Batwoman 21… is…
Tuesday June 18th 2013, 6:40 pmAll about Monsters. This was one of the funnest issues for Haden and I to write. Our focus for the issue being what happened to Killer Croc after becoming the The Hydra of myth in the World’s Finest arc, and having his ass handed to him by Wonder Woman during the Medusa war, while Batwoman was facing off against Medusa herself. We also get to have a special guest artist this month Francesco Francavilla. If you’re not familiar with his works, he’s known for some amazing covers all over the place, did some Batman stuff before the New 52, and more recently his own creation The Black Beetle. His work was a great fit for this weird off kilter story in Batwoman 21. The story and all that has been happening to Croc in the pages of Batwoman ever since bringing him into the fold was going to lead into a much bigger storyline later. And there are hints of what was coming ever since To Drown The World. But all that has been quelled and this cool weird little tale about where Croc was headed in our eyes based on all of the little teases we’ve written will be the last of it, unless the powers-that-be change their minds. Regardless, the issue is an entertaining one, hope you enjoy it.
I wanted the cover to feel very streamlined, almost simple in presentation to sort of reflect the directness of the story for this issue. Here it is in stages…
Rough for editorial approval
Black and white version
Color by me
And logo placement
19 Comments so far
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That sucks to hear. Loved this issue and hope Francavilla will be back sometime. I do hope you’ll address why Maggie would say yes to Kate sometime in this arc though. Sorry again to hear about your plans being scuttled.
Comment by albahan888 06.19.13 @ 1:50 amFantastic work as always, good sir! I’m looking forward to seeing Francesco’s interiors as well on this issue.
I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoy seeing your work from roughs to the final. It makes for great insight into the artistic process. How goes it on Sandman?
Comment by Katrin 06.19.13 @ 10:15 amI just read the issue and it’s awesome! I love that we get Croc’s POV. He’s way more sympathetic than I would have expected, too; I want him and Claire to run away together and live happily ever after. ๐ I’m sorry to hear that your plans were derailed, though. I also agree with albahan88 above — I’m hoping to find out more about what Maggie thinks of all this, and why she (seemingly) so readily accepted Kate’s proposal and secret identity.
Thanks as always for sharing your process with us!
Comment by Jamie 06.19.13 @ 5:35 pmHey there albahan888
Thank you very much. We love Francavilla on this as well.
Hey there Jamie
Glad you dug the issue, thank you. And Maggie and Kate will have some… moments.
As always, I bow my head to your brilliance! And, heck ya – definitely looking forward to Maggie and Kate having some… moments! ๐
Super loving this cover, I love the way Kate’s cape flows off the page!
Well done!!!
Comment by Pam 06.23.13 @ 7:43 pmGreat issue and Francesco Francavilla was the perfect choice for this story.
I really hope that you and Haden can continue to tell the story you want its refreshing to see that the title seems to be built like a novel instead of a collection of short stories, there should be more comics like that.
Keep up the great work!
Comment by Pat Starnes 06.23.13 @ 10:32 pmYou are the best! Your art and writing skills is the reason why i got in to comics! How i wish i could get a quick sketch and autograph from you ๐ will ever visit the philippines ๐
Comment by Erika 06.25.13 @ 10:23 amHey there Pam
Thank you very much. Sorry I’ve not gotten that book sent to you. At this rate, I’m wondering if we should just wait until volume arrives ;^)
Hey Pat Starnes
Thank you so much. But unless DC changes their mind, this is the last we’ll be touching on our plans for Croc. We had some very cool things in store.
Hi Erika
Thank you!. Sadly, no plans anytime soon for travel outside of the US.
[…] Williams elaborated on the process behind his most recent Batwoman cover, issue #21. As it turns out, it’s […]
Pingback by The ‘Batwoman’ Cover Creation Process Of JH Williams III Finally Revealed 06.26.13 @ 4:02 pmYeah i read the twitter thread, i still hope that you will be able to tell Kate’s story as you wish it to be told.
Keep up the great work and i can’t wait to see Sandman i got a feeling that its going to blow some minds!
Comment by Pat Starnes 06.26.13 @ 6:14 pm[…] Croc is fantastic with the muscle tone and scales painted perfectly. J.H Williams goes into the process of creating this cover on his […]
Pingback by Best Comic Covers of the Month: June 2013 | How To Love Comics 07.01.13 @ 7:05 amA Very good issue.
Francavilla’s Art is stunning, beautiful, visceral.
It was a surprise seeing croc around, and with a very good story to be told.
Hope u guys continue the wonderful work you’re doing on Batwoman.
It’s one of my favorite titles.
Best wishes from Brasil.
Comment by Mรกq 07.23.13 @ 12:32 amLeave a Comment
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Sir you are my favorite artist in DC right now,and i’m happy to see that you can whrite very well too!!
Hope one day i have the chance to meet you,keep up the good work
Best regards from Brazil
Comment by Renan 06.18.13 @ 7:06 pm