Photoshop
David Nakayama details his process for designing and illustrating eye-catching cover art for DC Comics’ most iconic femme fatale
Catwoman is a complex, fascinating character who’s stood the test of time, having recently celebrated her 80th anniversary. As the story goes, Selina Kyle starts as a thief on the streets of Gotham and almost immediately becomes Batman’s definitive female counterpart.
In that role, she might be his greatest threat one issue, or mostpassionate love in the next. In the most recent storyline, The Gotham War, she becomes a crime boss in her own right, putting her and Batman on a collision course and into the worst dilemma they’ve faced yet.
When a new storyline is about to kick off, it’s the perfect time for a publisher to bring in a new cover artist. This instantly, and visually, communicates to comic shop owners and readers alike that the content is fresh, exciting, and a great place for new fans to jump on board.
My task with this cover for Catwoman #51 was to make a big, splashy entrance; an iconic shot of the character doing something eyecatching and in a style that demands attention. Easier said than done!
On top of that, this series has a long history of amazing cover artists, and I’d have to measure up to that incredible legacy. No pressure!
