GRANT GUSTIN Warms Up In FLASH Costume

courtesy Warner Brothers, photo by Jack Rowand
courtesy Warner Brothers, photo by Jack Rowand

You don’t have to have super speed to catch all the great reveals this week about the new Flash!

 

After Warner Brothers and DC Comics revealed the full costume to for The Flash pilot now we see actor Grant Gustin in action on the set of the production.

 

Gustin is seen warming up while wearing the famous costume of the Scarlet Speedster on the set in Vancouver, B.C.

 

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David Finch Exclusive: His Justice League of America Favorites

Justice League of America #2 courtesy DC Comics
Justice League of America #2 courtesy DC Comics

Fan favorite artist David Finch appeared at Fan Expo Vancouver this past weekend. There were huge lines for Finch as fans eagerly waited for a chance to have the acclaimed creator sign their books, get sketches and talk with him about his stellar career. Finch is now a DC Comics exclusive artist (Batman: The Dark Knight, Justice League of America) after amazing runs at Top Cow (Cyberforce) and Marvel Comics (New Avengers, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimatum, Moon Knight.)

Finch joined legendary Iron Man artist and X-O Manowar co-creator Bob Layton and Ultimate Comics X-Men, Incredible Hulk cover artist Kaare Andrews for an engaging sketch duel panel. The three creators gave fans a choice: they spend the entire session working on one sketch each or a rapid fire 5 minutes per sketch. The sketch duel ends with lucky fans leaving with the sketches so the crowd unanimously voted for the chance at 15 fans receiving 15 sketches over three fans getting three sketches.

The battle began with requests for Catwoman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine and finally Captain America while the creators shared career insights and answered fan questions in a revealing and hilarious session.

David Finch at Fan Expo Vancouver 2013, photo by ComicsBlend
David Finch at Fan Expo Vancouver 2013, photo by ComicsBlend

After enjoying the panel I got the opportunity to talk one on one with Finch back at his table. I did have to wait my turn. As you can see above this young fan was extremely chatty and excited as she watched Finch create a sketch just for her.

Batman: Dark Knight #6 courtesy Marvel
Batman: Dark Knight #6 courtesy Marvel

After a great run on Batman: The Dark Knight which he co-wrote with Paul Jenkins, Finch is now drawing a new Justice League of America written by Geoff Johns. The eclectic cast includes Catwoman, Katana, Stargirl, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Vibe and the new Green Lantern Simon Baz. I asked Finch which members of the team were his favorites so far. His answer included a surprise and a tease for a dramatic event planned for the youngest hero on the roster:

It’s almost the second anniversary of DC Comics The New 52 relaunch which was controversial but successful. I asked Finch what it was Continue reading David Finch Exclusive: His Justice League of America Favorites

Phil Jimenez Exclusive! Character Design at Fan Expo Vancouver

Phil Jimenez at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend
Phil Jimenez at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend

Acclaimed artist Phil Jimenez (Fairest, Wonder Woman, New X-Men) has transformed Warrior Woman! It’s the latest character redesign victory in a stellar comic book career.

Jimenez recently made his first trip to Vancouver, B.C. to appear at Fan Expo Vancouver. Along with sketching for fans and signing comic books Jimenez appeared on a Sketch Duel panel with Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Starman, Avengers) that was an insightful and hilarious highlight of the Expo.

Jimenez and Sadowski are known for their popular redesigns of characters so the first half of the sketch duel challenge was to give a B (or C or maybe D level depending on your opinion) character a new look while they shared insights on their design work and answered fan questions.

After a wave of suggestions from the audience (including Modok, Ma Hunkel, Booster Gold and Legion – that was mine) Jimenez decided on Dazzler and Sadowski took on Jack of Hearts!

As the sketching began Jimenez revealed how fashion design and trends have affected his work citing a Donna Troy look he said was inspired by Emma Peel (played by Diana Rigg) of The Avengers (as in the classic British series!) He went on to say how comics should be fantastical and his design influence was more haute couture than ready to wear.

Sadowski revealed his new takes on Atom Smasher and Hawkgirl on his JSA run as his favorite character redesigns. Busts and body images of female superheroes was a popular audience topic. Sadowski shared that he fought to give Kendra smaller breasts because he felt it would be more appropriate for her hawk-like appearance and the need to be more aerodynamic.

The first half hour ended with a Sadowski revealing a bolder, cleaner and more built version of Jack of Hearts while Jimenez went retro giving the Disco Dazzler big sunglasses and Farrah Fawcett inspired hair!

Dazzler by Phil Jimenez, photo by ComicsBlend
Dazzler by Phil Jimenez, photo by ComicsBlend

The second half hour was the most unique version of Pictionary you might ever experience. The audience submitted comic book characters, iconic weapons (like Thor’s hammer) or items of a costume (I chose Storm’s headpiece) on cards. Mystique and Wonder Woman cosplayers joined Team Jimenez while Beast and one of a trio (imagine an all male version of the X-Men’s Stepford Cuckoos) of Phoenixes played on Team Sadowski.

Jimenez vs. Sadowski sketch duel at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend
Jimenez vs. Sadowski sketch duel at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend

Continue reading Phil Jimenez Exclusive! Character Design at Fan Expo Vancouver