The Jar of Dragon's Flames, Part 1: "The Thief of Flames"

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This two-part storyline is proposed to be written by Brian Azzarello with interior art by Goran Sudzuka and variant covers by TrUzApalOOza.]

Title: The Jar of Dragon's Flames

Starring: John Constantine (The Trenchcoat Magician)

Publisher: DC Comics

Synopsis: When a mysterious jar containing the flames of a dragon is stolen from a secret society, John Constantine is hired to retrieve it. But as he delves deeper into the world of black magic and ancient curses, he discovers that the jar's true power is not just its ability to unleash fiery destruction, but also its capacity to manipulate the very fabric of reality.

• Part 1: "The Thief of Flames"

John Constantine is hired by a mysterious client to steal a jar containing the flames of a dragon from a secret society. But as he infiltrates the society's headquarters, he realizes that the jar is more than just a simple container - it's a key to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As Constantine navigates the treacherous world of black magic, he must confront his own demons and make a choice between his own morality and the temptation of ultimate power.

• Part 2: "The Blaze of Reality"

Constantine's quest for the jar has awakened a powerful force that threatens to destroy the very fabric of reality. As the flames of the dragon begin to spread, Constantine must use all his magical prowess to contain the blaze and prevent a catastrophic outcome. But as the stakes grow higher, Constantine begins to realize that the jar's true power is not just its ability to unleash destruction, but also its capacity to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Can Constantine find a way to stop the flames and restore balance to the universe, or will he succumb to the temptation of ultimate power?

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Adventure

Target Audience: Mature Readers (16+)

Page Count: 32 pages (2-part storyline)

Format: Full-color, 6.625 x 10.25 inches (standard comic book size)

[Workflow: Starter images of the dragon, John, and background creatures in Tengr AI. Combined images together, added more light reflections, flames, sparks, and demon skulls within Affinity Photo.]

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

John Enters the Citadel of GazeBrax

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This three-part storyline is proposed to be written by Denise Mina, with interior art by Stefano Landini.]

As John Constantine descended into the lower levels of Hell, the air grew thick with the stench of brimstone and the screams of the damned. The sky above was a deep brackish red, with wispy vapor clouds drifting lazily across the horizon like ghostly apparitions. The moon, a burning crimson orb, hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape.

Before him, a massive, purple bulbous creature emerged from the shadows. Its body was covered in thick, scaly skin, and its eyes - a staggering thirteen total appeared to take in the scene from every angle. The creature's short, horn-like protrusions seemed to quiver with malevolent intent as it regarded Constantine with a cold, calculating gaze.

The air was heavy with the scent of sulfur and smoke, and the ground beneath Constantine's feet seemed to writhe and twist like a living thing. The creature's very presence seemed to draw the life force out of the air, leaving only a dull, oppressive weight that pressed down upon Constantine's shoulders.

"You shouldn't be here, Constantine," the creature hissed while spitting green saliva in a voice that sent shivers down Constantine's spine. "This is not a place for mortals." Constantine snarled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not just any mortal, pal. I'm John Constantine, and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine summoned Randar's Defensive Globe, a powerful spell that would protect him from the creature's attack. The air around him shimmered with a faint verdant illumination as the spell took hold, and Constantine felt an increased surge of confidence.

[Workflow: Starter images of the beast, smaller creatures in the foreground, background town, John Constantine, and Randar's Globe were created in NightCafe. The painting canvas texture, drool, and moon were sourced from the internet. The images were then combined together, with a batch of AI-artifact fixes to the beast made by hand (eyes, claws). Fx layers were used for JC's spellcasting. Heavy use was made of IamRensi custom brushes for masking, clouds, and magic aura on the globe.]

(John Constantine) The Wandering Son of England Returns Home

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics which I started after seeing a painting by Behshad Arjomandi.  This one-shot storyline proposed to be written by Paul Jenkins, with interior art by Giuseppe Camuncoli.]

In the heart of London, where shadows dance with secrets and the rain whispers of forgotten sins, there strides a man unlike any other. John Constantine, the enigmatic and troubled occult detective, returns to his homeland with a heavy heart and a burdened soul. As he strolls down the slick cobblestone streets, the iconic silhouette of Big Ben looms in the distance, its clock face a stark reminder of the relentless march of time. Dark clouds gather overhead, crackling with the promise of a storm brewing both in the skies and within Constantine himself.

Lightning flashes, illuminating the grimy alleyways and hidden corners of the city, casting eerie shadows that seem to reach out for him. But John Constantine is no stranger to the darkness; he is its master and its prisoner, a man caught between worlds, forever wandering the thin line between salvation and damnation. As he navigates the treacherous waters of London's supernatural underbelly, Constantine must confront his past, his demons, and the ghosts that haunt him. For in this city of ancient magic and modern malaise, the wandering son of England returns home, ready to face whatever horrors lie in wait. Join us on a journey through the twisted streets of London, where danger lurks in every shadow and salvation is but a fleeting dream. This is the saga of John Constantine, the man who walks with one foot in the light and one foot in the dark, a reluctant hero in a world that has long forgotten the meaning of the word.

[Workflow: A series of Tengr image prompts to get many elements in the same dark-colored painting format.   Composed these pieces of John, the street, trees, and background buildings into base image, then applied recoloring effects, rain layers, lightning with clouds, water splashes, and then the final layers of comic book branding.  All final edits, and source image clean-ups were done within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover 
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution), my original version is too wide for the standard comic book layout so I had to crop out some of the right-hand street scenery
3. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filter
4. reference inspiration painting by Behshad Arjomandi
5. the original background image I worked out within Tengr
6. my base John image to merge into the scene, started within Tengr

Imagined DC Comic book cover

raw painted image before converted to a comic book cover

my basic background London before compositing

image that inspired me by Behshad Arjomandi

John Constantine (isolated image)

Affinity Layers Panel

Zatanna: London, Two Nights Only (Book 1) [TrUzApalOOza cardstock wraparound variant cover]

[my rough proposal for a two-part Zatanna Zatara storyline for DC Comics]

In the city of magic and wonder, where the lights of the West End shine bright, a legendary illusionist is about to take the stage. Zatanna Zatara, the enchanting mistress of magic, has arrived in London for a limited two-night engagement at the historic Garrick Theatre in the heart of Westminster.  As she prepares for her opening night, Zatanna is approached by an old family friend, the enigmatic and mysterious Sargon the Sorcerer. His eyes gleam with an otherworldly intensity as he whispers a cryptic message in her ear. "Zatanna, my dear, I have a favor to ask of you. A dear friend of mine, a collector of rare and ancient artifacts, has gone missing. His name is Silas, and he was last seen in the city, searching for the Orb of St. Edward. It seems that the Cult of Mithras, a secretive and ancient organization, has stolen the Orb from the British Museum, and Silas was tracking them down. I fear he may have gotten himself into trouble, and I need your help to find him and recover the Orb."

Zatanna's eyes narrow, her mind racing with the possibilities. She knows that Sargon's friends are often involved in the darker side of magic, and she senses that this is no ordinary case. "I'll help you, Sargon," she says, her voice firm and resolute. "But I need to know more about the Orb of St. Edward and what kind of danger we're facing."  Sargon's smile is like a crack of thunder on a stormy night. "Ah, Zatanna, you always were one for the thrill of the chase. Very well, I'll tell you what I know. The Orb of St. Edward is a powerful relic, said to grant the power to control the very fabric of reality. It's been passed down through the centuries, and its last known resting place was the British Museum. But now it's gone, and I fear that if it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Zatanna's eyes flash with excitement. She knows that she's in for the adventure of a lifetime, and she's ready to face whatever dangers lie ahead. "Then let's get started, Sargon," she says, her voice dripping with determination. "I'll find Silas and the Orb of St. Edward, no matter what it takes." And with that, Zatanna Zatara sets off on a journey that will take her to the very limits of her magical abilities, and beyond. The game is afoot, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Will Zatanna emerge victorious, or will the darkness consume her?  The world of magic is full of surprises, and Zatanna is about to find out just how true that is...

I am proposing this would be written by Paul Dini, interior art by Jamal Igle, and exclusive painted covers by TrUz ApalOOza.

[Workflow: A series of image prompts from Bing Co-Pilot and NightCafe to give me a chunk of starter images, which I then composed and merged within Affinity Photo. Lots of layers, overlays for shadows and lighting, texture layers for lens flares, sparkles, fireworks, distorted/warped/twisting all over with a large dash of masking.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant wraparound cover of Zatanna London book 1
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution), without final book layouts/logos
3. front cover view
4. back cover view
5. The series logo which I worked within both Affinity Photo and Designer
6. Letter Z, applied to her tuxedo lapel
7. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters

Jakarta Daemon, Part 2: "The Cursed Streets of Old Batavia" [TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover]

Continuing my previous post for the Jakarta Daemon storyline...

[my rough proposal for part 2 of a new John Constantine storyline for DC Comics]

As John Constantine ventured into the historic streets of Old Batavia, the crumbling colonial architecture seemed to loom over him like sentinels, casting long shadows that seemed to writhe and twist in the flickering streetlights. The air was thick with the scent of incense and decay, and the distant sounds of chanting and drums echoed through the alleys, drawing him deeper into the heart of the city. But as he turned a corner, he was suddenly ambushed by a group of shadowy demons with red eyes, their faces twisted into grotesque grins as they emerged from the darkness. John's instincts screamed at him to defend himself, but he hesitated, his mind racing with the implications of what he was seeing. These were no ordinary demons - they were the servants of the daemon Kuntilanak, and they had been sent to stop John from uncovering the truth.

John's local contacts, a group of street-smart kids who had been tracking the daemon's movements, appeared out of nowhere, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of fear and determination. "John, we've been waiting for you," one of them whispered, as they quickly ushered him into the safety of a nearby doorway. But as John looked around at the kids, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were hiding something from him. Despite his reservations, he decided to trust them, and together they set out to uncover the web of ancient secrets and forbidden knowledge hidden within the city's oldest temples and catacombs.

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover of Jakarta Daemon part 2
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution), my original version is too wide for the standard comic book layout so I had to crop some of the shadowy demons.
3. an earlier work-in-progress (WIP) image as i was trying to decide on the layout
4. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters

Jakarta Daemon, Part 5: "The Daemon's Reckoning" [TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover]

Continuing my previous post for the Jakarta Daemon storyline, and yes I am presenting my story ideas and cover art out-of-order.

[my rough proposal for part 5 of a new John Constantine storyline for DC Comics]

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jakarta was consumed by darkness. The city's streets were ablaze, the sounds of screams and gunfire filling the air. The daemon's eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, drawing the very life force out of the air. Its body began to stretch and contort, growing into a towering monstrosity with claws as long as city buses. The stench of brimstone and smoke filled the air, and John could feel the heat emanating from the daemon's fiery breath. John Constantine stood atop a rooftop, his eyes fixed on the chaos below. His attention was focused on the true enemy: the daemon Kuntilanak, growing in power and size as it crushed smaller buildings and continued to feed on its human sacrifices.

The city would be reduced to piles of smoldering rubble by morning if John acted slowly. With a fierce determination, he cast a protection spell to buy himself time to initiate his hidden weapon. John reached into his trenchcoat pocket and retrieved the powerful Indonesian orb of Dewi Sri Adilorb. He began to chant the magician's incantation to empower the artifact, but he knew he had to act fast before the monstrous daemon reached him on the city's south side.

[Workflow: I sketched out a rough layout of a demon smashing a city and fed that through Tengri with my prompt. I took the best three images and then pieced elements together for the main scene. I used another series of prompts to generate a man in a trenchcoat in NightCafe, then pulled these elements in to be composited. I filled gaps to flesh out the comic book cover layout, merged the variant cover logo overlay, added the storyline logo with text and a sigil badge, and included creator credits, a barcode, and the DC Black Label badge. I added smoke, fire, flames, and a protection portal. I built a basic orb from Affinity's vector shapes, then layered in the magic glow and casting effects. Created a hell brand and applied to the daemon's arm. I found an Indonesian flag to pull into perspective warp into the image. Finally, lots of masking on just about every layer, and also layered in a few more texture tricks to produce the final product within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover of Jakarta Daemon part 5
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution).  I flipped the image for the final cover so that my Hellblazer logo, and series badge would be where I wanted them.
3. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters

Jakarta Daemon, Part One (Intrigues in Jakarta with John Constantine) [TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover]

[my rough proposal for a new John Constantine storyline for DC Comics]

In the neon-drenched underbelly of Jakarta's downtown Tanah Babah shopping district, John Constantine stood shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the eerie glow of vending machines that seemed to pulse with intermittent energy. The rain-soaked streets reflected the dim light of the city, casting a melancholy mood over the bustling metropolis. As he puffed on his cigarette, the faint yellow glow of the burning tobacco cast an eerie light on his weathered face, etched with the lines of numerous battles and countless moral compromises. This is the beginning of the five-part storyline titled Jakarta Daemon, an eerie narrative of terror and the paranormal where John Constantine delves into the dark heart of the city to hunt down the Indonesian daemon known as Kuntilanak that has been mutilating and murdering young women in gruesome and inexplicable ways for the past four months. I am proposing this would be written by Simon Spurrier, interior art by Bilquis Evely, and exclusive painted covers by TrUz ApalOOza.

• Part 2: "The Cursed Streets of Old Batavia" John Constantine's investigation into the daemon Kuntilanak leads him to the historic streets of Old Batavia, where he meets with his local contacts, a group of street-smart kids who've been tracking the daemon's movements. But as John digs deeper, he begins to suspect that his contacts may be hiding something. Despite his reservations, John decides to trust them, and together they uncover a web of ancient secrets and forbidden knowledge hidden within the city's oldest temples.
• Part 3: "The Whispering Walls of the Sultan's Palace" As John's investigation takes him to the Sultan's Palace, he discovers that his local contacts have been playing him all along. They've been using him to get closer to Kuntilanak the daemon, and now they're demanding a share of the profits. John is torn between his loyalty to his new friends and his duty to stop the evil terrorizing their city. He decides to betray his contacts, using them to get closer to the daemon, but at what cost? The whispers of the palace walls begin to echo with the weight of John's betrayal.
• Part 4: "The Blood of the Ancients" John's betrayal of his contacts has consequences, and the streets of Jakarta begin to run red with blood. The daemon's power grows stronger, and John realizes that he's made a terrible mistake. He must now navigate the treacherous underworld of Jakarta's criminal networks to find a way to stop the daemon and make amends for his betrayal. But the city's ancient secrets are not so easily uncovered, and John finds himself trapped in a web of man-made deceit and demonic corruption.
• Part 5: "The Daemon's Reckoning" In the climactic final act, John must face both Kuntilanak, and the true gangster masterminds behind the horrors plaguing Jakarta. But his betrayal of his local contacts has left him isolated and alone. With the city on the brink of chaos, John must use all his wits and cunning to stop the daemon and end the city's cycle of violence. But at what cost? The daemon's reckoning is at hand, and John must confront the consequences of his previous actions. Will he be able to redeem himself, or will the city burn around him?

[Workflow: My final image was inspired by a sketch I found on Reddit which started my creation within Tengri, then elements were added to fill in the gaps to fill out the comic book cover layout, variant cover logo overlay merged, storyline logo with text and sigil badge, creator credits, barcode, DC Black Label badge, the addition of rain, smoke, cigarette features, and camera refocusing were all completed within Affinity Photo.]