Every comic book needs a character to make it interesting. A spirited and entertaining character propagates your story very well. However, before creating a character you must decide an idea for your comic book.
Continue reading “Guest Post: What Are Some Good Ideas For Comic Characters?”
Japan is known for having some of the most unique art in the world. Building on centuries of feudal culture, Japanese art has its own style. A famous example of Japanese art is jizai okimono, which translates to ‘move freely decorative object.’ Jizai okimono involves the crafting of articulated sculptures. Beginning in 17th century Japan, the art form is highly specialised and fascinating. But what are the origins of jizai okimono and how has it evolved in modern times? Continue reading “Delving Into The World Of Jizai Okimono And Japanese Art”
When it comes to pop culture art, comic covers have some of the most beautiful designs. In this edition of Comic Cover Corner, I’m putting the spotlight on Elektra #2. Drawn by Mike Del Mundo, the cover features the assassin Elektra in a deadly dance of death. The colours, positioning and lighting come together to tell a story. Here’s my review of a cover that deserves to be hung up in a gallery. Continue reading “Comic Cover Corner: Elektra #2”
The comic book industry has seen a significant boom over the past few decades and has paved the way for a lot of aspiring artists to turn their hands in the art of creating a comic book. Becoming a comic book artist is not a very easy career path to take on. You have to go through a lot of challenges before you can even be recognized as a legit comic book artist. It takes more than good drawing skills to survive this cutthroat industry. If you’re thinking how comic book bigwigs such as Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Greg Capullo, Jack Kirby and others became famous, then read on. Continue reading “Guest Blog: How To Become A Comic Book Artist”
Comic Cover Corner puts the spotlight on a remarkable comic cover and the artist responsible for creating it. A cover I came across recently that blew me away is Old Man Logan #31, which was drawn by Mukesh Singh. The cover features an elderly Wolverine reuniting with one of the great loves of his life, Mariko Yashida. Not only is the art stunning, but the cover itself tells an emotional story through body language and colour. As a fan of Wolverine and Japanese culture, I think the cover does a brilliant job of capturing the soul of the character and his connection to the Land of the Rising Sun.
In pop culture, there are all kinds of phenomenons and movements, with steampunk being one that’s really taken off over the last few years. Victorian aesthetics are mixed with modern technology to create quirky designs. Steampunk has inspired a multitude of subgenres, so any time I come across steampunk inspired creations, I’m interested in getting involved. This was the case with a steampunk Iron Man statue that I came across at Birmingham Comic Con. Designed by specialist artist, Mostly Curious Games, here is a review of the statue.
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“I’ve worn a mask most of my life. Most people do. As a little girl, I covered my face with my hands, figuring if I couldn’t see my father, he couldn’t see me. When this didn’t work, I hid behind Halloween masks: clowns and witches and Ronald McDonald. Years later, when I went to Mexico, I understood just how far a mask can take you. In the dusty streets, villagers turned themselves into jaguars, hyenas, the devil himself. For years, I thought wearing a mask was a way to start over, become someone new. Now I know better. A mask doesn’t change who you are; it lets you become the person you’ve always been, the person you paper over out of habit or timidity or fear. Some people – people like me – have to try on a lot of faces before they find one that fits.”
The Aztecs were one of the most advanced civilisations in the history, but they also had a reputation for violence. Human sacrifice, death masks and sun worship are how many people remember them, and Dancing With The Tiger by Lili Wright puts Aztec and Mexican mythology at the forefront. When a looter digs up the death mask of Montezuma, it sets off a chain reaction that sees drug lords, crooked art dealers and archaeologists all vying for the same prize. At the heart of the story is a woman called Anna who believes the mask of Montezuma can help her family find redemption, but she has to beat everyone else to get to it in time.
The X-Men have featured in some of the most recognisable stories in the history of comics, and Jean Grey is among the most iconic. Having been dead for years, Jean was resurrected in the pages of X-Men: Red, a series that sees her grappling with a changed world for mutants. Still believing in Professor X’s dream, she puts together a team of her own X-Men to try and make the world a better place for mutants and humans. I recently met the artist of the series, Mahmud Asrar in Manchester at a comic signing in Travelling Man and I couldn’t resist getting his thoughts on what it’s like to draw such an important character. He was really open and The Comic Vault is pleased to present an interview with Mahmud about his drawing process, what it meant to handle Jean and why the X-Men are so relatable in the modern day. Continue reading “X-Men: Red Artist Mahmud Asrar Talks About What It Means To Bring Jean Grey Back To Life”
One of my favourite things about comics is the wealth of art that’s produced on a regular basis. Cover art is an essential part of a comic that can often be overlooked, which is why I write a feature called Comic Cover Corner that puts the spotlight on a single issue. The cover I’m looking at today is Scarlet Witch #10, drawn by David Aja. The art depicts the Scarlet Witch in Japan and there’s so much to appreciate about the colours, mood and the story that it tells.
Being able to collect objects that you’re passionate about can improve your knowledge of the world, or infuse your home with a sense of uniqueness. I’ve recently started to collect comic statues as a way of brightening up my home and making it feel more personal. The latest one I’ve bought is the MARVEL NOW! Wolverine ARTFX+ statue that was crafted by Junnosuke Abe and produced by Japanese company Kotobukiya. The statue is highly detailed and does justice to the feral mutant. Read on to see The Comic Vault’s full review.
Continue reading “Marvel Now! Wolverine ARTFX+ Statue Review”
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