SWAMP THING, THE SPIDER, and THE LONE RANGER enter a store...

~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~

Hello my friends,

yesterday my issue of SWAMP THING (#10 - with my Detective cumpa' Scott Snyder) came out in all stores around the Country.
Hope you guys picked it up: the reception so far has been great and the love is pouring in.
CBR gave it 4.5 stars out of 5, ComicVine gave it a 5 stars out of 5, IGN gave it a 9 out of 10. Plus it's book/pick of the week on several comic related websites, so it means the book came out ok :)
Will post some of the reviews/comments later this week.

While in stores, pls consider picking up also two other great books I provided covers for: THE SPIDER #2 by my Black Panther partner David Liss and artist Colton Worley, and THE LONE RANGER #6 by Ande Parks and Esteve Polls (really good, solid western book).
 

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2012 Francesco Francavilla

BATMAN: The Black Mirror HC

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

It's finally here, the BLACK MIRROR hardcover collecting all the 11 Detective Comics issues of the year long run by Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and me, including the 2 inital Gordon co-feature stories and a big 20-pages long section with extra material like concepts, design, layouts, and sample of the original script.

In the image above - From top to bottom:

* front cover
* front dustjacket
* back dustjacket
* Credits Page
* Extras/WIP material pages

I was going to list a series of quotes and reviews, but I want to keep it short so I am summarizing it all with: everyone agree this is one of the best Batman and Commissioner Gordon stories in decades! :)

SO what are you waiting for? Go to the shop (or online) and pick this up - you will not regret it, I promise :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #881 Layouts

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

Here's an exclusive look at some of my layouts for Detective Comics #881, this year long arc grand finale by Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and me, next month in stores :)
Hope you guys dig it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

The Swamp Thing

Click on the image for the larger BIG POSTER!!! ;)


hi guys,

I posted the following news on Pulp Sunday yesterday (with a different image/artwork to go with - go check it out!), but I thought to make the announcement on my sketch blog too for those of you who don't follow Pulp Sunday and showcase the above sketch/lobby card I just drew this afternoon :)

~~~~

This has been announced a week ago or so all over the web, but I wanted to officially announce it here on Pulp Sunday, so here we go :)

I am part of the new creative team, along with writer extraordinaire Scott Snyder and supertalented artist Yanick Paquette, behind the re-launch of DC's SWAMP THING in September. We are adopting the same formula used in Detective, with Yanick taking care of the main story and me alternating art chores with him on issues that will tie in with the main story.

All I can say is that I am VERY excited to be part of this. I love Scott's writing, that's no secret, and I love the Swamp Thing. I have been a huge fan of Bernie Wrightson since forever, so working on his creation is one of those dreams come true :)

So, come September, make sure to pick up a copy of the new Swamp Thing: Scott, Yanick, and I are cooking a special Cajun dish for y'all :)

Meanwhile I hope you guys enjoy the above little portrait of our beloved guy :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Detective Comics #879 Exclusive Preview

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

Yesterday I shared the process behind a panel from a page of Detective Comics #879.
Well, today I am sharing the whole finished page, so you have a hint of what to expect from #879 next month in stores :)
Hope you guys dig it :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

BABS! (from Detective Comics #879)

Click on the image for larger view!

Hello Friends,

A little making of a panel from Detective 879 showcasing Babs in the Kord Tower. Hope you guys enjoy it and stay tuned for more sneak peeks as we approach the release of this issue in July :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Skeleton Cases & Detective Comics

~ Above: The making of #874 cover - Click on the images for a closer look ~

Hello Friends,

this week has seen the release of Detective Comics #873 with part 3 (and conclusion) of the Black Mirror story, Scott Snyder's and Jock's first critically acclaimed arc on Detective. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you better do it soon cause they are selling out (once again!)

With the book out, I have read about lots of people wondering what happened to the co-feature, "SKELETON CASES", I was illustrating. Part 3 was supposed to be in 873 but it wasn't, fans noted. Some wondered if the co-feature has been killed because of the new format and reduced price tag of $2.99.
To help to clear some of this confusion, I thought to dedicate this post to SKELETON CASES and what's coming up in Detective.


~ Above: An intense moment between Jim Gordon and his estranged son James Jr. ~

With the new format there was no room for the initially planned co-feature in 873. For that reason we all decided to move pt 3 of Skeleton Cases to #874. So, next issue (out in February), will see the conclusion of SKELETON CASES in the first half of the book, and the second half will have a little Batman tale - featuring guest star Red Robin - that is a bridge between the first and second Snyder-Jock arc.
The whole issue is written by Scott and entirely illustrated by me.


~ Above: Batman and special guest Red Robin study the adversary... ~

And in March we will have Detective #875, (see below) a full issue dedicated to a Jim Gordon story, a "hardcore cold case mystery" that has been haunting him since Jr was a little kid. And speaking of Jr., we will find out more about him in this issue.
This will be written by Scott and - again - illustrated entirely by me.
I read the script and it's a chilling story, so you guys don't want to miss it, trust me :)

Detective #876 in April will see the first part of a 3 issue arc with Jock and David Baron back to art duties: hints of this new arc are in the short story that will be in Detective 874 next month.

I (and Gordon and Jr.) will be back on the pages of Detective after this arc.

And that's it for now: hope you guys have a clearer idea of what's ahead and hope to see you on board for the whole run: Scott is a talented writer and it's making this a hell of a run: Jock, David, and I are all happy to be on board with this and you can tell :)

Hope you enjoy the making of the cover for 874 above and below are the solicits for #874 and #875.

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone :)

Cheers,
Francesco

DETECTIVE COMICS #874
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

Gordon faces James Jr. in the conclusion of the 3-part SKELETON CASES arc. Meanwhile Batman - and guest star Red Robin - gets a little taste of a new menace for Gotham City while still dealing with the after effects of the Black Mirror arc!

On sale FEBRUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DETECTIVE COMICS #875
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

~~ Click on the image for biggie ~~

“There are some cases that come screaming back at you…like phone calls in the night…”
For years, Jim Gordon has been haunted by the unsolved case of Gotham’s notorious
“Peter Pan Killer.” Now, armed with new evidence, Gordon is determined to put the case to rest.
But as he digs deeper, he’ll unearth a shocking discovery about his own past – a revelation that will shake him to the core. Skeletons will be exposed and secrets revealed in this special issue featuring art by Francesco Francavilla!

On sale March 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Artwork © 2011 Francesco Francavilla

Bat-Flamethrower!

(click on the above image for the poster view)

This "lunch break quickie" was inspired by a brief exchange I had with (American Vampire and Detective Comics writer) Scott Snyder and Bat editor Mike Marts on Twitter - and clearly inspired by the current situtaion in the North East of the US (heck, we even had snow here in Atlanta and it's still kinda white landscape around here).

So,I give you Batman about to free the Batmobile from the snow with his flamethrower ;)
And pls don't forget to pickup Detective #872 tomorrow out in stores (it also includes the second part of SKELETON CASES, the Commissioner Gordon co-feature written by Scott and drawn by me):)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.

Everyone Loves Detective

(click on the above image for a bigger reading experience ;))

Hi guys,

Detective Comics #871 (with the brand new team of Scott Snyder on the story, and Jock, David Baron, and me on art chores, all under the great supervision of editors Mike Marts and Janelle Siegel) come out last week and since then reviews are poring in and the verdict seems to be the same: Detective is the Bat book you must buy :D
Check these reviews out :) (click on links to read the reviews)

iFanboy: 5 out of 5!

TECHLAND: I like the new look of Detective a lot--two schools of European cartooning in just one book!

CBR

Crave OnLine: t’s hard to read Detective Comics #871 and not feel like a new era is upon us. With only one issue, Snyder and the team of artists have established a very new take on Dick Grayson, Jim Gordon, and their relationship with Gotham City. If you don’t love absolutely everything the new Detective Comics, there’s something fundamentally wrong with the way you view art.

Newsarama Best Shots Extra

Multiversity Comics: I can't say enough about this book. From top to bottom, from the writing to the art to the editing to everything else, this book is simply one of the best big two superhero books of the year. 9.8

The Outhousers

Read/Rant: A-

Comics And... : Overall Grade A + - If you aren’t reading this book you are missing what could become a classic.

Paradox Comics Group: the Vertigo sophistication and sensibility being applied to the DC Universe [..] 8/10

Comic Attack!: I highly recommend it!

The Weekly Crisis: Must Read. You are going to want to be in on the ground floor for what’s going to be a great year for Batman. this reads like Dashiell Hammett’s take on the character and the city.

Weekly Comic Book Review: Snyder “get’s it” and is writing a uniquely Dick Grayson detective story. Jock and Francavilla are delivering awesome art. Must read! A-

Gotham Knights Online: Jock and Francesco’s artwork matches Snyders writing perfectly and [..] puts Detective Comics at the top of the pile for Batman titles currently out there. 5/5

Heroes Online: Atmospheric and intelligent, an excellent start for this title’s new direction.

There is plenty more reviews posted in the last days and more coming out this week, but you get the idea... :)
Thanks everyone for the support: I, Scott, Jock, David, Mike, Janelle, and all the DC COmics gang really appreciate all the bat-love you guys are throwing our way :)

Cheers,
Francesco

All images © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics

Shadow of the Bat!

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

Hi guys,

I thought to share another of the sample pieces I did for Detective.
Thanks again everyone for the excitement and congrats: I am really looking forward to get started on this and hope you guys will enjoy the ride as much as I plan to do :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.

Detective Comics!!!

~~ Click on the above and below images for a bigger view ~~

YAY! I can finally announce that I will be part of the new Detective Comics team, along with talented fellas like writer Scott "American Vampire" Snyder, artist Jock (of Losers fame and phenomenal cover artist of one of my fave book, SCALPED), colorist David Baron, and editor Mike Marts and assistant editor Janelle Siegel.
I will be drawing the co-feature focusing on Commissioner Gordon and a figure from his past. It's gonna be a thrilling arc!

Couldn't be more excited about this.

Here's a link tot he DC annoucement and above is a bit of "fanart" done for FUN :)

Book is slated for November relase: will make sure to give more details as we get closer :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Artwork © 2010 Francesco Francavilla.
Detective Comics ™ and © 2010 DC Comics. All rights reserved.