Sunday, June 16, 2024

Supergirl: Sheriff of Red Rock

Supergirl materialized in the dusty, sun-scorched town of Red Rock, Texas, her eyes scanning the bustling main street. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, leather, and smoke. The year was 1850, and the Wild West was alive and kicking.

As Kara Danvers, aka Supergirl, took in the sights and sounds of this alternate multiverse Earth, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation. Gone were the towering skyscrapers and bustling city streets of her native Metropolis. Instead, she found herself amid a rugged frontier town, where cowboys and outlaws roamed free.


Wonder Woman Glamour Pose

Wonder Woman [angry] Glamour Pose



Saturday, June 15, 2024

Robbery Just Got a Whole Lot More Painful (The Punisher)

The neon lights of the Hell's Kitchen bodega cast an eerie glow over the dark streets of Manhattan. The smell of fresh bread and spices wafted through the air, mingling with the distant hum of the city's never-ending din. It was a typical Tuesday evening in the neighborhood, with the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the streets. But amidst the bustle, a sense of unease hung in the air.

Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, strolled through the crowded aisles, his sharp eyes scanning the shelves for the perfect jar of pasta sauce. Despite his frequent visits to this bodega, each trip held a sense of familiarity and comfort for him. The owner, Maria, greeted him with a warm smile as he passed by, a brief respite in the chaos of the city.

As Frank reached for a jar of sauce, the tranquility of the moment shattered as a group of young thugs barged into the store, their aggressive demeanor sending a wave of fear through the patrons. 'Everybody get down!' one of them barked, brandishing a gun erratically. The customers huddled in fear, but Frank's steely gaze remained unwavering as he swiftly drew his own weapon, ready to confront the threat head-on. In that tense moment, the Punisher prepared to bring justice to the chaos unfolding before him.




Thursday, June 13, 2024

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.]




Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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.]






Tuesday, June 11, 2024

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






Monday, June 10, 2024

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.]






Sunday, June 9, 2024

Supergirl's (cosplay) Abs-of-Steel

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