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.]

Superman Holds Up a Collapsing Building

I created an homage cover based on Pablo M. Collar's original interior panel artwork.   I began with Tengr to kick things off, sourcing art from My Adventures with Superman #1 (August 2024).  I then expanded the image vertically and added more destructive details by hand, blending in other layers for special effects like dust clouds and falling debris. Finally, I created a variant cover layout to complete the production look and feel of an actual Superman Unchained #6 comic book.

 

(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

Scuba Diver's Surprise in the Black Lagoon [TrUzApalOOza cardstock wraparound variant cover C + cover D]

Continuing the Creature from Black Lagoon series, here are Cover C and Cover D (wraparound) Retailer Incentive versions...

[Workflow: I sourced a chunk of images from the internet and then combined them into the final picture. I didn't have to use Tengri/NightCafe to create my usual stock items for this composition. Lots of masking work, curve adjustments (green up the water), displacements (reflection of monster), distorts (for eyebrows), mesh wrapping, brush layers to add more bubbles/water effects, etc.]

Image list:

1. cover D [full upper body of diver] wraparound exclusive Pulp Fiction Comics cover
2. cover C [close-up facemask only] cover
3. raw of the painting (reduced resolution), without final book layouts/logos
4. a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters
5. and a bunch of the source images

cover D (full image wraparound)

cover C (focused on diver's mask)

the final raw image before cropping the view for covers C + D

my water, overlayed to recolor

my layers panel

my original diver before edits

regulator logo

face mask reference

most of bubbles, others added with brushes

Scuba Diving the Black Lagoon [TrUzApalOOza cardstock wraparound variant cover B-RI]

Continuing the Creature from Black Lagoon series, here I present the Cover B-Retailer Incentive version...

[Workflow: Another large series of image prompts (75+) fed, and re-fed back through NightCafe, Tengr, and Co-Pilot via hand edits to give me various pieces to start with. Pulled them all together and made the composition within Affinity Photo. My first painting layout did not match the wraparound aspect ratio {13.25" x 10.25" | 3310px x 2560}, so I condensed the frightened scuba diver closer to the monster and another minor shuffling of objects for a version 2 look.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant wraparound exclusive Pulp Fiction Comics cover
2. raw version 2 of the painting (reduced resolution), without final book layouts/logos
3. raw version 1 of the painting (reduced resolution), the art size did not fit my comic book format
4. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters
5. my source fish

TrUzApalOOza cardstock wraparound variant cover B-RI

raw virgin cover art for Cover B-RI

version 1 art that I had to redo to make it fit comic book layout

my big fish

Beyond the Black Lagoon [TrUzApalOOza cardstock wraparound variant cover]

[my rough proposal for an annual comic book from Image Comics/Skybound]

Two decades after the original film, set in the backdrop of 1974, backwoods anthropologist Bill McGee, with a spirit reminiscent of the counterculture movement of the era, embarks on his psychedelic and marijuana-fueled expedition through the Amazon rainforest. Drawing inspiration from the environmental consciousness of the 1970s, Bill's journey is a quest for discovery and a reflection of the growing awareness of ecological issues.

As Bill encounters the enigmatic "Creature from the Black Lagoon," the cultural landscape echoes reverberate through their interactions. Themes of environmental conservation, interspecies communication, Indigenous rights movements, land conflicts, and the search for harmony with nature resonate strongly in their evolving friendship. The turbulent socio-political climate of the era, marked by military dictatorships and infrastructure development, adds a layer of complexity to their bond, mirroring the era's struggles for understanding and acceptance.

Through their shared experiences and encounters with the mysteries of the rainforest, Bill and the creature navigate the complexities of their relationship, drawing parallels to the era's exploration of identity, Indigenous rights movements, and interconnectedness. As they confront numerous challenges, including conflicts over land ownership and resource extraction, they embody the spirit of resilience and empathy that defined the 1970s, forging a bond that transcends time, species, and societal norms. Join Bill McGee and the Creature from the Black Lagoon on a transformative odyssey of friendship, understanding, and the enduring quest for harmony in a world in flux.

I propose that the comic book annual for October 2024 be written by the returning Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! creative team of writer Ram V, interior art by Matthew Roberts, and featuring exclusive painted covers by TrUz ApalOOza.

[Workflow: A large series of image prompts fed, and re-fed back through NightCafe, Tengr, and Co-Pilot via hand edits to give me various pieces to start with. I then composed and merged it within Affinity Photo. Lots of layers, overlays for shadows and lighting, texture layers for bubbles, plant life, and water ripples, with a large dash of masking, wrapping it up with final comic book banners, logos, and credits.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant wraparound exclusive Pulp Fiction Comics cover
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. background base water image
7. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filters

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