Batman (Vol. 1) 280 Original Cover Art
Artists: Ernie Chan (Penciller) , Ernie Chan (Inker) , Ernie Chan (Painter)
6 Comments - 258 Views - 4 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionBatman (Vol. 1) #280 Cover Original Art (DC, March 1976). Ernie Chan (also attributed as Ernie Chua, his real name) had quite the run on both Detective and Batman in the 70's, penciling and inking a number of covers and interiors. This cover is for the Batman story "The Only Crime in Town!" and riffs on events in the story where Mobster Big Jake Hackett sought to impose a curfew on crimes so that he could get the spotlight during the hours of 1 & 2 AM. I love everything about this cover: an aggressive Batman swooping in, the chaotic mob, and the large clock with the Gotham cityscape in the background. As usual, Chan's attention to detail is amazing, and this is a cover I just love to look at.The original owner of this piece apparently asked Chan to hand color it to match the final published cover, which Chan did in watercolors. Batman, the mob, and the clock face are all amazingly close to the final image colors, though the background has a bit more of an apocalyptic feel to it with the color choices for the sky. I actually prefer the color scheme here vs the published cover. I realize purists will be frustrated that the original line art has been modified with the watercolors, but I love the art and appreciate having not only line art by hand painting by Chan. Created in ink over graphite on standard Bristol board, with an image size of 11" X 17", and then watercolored after the fact by him. Signed three times as Ernie Chua: first above the mobster with the gun (found on published piece), again in the UPC box (which I assume was done post watercolor), and third as part of the personalization at the bottom ("To Todd - Enjoy as I did on the Swampthing 3-D!"). No idea who Todd is. :) All stats appear original. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Dave W 
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/7/2021
Great Chan cover! I am most familiar with his work on Hulk but love everything he did. His style had such a recognizable and appealing look. This is a top shelf example. Congrats - thanks for sharing!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
Posted on 12/7/2021
Not only are you suddenly delving more into the vintage Batman cover area, you're hoarding the entire Chan run!
David Bixler
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 12/7/2021
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Not only are you suddenly delving more into the vintage Batman cover area, you're hoarding the entire Chan run!
Well the 3 I listed are all I have at this point, though I would love more! Definitely a huge fan of his work.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/7/2021
Beautiful Chan cover! The movie poster style of different scales for the elements give us a tremendous Batman image over a clock face giving a time element to the story that built dramatic tension.
David Bixler
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 12/7/2021
Marcus Wai wrote:
Beautiful Chan cover! The movie poster style of different scales for the elements give us a tremendous Batman image over a clock face giving a time element to the story that built dramatic tension.
Good call out! This definitely does have a movie poster feel. I really love the overall design of this cover.
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