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A.J. Novel

Akeyla Silver

Writing Studio

November 16,2009

Jim Lee Or Frank Miller:

Comparing the Art of Batman

In the world of comic books, there are a legion of heros, and superheroes. From

Superman to the Punisher, but only one has the history, the attitude, and some of the greatest

stories in comics to earn the right to be drawn and written by the best. The hero this paper referring to is “The Batman”. Batman has been in the comic world since the early forties. He has

had almost every artist and writer beg for a chance to do a graphic novel or comic series. Having

a character of Batman's magnitude many artists, and writers had there chance. Two artists stand

out from the rest. These artist are considered elites in their fields

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Jim Lee, an artist who has been around the comic business for many years.

has drawn for a plethora of popular comics such as “The X-Men”, and also “The Batman”.

The second artist is not only an artist, but a writer also. Frank Miller is one of the most dynamic,

and stylized artists in the comic industry. Miller has been around longer than Lee, and Miller

has some heavyweight titles to his name such as “Sin City”, and “300”.

This paper is focused on one character that these two comic icons have in common: Their renderings of Batman. These two artists have very different styles of drawing. Lee has

such an understanding of the human anatomy that it can only be described as shear beauty. The details that Lee incorporates in his work is something to astonish. Miller has a style that is truly his own. He heroes are larger than life. The women are strong and ooze sexuality. Miller's art is very dynamic. Every panel seems to have a life to it, Both of these artists are in every respect,

masters of the art of drawing comic figures. Their renderings of Batman are not only fan favorites, but they both also have gotten critical acclaim from their peers.

Comment about Frank Miller's rendering of Batman in graphic novel, “Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again” “His brutal yet elegant noir renderings, pulpy yet eloquent scripting, and

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thoroughly uncompromising attitude make him one of the most distinctive voices In comics.” Entertainment Weekly “IT Comic Book Project”.

Comment about Jim Lee's rendering of Batman in the graphic novel “Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder". Lee's razor sharp renderings energize, and deliver an all new take on the dynamic Duo.” Washington Post.: The next portion of this discussion will compare and contrast the two artists take on The Dark Knight himself.

Frank Miller. Say the name to any comic readers will get into a discussion about why Miller is the greatest. Miller's 1986 masterpiece “The Dark Knight Returns” changed how Batman was perceived by all. Before Millers adaptation of Batman, the character was a stereo typical do-gooder, always Having a good attitude and saving the day as in the older era of comics. After Miller took over as writer and artist of “The Dark Knight Returns” Batman became what every fan thought he should be. Miller had made Batman older, harsher, more brutal. The art style was bold, the characters were bigger, and badder than before. Miller had drawn Batman to be in his fifties, and big like a brute.

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Miller's drawings of Batman took more of an approach of each picture being an iconic pose rather than a simple panel. Miller also wrote Batman as a character not to be crossed, and made Batman somewhat of an anarchist on the border of the psychopathic. To casual

comic readers Miller's renderings of Batman would seem simplistic, or apish, making his version of Batman seem like an uncontrollable brute

Miller's version of Batman is a far-cry from the earlier versions of the hero. Miller has made Batman seem psychopathic. Laughing maniacally to himself, brutally beating criminals nearly within an inch of their lives. The other heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern see Batman as a troublemaker or loose cannon, but often Batman has an edge over all of them. It's a version of Batman fans have come to love. In an interview Miller stated that he was never good at drawing spaceships, so he drew tough guys in trench coats using heavy lights and shadows to set the mood and tone of a story or artwork.

This can be the main reason that Miller had portrayed Batman the way he has. In the 80s the comic world started to shift from the campy era to something darker. It was around this time that Miller had written and drawn “The Dark Knight Returns” and debuted Batman as the hardcore character he is today. It is undisputed fact that Frank Miller helped reshape Batman and the characters in his world. Even his peers can attest to this, though to few Miller's style is lost among them. They see

Miller's Batman as too harsh or even Miller's art style may seem simplistic. Whatever the reader's opinion, it can not be denied that Frank Miller's take on such an iconic character will take the reader on an entertaining and visual roller coaster ride.

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Jim Lee. An artist so popular when his name is attached to the art of any comic it has instant credibility. Lee has a reputation for making his characters in true comic form. Using razor sharp renderings to make his male characters seem near perfection, and his female

characters appear deadly yet sexy. Lee's visual art is stunning in every respect. Any upcoming artist would dream to be as good. Lee's understanding of the basic form and anatomy no doubt contribute to his amazing renderings. The details that lee incorporates into his drawings is enough to leave the viewer to believe that the object, building, city is an actually real.

Jim Lee's portrayal of Batman has left fans nearly speechless. Lee renders Batman to be the peak of human perfection. Every muscle group is defined. The action poses are extremely dynamic. Even standing idol Lee draws Batman as if he were carved from stone. Lee has

defined the iconic Batman from a pure artist point of view. Lee's rendering of the world of Batman gives the viewer the sense of a dirty, grim, unforgiving city, whose inhabitants would do more harm than good. Lee captures the essence of Gotham City as a city on the verge of collapse from corruption and decadence. Even Jim Lee's employers praise his art, as said by Bob Schreck, Editor-DC Comics in an introduction in the graphic novel “ All Stars: Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder.” “Jim is always for a new way to tell a story or convey a certain action or emotion through new uses of his drawing skills. He's always seeking that innovative approach to interpreting a script , striving to bring a fresh perspective to every panel he puts to paper. Jim relishes each and every challenge he encounters and revels in the conquest of every obstacle”. Fans of Jim Lee's art can see that he puts a large amount of care into his interpretation of Batman. The way Lee captures the mood using darks and shadows to convey the feelings of the Characters, the city, and most importantly Batman is art in of itself.

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These two artist also worked together on the graphic novel “All Star: Batman and

Robin The Boy Wonder” Frank Miller wrote he story and Jim Lee penciled the book. Miller's dark and moody tale of Batman an Robin is expertly complimented By the stylized art of Lee. The story is about the formation of the dynamic duo done in a more grim tone. Miller once again redefines a hardcore and nearly psychopathic Batman as he “kidnaps” Dick Grayson soon after the murder of his parents. Lee expresses this tragic tale using outstanding “camera” angles, and the placement of shadows. The fact that these two comic heavyweights teamed together means that their combined work will be epic in the eyes of the fans of Batman comics.

Weather fans appreciate one artist or the other the fact remains that both artist have different takes on the character Batman. Either a highly stylized nearly simplistic, brutish version, or a dynamic rendering that shows Batman at the peak of human perfection, it is very hard to compare and contrast Frank Miller's art and Jim Lee's art without having a biased opinion. Any comic fan can argue for hours how one artist is better than the other. This paper was to describe the different art styles and inform about these two iconic artist and leave the decision to the reader to choose an artist to their liking.

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Works Cited.

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Boucher Geoff- ”Revenge of the Dark Knight; Hard-Edged comics guru Frank Miller is not in Hollywood. Now for the Graphic Details” Los Angeles Times. Apr 29 2007.http://puddles.ringling.edu:2061/pqweb?(very long url)

-Stienberg, Brian ”Weekend Journal; Leisur & Arts: Holy Bat in a Belfry, Batman; Now a days, Bruce Wayne's Alter Ego Borders on the Psychopathic” The Wall Street Journal Apr 5, 2008 http://puddles.ringling.edu:2061/pqweb?(it is a very long url)

Snider,Mike ”Artist Jim Lee Gets on the DC Game” , USA Today . Jul 22 2008. http://puddles.ringling.edu:2061/pqweb?(long url)