Sketch Up! – May 2012
The Clown Prince of Crime is the focus to this month’s edition of Sketch Up! Donny Munsell has amassed a huge sketch collection that is very comprehensive. The sketches presented this month are just some that he has in his Joker collection by some very respectable artist. With all of the various interpretations of the character a Joker sketchbook is a great idea. Love that Joker.
I began my Joker sketchbook at the Emerald City Comic Con 2009. I had two Joker sketches prior which I pasted into the book but that was the con the book was born at. The book was completed at Denver Comicfest 2012 roughly 3 years after it was started. Here are some of my favorites from the 104 pieces which can be viewed at my Comic Art Fans gallery. - Donny Munsell
Art by Bruce Timm
The main contributing factor to my love of the Joker was Batman: The Animated Series. My favorite episode of the show was “Joker’s Favor” where Joker terrorized a man he angered in traffic. I wanted to get a different Joker sketch from Bruce than his normal quick Joker so I got him to draw Joker with his hat from the episode. - Donny
Art by Brian Bolland
This was the reason I first went to New York Comic Con. My only goal for the weekend was to get Brian to draw in my book since he was the artist I think of when I think of Joker. Brian was a great guy and we shared a good laugh talking about why we don’t like anime. - Donny
Art by Jerry Robinson
It was pure luck that I got the creator of the Joker in my book the page following Brian Bolland. Jerry was announced the day before I flew out to the con and I kept looking for him at his table the first day with no luck. I got Bolland and walked by Jerry’s table one last time and was surprised to find the legend sitting there. It was an honor getting to meet Jerry and thank him for his creation. - Donny
Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli
I tried to set up a piece with him at his table but he told me I should come by the DC booth and not have to pay for the piece. He spent a long time on the piece while his inker inked his prior sketches. Near the end he told me his inker wouldn’t have time to ink the piece but I’m pretty sure it turned out better with just the pencils. - Donny
Art by Lee Bermejo
When I started the book I set a goal to get all the Joker masters (Robinson, Bolland, Timm, Jim Lee, and Bermejo) in the book. Bermejo was the last one I needed to finish the goal but he had a full commission list. He told me to swing by for a free quick sketch. Well the quick sketch ended up being almost 30 minutes and amazing. It was really interesting seeing how his lines came together to create such a fantastic piece. - Donny
Art by David Finch
I originally intended to only get a headsketch from David but after seeing him do a bust sketch for the gentleman in front of me in line I went for the larger option. It was great talking to David and his wife about their trip and David’s favorite Batman villains to draw. - Donny
Art by Pia Guerra
I am a huge Y: The Last Man fan and thought it would be cool to tie a Joker sketch into Pia’s work on Y. I came up with the joke the night before the con and Pia seemed to enjoy it. - Donny
Art by Brent Peeples
I knew Brent online for a while but had never met him in person until this show. He did a fantastic job on the piece and made me a big fan of his work. This sketch was from the year before The Last of the Greats debuted from Image. - Donny
Art by Rebekah Isaacs
I originally was going to request a White Queen from Rebekah but heard her joke about always getting asked for Emma so I decided to try a Joker instead. Rebekah has not heard of the Joker Fish before but when I gave her reference she really liked the idea and did a great job. - Donny
Art by Tyler Kirkham
When I heard Tyler was going to be at the small Denver show I put in my vacation request instantly and booked a hotel. I went to Tyler right when the con opened and asked him to do a Ledger style Joker. He did a great job with no reference and made the character have a great comic feel to it. - Donny
Art by Krisin "Foxy" Allen
I knew Kristin online for years but had never met her in person until this show. I knew I wanted to get her in my Joker book but also wanted to get a classic Harley from her so this Harley Loves Mr. J piece was the end result. I love the shading on the piece and it is my favorite piece I’ve got from her over the years. - Donny
Art by Stuart Sayger
Stuart draws the creepiest Joker in history hands down. I had to get him in my book and I caught him at a smaller con where I knew he could devote some extra time to the piece. Stuart put together this amazing piece and had a great time flipping through the book. - Donny
Art by Christopher Uminga
I met Christopher 5 years ago at a Philly show and he still remembered the piece he did for me at that con. He draws one of the best Jokers and every time he draws him the character seems different. - Donny
Art by Gabrielle Hardman
I had missed him a few prior cons because of time and budget constraints but with only three pages left I finally got Gabrielle in my book. I knew he did the storyboards to the new Nolan Batman film so it seemed proper to ask for a Dark Knight style Joker and it turned out great. - Donny
Art by Phil Jimenez
The final Joker piece which ended my sketchbook. Phil is pretty much the nicest guy in the industry to his fans and did an amazing job on the piece. I wanted to end the book with the new 52 Joker since it was the latest milestone for the character. - Donny
Thank you Donny for sharing you fantastic Joker sketches with us. To see more of Donny’s sketch collection you can visit his Comic Art Fans gallery. If you would like to see your sketch collection featured on Sketch Up! send me an email at tcruz@panelsonpage.com. Just as a reminder you sketch collection does not need a theme.
Filed Under: Features • Sketch Up!
Why am I just seeing this now? AMAZING COLLECTION!