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Articles by Todd Klein
LOGO DESIGN FOR COMICS
Logo design is an important element of comics, both creatively and from a sales standpoint. A strong, memorable logo helps sell the product, and will help buyers identify more comics like ones they already enjoyed. Here’s an overview of comics logo design, above is one of mine, and more about how it was designed is HERE. Comics logo designs began in comic strips, but were not as important there because those strips appeared inside newspapers.
10 Best Elseworlds Comics On DC Universe Infinite Right Now
Elseworlds comics have existed since 1989’s Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. The idea is simple enough: present familiar DC superheroes in unfamiliar circumstances. The idea was strongest during the 90s, with DC presenting alternate universe stories without having to rely on a complex idea like the multiverse, which they’d gotten rid of in the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths. With the multiverse back, the Elseworlds brand isn’t as prominent as it once was.
10 Best Wonder Woman Comics On DC Universe Infinite Right Now
Wonder Woman is one of DC's most recognizable and greatest heroes. She's had multiple live-action and animated films, and is even getting a game soon. That said, it's just a drop in the bucket compared to what characters like Batman or even Superman have gotten over the years. For fans of Diana and the Amazonians, they'll have to go to the comics to get more. The online service DC Universe Infinite has more than enough comics to keep any Wonder Woman fan busy, but where do they begin?
10 Greatest Batman Elseworlds Comics
The recent developments at DC Studios point to the DCU going in a totally different direction and that might be a positive thing for Batman. The possibilities are endless as there are already two iterations of Bruce Wayne, one portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the Reevesverse and the younger one portrayed by Dante Pereira-Olson in Todd Phillips’ Joker universe.
And Then I Read: SECRET IDENTITY by Alex Segura
This is a noir murder mystery taking place in New York City in 1975, a time when the city itself was in financial trouble, the streets were dirty and could be dangerous, and noir seems the right description for them.
'Echolands #1' (review) - Forces of Geek
By J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman with Dave Stewart and Todd Klein Published by Image Comics I wish I could say I liked Echolands, because it is, without a doubt, an absolutely gorgeous book! Of course, the same could be said for anything and everything the book’s artist, creator, and co-writer, J.H. Williams III, has worked on in recent years. Known for his colorful, ornate work on such titles as Promethea and Batwoman, plus a Sandman graphic novel, Echolands may be his best work to date.
FOUR MORE NEIL GAIMAN PAPERBACK COVERS
All images © Neil Gaiman and HarperCollins In 2016 I was hired by publisher HarperCollins, by request of their author Neil Gaiman, to design covers for four mass market paperbacks for his books that would have new paintings by legendary cover artist Robert McGinnis. McGinnis had been a top cover artist and movie poster artist since the 1950s, and was now in his 90s. I was surprised to learn he was still with us, and willing to take on this project, but he was, and I was delighted to be involved.
Todd Klein on lettering, literature and more
All images © DC Comics. From ACTION COMICS #327, Aug 1965 Opening part 2 of the 1965 DC ads lettered and designed by Ira Schnapp with this one, the 80-Page Giant line continued to get lots of promotion and support, and Jimmy Olsen’s popularity was solid. From THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY LEWIS #89, Aug 1965 The same Bob Hope ad with all new lettering by Ira. From ADVENTURE COMICS #335, Aug 1965 This public service ad is well meant, but perhaps describes activities beyond the means of many readers.
Logo Study: ROBIN Part 2
In 1991 Robin finally got his own title, first in three mini-series, then in an ongoing book. I wrote about the logo created for this book in an article called Logo Longevity (Or Not), but at the time didn’t know who designed it. I was still wondering when I made my recent trip to DC to go through the old logo files, and when I found the original, there were some interesting clues, but no answers.
Ira Schnapp in CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN
Images © DC Comics This team of non-powered trouble-shooters and their series was largely created by Jack Kirby, possibly with help from Joe Simon and/or writer Dave Wood. After four tryout issues in SHOWCASE and eight issues of their own series, Kirby moved on and was soon creating a somewhat similar team for Marvel Comics with Stan Lee, THE FANTASTIC FOUR. The SHOWCASE issues used a logo pulled from a story splash page by a letterer I can’t identify.
Milton Glaser and the DC Bullet
With the recent passing of veteran acclaimed designer Milton Glaser, his work is getting new attention, including the symbol he created for DC Comics in 1976. This and all other versions of the generally round symbol are known by company staff as the “DC Bullet.” I think the reference is to the old typesetting term for a large round black spot: • which is used today for “bullet point lists” in manuscripts or ad copy. Originally bullet was also another name for a period in typography.
Mrs. Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 640 × 270 pixels. Other resolution: 320 × 135 pixels. About File History Metadata Licensing Mrs. Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subjects Mrs. Cratchit (Batman: Noël) (Images) Bob Cratchit (Batman: Noël) (Images) Timothy Cratchit (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Mrs. Cratchit: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image.
Barbara Eileen Gordon Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 640 × 287 pixels. Other resolution: 320 × 143 pixels.
Joker Batman Noël 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Licensing Joker Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Joker (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Joker: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Jokerz Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 640 × 423 pixels. Other resolution: 320 × 212 pixels. About File History Metadata Licensing Jokerz Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Jokerz (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Jokerz: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Bob Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 247 × 479 pixels. Other resolution: 123 × 240 pixels. About File History Metadata Licensing Bob Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Bob Cratchit (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Bob Cratchit: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Tim Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 525 × 480 pixels. Other resolutions: 263 × 240 pixels | 657 × 600 pixels | 840 × 768 pixels. About File History Metadata Licensing Tim Cratchit Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Timothy Cratchit (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Tim Cratchit: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image.
Superman Batman Noël 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Licensing Superman Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Superman (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Superman: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Alfred Pennyworth Batman Noël 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Licensing Alfred Pennyworth Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Alfred Pennyworth (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Alfred Pennyworth: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Batman Origins Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 623 × 480 pixels. Other resolutions: 312 × 240 pixels | 779 × 600 pixels | 998 × 768 pixels | 1,280 × 986 pixels.
Batman Batman Noël 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 445 × 479 pixels. Other resolutions: 223 × 240 pixels | 446 × 480 pixels | 557 × 600 pixels | 713 × 768 pixels. About File History Metadata Licensing Batman Batman Noël 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Bruce Wayne (Batman: Noël) (Images) Image Source Source Batman: Noël (November, 2011) Image Details Description Batman: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image.
Prankster and Toyman Earth-423 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 640 × 439 pixels. Other resolutions: 320 × 220 pixels | 800 × 549 pixels. About File History Metadata Prankster and Toyman Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subjects Oswald Loomis (Earth-423) (Images) Winslow Scott (Earth-423) (Images) Kal-El (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Prankster and Toyman: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image.
Kryptonite Man Earth-423 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Kryptonite Man Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Kryptonite Man (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Action Comics #583 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Kryptonite Man: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Vril Dox Earth-423 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 169 × 478 pixels. About File History Metadata Vril Dox Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Vril Dox (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Brainiac: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Bizarro Earth-423 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 386 × 479 pixels. Other resolution: 193 × 240 pixels. About File History Metadata Bizarro Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subject Bizarro (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Bizarro: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Alexander Luthor Earth-423 0001.jpg
Size of this preview: 190 × 479 pixels. About File History Metadata Alexander Luthor Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subjects Alexander Luthor (Earth-423) (Images) Vril Dox (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Lex Luthor: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Peter Ross Earth-423 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Peter Ross Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subjects Peter Ross (Earth-423) (Images) Kal-El (Earth-423) (Images) Lana Lang (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Pete Ross: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Perry White Earth-423 0001.jpg
No higher resolution available. About File History Metadata Perry White Earth-423 0001.jpg Image Contents Subjects Perry White (Earth-423) (Images) Kal-El (Earth-423) (Images) Image Source Source Superman #423 (September, 1986) Image Details Description Perry White: Used for purposes of illustration in an educational article about the entity represented by the image. The image is used as a means of visual identification of this article topic.
Preparing Comics Scripts for Lettering
Image found online, © DC Comics. Yesterday I was asked by Paul Kupperberg for recommendations and suggestions on this topic for a book he’s working on. I covered it in my book, but things have changed since then. Now that most comics lettering is done digitally, a whole new regimen of script preparation issues have emerged that often create problems for letterers. I posed the question to a group of other letterers, and together we came up with these recommendations. 1.
How to be a Media Pioneer
When asked just how mature the media industry is these days, MadisonWellsMedia President Clint Kisker curiously answered: “We’re all in the wagons [going] west.” Honestly, I didn’t get the metaphor at first. What does an industry that’s digitizing at breakneck speed have in common with a ponderous cross-country trip? After a little research, however, I think Kisker’s onto something.
Why CMOs Will Be the Most Important Executives in 2018
Published: January 8, 2018 For the last two decades of my career, I’ve peppered every executive recruiter I meet with the same question: “For which position are you experiencing the greatest imbalance between the demand for exceptional candidates and the supply?” The responses are usually consistent and vary among sales, operations, and finance, but I keep asking because the replies accurately reveal where we are in the business cycle.
HOUSE OF SECRETS #92: How the Cover was Made
Images © DC Comics except as noted Much has been written about this wonderful cover by Bernie Wrightson from 1971 depicting the first appearance of Swamp Thing. Inside the issue is a short story written by Len Wein with art by Wrightson simply titled “Swamp Thing” that was so popular it begat a series about the character from the same creative team.
Sports Could Become Virtual Reality's Killer App
At Revolution, we're always on the lookout for investments that are game changers. And one of the sectors that may be finally having its day is virtual reality (VR). In addition to plunging hardware prices (see HTC’s recent Vive announcement), there are other factors at play, and one of the most exciting is how VR intersects with sports and amplifies the fan experience. My thinking around the adoption of VR derives from the pace of early television adoption.
The Rise of Digital Lettering, Part 2
Image from the website of Mark Simonson. Some time in the 1950s Charlton Publications bought this or a similar model of Vari-Typer, a machine designed for small businesses to set their own type. It worked like a typewriter, and employed a single-use carbon ribbon that left a very clean impression on paper as large as 13 inches wide. The machine could hold two fonts on the central “Type Shuttle,” and many interchangeable fonts were available from Vari-Typer.
It's a Print! It's a Game! It's GO FREELANCE!
Images © Shawn McManus and Todd Klein, all rights reserved. Forgive me if I talk about myself in the third person for a moment. Todd Klein is proud to announce his latest signed print, in collaboration with artist Shawn McManus. Not only an elaborate piece of art and lettering, GO FREELANCE! is a board game that outlines the lives of two budding comics artists.
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