The Source has posted several pages of art from Francis Manapul’s work on the Flash, ranging from sketches to finished pencils. Some are familiar from yesterday’s preview. Most are new.
I particularly like this drawing of Abra Kadabra from the upcoming Flash Secret Files book (March 24).
There’s also a view of the crime lab — a nice, big, open crime lab that I’m sure will make Scipio of the Absobascon happy if he’s still reading.
You know what I like about his art over Van Sciver’s? He actually draws clothes that people wear in this century. Nothing is worse than artists that draw generic looking slacks and tucked-in button up shirts. That shot of Barry wearing sneakers and jeans looks far more realistic and modern. Also, I’m glad that you don’t see 30 people all using their cell phones in a museum. I realize they’re trying to make a point, but subtlety is nice.
I dunno how subtle it is. Geoff has this tendancy to tag city’s with catchy names and themes (“Keystone Tough” “Central City- The City that never stops) and we’re definitely seeing that. Granted we’ve only seen a VERY VERY small portion of the book, but in all of the pages we’ve seen and even this the out of context couple of pages it’s all people jogging, being in a hurry, and more coffee shops.
A coffee shop in the park? Really? I get it, you want to make a statement. I got it before. But anyways, that’s something totally different.
As far as the art goes this is absolutely great, I’m really jealous that a book I’m not interested in reading looks this amazing. I mean it flows well, is full of detail and is just really really nice. Manapul is doing a fantastic job.
I don’t think the coffee shop looked out of place at all. Manapul is basing a lot of Central on downtown Toronto, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen said coffee shop before.
All I know is I live in Montreal and I can think of at least two Parks that are situated right near a poutine and fries joint. Not a street-cart. An actual restaurant.
Furthermore, looking back at the drawing… IT’S NOT EVEN LOCATED IN OR NEAR A PARK. It’s a tree in a city. There’s plenty of trees in all kinds of cities. Trees don’t make a park.
Ah, I apologize. I found the picture you’re referring to. Yes, that’s clearly a park. And yes, some parks do have coffee stands in them. That’s not a full out shop. It’s a coffee stand. And many cities do have them. Even in parks.
See: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FGJyx73z9Fs/SX2_D175ikI/AAAAAAAAAu8/sRej05ZHJyY/s1600/CoffeeStand+_+caguas.jpg
Now, is the one in central bigger? Yes. Is it an enormous shop? No. A 5-person wide stand does not make it a shop.
Here’s a pic of an entire Diner in a park:
http://www.capetowndailyphoto.com/uploaded_images/27Diner_Deer_Park_IMG_68-786779.jpg
Not so much about hammering a point as just showcasing reality.
Fair enough, I didn’t really doubt the fact that somewhere in the world there was a park with a coffee shop in it, it was more just me adding to the fact that it’s all really obvious and simple ways to reinforce the “hey look this city is FAST! wink wink nudge nudge” writing.
But yeah man, no worries, if you’re into it you’re into it no need to apologize no one’s offended here haha.
Hi Ted,
I took the second photo that you used as an example. The restaurant is in Deer Park, which unfortunately isn’t a park at all… it’s a residential suburb on the slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town. 🙂
It’s a very leafy suburb though. 😉
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any large parks with coffee shops. Gardens yes, but parks, not so much.
Cheers
Paul.
.-= Paul’s latest blog post: An easy hike in Cape Town =-.
Love or hate Geoff’s writing, no one can call it subtle.
Downtown Houston has two Starbucks directly across the street from one another. 😛
I was kind of worried before seeing this. Since the only thing we’ve seen Francis draw so far is Superboy in Adventure Comics, I’d associated Manapul with drawing teenagers and was worried I’d see his Barry and Iris as that.
After seeing his Abra, Iris, and Barry so far, I’m feeling a lot better.
so what is going to make up the secret files book? a real story?
Looking good. I especially like the 4th page with the three panels showing a “hero shot” of The Flash.