Warner Bros. Pictures has finally set a release date for director David Fincher’s long-awaited adaptation of the classic Batman comic book series, set for an April 18, 2021 release.
To coincide with the release of the film, we’re honoured to celebrate the work of one of the greatest English comic book artists of all time, as we look back at three of his incredible creations that will be reissued in high quality for the occasion.
The Dark Knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns is considered by many to be the greatest comic book in history, and it’s easy to see why. Consuming over 400 pages of storytelling, this particular volume of the Marvel comic book series also serves as a complete redesign of the Batman character, bringing his classic look closer to the one we know and love.
The new design is arguably one of the most realistic depictions of the character ever drawn, and it’s safe to say that it was an influential work, not just for fans of the comic book series, but for a new generation of artists as well. For those who haven’t read the original comic, here’s the trailer.
The Killing Joke
The Killing Joke is one of the most important of all the comics created by Joe Chillingsworth, a.k.a. Joe Chill. In this particular comic book, which is now considered a graphic novel classic, Joe uses a combination of paint and ink to shed light on the psychological torment undergone by one of the most famous characters in Batman history, known as the Joker. The result is one of the most visually fascinating comics ever published.
Reading The Killing Joke is kind of like watching one of the most tragic stories ever told through the prism of popular culture. Basically, this is the comic book equivalent of watching The Godfather, only way more disturbing. The art is some of the most sophisticated that Marvel has ever put out, and it perfectly conveys the sheer malevolence that is the Joker.
Daredevil: Season One
Finally, for fans of the hit Netflix TV show, we have Daredevil: Season One. This collection of the Marvel character’s first appearance in comics, published in 1997, depicts the journey of a man born without superpowers, but with a vivid imagination and a burning desire to fight crime.
Daredevil: Season One is an important milestone in comic book history, as it is the first book to be released under the now-famous Marvel Digital Comics platform, which would eventually evolve into the MCU Shop.
Although this particular collection of comics doesn’t feature any of the major superheroes, it does depict several well-known villains, such as Penguin, so it’s essential reading for any fan of the series.
Here’s a short look at the key artworks from the collection.
Artistic Accomplishments
Throughout his life, Joe Chillinworth has worked on various comics, but it wasn’t until the ’90s that he began to gain notoriety. In 1993, he founded his own studio, Dark Horse Comics, and began creating comics with a mature theme, which were eventually published around the world. Today, Dark Horse Comics is one of the most important publishers of comics, and their work has been featured in some of the biggest movies of all time, including The Dark Knight.
In terms of pure artistic skill, it’s highly unlikely that anyone can match Joe’s talent. He is responsible for groundbreaking work in both paint and ink, and his drawings are known for their realism and attention to detail. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, since his debut, he has been responsible for some of the most stunning comics of all time.
In addition to his work for Marvel and Dark Horse, Joe Chillinworth also worked on several independent films, and he even voiced characters in a couple of animated films.
The Joe Chillingsworth Estate
In 2017, Joe Chillingsworth’s family established the Joe Chillingsworth Estate in his honour. This is a private trust that will manage all of Joe’s personal artwork, and it will also provide funding for a scholarship in his name at the College of Creative Arts at the University of Brighton in England.
The Joe Chillingsworth Estate will also be in charge of approving all of Joe’s future artwork. Additionally, the family has set up a website to accept donations in Joe’s name, and they have also established a Facebook page, where fans can leave their well wishes for the artist.
Despite all of this, Joe Chillinworth would still consider himself a bit of a loner. He doesn’t really like talking about his work, and he doesn’t really like attending events, unless he’s forced to. He doesn’t want to detract from his craft and the time he needs to focus on it, but he also doesn’t want to let his guard down, either. After a while, he gets tired of the attention and becomes overwhelmed. Sometimes, he even wishes that he could just disappear.
The thing about artists is that they are very susceptible to criticism. As much as we might love and respect their work, there’s always someone who will have something negative to say. The good thing is that Joe Chillinworth is an incredibly hard worker, and he’s determined to prove that his work is worth getting up in the morning for.