~~ BATMAN FOR OKLAHOMA ~~

Hey guys,

As you know, yesterday Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Moore) was hit hard by a giant tornado which has caused devastating damage.
To help the victims I decided to auction some artwork.

Here's how it'll work:
I've posted the art above: BATMAN with Bat-Signal in the bg.
Original artwork is fully inked on 9x12" bristol board.
If you're interested, please type your bid in the comments feature. Bidding starts at $50 and goes up in $5 increments.
Important: Paypal payment only ~ US bidders only at this time.

UPDATE!!!Since you guys are showing so much generosity, I am including a copy of the new Bat-Classic THE BLACK MIRROR HC signed by me and with a Commissioner Gordon sketch inside the book. :)

Bidding will end at 4pm EST (that's 1pm for the west-coasters) tomorrow, Wed, May 22, 2013.

Highest bidder* gets the art and the money raised goes straight to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
I'm also covering the shipping cost for the winner.
This is a great chance to donate to a needy cause and get some nice art in the process.

If you'd like to help more, here is another option: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Cheers,
Francesco

*In case the highest bidder doesn't come through with payment, prize goes to 2nd highest bidder.
 Paypal payment only ~ US bidders only at this time.

Artwork © 2013 Francesco Francavilla.

BATMAN: The Black Mirror HC

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

It's finally here, the BLACK MIRROR hardcover collecting all the 11 Detective Comics issues of the year long run by Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and me, including the 2 inital Gordon co-feature stories and a big 20-pages long section with extra material like concepts, design, layouts, and sample of the original script.

In the image above - From top to bottom:

* front cover
* front dustjacket
* back dustjacket
* Credits Page
* Extras/WIP material pages

I was going to list a series of quotes and reviews, but I want to keep it short so I am summarizing it all with: everyone agree this is one of the best Batman and Commissioner Gordon stories in decades! :)

SO what are you waiting for? Go to the shop (or online) and pick this up - you will not regret it, I promise :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #881 Layouts

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

Here's an exclusive look at some of my layouts for Detective Comics #881, this year long arc grand finale by Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and me, next month in stores :)
Hope you guys dig it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #879 Exclusive Preview

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

Yesterday I shared the process behind a panel from a page of Detective Comics #879.
Well, today I am sharing the whole finished page, so you have a hint of what to expect from #879 next month in stores :)
Hope you guys dig it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

BABS! (from Detective Comics #879)

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

A little making of a panel from Detective 879 showcasing Babs in the Kord Tower. Hope you guys enjoy it and stay tuned for more sneak peeks as we approach the release of this issue in July :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Harvey

Here's a panel from a page I worked on last night for Detective Comics: it's part of a pretty cool opening scene ;)

Speaking of Detective, I CANNOT wait for you guys to get #874 next week: I think it might be one of my best issue yet (and I am trying to top that with #875)
Hope ya dig it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla.
All Characters ™ and © 2011 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

Skeleton Cases & Detective Comics

~ Above: The making of #874 cover - Click on the images for a closer look ~

Hello Friends,

this week has seen the release of Detective Comics #873 with part 3 (and conclusion) of the Black Mirror story, Scott Snyder's and Jock's first critically acclaimed arc on Detective. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you better do it soon cause they are selling out (once again!)

With the book out, I have read about lots of people wondering what happened to the co-feature, "SKELETON CASES", I was illustrating. Part 3 was supposed to be in 873 but it wasn't, fans noted. Some wondered if the co-feature has been killed because of the new format and reduced price tag of $2.99.
To help to clear some of this confusion, I thought to dedicate this post to SKELETON CASES and what's coming up in Detective.


~ Above: An intense moment between Jim Gordon and his estranged son James Jr. ~

With the new format there was no room for the initially planned co-feature in 873. For that reason we all decided to move pt 3 of Skeleton Cases to #874. So, next issue (out in February), will see the conclusion of SKELETON CASES in the first half of the book, and the second half will have a little Batman tale - featuring guest star Red Robin - that is a bridge between the first and second Snyder-Jock arc.
The whole issue is written by Scott and entirely illustrated by me.


~ Above: Batman and special guest Red Robin study the adversary... ~

And in March we will have Detective #875, (see below) a full issue dedicated to a Jim Gordon story, a "hardcore cold case mystery" that has been haunting him since Jr was a little kid. And speaking of Jr., we will find out more about him in this issue.
This will be written by Scott and - again - illustrated entirely by me.
I read the script and it's a chilling story, so you guys don't want to miss it, trust me :)

Detective #876 in April will see the first part of a 3 issue arc with Jock and David Baron back to art duties: hints of this new arc are in the short story that will be in Detective 874 next month.

I (and Gordon and Jr.) will be back on the pages of Detective after this arc.

And that's it for now: hope you guys have a clearer idea of what's ahead and hope to see you on board for the whole run: Scott is a talented writer and it's making this a hell of a run: Jock, David, and I are all happy to be on board with this and you can tell :)

Hope you enjoy the making of the cover for 874 above and below are the solicits for #874 and #875.

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

DETECTIVE COMICS #874
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

Gordon faces James Jr. in the conclusion of the 3-part SKELETON CASES arc. Meanwhile Batman - and guest star Red Robin - gets a little taste of a new menace for Gotham City while still dealing with the after effects of the Black Mirror arc!

On sale FEBRUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~

“There are some cases that come screaming back at you…like phone calls in the night…”
For years, Jim Gordon has been haunted by the unsolved case of Gotham’s notorious
“Peter Pan Killer.” Now, armed with new evidence, Gordon is determined to put the case to rest.
But as he digs deeper, he’ll unearth a shocking discovery about his own past – a revelation that will shake him to the core. Skeletons will be exposed and secrets revealed in this special issue featuring art by Francesco Francavilla!

On sale March 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Bat-Flamethrower!

(click on the above image for the poster view)

This "lunch break quickie" was inspired by a brief exchange I had with (American Vampire and Detective Comics writer) Scott Snyder and Bat editor Mike Marts on Twitter - and clearly inspired by the current situtaion in the North East of the US (heck, we even had snow here in Atlanta and it's still kinda white landscape around here).

So,I give you Batman about to free the Batmobile from the snow with his flamethrower ;)
And pls don't forget to pickup Detective #872 tomorrow out in stores (it also includes the second part of SKELETON CASES, the Commissioner Gordon co-feature written by Scott and drawn by me):)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Everyone Loves Detective

(click on the above image for a bigger reading experience ;))

Hi guys,

Detective Comics #871 (with the brand new team of Scott Snyder on the story, and Jock, David Baron, and me on art chores, all under the great supervision of editors Mike Marts and Janelle Siegel) come out last week and since then reviews are poring in and the verdict seems to be the same: Detective is the Bat book you must buy :D
Check these reviews out :) (click on links to read the reviews)

iFanboy: 5 out of 5!

TECHLAND: I like the new look of Detective a lot--two schools of European cartooning in just one book!

CBR

Crave OnLine: t’s hard to read Detective Comics #871 and not feel like a new era is upon us. With only one issue, Snyder and the team of artists have established a very new take on Dick Grayson, Jim Gordon, and their relationship with Gotham City. If you don’t love absolutely everything the new Detective Comics, there’s something fundamentally wrong with the way you view art.

Newsarama Best Shots Extra

Multiversity Comics: I can't say enough about this book. From top to bottom, from the writing to the art to the editing to everything else, this book is simply one of the best big two superhero books of the year. 9.8

The Outhousers

Read/Rant: A-

Comics And... : Overall Grade A + - If you aren’t reading this book you are missing what could become a classic.

Paradox Comics Group: the Vertigo sophistication and sensibility being applied to the DC Universe [..] 8/10

Comic Attack!: I highly recommend it!

The Weekly Crisis: Must Read. You are going to want to be in on the ground floor for what’s going to be a great year for Batman. this reads like Dashiell Hammett’s take on the character and the city.

Weekly Comic Book Review: Snyder “get’s it” and is writing a uniquely Dick Grayson detective story. Jock and Francavilla are delivering awesome art. Must read! A-

Gotham Knights Online: Jock and Francesco’s artwork matches Snyders writing perfectly and [..] puts Detective Comics at the top of the pile for Batman titles currently out there. 5/5

Heroes Online: Atmospheric and intelligent, an excellent start for this title’s new direction.

There is plenty more reviews posted in the last days and more coming out this week, but you get the idea... :)
Thanks everyone for the support: I, Scott, Jock, David, Mike, Janelle, and all the DC COmics gang really appreciate all the bat-love you guys are throwing our way :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics

Detective Work Pt.1

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

Hi guys,

Here's some more samples I did for Detective.
Some good old detective surveillance :)
Hope you guys dig it.

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

Shadow of the Bat!

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

Hi guys,

I thought to share another of the sample pieces I did for Detective.
Thanks again everyone for the excitement and congrats: I am really looking forward to get started on this and hope you guys will enjoy the ride as much as I plan to do :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

Detective Comics!!!

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

YAY! I can finally announce that I will be part of the new Detective Comics team, along with talented fellas like writer Scott "American Vampire" Snyder, artist Jock (of Losers fame and phenomenal cover artist of one of my fave book, SCALPED), colorist David Baron, and editor Mike Marts and assistant editor Janelle Siegel.
I will be drawing the co-feature focusing on Commissioner Gordon and a figure from his past. It's gonna be a thrilling arc!

Couldn't be more excited about this.

Here's a link tot he DC annoucement and above is a bit of "fanart" done for FUN :)

Book is slated for November relase: will make sure to give more details as we get closer :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

Batman!!!

~~ click on the images for larger view ~~

Yep, I never grow tired to draw this guy :)
I have been working on some layouts for my new WS mini yesterday, while watching the final season of LOST on my DVR (I am still behind but catching up quickly ;)), and did this Batman pencil doodle (below) - on the back of one of the script pages - that I decided to ink.
Well, I did a little more than just inking those pencils, and the result is the image above.
Hope you guys enjoy it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Batman Vs The Duck Squadron!

(click on it for CLOSUPARAMA view ;))

Alright, we KNOW you WANT to read this story, right? ;)
Paul Tobin and I are collecting signatures for make this happen: I have been told that 50,000 signatures would be enough to convince DC Comics to give us the green light. ;)
So, sign in and leave your name here below this post and tell to your friends and family. Only 50,000, c'mon, we can make this dream tale happen :D ;)

EDIT!!! Wow, I wasn't expecting this kinda of response! :) Thank you, everyone, I almost feel I have to draw the first page if we get to 100 signatures already... ;)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Batman in Red

This morning warm up before getting on some Zorro pages. Plus it has been awhile since I drew this guy and I LOVE drawing this guy ;)

And speaking of what inspired Batman, tomorrow Zorro 15 is coming out: make sure to grab a copy, you will not regret it ;)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2009 Francesco Francavilla.

Trio of Masked Heroes

Hello friends,

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your families. I just got back home from mine and decided to share some of the free quick sketches I recently did on the back of my sketchbooks (since we were talking about this topic in the previous post).
If you have time, check out Pulp Sunday to see how I played a little more on that Sandman sketch in Painter and turn it in a (fake) cover piece :)

Cheers,
Francesco