Monday, April 11, 2005

Choeson One

Choeson One

[entry: jimlee]

Here is an incredible painting (seen bigger here) fellow Korean artist David Choe (his site) did over a printout of my pencils for the cover to Superman #214.

I just love it. It's different and I am sure not every fan will feel the same way but I love the energy, the colors, the intensity most of all.

In general, David's typical work is difficult to describe; part graphitti, part porno, all out passion. Some of you may be familiar with his work as David just recently did the cover art for the latest Linkin Park and Jay-Z album.

He is and has been a huge comic fan and over the years, we have become friends and try to get together several times a year. One time, we happened to be in NYC at the same time, and I got a chance along with Ale, Lee and Carlos to see David paint live on a giant wooden board in front of an audience at a church/dance club. Another time, we were all hanging out in my backyard, talking art as I grilled burgers and pulled out old art from my art collection.

Anyway, he did this for the hell of it but I like it so much that I have to figure out a cool project to do together. I think the style would better suit a character like Batman, Deathblow or Constantine, no? The mind races with possibilities. I just need to find the time in the schedule...

6 comments:

Unknown said...

not exactly my cup of tea but the intensity is definitely there given the action sequence. i also think he got the original artworks look overall (as compared to the Countdown cover you did with Alex Ross -- not sure if his painting style really complements with your pencils).

i would love to see more artists (painters/colorists) do the pencils which you guys do here. maybe an old-school coloring by tom smith on one of your splash pages!

cheers!
patman

Ryan said...

It's amazing how even with this unique painting style, you can still make out the essence that is a Jim Lee piece of artwork.

I would love to see more of this collaboration in the future. A Deathblow pin-up would be nice, harkening back to days gone by. I wonder if maybe style might also work on something mystical in nature, not just darker characters. For example, maybe doing a different take on your Grace artwork for the cover of Soulfire #4.

Ryan
Jim Lee come to the PCTC! PLEASE!

Choisez said...

Very cool. This is really impressive and I love the energy David puts on the piece. I think part of the charm is seeing him do someone clean and iconic like Superman too, instead of Grifter or Batman.

Having said that, I'd like to see him do a Zealot one-shot.

Just look at those crazy colors. I love it.

-Eddy

antonio said...

Jim, in reality what are the chances of an style similar to Choe`s gets mainstream...I guess Jae Lee come to my mind...?
Great work a bit strange but in a good way!!..JESUS ANTONIO

Tyler Sticka said...

Personally, I think this painting looks fantastic... I'd be more than interested to see the two of you collaborate on a book together.

hjcho said...

Run with this - If you have a non-Spandex project in mind, a Lee-Choe combo would be great! Shake things up a bit. Stretch out stylistically...

I would still like to see you do a large prject that you pencil and ink.