Justice League Brewery: Adult Beverages In Honor Of The JLA by Marcello Rizzetto

My love for comics was forged at a very early age. I remember being four or five and walking into my local neighborhood candy store, seeing a rack of comics, and falling in love with how colorful they were. From that point on I spent my life idolizing comic book characters, buying and collecting hundreds and thousands of them through the years. But now I am a grown up geek, and I have grown up needs. Enter graphic designer Marcello Rizzetto, who must be in the same boat as me and decided to do something about it. He created a six pack of beers based on the core six members of the Justice League, with each beer taking on characteristics of each hero. This is a killer idea. Superman as a super strong Pale Ale. Wonder Woman as an American Lager. The Flash as an Irish Red Ale. Aquaman as a Belgian Blonde Ale. Green Lantern as a special edition St Patrick's Day Green Beer. And finally Batman as a Dark Ale. It all works so perfect, both in reference to the heroes and to the potentially deliciousness of these beers! I can get behind this. You can see all 6 beers after the jump, and hopefully we see something like this in the future...

Hulk vs Superman by Ryan Ottley

It is the age old question that DC Comics and Marvel Comics fans toss at each other like grenades... who would win in a fight, Hulk or Superman? Most people are quick to offer an answer, but if you really delve into both super heroes invulnerability powers and epic strength it becomes a much harder question to ponder. A few years back I posted a crazy CGI fan film that put the Green Monster vs the Kryptonian Madman, and it points out just how hard it is for either dude to win. But it is fun to see others opinions on the situation, and who better to weigh in on this than one of CCD's favorite comic artist, Invincible's Ryan Ottley. Ottley is a fantastic artist, and one of his latest posts to his Deviant Art page (click here to check his Deviant page, it is pretty amazing) tackles the subject in a way that I certainly didn't expect. Do you think Ottley picked Hulk, or Supes? Here is a hint: It plays out the way I WOULD HOPE IT WOULD.... Check after the jump to find out for yourself.

DC Comics '75 Years of Superman' Suit Display at the 2013 NY Comic Con

DC Comics marquee character over the last century has been Superman. I love Batman as much as the next guy, but Supes is the main dude over at DC. So in order to honor 75 years of Superman at this years NY Comic Con, DC set up an awesome display of all the costumes that he has worn throughout the history of the beloved character. Now I don't even really like Superman all that much (like I said, I'm a Batman guy..) but this display was very cool to admire. Check out all the detailed pics that Joe Fletch took after the jump. Here is to another 75 more years!!!!

Superman 75th Anniversary Short Film Line-Up by Dusty Abell

As part of the ongoing celebration of the 75th anniversary of Superman, Warner Bros. Animation’s Bruce Timm and Man of Steel director Zack Snyder collaborated on a two-minute film that observes some of Superman’s more memorable adventures. The animation includes homages to original creators Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster to contemporary artists like Jim Lee, with stops along the way that give props to Curt Swan, Dan Jurgens, Neal Adams, Andy Warhol, Fleisher Studios, Alex Ross, the Smallville television series, Christopher Reeve, George Reeves, Henry Cavil and Timm’s own work on Superman: The Animated Series.

Follow the link here to see a frame by frame breakdown of the source material for this shot.

75 Years Of Superman By Bruce Timm And Zack Snyder

As part of the ongoing celebration of the 75th anniversary of Superman, Warner Bros. Animation’s Bruce Timm and Man of Steel director Zack Snyder collaborated on a two-minute film that observes some of Superman’s more memorable adventures. The animation includes homages to original creators Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster to contemporary artists like Jim Lee, with stops along the way that give props to Curt Swan, Dan Jurgens, Neal Adams, Andy Warhol, Fleisher Studios, Alex Ross, the Smallville television series, Christopher Reeve, George Reeves, Henry Cavil and Timm’s own work on Superman: The Animated Series.

Superman Collectibles From Canada Post And The Royal Canadian Mint

Famed Kryptonian Superman may be as American as apple pie, but co-creator Joe Shuster was, himself, from the Great White North. Feeling somewhat responsible for the most famous superhero of all time, Canada has released a series of commemorative coins of Kal-El through the years. Minted from gold, silver and cupro-nickel (steel, oddly, never came into play), the seven coins feature the iconic superhero in various poses and include lenticular and holographic versions that change color and animate as they're tilted. The face value of the coins ranges from 50 cents to $75; however, they cost from $30 to $750. Still, that's far less expensive than Supes' debut "Action Comics" issue, which sold for $2.16 million in 2011. 

Check out all the collectibles after the jump...

Superman & Batman: The Trust

With all the excitement over the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman I am brought back to thinking about this 'World's Finest' movie. I like this story, by Alex Ross and Chip Kidd, very much because it says everything you need to know about the relationship between Batman and Superman and why the most powerful creature on the planet would NEED a non-powered human to watch over him (albeit an extra-ordinary non-powered human) is what makes their team-up special. And Braniac would challenge the two of them. That doesn't require us to cast a new Joker or Lex Luthor. Those roles have been done to death in Batman and Superman movies.

Denis Medri Takes The JLA Back To The Wild, Wild West

We have featured many artists here on CCD over the last few years, and it is always nice to come across one a bit down the road still doing great work. Denis Medri was featured here on CCD last August for his Star Wars High sketches, and now he is back with his take on the JLA. Medri decided to take these DC Comic mainstays on a trip down the ole trail, as he has re-imagined them in a style of the Old West. I like the distinct western characteristics he gave each of the original seven (plus Green Arrow), but I have to say that Martian Manhunter's mustache and Aquaman's spear are two of my favorite details. Batman is still king... no matter what! Check all of them out after the jump...

The Many Shields Of Superman

In honor of the release of the Man of Steel tonight, I have found an excellent  infographic detailing the many "S" symbols of Superman's costume.

Here’s another infographic I did for HalloweenCostumes.com, this time illustrating the history of the emblem on Superman’s chest.

Until I researched this, I had no idea just how many variations the shield went through in its first five years, before they settled on the classic design that went mostly unchanged for over five decades.
My previous infographic (illustrating the evolution of Iron Man’s armor) can be seen here.

Cool 'Man of Steel' Featurette

This very well produced feature on the upcoming Man of Steel movie is the very reason why the Internet is so cool for me. It gives me access to such great pieces that are especially interesting when the product they are showing off is something I am already genetically primed to love. There is no way that 'Man of Steel' won't be the biggest hit of the summer. I am sure the movie will bring me to tears like this feature did at times. The Golden Age of the superhero movie continues.

Superman/Doomsday - Fan Film

I know of Mike D's love for fan made superhero movie but this is one I hope is as new to him as it was to me. Instead of taking fresh actors to act a story on the cheap, these creators have stolen clips and music and sound effects and explosions from dozens of films to create a totally new live action Superman adventure. It may not be as polished as your normal Charman Toilet Paper commercial but it's riveting to watch how they manipulated the film clips they had to tell a fresh story of death of redemption. And all it about 30 mins of your time to watch. I thought it was fascinating and I have no idea why DC doesn't just throw a ton of money at these filmmakers and sharpen the effects and redo it mostly shot for shot. It's better than the last Superman Returns, that's for sure. This would be the kind of assignment I would give a high school communications class to do. Check 'em out after the jump....

The Chronicles Of Superman 2 By Phil Postma

Here is part 2 to the set of Superman pics I posted yetserday from artist Phil Postma. These are just as good, if not better, than the first set. A must see for all you Superman fans out there. Enjoy the second set after the jump...

Kingdom Come Fan Trailer In Production

Kingdom Come is my favorite comic book miniseries/graphic novel of all time. I know how much Mike D loves his fan movies so when I discovered this was in production I knew I had to post it here at CCD. It's very hard to replicate comic book stories in live action and I appreciate the skill of the cosplayer who brings life to these larger than life characters. Remember this is all done on the cheap and looks better than it has any right to.

Click after the jump to read and see more...

Neil deGrasse Tyson Helps Superman

Well what do you know, DC Comics has some imagination these days. They consulted the famous astrophysicist to ground their story of Superman witnessing the destruction of Krypton in some sort of reality. You can read the NPR story by going HERE, and  check out a few panels from the comics after the jump...

Mike Mitchell Re-skins A Classic Superman Pose With Some Of You Favorite Pop Culture Characters

Artist Mike Mitchell is extremely talented. He has many detailed works that are absolutely fantastic. But sometimes its the simple ideas that shine the brightest. Mitchell is taking the classic Superman pose that is exhibited on the cover of Superman #6 and re-skinning them with the clothing and looks of some of your favorite pop culture characters. He admits that it is not truly challenging work, but it is super fun and he enjoys doing it. Don't knock the guys talent though... his original artwork is nothing to laugh about! Check out his prints by clicking here and click after the jump to see the re-skinned Supermen...

Justice League of the Round Table by The Comic Fan

My main man Cal up in Canada sure does find some gems to post on his awesome blog The Cave of Cool. One of the cooler things he has posted in the past few weeks has got to be these medieval renderings of The Justice League of America by a Deviant Artist who goes by The Comic Fan. I love the way he recreated each individual character in a way that befits their counter parts of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Pretty great detail and innovative ideas on how to make the more mystical characters like Martian Manhunter & Green Lantern into Knights without sacrificing their original looks. I would love to read a book like this from DC in the vein of Marvel 1602, especially if Neil Gaiman was writing it. All around pretty cool. Thanks for another winner Cal... check out the pieces after the jump!

Image Avalanche #12 by Cal From The Cave of Cool

Guess whose biz-ack??? Cal is embracing the spring and coming out of the winter and hitting us up with another Image Avalanche to make our days a bit brighter. His collections of images always make me smile, and their randomness seems to work in some unorthodox roundabout way. You ready to get your mind blown? Get it in after the jump.... and make sure you spread the love in the comment section so that our brother from a Canadian mother knows just how much we love him!!!

I Know This Is Late, But It Is Still Cool As Shit...

Last week everybody and their mother was posting these two cool ass videos from digital artist Mike Habjan that pitted Superman Vs The Incredible Hulk. Talk about an epic showdown!!! I personally despise Superman as a character and would LOVE to see the Big Green Machine lay the smack down on him. No matter how strong Supes may actually be, lets not forget that the Hulk gets STRONGER whenever he is injured or made angry. I'm not an expert, but I am pretty sure that a heat vision blast would do both of those things... and promptly lead to some busted up Kryptonian skull. Click after the jump to see both videos...

Image Avalanche #11 by Cal From The Cave of Cool

My main Canadian brother from another mother is back from the frozen North to share some cool ass pictures with us CCDers down here in the ole Continental 48 states. Those Canadians sure have a good eye for finding some cool shit on the intrawebs, and Cal may the all time best at it. Make sure you click here and check out his site, and click after the jump for today's collection...

Jesus Nazarenuz Fattens Up The Men Of Steel

I have featured Jesus Nazarenuz's fat superhero creations before here on CCD (click here to see the old post) and was pleasantly suprised to get a comment from the man himself last week. Seems Jesus got wind of us running his stuff (a few months after the fact) and he was really thankful. But the coolest thing he did was tip us off to the gallery of fat Supermen that he assembled over on his Deviant Art page (click here to see his gallery). He chronicled every actor who has held the mantle of the Man of Steel, from Kirk Alyn (star of the first Supes serials) to Henry Cavill (the upcoming Zack Snyder Superman film). they are wonderful, so you should check them out after the jump. Drop Jesus a line, and tell him the gang over at CCD sent you. Stay chubby Clark...