David Finch Pencils

                                                                                                                                      

 Lichtenstein, Warhol and Ramos “discovered” comic books in the 60’s and made large, beautiful and intellectual pieces from the imagery. Somehow the art world forgot to laud the original creators: Bob Kane, Roy Thomas and Curt Swan. A number of the original artists of the comic book genre ironically didn’t see themselves as artist either. They were happy to be working in a field they loved as they entertained their readership.  There were still others like Carmine Infantino that studied and sited artist including French Impressionist; Edgar Degas as a major influence on his style of drawing. Infantino would produce many of the most iconic and reproduced images from comics “Silver Age.” We now come to the contemporary where comic book creators are recognized as artist in their own right. Robert Crumb, Alex Ross and Daniel Clowes are definitely “Comic Book Guys” and favorites of the “High” art world as well. Another artist to watch that has all the gifts of any master is David finch. His work is to note.

Drawing is critical and the heart and soul of any great work. Go to the core of every work of refinement and you will find draftsmanship is foremost. Film, design, portraiture and scientific development depend heavily on drawing. Story boarding, studies and sketches are critical as well as informative. The mind and hand come together on page as problem solvers and developers. The act and result of drawing by hand as especially expressed with pencil is the alpha. 

Finch’s pencils are of a confidence and grace that rival any draftsman of the day. His is an elegance and refinement that transcends all labels and genres. The lines, shadows and nuances from his hand are treasures as well as joyous to the eye of the viewer. Finch’s portfolio is extensive and possesses’ many remarkable things. Some of his best are displayed here and they are to delight and to please.       

Superman "Man of Steel"

 

 

The “Man of Steel” has been around for many, many extravagant, entertaining and extraordinary years certainly longer than you or I. He was originally conceived by teen agers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938. Within his unique history he has been envisioned in every possible medium since his comic book birth; radio, theatre, novels, games, toys, music, television and film. He is certainly the stuff of legend both as a character and as a production icon of society. Ask anyone if they remember being introduced to Superman and overwhelmingly people will answer that they can’t recall “The Man of Steel” as a new concept. We learn about Superman as we learn of language itself. With so much history and saturation into the American psyche and hearts it is next to impossible to change or revamp the temperament and tone of the character for our contemporary times. Batman his partner, foil and diametric opposite is much more flexible for rewrites and reworks. Spiderman, Dare Devil, Iron Man and even Hell Boy are crafted for our dystopian modern existence. Superman; the “Grand-Daddy” of them all is in most ways just that; the “Grand-Dadd

                                               

                                          

                       

                                                                  

As Superman is known there are some definite things that he can do such as to leap a tall building in a single bound (it would take the rest of us at least three or four bounds.) He is faster than a speeding bullet (there are benefits to this ability; ask just about anyone.) He is more powerful than a locomotive (this refers to a train; something most Americans under the age of thirty probably have never heard of.)  Now; there are also some things that he cannot do. He cannot and has no right to doubt himself. When you can fly purely as a result of your own will power, bend steel in your bare hands, see through walls etc. you do not have any time or reason for petty insecurities. When using said powers you cannot do anything wrong. This means any selfish thing or anything that hurts anyone else (even the bad guy or gal.) You’re the opposite of the baddie and that‘s what makes you the hero; not your powers.   

 

“Man of Steel” opened this weekend in theatres across the country and world-wide. The reviews are mixed; the consensus at this point is “Man of Steel” is at best a descent effort but nothing special. This is the fourth big screen incarnation for Superman. Christopher Reeves set an impossibly high bar for anyone to reach in the Donner films. They will never be surpassed. Reeves personified Superman on screen and he proved to have an amazing amount of courage and resilience in real life. Reeves was an inspiration. This new film comes to us over blown, dark and repetitive. These days the source materials for the super hero “Block-Busters” are known as Graphic Novels. Originally the book’s genre was classified and considered Comic or Funny Books. There has to be a sense of humor; a joyfulness in the equation for anything relating to a comic book creation like Superman, again he is the original. Superman doesn’t need to imitate the kids. He only needs to be himself.      

                                                 All Images of Superman by the Stellar Alex Ross

The Joker

The Joker: the playing card that is thrown out of most decks and seldom used in games. When it is used it is usually “wild.” It is the most distinctive in design; attractive, strange and intricate to the eye. Bob Kane choose wisely when he developed a villain based on the playing card and the love hate relationship we have with clowns. The silent film “The Man Who laughs” was with no doubt a major influence as Kane molded his “Joker.” The film’s star; Conrad Veidt seemed to go deeply into Kane’s psyche as his “Joker” is a near duplicate of the film’s character; Gwynplaine.  

 A hero is only as intense and compelling as his antagonists. The Joker as imagined by Bob Kane became an instant hit and a star in his own right, unique in the world’s greatest comic book rogues gallery.  The Joker even won his own comic book title and was a best seller. He was always a real threat to Batman and anyone that crossed his insane path. Like Batman he has evolved and gone through changes and flowed with the changes in society and the core readership of the comic book fan.

In the lengthy history of the character the Joker has created his own utility belt, a joker-mobile and a lethal laughing gas that causes his victims to laugh themselves to death while leaving the unmistakable distorted grin of “The Joker” on their faces. Within his time The Joker has caused the death of Robin, crippled Batgirl and had many bloody hand to hand (though very much one sided) confrontations  with Batman himself. The joker is unquestionably insane but there has always been a true sense of the comic and the ridiculous as part of the character.

Along with Batman The Joker has moved to other mediums. He was a special part of “The Sixties” TV version. Caesar Romero was television’s “Clown Prince of Crime” as he had become known to that generation. He remained in the role throughout the duration of the series and he played the part with much delight. The next screen “Joker” would be Jack Nicholson in the Tim Burton darker, psychologically charged film version. Batman was darker but The Joker kept his sense of humor intact. “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” The Joker ponders as Batman attacks in his “Bat-Wing” stealth flier. This has become one of the funniest and most memorable lines in modern film.

                                                    

The Men Who Laughed

It is with the Christopher Nolan trilogy of Batman films that The Joker has seen his most demented and disturbing incarnation. As envisioned by Nolan and portrayed by the late Heath Ledger “The Joker” is sadistic and vile; a remorseless, soulless beast. His face has the look of the victim of a serious accident or beating. It is disfigured, difficult to look at and devoid of any humor. Nolan’s “Joker” commits an unusual number of mindless, inhuman acts. He kills without discrimination or pause. His sick mind rationalizing everything he does as he explains many times in his dialogue. Sadly a deranged gunman chooses to immulate this “Joker” in real life at the opening of the Nolan film “The Dark Knight Rises.” We continue at this date to mourn the death of twelve individuals and we pray the remaining injured will recover. “Why so serious?” is the question The Joker asks in Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Returns.” It is the gravity of the times…perhaps it is the times.

In the comic book world of Gotham City The Joker is Batman’s foil supreme. He is the clown of macabre laughter, mayhem and mirth who contrasts Batman, the man of dedication brilliantly. We go to the realm of imagination to escape a sometimes torturous and senseless world. I hope we can return there again.

The Dark Knight

The character was born into a time of heroes and villains; of adventure and deeds. Virtue, nobility and honor were central to this man/character who would attempt to give meaning to the senseless death of his parents to somehow make a world better by the protection of the innocent and bringing a form of justice to the predators. His plan; to strike fear into the hearts and psyche of those who would commit crimes as he stopped their individual acts of violence. His methods could be questioned as they certainly would be in a real life situation but he is a character of fiction. He is created to be and became a symbol of the best that we can be. He was created in the spirit of the greatest fiction and entertainment. He is the creation of writer illustrator Bob Kane…he is Batman.

“Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot. So my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts.”                     Bruce Wayne speaks from “The Legend of the Batman”

Bob Kane drew on many sources when developing his “Bat-Man.” His influences range from the notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci to Chester Gould’s newspaper strip “Dick Tracy.” The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro were wealthy socialites that hid their identities as they used their resources to “right wrongs.” They were among the source influences. Pulp fiction and movies all went into his work and perhaps that is a reason for the characters longevity. Batman has been Interpreted and reinterpreted over the years in every medium; novels, radio, animation, comic strips and film.

It is in film today that Batman has reached his greatest audiences and his most recent brilliant incarnation. The award winning films of Christopher Nolan have given us a timely and reflective view of Batman’s Gotham City. Like all great works of art it speaks to us and our times. Sadly life imitates art in a twisted demented way when cycled through the mind and heartless soul of a socio-path. This past Friday night at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” the final installment of Nolan’s trilogy innocents were visited by a dealer in death and mayhem. It was the greatest cowardice; a cowardice that is all too often repeated in the world, the society of today.

Why was it the Batman film debut? We may never know with any certainty. Probably just in the unfortunate timing of the release; a terrible misfortune. A movie is released; a psychotic plots mass murder weeks or month before. He chooses the venue of the highest visibility.  He dyes his hair and calls himself “The Joker” (the previous film’s antagonist) and gargs himself like the villain “Bane” from this latest movie. Nolan’s version of Batman is the darkest to date. Remember the sixties version starring Adam West. Video/ role playing games, movies and the comic books of the day are all increasing and disturbingly violent. Who’s at fault? The makers, marketers or are we all unwitting accomplices in our own demise. When will the trends reverse?  When will the pendulum swing back? Where do we go from here?

In this time of mourning our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will attempt to give them as much understand and comfort as we can. Our nation has experienced the loss of too many magnificent, loving souls. We search and pray for answers.   

A character of fiction…a terrible tragedy…the nation mourns.