The Bat-man: First Knight #3, page 44 (Mike Perkins)
Artist: Mike Perkins (All)
27 Comments - 483 Views - 16 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis is an excellent 3-issue series with artwork by Mike Perkins of the very highest order; it is part of the DC Black Label series (with Dan Jurgens as writer). It explores the Bat-Man's earliest cases circa 1939. The scan of this page does not do it justice. For starters, this is a page that is larger than twice-up. The board on which it was drawn would now be used for double splashes. Everyone knows how much care and detail Mike puts into his work but anyone even looking at his artwork in this series in an even cursory fashion will immediately come to the conclusion that it is a huge, huge labor of love for Mike. It is artwork that demands the closest attention to its astonishing detail - and then a step backwards, so to speak, to take in the beauty of the entire piece.This page is from the finale issue and is a finale of sorts in this climatic battle page. Just an amazing image of the First Knight in the middle panel at the close of battle. As mentioned, the scan cannot do this page justice; it has to be viewed in person. Many thanks to Rubén who sold pages from the series on behalf of Mike. I count myself really fortunate to have been able to obtain a few pages from this stellar series. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Marcus Wai 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Everything that Perkins does best in put in the page! Perkins combines all the techniques learned through experience to present the grim atmosphere of a pulp age gothic mystery tale brought to life! The main image dominates and is very emblematic of all the artwork in series.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Marcus Wai wrote:
Everything that Perkins does best in put in the page! Perkins combines all the techniques learned through experience to present the grim atmosphere of a pulp age gothic mystery tale brought to life! The main image dominates and is very emblematic of all the artwork in series.
Many thanks, Marcus. And a brilliantly perceptive first comment.
Zero Cool
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Batman here feels just as monstrous as the disfigured creature in those top three panels!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Zero Cool wrote:
Batman here feels just as monstrous as the disfigured creature in those top three panels!
Many thanks. That is an excellent observation as Batman himself struggles with his whole persona throughout the book as well.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 7/22/2024
Michael Reyes wrote:
Amazing images. So much intensity.
Many thanks, Michael. Yes, "intensity" describes the page and, indeed, the entire series very well.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Barely a year after producing the best work of his career on The Swamp Thing, Mike (with the help of more lead time than usual) topped himself once again. His realistic stylings pull the reader into the scene, so you feel like you're immersed and a part of the world depicted between the covers. He brought the tense atmospherics to a whole new level with this project and that is on full display here. The work is incredibly cinematic and makes one feel as though they are watching a Gothic film of the 1930's or earlier, such as Dracula or Nosferatu. I also can't end this comment without pointing out the technique he used to show the villain transforming into a monster. I love that instead of showing his full head in each of 3 different panels, he instead drew a single, larger head, broke it up into 3 panels and showed the ever increasing trasformation on different parts of the head as your eyes move from left to right. That's brilliant!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Barely a year after producing the best work of his career on The Swamp Thing, Mike (with the help of more lead time than usual) topped himself once again. His realistic stylings pull the reader into the scene, so you feel like you're immersed and a part of the world depicted between the covers. He brought the tense atmospherics to a whole new level with this project and that is on full display here. The work is incredibly cinematic and makes one feel as though they are watching a Gothic film of the 1930's or earlier, such as Dracula or Nosferatu. I also can't end this comment without pointing out the technique he used to show the villain transforming into a monster. I love that instead of showing his full head in each of 3 different panels, he instead drew a single, larger head, broke it up into 3 panels and showed the ever increasing trasformation on different parts of the head as your eyes move from left to right. That's brilliant!
Many thanks, Rubén. Now THAT is a wonderful description! I am almost tempted to replace by description en bloc with what you have written. Thank you so very much for taking the trouble to pen it.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
John C wrote:
That's how you get ants.
Many thanks, John. How true, which is why ants are such hardworking creatures!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Haunting imagery, Mike has been creating art at the highest level over the last several years from The Swamp Thing and to this series for DC specifically he continues to take it up a notch on every outing. That middle panel of the full figure and cape wrapped around is just perfection. That canvas size is massive too - do you store pieces like this size in a huge portfolio or do you display it? Congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/22/2024
Kavi H wrote:
Haunting imagery, Mike has been creating art at the highest level over the last several years from The Swamp Thing and to this series for DC specifically he continues to take it up a notch on every outing. That middle panel of the full figure and cape wrapped around is just perfection. That canvas size is massive too - do you store pieces like this size in a huge portfolio or do you display it? Congrats!
Many thanks, Kavi. As mentioned, this is super huge and may not fit well into even the largest portfolio, so I'm still wondering how best to store it.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 7/23/2024
Daniel Evan wrote:
Wonderful.page and a great piece.
Many thanks, Daniel. And congrats on some awesome artwork in your collection (especially by the late great Neal Adams).
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 7/23/2024
This is incredibly beautiful! Mike Perkins is one of the bst artists the industry has ever had. Very happy for you CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 7/23/2024
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
This is incredibly beautiful! Mike Perkins is one of the bst artists the industry has ever had. Very happy for you CAB!
Many thanks, Nick. I totally agree and, as I mentioned, it is the sheer size of the artwork that makes it even more impressive.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 7/23/2024
Jonathan H wrote:
Amazing page congrats!
Many thanks, Jonathan. OT, but many congratulations on a very nice collection of original artwork.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 7/23/2024
Perkins did an outstanding job on his Swamp Thing run, working on standrad 11x17, so I can only imagine how incredible these large art pages must be. It's good to see him in such an esteemed collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 7/24/2024
M L wrote:
Perkins did an outstanding job on his Swamp Thing run, working on standrad 11x17, so I can only imagine how incredible these large art pages must be. It's good to see him in such an esteemed collection!
Many thanks, Mikail. Thank you so much for your kind (but undeserved) words. The artwork is fantastic - as mentioned, Mike obviously put in tons of effort into each page. They are all - like this one - truly a sight to behold.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 7/23/2024
What I like the most is the atmosphere! Parkins captures with preciseness what any Batman scene demands. It is just extraordinary! I could spend hours savouring that ambience!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/24/2024
Toni S wrote:
What I like the most is the atmosphere! Parkins captures with preciseness what any Batman scene demands. It is just extraordinary! I could spend hours savouring that ambience!
Many thanks, Toni. You are spot on with regard to the atmosphere. It is - very simply - a gorgeous piece of artwork into which, I believe, Mike put in his heart and soul.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/1/2024
Boy, you're not kidding, CAB! Dynamite layout here (love the 3-panel "time lapse" on the top tier, producing a horrific end to an unfortunate evil doer... with a total Two-Face vibe to it!), and just as you say, Perkins leverages his talent to fill the (ample!) space to overflowing with atmosphere and gorgeous art. Panel 4 (intentionally, no doubt) looks like an early horror movie still (and look at the wash textures on the castle's bricks!), but panel 5 may be my favorite, with the building and the Bat-Man standing, defiant, in the face of the cruel and unforgiving elements. Bravo, CAB! Outstanding pickup! Congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/1/2024
Jason Hussa wrote:
Boy, you're not kidding, CAB! Dynamite layout here (love the 3-panel "time lapse" on the top tier, producing a horrific end to an unfortunate evil doer... with a total Two-Face vibe to it!), and just as you say, Perkins leverages his talent to fill the (ample!) space to overflowing with atmosphere and gorgeous art. Panel 4 (intentionally, no doubt) looks like an early horror movie still (and look at the wash textures on the castle's bricks!), but panel 5 may be my favorite, with the building and the Bat-Man standing, defiant, in the face of the cruel and unforgiving elements. Bravo, CAB! Outstanding pickup! Congrats!
Many thanks, Jason, and so very good to hear from you again. I trust that you are keeping well. Many thanks once again for such a characteristically perceptive analysis of the aesthetics of this wonderful page.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 11/22/2024
Great example from this labot or love - love the white mist effect!
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/20/2025
F'ing amazing page in black and white. Perkins further deepens my appreciation for the first generaton of Bat-man. This is an incredible page.
This Bat-man First Knight needs to be published in black and white to provide the atmospheric feel of what Bat-Man should be.
The only other artist that came close to this feel is Enrique Alcatena, the Batman of Arkham.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/20/2025
ilia georgiev wrote:
F'ing amazing page in black and white. Perkins further deepens my appreciation for the first generaton of Bat-man. This is an incredible page.
This Bat-man First Knight needs to be published in black and white to provide the atmospheric feel of what Bat-Man should be.
The only other artist that came close to this feel is Enrique Alcatena, the Batman of Arkham.
Many thanks, Ilia. And this is oversized as well! Mike is such an accomplished artist.
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