat family defeat all these foes or is the fate of Gotham – and the world at large – permanently doomed?"

Anway, here's the upcoming titles after the jump.

BATMAN #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Bruce Wayne is back in the cowl, hunting a new and deadly killer in Gotham City – a killer with a vendetta against Bruce Wayne! But who is this mysterious killer in an owl skull mask? And is he the key to unlocking one of Gotham’s oldest and most terrifying secrets? Be there for their first brutal encounter!

So, this is the main Bat-book now, heh?
A killer in an owl skull mask.. I wouldn't bet on Owlman or any of those previous classic variations on Batman. No, surely one of those new enemies they've been hinting at.

BATWING #2
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

He is called Massacre, and he brings death. What does the soldier in service of Batman Incorporated do when he’s met his match? When he’s been brought so low and been wounded so badly? What does he do when lost Super Heroes begin turning up as victims? Batwing fights back!

Even Batwing will get some rogues of his own.
Still wished there was a Nightrunner title as well.
Hope this stays original (as in "Batman in Africa") and doesn't turn into some copy of Marvel's Black Panther...

DETECTIVE COMICS #2
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.

The Gotham Ripper, heh? No chances it's the 80s/90s Ripper from that Todd McFarlane Batman Year Two story back from the grave?
More new enemies it is...

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

Batman’s fears about Robin’s tendency to dish out more pain than necessary are growing! And who is the man named NoBody, visiting Gotham City to say hello to his old friend Bruce Wayne and find out where he went wrong in his battle against crime.

I still miss the ol' Dick/Damian dynamic duo...
Will Bruce turn him into a Jason Todd? Or will he set instead Jason as an example NOT to follow?

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #2
Written by DAVID FINCH and PAUL JENKINS
Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND with JAY FABOK

Something sinister surges through Arkham Asylum, and Batman finds himself bombarded by his greatest foes in this second sensational issue from superstar creator David Finch!
Bigger, meaner, and more powerful than ever before, the inmates of Arkham Asylum run rampant as the entire Bat Family struggles to keep the walls from falling down, unleashing Gotham City’s worst criminals on the unsuspecting population. And you won’t believe the jaw-dropping final page! Just keep repeating, “It’s only a comic book. It’s only a comic book...”

That's either a Venom-induced Two Face...or the worst drawing of Harvey I've ever seen!!

BATGIRL #2
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random, and an explosive confrontation between Batgirl and Mirror leads Babs to question wearing the cape and cowl at all!
The riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

This hints at her being back as Batgirl. (after those years of Oracl-ying on the Birds of Prey book)
Still wishing that Cass and Steph will make an appearance here...
Please... Pwetty please, DC?...with cherry on top...

BATWOMAN #2
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City! Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail. Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up!
Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios? And overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new series intensifies in this exciting second issue!
 
This long-time in hiatus book is finally part of DC's monthly lineup! Yay!
(only good thing of this whole reboot so far? probably..)

NIGHTWING #2
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

When a mysterious assassin targets Dick Grayson, Nightwing must work fast to uncover the killer’s plot before he strikes again. But as Haley’s Circus continues to perform in Gotham City, Dick finds himself torn between two lives: His old one as a circus performer and his new one as a Super Hero. And they may be more connected than he ever realized!

Still not a fan of his new red-ysh costume. Too much Bat-clan wearing red. (Tim, Damian, Jason Todd, Batwoman...)

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT and BLOND

Red Hood is already globe-trotting in an effort to find the ancient assassins behind the slaughter of those who taught him some of his darkest skills... and if Roy and Kori are going to be of any help, well, they’ll just have to tag along – whether Jason wants them to or not!

Speaking of which, Jason and his super-friends seems like a fun book.
But still some doubts on Starfire's new costume (how was Jim Lee able to make her wear even less than what she was already??) and cap-wearing Roy...

BIRDS OF PREY #2
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

An explosion in a secure Gotham City airport terminal hurls Black Canary and Starling headlong into a nightmare involving stolen pharmaceuticals, terrorists for hire and killers in stealth suits who can appear – and disappear – at will. When Canary calls in backup, Starling’s not so sure a vengeful samurai who talks to her dead husband in a sword is the best choice.

No comment?

CATWOMAN #2
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

She’s a thief who lives to steal just for the thrill of breaking the law. He’s The Dark Knight, obsessively driven to battle evil with every ounce of his strength. They should keep each other at arm’s length, but...they just can’t seem to help themselves! Don’t miss this issue – things are gonna get messy!

Still not sure on this new Catwoman either. But it's Winick. Hope it's fun and not overly complicated.

PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE #1
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art and cover by SZYMON KUDRANSKI

In this exciting new miniseries from novelist Gregg Hurwitz (You’re Next) and rising star artist Szymon Kudranksi (Spawn), the painful and dark past of one of Batman’s most devious foes is examined. How did young Oswald Cobblepot go from being the apple of his mother’s eye to the leader of underworld gangs and adversary of The Caped Crusader? Find out in PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE!

Even the Penguin gets a book! (a mini)
Maybe due to his appearance in the future Batman videogame?

THE HUNTRESS #1
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by MARCUS TO and JOHN DELL

Look out! By the end of this hot new miniseries, the Huntress will have the largest price on her head in DC Universe history.
What will the Huntress do that warrants such a death mark? And who puts it there? The jaw-dropping events will be revealed as the Huntress heads home to Italy and embarks on a mission that defines her life. Don’t miss out, because this story will tie in to upcoming events in BIRDS OF PREY!

Still seems like our regular Italian non-Wayne Huntress! (reinforcing the idea this might not be an actual reboot reboot)
Wish it was an on-going.
Or would lead her back into the BoP book.

THE SHADE #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by CULLY HAMNER
This issue will ship with two covers. See the Previews order form for more information.
James Robinson returns to the world of his acclaimed STARMAN series with a new 12-issue series starring the antihero known as The Shade! An attack at the Starman museum kicks off a globe-hopping, centuries spanning quest that will irrevocably change The Shade's life, and ultimately shed light on his true origin! Artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner (RED) kicks off the series, and upcoming issues will feature art by such luminaries as Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, Jill Thompson, Frazer Irving and Gene Ha!

The return of the Starman series (sort of)? Nice!
Surprise of the bunch!
The Shade was a Golden Age Flash supervillain who had control over shadow, then was reimagined for in the pages of Starman.


There you have it!
Good new direction? Afraid of it? It sure makes people talk about it though :P

Comic NEWS! DC Reboot: Part III

Continuing my blog posting about DC Comics' reboot.

(this whole "commercial move" sure is working on me :P)

Actual reboot?
Not really?
The question is still open until we learn move of it (they're probably waiting for the end of Flashpoint for that)
Anyway, an actual "reboot" reboot doesn't looks like so.

I'm still waiting confirmation on what will happen of the recent characters like Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle (though Didio said he would be back...), Stephanie Brown/Batgirl and not to forgot about others like the ex-Batgal Cassandra Cain.

And if this is actually a partial reboot (due to the Flash messing up the timeline in Flashpoint) why would Superman, WW or Batman get younger?
I think this would be as good time as any to bring back the wrongly departed characters.
Some would love to have Ted Kord back..and as much as I love him, it would only result in a negative counter-action on Jaime Reyes... Plus people keep referring him/mentioning him, he's still very much alive in the heart of the others like Booster Gold. No, I'd love to have back the ones who are truly forgotten. Like the Elongated Man and Sue Dibny or Ryan Choi/The Atom...
Anyway, here's some more upcoming books, we starting to have a better look at this relaunch in September..
Will it actually be a relaunch? Or merely a change of status quo and costumes?

Green Lantern books will be relaunched...following everything Geoff Johns has done since "Rebirth".
(this reboot is sounding less like an actual reboot already, heh?)

4 books will be launched in September.

GREEN LANTERN #1
Geoff Johns has been charting the adventures of Hal Jordan and the GREEN LANTERN Corps since GREEN LANTERN: Rebirth, collaborating with such major artists as Ethan Van Sciver, Darwyn Cooke, Prentis Rollins, Marlo Alquiza and Mick Gray.
This fall, Johns reunites with artists Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy, as the series begins anew with GREEN LANTERN #1 with cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. Together they will continue to thrill readers and expand the Green Lantern mythos.
Change is coming. But set aside your fear. It’ll be worth the wait.

Sounds like more of the same, which is a good thing for fans. You can all rest easy now!

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
When deadly conflicts emerge across the universe, it’s up to Guy Gardner, John Stewart and an elite Green Lantern strike force to keep the peace.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 will be written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna. The cover to #1 is by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.

The GLCorps book will continue! 
And John will take Kyle's spot on the GL team book. Oooh.. I kinda prefered him on Earth, on the Justice League rooster..
Same creative team, which is a good thing.

GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1
Who are The New Guardians?
The power of Rage, Avarice, Fear, Will, Hope, Compassion and Love combine to be the most powerful (and colorful) team in the corps under the leadership of Kyle Rayner. Beware their power . . . and their volatility!
GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1 will be written by Tony Bedard and illustrated with cover by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.

A new book for Kyle!
And apart from him leading the "rainbow lanterns", it sounds pretty much in tune with his 90s series (the "Guardians" aspect).

RED LANTERNS #1
Going solo. Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable. This Lantern Corps takes no prisoners, they are judge, jury and executioners!
RED LANTERNS #1 will be written by Peter Milligan with art and cover by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter.

A book for the Reds was expected. And already announced back a while ago in fact.
More Rage kitty, Atrocitus & co.

Detective Comics #1 - A little flip flop here, as Tony Daniel and Scott Snyder swap roles. Previously the writer/artist on Batman, Daniel will now script and draw Detective Comics. The Gotham Ripper is listed as the first new threat.

On the other side of the DCU (or the USA that is..) Bats book will also be relaunched... Looks like Bruce Wayne is back on his own Detective Comics title, which was the home of Dick Grayson for over a year now.

Batman #1 - Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo focus on the solo adventures of Bruce Wayne in his role as the one and only Batman. Readers of Snyder's terrific ongoing run in Detective Comics (starring Dick Grayson under the cowl) will be relieved to see he's still patrolling the streets of Gotham.


So I guess Batman Inc. is now out..or..?
And it will be original to have Greg Capullo on a DC book, which I hadn't seen the art from since the good ol' 90s Spawn :P

Batman & Robin #1 - Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleeson return to B&R, this time chronicling the adventures of Bruce and Damian. This marks the second reboot title for Tomasi, who's also writing September's Green Lantern Corps #1.

Damian Wayne is still canon! :)
I guess DC would have had a problem with Grant Morrison if it wasn't the case.

Batman: The Dark Knight #1 - A second volume of David Finch's written and drawn series with assists from Jay Fabok. This new series is unrelated to the two-issue first volume and sees Batman entrenched in Arkham Asylum.

And...another Bat-book. Do they need so many?
Anyway this looks like another Bruce Wayne title. Is the Batman Inc. still around? Some claim not...but I'm guessing if not DC would have Morrison on another book...?

 

Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in CATWOMAN #1, written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Guillem March.

Selina is back in her own title! Finally!
And a thieve again?

Nightwing #1, a new ongoing series written by Kyle Higgins with art by Eddy Barrows, finds Dick dealing with the return of Haley's Circus to Gotham City – the same big top attraction that he once performed under with his parents. In DC's official announcement, the publisher confirms that Dick's time as the Dark Knight is still relevant. It reads, "After a tenure as the Batman of Gotham, Dick Grayson resumes his mantle as Nightwing! As Dick embraces his identity, Haley's Circus, the big top where he once performed with his family, returns to Gotham – bringing with it a history of murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront friends and enemies from his past as he searches for the source of an even greater evil."


Alright. This is the most mysterious one so far.
Is that former-first Robin Dick Grayson, "rebooted" as Nightwing? (for the first time or not)
Is that a Dick Grayson who's never been Batman sidekick?
Is that in-continuity with the last few years, Dick back to the Nightwing persona after being Batman recently?
Or is that, I dunno, the second firner Robin - Jason Todd??
Confirmed: So it is Dick!

The highly-anticipated new series from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III, Haden Blackman and Amy Reeder begins in BATWOMAN #1.

The modern Batwoman is back! As expected!
(finally her own title!)

Swamp Thing #1

The Swamp Thing? So I take it the whole Brightest Day is still canon?
And Constantine will be back too I presume?

You know what.. I'm starting to think this isn't a reboot but just a relaunch, issues being renumbered and costumes redesigned.... and nothing more.

We still need to confirm which Blue Beetle we'll have, if anyone is resurrected/erased. And I'm finally starting to accept this whole move.

UPDATES:

Dick isn't the only former Robin to be returning to the big time though, as the one and only Jason Todd gets an ongoing title of his own. Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 will be written by Scott Lobdell and drawn by relative newcomer Kenneth Rocafort. In it, Jason Todd finds himself as a leader of a team of antiheroes – including "Green Arrow's rejected sidekick Arsenal and Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war."

Well, with the above confirmation that Nightwing was Dick...Jason Todd is now back as the Red Hood again!
And on his own brand new original title!
With a "cured" Red Arrow/Arsenal! (best part of all these relaunches so far)
And Dick's ex too? What will Dick Grayson think of that?
Jim Lee designs are kinda...fun here apart from Roy Harper's ridiculous baseball cap.

BATWING #1, written by Judd Winnick and illustrated by Ben Oliver.
Batwing is a series that spins right out of Grant Morrison's Batman Incorporated storyline. This is the first time that we have an in-continuity black character wearing the Batman costume," said Batman group editor Mike Marts. "Grant has provided us with so many new characters and concepts. He's really just been a fountain of ideas and energy for the Batman group of titles. We have so many different cool things to choose from what Grant creates, and we go with what we think is going to provide readers with the most story and the most excitement. And with this, Batwing won out.

Awesome!
On one hand: MORE BATBOOKS?? Really??
On another: MORE BATBOOKS!! Really!
A quite different type of character! (though part of me would have liked Nightrunner instead/as well)
And this confirms that Batman Inc's still canon! Yes, because...

In the wake of our announcement of a historic line of new #1’s within the Batman family, many of you noticed that while several of the titles and characters spun out of the Batman, Inc. storyline, there was no mention of that series itself - but there’s a reason for that: Grant Morrison’s BATMAN, INCORPORATED series will return with a new issue #1 in early 2012.

Grant Morrison had this to say about Batman, Incorporated:

“Batman, Incorporated will continue through to Issue #10 and August’s shocking season finale that changes the Batman status quo yet again. The series will take a brief hiatus while I work on a major new project to be announced shortly. Batman, Incorporated returns next year with me, Chris Burnham and Batman: Leviathan, the epic 12 part conclusion to my 6 year Batman saga. Don’t miss it!”

Looks like Batman Inc. is still alive and kicking!
Just, not relaunched right now. But in early 2012 instead (January perhaps?)
Pheew...we can rest easy now. Looks more and more like this "reboot" is actually just a sort of "One Year Later" event, with lots of costumes being redesigned.
But wait!!

The Birds of Prey are Gotham City’s covert ops team, taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. Mystery novelist ands comics writer Duane Swierczynski teams up with Jesus Saiz for BIRDS OF PREY #1, the first issue of the hard-hitting new series.

New shuffle of the team. And only based in Gotham again now.
Katana gets her 1000th costume redesign. Black Canary is...decent, I guess. And is that Poison Ivy?
And if she's out of this book, where's Gail Simone now? Well...

And finally Batgirl #1, written by Gail Simone, with art by Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes (good creative team). If you would trust any one writer with the proper handling of Barbara Gordon, wouldn’t it be Gail Simone?

The most controversial one...
I mean... Oracle is over? But they put Simone on the book to put readers at ease?
Will the change from wheelchair to crime fighter be adressed? Just a quick retcon? Is there something more to this?
By now, Barbara Gordon has been Oracle for a much longer time than Batgirl actually. (in actual comic book publication time). Oracle was such a positive and unique figure amongst comics... do they really wanna throw it out?
Couldn't they have made Birds of Prey Charlie/Misfit into the new Batgirl instead?? (what's gonna happen to Steph or Cassie??)
And what's up with this awful over-complicated costume design?