NYCC 2023: Sorting Through The New Batman Art
by Tom Smithyman
With so many illustrators crammed into New York Comic Con’s Arist Alley this year, there were plenty of opportunities for me to add to by collection of Batman original art. I commissioned most of the artists ahead of time, though in a few cases, I picked up pieces on site. Here’s the latest haul.
I first became aware of Christian Ward’s art when reviewing Blood Stained Teeth. Just last week, he was out with Batman: City of Madness #1, so the time seemed right to get a Caped Crusader from the Brit. His watercolor Batman didn’t disappoint.
Next up was Brazilian artist Roge Antonio, who has drawn for X-Men Red, She-Hulk and Injustice: Year Zero. His Batman is favoring his versatile cape.
I purchased this cover from Javier Fernadez through his art dealer, but he delivered it to me at NYCC. It’s from a European version of Batman: City of Crime.
One of the most entertaining books I review is Ice Cream Man, which is illustrated by Martin Morazzo. I was thrilled to see his version of the Dark Knight pondering a familiar clue in the Batcave.
Caspar Wijngaard also set his Batman in the cave, those this version is a bit more organic with stalactites and stalagmites. And, of course, bats. Lots of bats.
Jesse Lonergan’s Batman is all washed up. In addition to independent titles including Planet Paradise and Ghosts of Science Past, Lonergan has drawn for Heavy Metal Magazine and Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures.
For fans of The Dark Knight Returns, will recognize Tirso Cons’ recreation of the scene after Batman has defeated the Mutant Leader in the mudpit. He really took this one above and beyond my expectations.
Nick Dragotta took a different approach, with the World’s Greatest Detective leading with his Batarang – or several of them.
Amancay Nahuelpan created a Batman ready for battle with the Batsignal and a Gotham cityscape behind him.
For those of you reading Chip Zdarsky’s run on the main Batman title, you know that the Dark Knight was recently sent to another reality. As depicted in this page from Batman #133, Bats is about to beat the snot out of Edward Nygma, also known as the Riddler. It’s a splash page drawn by Mike Hawthorne and inked by Adriano di Benedetto, whom I bought it from.
Another page came from the masterful hand of Bernard Chang. This is page 47 from Generations Forged. You can’t tell without colors, but this is the purple-gloved first appearance version of Batman.
You might know Anthony Marques from Batman: The Audio Adventures. But he’s also the head of the Kubert School, which produces some great cartoonists and illustrators. You can see a process video of him drawing this Batman on his Instagram account.
While I didn’t buy these last two pieces directly from artist Sedat Oegzen, he generously donated them for the NYCC charity art auction. The auction, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has raised over $1 million to fight childhood cancer over the last 13 years. It’s a great cause and great art.
