Category Archives: Comics
Now Available: Handmade Superhero Jewelry
UPDATE: Looks like Brandi’s Etsy store is down, these are not currently available. Original post as follows:
Last June I posted a Spider-Man necklace design , where I felt the main focus of the item would be the chain doubling as Spidey’s webbing, something that wasn’t done previously (much to my surprise). The design was well-received back then, and it immediately caught the attention of Brandi Burnette, a California native who now calls Lake Gaston, North Carolina home.
She decided to tackle the design, and I’m pleased to share the final results with you, and it looks terrific! Or should I say amazing? Spectacular even? You get the idea.
As you can she completed a very ornate necklace design that captures the look of a Todd McFarlane-era Spider-Man, especially with the webbing. Ladies: if you are wearing this you’ll definitely have to tell the guys (several times) “My eyes are up here.”
She’s selling it for $25 at her Etsy store currently, so grab one while you can. And guys: this would be cool to hang on your wall or window.
After the Spidey necklace I then asked Brandi if she would be interested in making a Kryptonite necklace I posted a few years ago , which was inspired by the chain Superman wore in the first film. She also tackled that with relative ease, and you can see the finished result above. You can head to the listing here to grab one, and they retail for $12. What? Only twelve bucks?! Sweet. It’s a perfect gift for anyone (does not actually weaken people, fyi). Lead-lined box sold separately.
If you are looking for Spider-Man in a different pose or appearance, Brandi can help you. The Kryptonite necklace also has various chain link and gem sizes available.
They both look great and I cannot wait to get my hands on them! Special thanks to Brandi for making these, they are very cool.
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Second Dark Knight Trilogy Blu-Ray Case
This is the second Blu-Ray case design I’ve done for the Dark Knight trilogy, the first one (posted way back in early 2011) was based on the Tumbler. After seeing the costume display case in the Dark Knight Rises, I thought I’d attempt another one.
Oddly enough my first instinct for the original concept was the costume case from The Dark Knight’s Batcave. It was mostly a cage, so it wouldn’t ideally work (media cases need to be somewhat airtight). The fully-enclosed case from Rises works perfectly.
Whenever possible I will try to design standard case design, as most of my designs are too expensive to execute; at least that is the feedback I get from people in the packaged media business. This case is just a plastic box with a few door flaps and an action figure. A more attainable and inexpensive design, than say, that Helicarrier monstrosity.
The movies can go into a single thick case, like the recent Jurassic Park Blu-Ray release; or three skinny individual cases, like a TV show box set. The case is stored behind the figure, and is accessible via its own door flap.
The costume depicted is accurate to its portrayal in Rises, which is why there is no cape.
For this release I would include a static figurine (no joints or pose-ability), to keep costs down. A full-fledged figure could be included; ideally with a swappable head so you’d have both Batman and an empty costume. OR you could sell the set with no figure, so fans can add their own 5″ Batman. Then again, there is no such thing as a “frugal” collector’s edition. At least not yet.
These designs have come a long way. Check out this old design I made for Batman The Animated Series (my second Blu-Ray concept). Here is a similar concept for The Incredibles.
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Watchmen Babies In V For Vacation: DVD And Comic Cover
Click To Enlarge
Here are some goodies that you can print out on standard 8.5″ x 11″ letter paper. Click to enlarge, save to your computer, and print as-is (do not re-size). Cut out and insert into DVD case or affix to a comic book cover.
Above is the DVD Cover for Watchmen Babies In V For Vacation. It’s for the standard amaray case, but many DVD cases do vary in size. Apologies in advance if you have to undergo some trial-and-error and need to re-size. Didn’t bother with back art (didn’t know what to put there). If you want an authentic look, paint the spine blue to match what Milhouse was holding in the show.
Whatever you do, please DO NOT ask Alan Moore to sign this DVD case. You are jeopardizing yourself and more importantly me.
Click To Enlarge
This is a comic book cover. Affix it to a comic book for a fake Watchmen Babies issue (you’ll need to sacrifice a comic book). Or you could just let is sit in an insert with a book. This is a PNG file, so you could enlarge it for a poster or use as a desktop wallpaper.
Other printable stuff: X-Men Diploma, Good Will Hunting Painting, and some Mouse Rat merch.
Note: Yes this blogger is back after a whopping 17-day retirement. There are several reasons for this, but mostly due to the overwhelming show of support that came in the form of emails, comments, and tweets. The recent closures of Rockstar Vancouver and Radical Entertainment (the latter being where I recently worked) also provided a lot of perspective - I really didn’t have it that bad. The Hockey blog will resume in the fall. It’s too scorching to think hockey here in Vancouver. I didn’t delete the “I QUIT!” posts, merely set them to private. Thanks again to everyone, I hope you enjoy whatever craziness I post for the foreseeable future.
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Geeky TVs Part 2: Batman
Here is an industrial design for a Batman-themed television. It has a steel frame from which the screen hangs from, just like a bat.
The frame can also be a place to store other electronics by attaching shelves and brackets. This would turn your entertainment space into a Batcave of sorts.
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Geeky TVs Part 1: Iron Man
So I read this article at Forbes the other day (yes I read Forbes — it helps me learn big words) which outlined the decline in TV sales. It didn’t surprise me because modern TVs are made to last and just about everyone made the transition to LCD/Plasma/OLED TVs over the past decade because of their increasing affordability. Also HD was a worthwhile carrot (love how they tried to get us back to the trough for 3D TVs* - HA!).
I’m not a business or tech analyst, but I think there is one trait all TV manufacturers lack, and that is imagination. The cookie cutter appearance all TV’s have can be disposed of in favor of unique designs that represent the varying tastes and interests of consumers everywhere.
I believe we’re at that threshold where TVs have to diversify their appearance to encourage market growth, a tactic the automobile industry latched onto several decades ago. Functionality and engineering have been nearly perfected - it’s time for style.
Take this Iron Man design above. Definitely geared towards the comic book geeks, techies, film buffs, car lovers and so on - not exactly a niche market! If something like this were available, it might provoke some to think about getting a second (or third) TV, or to eschew paying rent for one month for a complete upgrade (let’s face it, we geeks are bloody impulsive).
Look forward to more TV designs based on films, comic books, and video games in the coming weeks. Check out this Star Trek TV from a while back if you like this one.
*That same article cited an increase in 3D units shipped, but no hard sales numbers. A 14% increase from what exactly?
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Official Voltron 8-Bit T-Shirt Design
Update: this T-shirt is now available.
I made this NES-inspired 8-bit Voltron T-shirt design for the good folks at WEP. I’ll update this post when a listing at the Voltron.com store materializes. I hope the Voltron fans out there dig it.
Also check out that hockey jersey I designed for them sometime.
UPDATE: Bonus NES Cartridge mockup!
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Geek Bling Part 7: Spider-Man
This edition of Geek Bling features the friendly neighborhood webhead, who is no stranger to necklaces/chains, but for some reason no one has made the chain itself the web, at least in this obvious a fashion.
The design and pose is based on the 60’s cartoon, which has now been reduced to fodder for internet memes. I have a soft spot for the poorly-animated series, because I feel it was the first ever motion comic (and likely intended as such), not a traditionally animated cartoon.
Nearly had a few of my past Geek Bling designs made, which I would have made available here like I did my hockey jerseys. But alas, can’t seem to find a willing jewelry maker. Hopefully one day I can arrange something for interested people.
