Legion 39 cover step by step..

Hey guys and gals long time no post, I've been neck deep in work as of late. But first of I'd just like to say thanks to those that voted for me in the Iron Chef event. We kept it close! thanks!!! Now on to the posting. Here's the cover to issue 39 of Legion of Super-Heroes, from the layout stage to the colors.

First is the layout stage. I decided to add some gray tones in photoshop because the impact of this particular cover would be in the lighting, I wanted to make it clear to my editor what my intention would be for the final product.

Below is the pencil stage. I was playing around with different leads (2B) for this particular cover which I found a bit too soft and smudgy, but I ran with it.

John Livesay layed over his awesome inks on this one. He really cleaned up my linework and did an AMAZING job on the rendering!

Last but not least, colors by my long time coloring compadre, Brian Booch. Another kick ass job!

And that's how this cover came about !

IT'S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!!

Ok so we're now in the aftermath of my Iron Chef battle with Jim Lee. To say that I was intimidated is an understatement. Anyways here's my offering to the match, and you can check out both pieces and vote for your favourite over at http://gelatometti2.blogspot.com/ .

Legion Auction

When it was first announced that I'd be working on the Legion I got a ton of email regarding the sale of certain character studies. My art dealer and I both agreed that the most fair way to sell the piece is to auction it off. That being said here's the link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140173490009 . Happy bidding :)

Me vs. Jim Lee!

As many of you know I've participated in numerous art battles over at http://gelatometti2.blogspot.com/ and so far I've been lucky enough to have a record of 3 and 0, but I think thats about to change. Not to sound down on myself but I'm going up against the grand daddy of them all Mr. Jim Lee. I kinda feel like a the student going up against the master, as daunting as it is I'm looking forward to it! The cover I've posted here was the first comic I ever bought for myself as a kid, and to say this book was a turning point of my youth is an understatment. When I saw the art in that book I got this overwhelming feeling that this is what I wanted to do when I "grew up". I always had been a reader of comics when I was younger but it was Jim's art that opened my eyes into this artistic endeavour. His art just poped out at me, it demanded attention. So join me next week when it all goes down! You can hop on over to http://gelatometti2.blogspot.com/ and post your suggestions for the subject matter and to vote for your favourite piece. Be there or be square!

fjm

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES 38 COVER

Since the colored image has been released online for January's solicitation I thought I'd post the orginal pencils on here. The colored image that was released is actually not the final version, Brian tweaked a few things such as the color of the aliens among other things. I'll try to get the new version and post it up her if and when I can. Also right now I'll be posting simultaneously on http://www.francismanapul.com/ as well as http://www.manapul.blogspot.com/. We're still trying to work out a few kinks on my main site, and when thats all done I'll probably start posting exclusively on that site. Of course my blog site will still be up with all the old images, but I figured I might as well try and make my actual site relevant again, and the fact that it's just much prettier to look at. :)

fjm

Sept Guerrieres Update!

Here's some more previews from my forthcoming graphic novel for Editions-Delcourt . I'm about 2/3rd's of the way to completion, so the end of the tunnel is getting closer! Right now there's only plans to publish it in France but it has already received orders for translation in Italian so hopefully it will reach our shores as well.

9-22-07

Long overdue redesign.... it'll be hot.