Superman: Sweet Dreams pages 1-4 - Brian Stelfreeze

DC: Halloween Special -Sweet Dreams-

So fair warning, this will be long... but bright side, its (nearly) the same on all pages.

So Superman and I've never had an easy relationship. He keeps going 'I am a hero, I have no flaws!' and I keep going 'You're a hero but you have no flaws!'.

I'm one of those classical people. To me a hero needs a fatal (proverbeal) flaw that he can overcome. It makes for a more interesting character and whats a hero without a challenge? Which is why Superman never sat right with me. He's such a 'good guy' and while in real life that's fine and more power to him, I want to read about heroes that have issues. Issues they can overcome, sure, and they don't all have to be deep dark secrets or something... but something. Something that gives more flesh to the personality.

Anyway Superman and I decided to stay friends but go our seperate ways. I've only painted him twice, both pieces are incidently with Conny (go ask her about Superman... whole different story!)

So, Heroes 2012. I'm being good. I bought 2 copies of Dracula with Becky Cloonan art as presents. That's it. So on Sunday I am patting myself on the back. I've picked up no new art (with the exception of a present and something I set up before the con). So I am feeling spiffy and head over to Randy Martin's booth (www.mighty-fineart.com)

I've known Randy for a bit so it was nice chatting to him. He was setting up and handed me a folder with Brian Stelfreeze art (if you havent figured out that I dig Brian's work, there you have it; I dig Brian's work). While I love covers and pinups I am a complete sucker for panel pages. I love story telling stuff. And sequences?! Don't even get me started, we'd be here all day.

So I see this Superman page... with this fantastic little figure of Superman flying. Composition is just... it just looks fantastic. I turn the page and realize it's a 4 page story...

At this point the smart part of my brain goes 'Now listen, yes you've been good and yes, I'll let you buy one page but remember rent and the costs of the flight and remember the hotel. Pick one page, pay the man and go back to your table.' So I look through the pages some more trying to decide. Because, the brain is right. But man the expressions on the Superman close ups, the fear and the pain at seeing Lois crash... choices choices.

At which point Randy turns to me, says 'If you buy the whole story, I'll give you a good deal'. The rational part of my brain gets overrun by the 'omg omg omg sequence, full story, EPIC STORYTELLING!!!!' part of my brain. Think someone picking a flower getting overrun by a herd of elephants.

So really long story short, now Superman and I are hanging out in the same appartment and it's all good =)

And honestly, looking at these pages together, what's not to love?