Batman : 2006 DC Comics

2006-July-20 San Diego CA

Batman – Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams – After the brutal murder of his parents, young Bruce Wayne mastered nearly every known form of combat and employed his vast wealth to equip himself with the tools essential to his crime-fighting crusade as Gotham City's Dark Knight, Batman.

Batman #1 Spring 1940 art by Bob Kane

Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in may 1939 before swinging into action – with Robin, the Boy wonder, by his side – in his own series in the spring of 1940. The Dark Knight's distinguishing characteristics were intellect, skill, and grim determination - USPS

John Beatty - Batman

2018.04.17 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

John Beatty entered the world of professional artist at age 15, when he was hired by Camelot Publishing to produce cartoons for computer instruction manuals. shortly after graduating from high school, he wrote and drew "Crime Smasher", which found publication Tom corrigan's Super Hero Comics. while attending a comic con in orlando, Beatty met AC Comics publisher Bill Black. After seeing Beatty's work, Black offered him a job as an inker.

Soon Bob McLeod asked Beatty to assist him on some pages, which inducted drawing backgrounds.

Beatty then had a second opportunity to show his work to Jim Shooter, who offered him work, if he came to New York. Beatty would spend 20 years inking titles such as Captain America, Punisher, Secret Wars, The Nam, The Adventures of Superman, Batman, JLA and many other titles.

Mike DeCarlo - Batman

2018.04.17 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

Mike DeCarlo has been involved with numerous titles as both penciler and inker.
With DC comics in the 1980s, DeCarlo work Batman, Tales of Teen Titans, Legion of Superheroes inking the pencils of George Perez, Greg LaRocque, Keith Griffen and Jim Aparo.

DeCarlo has also worked on diverse titles as Atari Force, Cartoon Network Block Party, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Fantastic Four, Pinky and the Brain, Simpsons, Superman, Bugs Bunny, NFL SuperPro, Thor, Conan the Barbarian

Bongo Comics Radioactive Man series received an Eisner Award in 2002 for Best Humor Publication, while DeCarlo was one of the series artists

Kevin Altieri - Batman

Kevin Altieri is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School. Alteri started working for DIC on Saturday morning cartoons and launched his career in animation. He is a director on Batman: The Animated Series, C.O.P.S. and Stripperella. Additionally he was a storyboard artist for Exterminator 2 (1984), storyboard designer and sequence director on Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), director and screenwriter on Gen13 (2000), visual development on Treasure Planet (2002)

Altieri also co-directed Pearl Jam's music video Do the Evolution with Todd McFarlane

Batman: The Animated Series developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski and produced by Warner Bros Animation originally aired on Fox Kids in 1992 and ran until 1995 airing 85 episodes.
The series brought a new look to television animation with a darker tone and higher artistic quality, which had been missing on television.  The story lines shared continuity with DC Comics providing a broader range of fan involvement. As a Saturday morning kid, glued to my TV watching cartoons well into an age when my parents didn't think I should be watching kids' shows, I was overjoyed to see a return to TV of quality animation. The fact that it was Batman was even better.....

George Vega - Catwoman

George Vega is an illustrator based in New Jersey, and has provided me with beautiful work in the past, a Xenomorph from Alien. Since Lee Meriwether, Catwoman from the 1966 Batman film, I had decided to obtain an autograph, but it had to be on a sketch first day cover. I knew George would provide an excellent sketch. We both decided on a traditional Catwoman outfit as the best choice.

Lee Merewether served as Miss America in 1955. She had some very well known roles in television including Buddy Ebsen's assistant in Barnaby Jones; as Lily Munster on the 1980s remake The Munsters Today; and as Dr Ann MacGregor in The Time Tunnel...

Rick Leonardi - Batgirl

2017.11.19 NJ Comic Expo, Edison, NJ

Rick Leonardi worked on various series for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, including Cloak and Dagger, the Uncanny X-Men, the New Mutants, Spider-Man 2099, Nightwing, Batgirl, Green Lantern versus Aliens and Superman. His first published work was for Marvel on Thor #303 (1981)

Leonardi has also worked on the feature film tie-in comics for Star Wars: General Grievous and Superman Returns Prequel #3

He is also co-credited with development of the black and white Spider-Man costume, worn during the 1984 Secret Wars mini-series, with Mike Zeck. With Tom DeFlaco, they created the Rose in The Amazing Spider-Man #253 (1984). With Chris Claremont, they introduced the country of Genosha in Uncanny X-Men #235 (1988)

Buzz - Mad Hatter

2017.08.19 TerrifiCon, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Ct

I had seen Buzz' booth at several conventions, but never stopped by. Tons of great art being displayed, but I never took the time to stop by.  At the Garden State Comic Fest, someone asked if I had gotten a sketch from Buzz. They went on to say he was a great person and a great artist.

While at TerrifiCon I decided to stop by Buzz' booth. We discussed the sketch I would like, Mad Hatter on a Batman FDC. He knocked it our of the park, what a great sketch. Note the full and cross bones coming from the cup of tea.

Buzz was born and raised in Rangoon, Burma. He grew up reading his father's comic books. Moving to the States at age 13, Buzz would enter the comic industry with Blackthorne Publications at age 15. Buzz would would with Neal Adams' Continuity Studios by age 17. Moving onto the DC Comics, Buzz picked up work on Justice League Quarterly and Justice League International.

Buzz has worked on Vampirella, Shi, X-Factor, Dragonlace, Impulse, Forgotten Realms, Atomika...

Buzz has received Emmy Awards for commercial work with CBS, FOX, Los Angeles Lakers, US Marine Corps....

Just Buzz

Jay Wecht - Batman

2017.04.29 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

I have not been able to find out too much about Jay Hecht, except he is a teacher in New Jersey.  He was sitting at the National Cartoonist Society table at the ECCC. He had several caricatures set out, so I ask for a sketch.  He selected the Wonder Woman first day cover, and drew Batman giving an Okay sign, it take that Batman approves of the stamp...

Emma Kubert - Batgirl

2016.07.09 Garden State Comic Fest, Morristown, NJ

Emma Kubert is a student at the Kubert School. She is working towards becoming a comic artist and illustrator and enjoys crating all kinds of art...

When I requested a sketch, I asked what would interest her.. Her response was she was drawing Poison Ivy and other red-heads.. That is why we selected Batgirl..

Rags Morales - Batman

2016.07.09 Garden State Comic Fest, Morristown, NJ

Since 1989 Morales has trudged his way through the mean streets and jungles of suburban New Jersey to entertain the comicbookin' masses and tickle them into nerdgasms...

Count me as having a nerdgasm after seeing this pencil sketch of Batman. .. Rags is a graduate of the Kubert School.  He has since written for Acton Comics, provided pencils for Action Comics, Adventures of Superman, Archer & Armstrong, Batman Confidential, Black Condor, Blackest night, Bloodshot, Dungeons and Dragons, Hawkman, Sgt, Rock, First Wave, Green Lantern, and many other titles. He has inked Action Comics, Turok Dinosaur Hunter, New Avengers, Green Lantern, JSA Secret Files and many others..

Cover artist for Action Comics, Archer & Armstrong, Black Condor, Captain America, Winter Soldier, Superman, Nightwing, Larfleeze, Justice League and many others...

Morales has received awards, which include:
2004 Wizard Fan Award favorite mini-series: Identity Crisis
2005 Wizard Fan Award favorite one-shot: Countdown to Infinite Crisis
2004 Best mini-series Diamond Publishing: Identity Crisis
1977-78 St. Theresa Little League All-Star Team

Creees - Batman

2016.07.09 Garden State Comic Fest, Morristown, NJ

Creees, aka Hyungsun Lee, is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, NYC.  Creees started honing his skills at age 3, growing up drawing characters form Dragonball Z and Batman. Creees draws because he feels it keeps him alive...

Creees is inspired by the talents of Jim Lee, Kenneth Rocafort, Klaus Janson (SVA), Matteo Scalera and Sean Murphy...

CreesArt - check out his Marvel X Pokemon art on Phoenix X Ho-oh, as well as his other Marvel and DC - Pokemon pieces...

Howie Noel - Louie the Lilac

2016.08.27 Monsters and Robots, Somerset, NJ

When I picked up this envelope, I knew I wanted to get a sketch of Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac, from the Batman TV series. I ran into an old friend Nick Mockoviac when I entered the Monsters and Robots show. I told him I was looking for the right person to provide a character sketch. He pointed to Howie Noel, whose booth we were standing in front of. Noel provided an excellent rendition of the Berle character.

The Batman TV series ran from 1966 - 1968, featuring many top names in villainous roles created just for the show. Louie the Lilac appeared in 1967, having cornered the flower market in Gotham, he planned on taking over the "flower generation"..  Milton Berle is considered the first major American TV star and was affectionately known as "Uncle Miltie"..

Berle stamp was part of a series honoring early stars of television. Berle starred in the Texaco Star Theatre (1948-1955)..

Howie Noel is an illustrator-caricturist, as well as the creator of the comic Tara Normal, Mr Scootles and Vincent: The Painter of Death. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Noel is the official cartoonist of TAPS Paramagazine...

Trevor McCarthy - Nightwing

2016.04.17 East Coast Comic Con, Seacaucus, NJ

Trevor McCarthy is noted for his work on such titles as Batman:Gates of Gotham, Nightwing, Batwoman, Blackhawks, Green Lantern and the Atom, Thunder Agents and X-Men.. as a cover artist his work has been seen on Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps, Batman, Birds of Prey, Justice League Dark and others....

McCarthy has also provided work on the David Hine and Kyle Higgins character Nightrunner, featured inDetective Comics Annual #12. The character is an Algerian Sunni Muslim French citizen working for Batman Incorporated as the Batman of Paris...

McCarthy signed Nightwing #65

Fraim Brothers - Batman

2015.04.12 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

One is a penciller, the other an inker...

Brendon and Brian Fraim have worked on Knights of the Dinner Table, and the Hackmaster and Champions RPG systems and the comic book sections in the novel, Wolf Boy...

They have also illustrated the Harvey Award nominated Antiques: The Comic Strip from Gemstone Publishing and the award winning daily web-comic America Jr, which was collected by Image Comics. The Fraim brothers have also illustrated The Odd Squad, a three issue limited series published by Devil's Due Publications and the horror comic Vampire, Pa from Moonstone...

Annie Wu - Batgirl

2015.10.09 NY Comic Con, NYC

The first time I came across Annie Wu was at the 2014 NYCC. I saw a long line of fans waiting for sketches, Annie focused but quick providing beautiful artwork. I made it part of my mission for this con to obtain a Batgirl sketch

Annie Wu has worked for Archie Comics, Vertigo (House of Mystery), DC Comics (Batman Beyond), Marvel (Young Avengers), Wired Magazine, Lacrosse Magazine, ELLE Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and many others...

Currently she is illustrating Marvel's Hawkeye with Matt Fraction, provided a storyboard for the sixth season of Adult Swim's The Venture Brothers and DC's Black Canary with Brenden Fletcher..

Jason Chatfield - Ginger Meggs

2015.10.09 NY Comic Con, NYC

After I left artist alley at NYCC I went to the main floor to wander around. When I saw the National Cartoonist Society booth, I was drawn like a moth to the flame. I found several cartoonists waiting to provide sketches, including, to my surprise, Jason Chatfield current artist on the Australian comic strip Ginger Meggs...

Ginger Meggs, Australia's Favourite Boy, running since 1921 under the guidance of creator Jimmy Banks, follows the escapades of the red-headed mischief-maker. The strip has been passed through several cartoonists - Ron Vivian (1953-1973), Lloyd Piper (1973-1982), James Kemsley (1983-2007) and Jason Chatfield (2007-present)...

Captain Australia  is Ginger's imaginary alter ego, much like Calvin and Hobbes' Spaceman Spiff...

2015.10.07

Jason Chatfield besides drawing the iconic Ginger Meggs is also a stand-up comic and writes for several publications and is a New York Correspondent for ABC News Breakfast on ABC1 / ABCNews24, funny or Die, Nova 100 and The Project (Network 10)...

Chatfield although is drawing the Australian comic currently resides in NYC...

Ginger Meggs was first honored by the Australian Post July 17, 1985 as part of the Australian Classic Children's Book issue, which included Blink Bill, The Magic Pudding, SnugglePot and Cuddlepie and Elves and Fairies...

Ginger Meggs has also appeared on an Australian coin

1952 Ginger Meggs Fan club envelope

Scott Hanna - Batman

2015.07.26 Garden State Comic Fest, Mennen Arena, Morristown, NJ

A top inker in the graphic novel industry, Scott Hanna has been drawing and inking comic books for over 25 years. His work has been published in well over 100 graphic novels, and he’s inked over 15,000 pages of finished black and white art.

At Marvel Comics, Scott has worked on all the top characters, including the Avengers, Spider-Man, IronMan, the X-Men and the Hulk including a fifteen year run on Spider-man. At DC Comics, he worked on many major titles including Superman, Justice League, Green Lantern and most notably a five year run on Detective Comics starring Batman.

Scott received two 2012 Inkwell awards - “Most Adaptable Inker” and “The Props Award”, two 2011 Inkwell Awards for “Favorite Inker” and “Most Adaptable Inker”, the 2010 Inkwell Award for “Most Adaptable Inker”, the 2005 Wizard Fan Award for “Best Inker” and the 2002 Eisner award for “Best Serialized Story” - Amazing Spider-Man #30-35: “Coming Home”. 

Simon Bisley - Batman

2015.04.12 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

Simon Bisley has cited his influences to be Frank Frazetta, Gustav Klimt, Salvador Dali, William Turner and Richard Corben. His distinctive style is predominantly rendered using acrylics on bristol board, Bisley does not use airbrushes, although his style gives that effect...

Bisley, a British comic book artist is best known for his 1990's work on ABC Warriors, Lobo and Slaine. Much of his work is also influenced by rock album covers as traditional comic book art. While a student Bisley did a painting of a robot holding a baby that a friend passed to Pat Mills, and inspired him to relaunch the ABC Warriors strip with Bisley as artist in 1987...

When I approached Bisley, he was hunched over a painting of Harley Quinn. I inquired about a sketch and then explained my project. Bisley took a few glances up at me and then asked "Are you nuts?!"  I replied yes and we agreed on a Batman piece.  From what I could see Bisley was working strictly with washes, shades of black, little else...

At times I do not get to watch the art come to life, this time I had the opportunity as Bisley quickly grabbed a brush and starting bringing Batman to life. No pencil sketch to figure out the plan, just quick defined brush strokes, which grew stronger and deeper in black. He mumbled "like painting my own money" and continued on...

He hit the postmark, which he originally intended to go around. Continued to complete the line and declared the postmark was the moon behind Batman's shoulder. Brilliant !!!

Batman - DC Comics : 2014

DC Comics and the USPS teamed-up for the 75th anniversary of Batman with a  series of stamps issued at New York Comic Con on October 9, 2014...

The sheet of stamps features four Batman designs from the various comic book eras. Bill Finger and Bob Kane's original vision of Batman on the bottom row, the Silver Age Batman, the Golden Age Batman and the Modern Age Batman (credited to Jim Lee), along with their specific bat-signal, issued in four round stamps...

Besides the traditional first day cancel, the USPS provided a pictorial first day cancellation featuring the Batman logo...

a color printed first day postmark... DC Comics pictorial unofficial first day cancel...

the USPS also produced pictorial cancelations for each day of the Comic Con...

Commemorative postmarks: Bat Cave NC; Henry Clay Philatelic Society - Lexington KY Stamp Show

Even though stamp collecting is an old fashioned hobby that many see as well past its prime. I enjoy the fact that many artists are creating their own stamp designs, often as part of their training. The below links show a couple of artists who have created their own Batman related stamps, with some very nice designs...

RavenclawRadiance

Fishnbacon

Vivian Kim

Donny Cates - Batman

2014.10.11 New York Comic Con, NYC

After leaving artist alley, I ventured to the main floor to check out the comic companies. As I walked past the Dark Horse booth, I noticed a creator drawing a Batman sketch in a fan's book. The sketch was not great but the artist was having fun and the collector did not seem to mind. When he was done I questioned the book he was signing "Buzz Kill". He told me he was the writer, Donny Cates. I picked up a copy and asked him to sign it, and questioned why he was drawing a Batman. He stated some collectors ask him to draw even though he is not an artist.

We discussed my collection and that I had one previous writer draw a sketch (Erica Shultz) and had asked Chris Claremont if he would write something (he did not, but after some thought). 

I opted for a Batman sketch from Donny, which is not that bad for a writer. I enjoy collecting and it is fun to watch someone create a drawing even if it is not their specialty.

Buzz Kill is the story of an alcoholic superhero who derives his power from massive amounts of alcohol. Written by Cates and Mark Reznicek, art by Geoff Shaw.

Cates is also writing The Ghost Fleet for Dark Horse Comics...