Friday, June 24, 2016

Marvel Covers volume 2 Artist's Edition

 Todd McFarlane cover

 Sam Keith cover

 Jim Lee variant cover

 Title page

Credits page


The design challenge of this book, was working with all cover images. The covers represent a singular posterized image. A lot of time you'll see designers take panels and enlarge them, to give you a different perspective, or different focus. In this case, it almost seems redundant, or overkill because the images are already pretty big. So I thought in an odd form of juxtaposition, I would change it the other way. I would take large images and make them look like panels. I guess it's all in how you look at it. It was my attempt at shaking things up.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Mike Mignola's Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects

 Cover Regular Edition

 Cover Variant Edition

 Title Page

 Spread Pages 2-3

Spread Pages 4-5

This book design, was like visiting an old friend. I previously had designed Mike Mignola's Hellboy Artist's Edition, and Mike wanted this to look like a continuation or a companion piece. That was nice to hear. I actually like it when the creators take an interest in the design of the book. Well, I should clarify, when I think those artists have some awareness or sense of GOOD design, then I welcome their input. Sorry guys, but because you illustrate comic books, that doesn't automatically make you a designer. After coming clean and revealing my true feelings, I now feel better! Obviously Mike, is a very good designer. All you have to do is look at how he lays out a page, his spotting of blacks, and his story telling ability, and those things become very clear. 

This book was all about textures, layering, aging and creepiness. With the Hellboy Artist's Edition, I had picked out panels and images from the comic stories to use as design elements. With this book, Mike provided me with a folder full of additional illustrations that weren't part of the stories. These worked out great, because they were created as stand alone pieces.

When I look at the design pages, I wish I would have been able to add one more thing. I think the only thing missing would be, the ability to crack open the book and be hit right in the nose with the smell of mold and mildew. That would take the reading of this book to whole other level.


Saturday, June 4, 2016

Jack Kirby's Thor Artist's Edition

 Front and back cover

 Title Page

 Credits spread

 About this edition

Gallery section divider


This is the fourth Jack Kirby Artist's Edition book I've had the privilege of designing. Just as it's been with previous volumes, I learn new things as I slowly work through the design process. The art on this book seems a little bit more delicate than on other books. I'm going to assume it has to do with the inking that's been applied to Kirby's pencils. It also, to me, seems less dynamic. Nonetheless, it's still ridiculously good.

When designing certain aspect of this book, I wanted to focus on the energy and action in each of the  panels I chose to use. With the use of color blocks and angular shapes it directs your eyes to the movement working in those panels. The border and fonts hopefully convey a "feeling" of nordic heritage. That was the "vibe" I was going for. I also isolated portions of the panels, so it focused primarily on Thor. Usually Kirby's panels are so dense with characters and activity, it's nice to sometimes create a little breathing room, to appreciate details of his art.

This is certainly not the last Kirby book I'll work on, I look forward to continually being educated in the art of dynamic storytelling. Kirby is King!