The Art Of DC Comics Bombshells (book review).
I picked up ‘The Art Of DC Comics Bombshells’ on a whim really, mostly because of the sampled artwork on-line. ‘Bombshell’ art is the WW2 term for decorating allied bombers. However, reading this book, that wasn’t the original plan but a series of statues setting DC characters in period dress. Ant Lucia was the picture designer and Tim Miller turned them into clay. You can see some of them here. The super-heroines and well, what do you call Harley Quinn and Catwoman, outnumber the super-heroes for obvious reasons. The book is divided into three sections: Statues, Covers and the Series.
Some of the statues are still available out there but look awfully expensive if you want to collect the set, which also seems to have grown since this book’s release. However, this book makes the ideal way to see them all at the time of the book release, plus seeing the original designs. I suspect we also have a new generation of cos-players out there who’ve looked at these concepts. I do find it odd that the statue is shown first when it would have made more sense to show the designs first. For those wanting to get into the industry, its also an important lesson in graphic design in pose and expression and accurate drawings to give the best choices.
This then extends into the covers where more artists play with the designs into suitable pictures. The evolution of which led into at least one 12-part mini-series now available as a graphic novel. Of course, this has to be yet another alternative DC universe and I’m wondering about looking further. Certainly the art is refreshing and matches the mood at the time. There’s a certain joie de vivre to the art that lacks the darkness of the more current characters.
Certainly the girls look better than the men. Then again, I doubt if such colourful tattoos would have existed back then. Picking out favourites is tough. If what I’ve said has stirred your interest, I’m sure you will have a similar problem.
GF Willmetts
June 2022
(pub: DC Comics, 2016. 111 page illustrated large hardback. Price: . Price: I pulled my copy for about £18.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-40126-469-7)
check out website: www.dccomics.com