CGI Block :: Batgirl

In today's post we have two computer generated images of Batgirl. The first one is so well done that i can't actually tell whether an actual photo was used as a template and then "dressed up" as Batgirl; it looks very realistic and the colors are great.

What makes this image very unique is the angle from which it is shot; the camera is above and looking down. Also notice how Batgirl is inside a clocktower... see all the gears around and the actual clock behind her? I wonder whether the background was picked randomly or it was intentional to pay "homage" to her Oracle persona?

This is a much more conservative, simple CGI, similar to what you would see in a video game design; however, if you look very carefully, you can almost see Yvonne Craig's face... I swear! This one, same as yesterday's Hawkwoman, reminds me of X-Men's season 1 ending credits.

CGI Block :: Hawkwoman

Back in 2008 we had a CGI block dedicated to Computer Generated Images of the redheads; here is a follow up of that block with four new Images of Hawkwoman. These are not as artistic as the previous ones, these seem more like designs for video games.

Out of the three versions above, the first one is the one that most faithfully represents the Hawkwoman from the Silver Age; the second one is closer to the Justice League cartton version; and the third one looks like a stylized version of the 80's Shayera.

This one got some things wrong: the hair, the uniform; but the helmet is awesome and the wings as well. It reminds me a lot of the closing credits of the X-Men cartoon during its first season in which CGI versions of the characters rotated next to profile cards.

Geoff Johns on Mera and Blackest Night

IGN Comics: Mera takes a very prominent role as well – and in some ways a bigger, more powerful one than Aquaman. I remember at Comic-Con you said you just love the character. For those who aren't familiar with her, who is she and why is she such an appealing character to you?

Johns: Well Mera is like Aquaman. She's caught between two worlds – Atlantis and the land. She's been the queen to Aquaman's king for decades. A lot of people know of her but I really wanted to play up the sense of regal power in her, and all of the things she's had to deal with. She's lost a child. She's lost a husband. She's lost her world and seen Atlantis fall. And yet despite all that she's still standing tall with her trident. I think she's one of the toughest and most resilient characters in the DC Universe if you look at what she's gone through. So I wanted to showcase her. I think she is one of the most powerful, most interesting characters in DC.

IGN Comics: So we'll see more of her as the series progresses? Her role will continue in the Blackest Night series itself?

Johns: Yes. Another thing about her… there's one particular scene, and Ivan was masterful in the way he drew it, where you see the entire Aquaman family – Aquaman, Aquagirl, Tempest and Dolphin – as Black Lanterns… and the only one left is Mera. And that's where she's going to be now. That's sadly what she's used to. She's always left out.

Don't cry for me Argen... er... Hawkgirl

On the first day of this story, Hawkgirl meets the Justice league and lets them know that Hawkman and other citizens of Midway City have been transformed to salt. On the third day, while the redhead visits the statue of her husband, she is kidnapped by evildoers. On the fourth day, the Justice League receives a ransom notice advising that Hawkgirl's life is in danger.

Justice League of America #72

After being recued on the fifth day, Hawkgirl spends the next 6 days sick with grief due to the absence of Hawkman. On day thirtheen, Red Tornado saves the Justice League from demonic beings, and uses a gas to bring all the salt statues back to life.

"13 Days to Doom"

During this phase of the Justice League of America, Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter had resigned; the team was two members short and did not have any women in it. This issue was originally intended to be the induction of Red Tornado and Hawkgirl as new members, but the idea was later discarded, and instead Black Canary was brought from Earth-2 to join the League in issue #75.

Art by Dick Dillin and Sid Greene

Reddy and Shayera wouldn't join the team until #146, but even though she didnt become part of the League until much later, Hawkgirl was a frequent guest star in the series, and helped not only the Justice League but also the Justice Society in many cases.

Don't cry for me Argen... er... Mera

Even after fighting against impossible odds, after defeating many enemies, and after traveling across dimensions to find a cure, Mera was not able to save the life of her little son Arthur Jr. who finally died in Doctor Vulko's laboratory, victim of Black Manta. One would think that there is nothing more painful than losing a child, but actually there is... and is having to endure such a terrible loss alone without a shoulder to cry on.

Aquaman #62

When Aquaman was fighting Black Manta, little Arthur Jr. fell prey of the villain's manipulations. Believing his son dead, Aquaman sent his body to Mera, while he went after Manta. Unbeknownst to Aquaman, the baby was still alive, although in critical condition when he was delivered to Mera. She couldn't understand why her husband wasn't at her side during this difficult moment, so she went alone back to Xebel in search of a cure.

"And the walls came tumblin' down"

When she finally returned to Earth with a cure, it was already too late, and Arthur Jr. had died for real. Mera was never the same after that, and blamed Aquaman for playing hero instead of staying to save his son's life. For many years to come, Aquaman and Mera's relationship was so damaged that they seemed more enemies than a couple.

Don't cry for me Argen... er... Batgirl

One night Batgirl is patrolling Gotham, and right at the moment she was in front of the Police headquarters, there was an explosion. Batgirl is horrified when she discovers that her father, Commisionner Jim Gordon has been victim of a murder attempt via a letter bomb.

Detective Comics #484

Batgirl spends the rest of that night trying to find the would-be-murderer. Searching for clues, tracking steps, interrogating suspects and witnesses, and even preventing a second attempt at the commissionner when he is taken to the hospital.

"The Race Against Murder"

Unable to find the one responsible for the heinous act, Batgirl goes over the events that took place one more time, and thanks to her photographic memory realizes that the perpetrator is the first witness she came across. The damsel of Gotham captures all the thugs involved in the attempt, and the Commissionner soon goes back to active duty.

Mera and Other Heroes

In this cover of Justice League of America #88 Mera gets a guest spot as she and Black Canary, Aquaman, Flash, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Atom, Batman, and Superman do the walk of shame; rejected by the people of the world for not being able to save the planet, whereas three normal citizens were able to do it. The cover art is by Neal Adams. Mera does not play a significant role in the story, but at least is acknowledged.

Pencils and color guide for JLA #88

Notice how the red in Mera's hair, Flash's uniform, and Superman's cape are strategically placed in a triangle to make all the other colors in the cover pop. Yes people, it's called "color theory" and good artists know when to use it.

Final Cover for JLA #88

En esta portada de los Campeones de la Justicia #88 Mera es invitada especial, y junto a Canario Negro, Aquaman, Flash, Hombre Halcón, Flecha Verde, Linterna Verde, Atom, Batman, y Superman camina la marcha de la verguenza; rechazados por la población del mundo por no haber sido capaces de salvar el planeta mientras que tres ciudadanos normales si pudieron hacerlo. El arte de la portada es por Neal Adams. Mera no juega un papel significante en la historia, pero al menos es considerada.

Batgirl and Other Heroes

Here we have a great shot of some of Earth's greatest heroes running along our dear Batgirl: First, is Supergirl, the maid of steel from the planet Krypton and Batgirl's best friend; then there's the fastest man alive, The Flash; and finally Cyborg, member of the Titans. Funny how Batgirl is depicted running ahead of Flash and Supergirl. Art by José Luis García-López.

Aquí tenemos una gran imagen de algunos de los más grandes héroes de la Tierra corriendo junto con nuestra querida Batichica: Primero está Superchica, la chica de acero del planeta Kriptón; después está el hombre más veloz del mundo, Flash; y finalmente tenemos a Cyborg, miembro de los jóvenes Titanes. Es gracioso como Batichica es mostrada corriendo delante de Flash y Superchica. Arte por José Luis García-López.

Hawkwoman and Other Heroes

Here is an impressive mix of flying heroes heading towards the good fight. From Earth-2 we have the mystical heroes Spectre and Doctor Fate. Directly from the 31st century, we have the founding members of the Legion of Super Heroes Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy. Finally from Earth-1 we have the nuclear man Firestorm, and leading the charge, of course, our beloved Hawkwoman. What a team! Art by the equally spectacular José Luis García-López.

He aquí una impresionante mezcla de héroes voladores listos a luchar. De Tierra-2 tenemos a los héroes místicos Espectro y Doctor Destino. Directamente del siglo XXXI, tenemos a los miembros fundadores de la Legión de Super Héroes Relámpago, Saturna, y Cósmico. Finalmente, de Tierra-1 tenemos a Antorcha, el hombre nuclear, y liderando la tropa, por supuesto, nuestra querida Mujer Halcón. Que equipo! Arte por el igualmente espectacular José Luis García-López.

DC Comics Presents Superman & Batgirl

This is one of my favorite team-ups of all time: The Man of Steel and the Dominoed Daredoll in DC Comics Presents # 19. This is a chilling horror story in which Superman and Batgirl are trapped in a haunted house and fight its evil-possessed and blood-thirsty guests. Here, you can appreciate the introductory page in black and white:

This was not the first time this great duo teamed up for some unusual and dangerous adventure. In the past Superman and Batgirl have confronted other menaces and have developed a professional friendship. Strangely enough, Clark Kent and Barbara Gordon are good friends as well, but they don't know each other's secret identities. Here, you can appreciate the introductory page with finished colors:

Even more strange, Superman and Batgirl met for the first time when both of them were just children, and neither one of them knows it. Superboy had just returned to the present from his tenure in the 31st century as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes when he confronted a very smart and brave girl who had accidentally acquired super-powers and adopted the name "Mighty-Girl"... any guesses who that girl is? Yup, Barbara Gordon!

Here, you can appreciate the introductory page in Spanish as presented in the Superman title published by Editorial Novaro, and later on by Editora Cinco.

More Cards :: Batgirl, Hawkwoman, Mera

I found some fan art on the web drawn over sketch card canvasses. I've added the frame and other details and now they are ready to collect.

The most beautiful of the three designs, Batgirl looks incredible. With batarang in hand, it's like she's telling you "confess now or I'll stab you in the eye with this pointy, metallic, heavy thingie".

All due respect, I did not care too much for this Hawkwoman sketch. The problem seemed to be the helmet; it is Shayera's distinctive feature, and it is hard to get it right. Then I realized the problem was with the eyes, so I whited them out and now she looks great. I hope the artist won't kill me.

This version of Mera is simply stunning! She looks very regal thanks to the prominence given in the picture to her crown, which the artist brilliantly featured by making Mera's hair float upwards. Great idea and excellent work!

Ame-Comi Batgirl & Hawkgirl

The DC DIRECT AME-COMI Girls PVC Statue line brings the distinct Japanese style of Manga to DC Comics' female heroines and their foes!

The BATGIRL statue is a limited-edition, hand-painted PVC statue 9" tall. This limited edition non-articulate plastic display figure comes with a base and is packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook and is manufactured to order.

HAWKGIRL is the winged huntress who takes to the sky and soars above the clouds, wielding weapons both ancient and modern against enemies old and new.

Microheroines V :: Arts & Crafts

While searching for new material for the blog, I found new DC Microheroes on the web, and then I got to think...

What can we do with a few logos and some bubbles...

... some random backgrounds...

...and three redhead microheroines?

A cool Chicas de Rojo composite... that's what!