Category Astonishing Art

Astonishing Art: Raphael by Neil McGregor

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Hyper-real takes on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren’t usually my thing. I find that artists tend to lean a little too hard into making them look like realistic turtles, when there’s really nothing realistic about these characters. So why go there? Just my opinion.

This Raphael piece by Scottish artist Neil McGregor is an exception, though. He manages to find the right blend of ninja and turtle. It resembles what we remember from the comic book, while still retaining enough of the realistic turtle likeness. I like this enough that I’d actually be open to seeing McGregor do the other turtles as well.

TMNT Raphael by Neil McGregor

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Aubrey Plaza by John DiBiase

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Mrs. Primary Ignition and I are watching season two of The White Lotus these days. Aubrey Plaza joins the cast for the show’s second go-around, and she’s quite good. So I perked up when I saw this graphite portrait of her by John DiBiase. It’s just one of a great many masterful portraits by DiBiase, who’s quite good in his own right.

It never ceases to amaze me how some artists are able to capture human likenesses so precisely…

Aubrey Plaza, John DiBiase

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Batman as the Joker by Marc Rienzo

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

There’s a lot of great Joker art out there. I’ve featured some of it in this space. But these seven portraits by Marc Rienzo are some of the best I’ve ever seen, both in terms of concept and execution.

What we have here are depictions of actors who’ve played Batman on the big screen (or in Adam West’s case the big and small screens) made up like the Clown Prince of Crime. The effect is downright chilling, as Rienzo modifies the depiction for each portrait to suit the actor. The ones for George Clooney and Robert Pattinson are my personal favorites.

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In the comments section on one of the images, someone suggested Rienzo flip the concept and paint the various Joker actors as Batman. I’m game for that. Jack Nicholson as Batman? I’ll admit, I’m curious…

Incidentally, Rienzo has a pretty decorated film resume, having worked as a visual effects supervisor and/or digital artist on movies like The Force Awakens, Thor: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and many others. His work is definitely worth a look.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Kevin Conroy by Dustin Lee Massey

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Yup. It’s another Kevin Conroy/Batman tribute. I have no regrets.

Conroy did actually get to lend his face to a live action version of Bruce Wayne in a 2019 episode of Batwoman. But that was an older, broken down, more Kingdom Come-ish version of the character. But this piece by Dustin Lee Massey depicts Conroy as a prime years version of Batman. And perhaps a more classical version of the character, given the blue and gray outfit, yellow utility belt, and large bat symbol on the chest. It’s a fitting tribute to Conroy, as he embodied the character of Batman as well as any live action actor ever has.

Kevin Conroy Batman, Dustin Lee Massey

And just for reference, here’s a clip of Conroy playing Bruce Wayne in the previously mentioned Batwoman episode. Hearing that classic Kevin Conroy Batman baritone in a live action setting is surreal and chilling in the best way possible.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Catwoman by Flore Maquin

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I’ve had this piece by Flore Maquin earmarked for awhile, but have been saving it for the holidays. Batman Returns is one of those movies that may or may not be considered a Christmas flick, depending on who you’re talking to. So it’s fitting, no? Plus, Maquin really captures the sultry deadliness of Michelle Pfiefer’s Catwoman.

Catwoman, Batman Returns, Flore Maquin

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: TMNT by Jonah Karlgren

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

We haven’t featured any street art in this space until now. Frankly, this 8-bit style rendering of the TMNT based off the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie poster was too good to pass up. Johan Karlgren brings the image to life, as he has so many others, in his own unique style. (Hat-tip to TMNT_WIZ for the find.)

TMNT Street Art, Johan Karlgren

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Ghostbusters by Régis Donsimoni

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I’m a sucker for a quality animated take on the Ghostbusters. That’s exactly what Régis Donsimoni gives us here.

The figure rendering, the colors, and the blocking are all on point. But I think what cinches it for me is that Louis Tully and Dana Barrett, a.k.a the Keymaster and the Gatekeeper, are quietly watching from the background. This isn’t a creepy image, but that aspect has a creepy quality to it to be sure.

Ghostbusters, Regis Donsimoni

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Jason David Frank by Bon Bernardo

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Bon Bernardo has been featured on this site before. That’s not an accident. As far as Power Rangers art is concerned he’s one of the best, if not the best, I’ve ever seen. He captures everything almost perfectly. And several days ago, he posted what’s undoubtedly one of the most important and emotional pieces he’s ever done…

I’m still torn up about Jason David Frank’s suicide. I probably will be for a long time. And during a period where so many of us are mourning the loss of this titanic figure from our childhoods (and adulthoods, for that matter), Bernardo came through with this stunning image of JDF ascending into heaven via a white light. Fittingly, it’s not unlike the way the White Ranger descended into the Command Center in “White Light, Part II.”

You are missed, Jason. For more than just Power Rangers. We love you.

Jason David Frank, Tommy Oliver, Bon Bernardo

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Kevin Conroy by Francesco Francavilla

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Is it cheating to do two Kevin Conroy tribute pieces back-to-back in this space? Even if it is, I don’t care. Kevin Conroy’s loss will weigh heavily on Batman fans for years to come, and Francesco Francavilla is just that good an artist. A fitting tribute to a performer who left an indelible mark on an iconic character.

Kevin Conroy, Batman, Francesco Francavilla

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Astonishing Art: Kevin Conroy by Marcelo Millicay

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Batman fans were dealt a pretty painful blow over the weekend, as Kevin Controy passed away at 66 after a brief battle with cancer. Conroy was known the world over as the voice of the Dark Knight in Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited, the Batman: Arkham video games, and various other Bat-projects over the last 30 years.

Naturally, the web was filled with tributes to Conroy. This piece from Marcelo Millicay was one of my personal favorites. It recreates a famous shot from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, in which Conroy of course voiced the titular character.

Thank you for 30 years of memories, Mr. Conroy. You are, and for so many of us, always will be the definitive voice of Batman.

Kevin Conroy Batman, Marcelo Millicay

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.