Blevins, Bret :: Bret Blevins Artwork

Joker-Legends of the Dark Knight No.50

Artist: Bret Blevins (All)

6 Comments - 3,135 Views - 4 Likes

Joker-Legends of the Dark Knight No.50 Comic Art

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Joker Pencil

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Artwork Details

Title:	Joker-Legends of the Dark Knight No.50
Artist:	Bret Blevins (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	3,135
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	9/8/2011
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This is the first page of the first script I ever illustrated for DC--Legends of the Dark Knight #50, a retelling of Batman's first meeting with the Joker. I ended a decade as an exclusive Marvel contract artist to work at DC with my friend Archie Goodwin, mainly because the post-Image quality of most Marvel stories/plots had become so weak. Endless violence and mindless action in place of character interaction and situation-driven storytelling opportunities--at that time DC began each comic book with full scripts, a format that in itself almost forced more narrative content. Being able to compose the art for caption and balloon placement was a pleasant novelty, too.
Archie let me tackle Denny O'Neil's script anyway I chose, so I went back to the original Joker as he appeared in the 1940's. I never liked Neal Adams restatement from the early 70's, as a spindly, fey, foppish lunatic. (I read somewhere that he based his take on Joel Grey in his role in Cabaret.) Though that was DC's official version at the time, Archie approved of taking him back to his roots. In his early original appearances, the Joker was a brawny savage sociopath, who seemed to be using his theatrical garb as a device to add a sick twist to his brutal cruelty, but he was not a prancing homicidal mental patient--he knew exactly what he was doing. He also nearly beat Batman to death and hurled him from a speeding car--he was no 90 pound weakling. Denny's script didn't portray him with much physicality, but I wanted to draw him that way, so in this splash I've given him burly shoulders and a small head, with those deep grey bags under his eyes, as if he never slept--and somehow doesn't need to. His body language is menacing without being blatant--I like subtlety.
This entire 48 page story was a joy to work on--I was inspired by the change, to be working with Batman, and had just moved back out to the mountains of the west with our two year old son. I have very fond memories of this project and I loved working with Archie again. I own every page of this story and will post more soon!

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About the Owner

	Bret Blevins
Joined:	March 2010
Last Login:	March 2021
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005

Posted on 9/8/2011

Fantastic and disturbing Joker ! Thanks for sharing this beauty !

Jared Simmons
Member Since 2004

Posted on 9/9/2011

Thank you for sharing this great art and for the wonderful back story.

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 9/9/2011

and it is always a treat to see you inking yourself!

F M
Member Since 2005

Posted on 9/9/2011

Splendid opening :)

Phil H
Member Since 2010

Posted on 2/10/2015

OMG Bret! When I first came to America, this was the 1st Superhero Comic I had bought. Your take on Joker was FANTASTIC! Thank you for sharing!!

Reggie Francia
Member Since 2014

Posted on 7/26/2015

I loved this issue so much!The story, art and colors were just perfect. I can even recall the pin-ups included. Brett, you're one of my favorite Batman artist!

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