Flight of the Penguin: Escape in the Shadows

The Penguin, also known as Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, is a supervillain in DC Comics who is a frequent adversary of Batman. He first appeared in Detective Comics #58 in December 1941 and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The Penguin is a Gotham City mobster who sees himself as the top "Gentleman of Crime" and is known for his distinctive appearance with a monocle, top hat, and umbrella. He owns a nightclub called the Iceberg Lounge, which serves as a front for his criminal activities. Unlike many of Batman's villains, the Penguin is portrayed as completely sane and in full control of his actions, leading to a unique dynamic with Batman. Various sources inspired his original comic book character design, including the Kool cigarettes mascot and high-society gentlemen in tuxedos. The Penguin is known for using high-tech umbrellas with multiple functions as his signature weapons.

[Workflow: Scanned a panel from Batman #146 (DC Comics 2024) that was drawn by Jorge Jiménez with colors by Tomeu Morey.  Within Affinity Photo I then masked out page unwanted details to focus on The Penguin, layered in a logo, added basic Who's Who biography info, tossed in a classic Rogues Galley emblem, and then masked in a new light flare.]

Caped Crusader Stamp Collection

I designed a limited edition set of Japanese postage stamps, with a select few labeled as "MOST WANTED," hoping that my online translator accurately conveyed the message.

[Workflow: Some base images started with Tengr, then brought into Affinity to trim things out, add some splash items with wear-and-tear, used Filter Forge to create my stamp outlines, and then back to Affinity for final presentation with fonts, pricing, etc.]

Krypton's Healing Touch [TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover]

Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl, sat serenely on the edge of a purifying bath within the Fortress of Solitude's infirmary. In front of her, a radiant med-portal pulsed with ethereal energy, its gentle hum resonating throughout the chamber. This portal, a Kryptonian healing apparatus, emitted a soothing green-hued light that seemed to permeate her very essence with rapid bursts of pulse ions. As the luminous beams embraced her, Kara sensed her injuries gradually healing, her vigor and vitality returning. The Fortress's advanced medical AI, speaking in an androgynous voice, monitored her progress with a comforting cadence, delivering updates in the ancient tongue of Krypton, "Healing protocols initiated. Recovery projected at 97% completion."

[Workflow: Starter image created within Tengr was pulled into Affinity Photo for several layered enhancements, brushwork, particle flows, medical portal creation, and other minor corrections.   Also turned my artwork into a cardstock variant cover edition.]

inspiration image that got me going

Harley Quinn's Whimsy

Presented here is a delicate dance of ink and paper, Harley Quinn's features come to life on the page. Her bright multi-tinted hair and minimalist clown makeup frame her contagious grin. Her eyes sparkle and twinkle with a hint of madness. The lines of her face, bold and expressive, seemed to shift and writhe with an undertow of madness.

[Workflow: Starter image created within NightCafe sourced from a Michael Dooney line-art sketch, and then pulled into Affinity Photo for several layered enhancements, brushwork, texturing, logos, and font work.]

Michael Dooney inspiration image

The Dark Knight's Perch

Batman stood tall on the rooftop, the Gotham City skyline stretching out behind him like a dark, gothic tapestry. The wind whipped fiercely at this high altitude, but his eyes remained fixed on the city below. In his right hand, the grappling hook gun gleamed with a faint blue light, its metal curves a testament to the Dark Knight's ingenuity. The device, a trusty tool in his crime-fighting arsenal, was poised to launch him into the night, ready to swoop in and save the day. The city's neon lights began to slowly twinkle on like diamonds as the sun finally set on Gotham's horizon.

[Workflow: Starter image created within NightCafe sourced from a Dan Mora cartoon panel, and then pulled into Affinity Photo for a couple minor corrections.]

Dan Mora inspiration

Wonder Woman, the Dual-Bladed Amazon

Wonder Woman with dual swords is a formidable battlefield force capable of taking down multiple enemies with precision and speed. Her increased agility, strength, and combat skills make her an even more formidable opponent. However, her reliance on her dual swords might lead to overextension and distraction, making her more vulnerable to surprise attacks.

[Workflow: I really liked the layout from Outsiders (DC Comics 2024 series) issue #7 featuring art by Jerome Opeña.  I made my own version of this fighter's stance featuring Wonder Woman instead of Katana finishing up the NightCafe base start with clean-ups and enhancements in Affinity Photo.]

Supergirl's (cosplay) Abs-of-Steel

Body perfection in this weekend's modeling session featuring Supergirl Cosplay taken by TrUzEDIT AI Photo Labs.

Poison Ivy, Queen of the Urban Gardens

A couple glamour shots of Gotham City's most famous botanist... As the "Queen of the Urban Gardens," Poison Ivy sees herself as a guardian of the natural world, fighting against the destruction of urban ecosystems. She believes humans have forgotten how to live in harmony with nature and seeks to restore balance to the environment.

Laumda-III: A Bounty Hunter's Paradise

A fleet of eclectic spacecraft, each with its unique design and markings, descended onto the mist-shrouded planet of Laumda-III. The ships, a diverse assortment of vessels from various corners of the galaxy, had been drawn to the planet by a lucrative bounty on the head of a notorious outlaw. As the ships landed, teams of skilled bounty hunters emerged from each craft, their eyes scanning the dense jungle landscape for any sign of their quarry. The air was thick with the sounds of chirping insects and the distant rumble of a waterfall, but the hunters moved with purpose, their mission clear: track down the outlaw and claim the reward. The purple-tinted jungle seemed to swallow them whole, but the hunters were undaunted, driven by the promise of a hefty payday and the thrill of the hunt.

Harley Quinn's Beach Vacation

Harley Quinn trades in her mallet for a beach umbrella, swapping her villainous ways for a day of sun, sand, and serenity. She soaks up the rays in a bright pink bikini, her signature jester hat replaced with a trendy beach cover-up. As she lounges on the shore, the sound of the waves and seagulls replaces the rumble of her stolen Harley-Davidson. For one day, the Clown Princess of Crime hangs up her wicked ways and indulges in a little R&R.

A Demon and a Magician Get on a London Bus... plus [TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover]

I created a NightCafe version inspired by Aaron Campbell's John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #5 published by DC Comics, and finished it with several edits within Affinity Photo.   Also turned my artwork into a TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover edition.