Batman

One of my all-time Batman stories is the one-shot graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by the super-talented Brian Bolland.

 

Produced in the mid-1980s the graphic novel: The Killing Joke pits Batman against his greatest foe: The Joker.  If you haven’t read The Killing Joke, I highly recommend it.  It successfully redefined the relationship between Batman and The Joker and changed the DC Comics Batman franchise forever-the effects of which are still being felt today.

There’s also an excellent animated adaptation by Warner Bros. Animation on Blu-ray/DVD.

I first took notice of Brian Bolland’s artwork when I picked up his run on Judge Dredd when it was released here in the United States.  It still sends chills up my spin when I look at his interpretation of Judge Death and his fellow supernatural Judges.

Brian caught the attention of DC Comics and was part of the British Invasion prevalent in the mid-1980s.  

One of the first projects he did for DC Comics was the 12-part Camelot 3000 project that placed the return of King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table, Morgan le Fey and Merlin in the future.

Plagued by delays the series ended after two years instead of one-but it was worth the wait just to see Bolland’s artwork.

Over the years Brian has done a number of issues and covers for DC Comics.

To commemorate 20 Years of DC Collectibles a very special Batman Mini-Statue has been created by sculptor David Giruad.  The statue, with base, stands approximately 8 ½ inches tall.

Made of polyresin the statue really captures the look of Brian Bolland’s rendition of Batman and is limited to 5,000 copies.  Get yours soon-they are going fast!.

Brian Bolland is a perfectionist and it shows in his art.  Every detail from the folds in Batman’s cape to his characteristic sneer is spot-on.

The DC Collectibles statue is no less impressive. But, let’s start with the packaging first.

The statue comes in a four-side, heavy stock box, with a right front clipped edge sporting a gold DC Collectibles logo. 

The box opens easily using its flip-lid secured with fold-in tab.  Other Batman statues are spotlighted on the back of the box.

Inside is a form-fitted Styrofoam container that holds the statue.  The front and back pieces are held in place with clear plastic tape wrapped around the mid-seam.

The figures and base are wrapped in clear plastic bags and both fit snuggly into the form-fitted Styrofoam.  

Polyresin can be easily broken if dropped and with the extra protection afforded by the statue's box and packing the chance of that happening is practically nil.

As a 2D artist I am in awe of sculptors who can take a 2D illustration and successfully translate it into a 3D piece of art and the Batman statue is a masterpiece of sculpting.

The sculptor captures perfectly the stance, and attitude of the Brian Bolland Dark Knight.

Dressed in his characteristic and classic light grey and blue attire the Batman statue exudes authority and respect.

Batman stands with his legs spread.  His arms are crossed and he holds a Joker playing card in his extended right hand.  Just look at the detail!

Every finger, arm muscle and upper and lower torso muscle is perfect.

The details are so fine that you can read the Joker card face, see the amused scowl on Batman’s face and the squint of his white eyes through his cowl.

Moving down the figure I was immediately struck by Batman’s utility cape-simple and elegant with its wide, yellow interpretation.

Batman wears his front tipped knee boots, three wing-tip gloves and light grey leotards decorated with the Bat symbol (no yellow circle).

The figure fits firmly on its black base with Bat emblem and is held in place by a single rod extending from Batman’s right foot.

Batman’s cape is a marvel of sculpting.  

Like Bolland’s interpretation the cape gathers at the shoulders and then sweeps down over Batman's body ending in long, bat wing tips.  Every fold is perfectly placed and accurate.  The cape flows slightly to Batman’s left.

I especially like that Batman’s cowl that sports long bat ears attributed to artists Bernie Wrightson, Neal Adams and of course: Brian Bolland. 

In my opinion this is one of the best Batman statues I’ve seen and is a remarkable piece of sculpture that captures the look and feel of Bain Bolland’s Caped Crusader seen in The Killing Joke.