Visions of Villainy: Chris Samnee

[about_faces]

Since real life has once again become far too real to allow free time for the usual in-depth bloggery, I think it'd be neat to post a gallery of Batman villains as drawn by a single artist of note, someone who has an amazing style of their own who also brings something unique to the Rogues. Today, I'd like to dedicate this post to Chris Samnee.

Comments

[about_faces]

And as a bonus, here's a heaping helping of my favorite Samnee Bat-Family portraits!

[ifyouresosmart]

I love that piece with Selina in the pile of gold, if only for the fact it smacks so much of Doronjo from Yatterman.

[about_faces]

I love that piece too, but I must confess, that reference is lost on me. :(

[mothy_van_cleer]

Yatterman was a classic, highly popular anime series from the late 1970's, and Doronjo was the vain female leader of the Dorombo Gang, a largely ineffectual trio of villains that pestered the heroes each week. Their influence can be felt in nearly every comedic villain team created since, including (of course) Team Rocket.

[psychopathicus]

OK, in order:

Samnee does a good enough job of drawing Selina in her 'standard' costume, but I like the way he draws the classic original Cat-outfit. He puts a lot of energy into the design, making it plausible that it could actually work as an outfit, while still retaining its femme-fatale slinkiness. Definitely still my favorite version of Catwoman.

That Clayface pic is very nice. Is Batman rescuing the kid from Clayface, is Clayface just now revealing himself to make the situation worse - or is the kid himself part of Clayface, and the whole thing just an elaborate trap? Nicely ambiguous and creepy.

Samnee's Croc is a good combination of the 'skin condition' and 'reptilian monster' versions of the character. I can see both working with this design.

Hate to say it, but his version of Freeze is a little too astronaut-ish for my tastes. I bet he'd do a good job on a regular version of it, though.

Nice version of Harley - very winsome, very cute. There's a bit of sex kitten in there, along with a bit of 'whoops, did I do that?'

[about_faces]

... but I like the way he draws the classic original Cat-outfit.

Agreed! While the Cooke "Goggles-Suit" outfit has always been my favorite version, it's become so ubiquitous that the classic outfit--which I've always liked anyway--has become more and more appealing. Heck, I've even gained a fondness for the 90's Jim Balent purple suit, just because it's been so aggressively erased from all continuity! Too bad we can't have more retro Batman comics where we can see this Golden Age Catwoman more often. Well, besides Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which has almost certainly given that outfit a resurgence of awareness, if not popularity

[psychopathicus]

The Balent version was kind of my introduction to Catwoman, so I've always had kind of a soft spot for it. His art style aside, I think it's actually a pretty classy outfit - very simple, very practical, and yet retaining that comic book-y feel. Plus, I think she looks good in purple (and it's a nice nod to the Golden Age version, as well).

It could be Robin, yeah; hadn't thought of that - but wouldn't it be still more ingenious if it were a fake Robin? I mean, Robin (at least the classic version) gets in danger all the freakin' time; the kid can take care of himself, but he's still been put into just about every deathtrap known to man. Bats would think this was just another instance where the kid needed some help, so he helps him out of the pit, they go back home to the Batcave - and now Clayface has infiltrated his enemy's home base...

I'm guessing that that version of Harley was influenced by the Arkham Asylum/City version, which I never liked the design of. I honestly don't think she's all that bad, but she's not the

[about_faces]

He's still more internet-semi-famous than mega-popular in the comics world (if he were, then Thor: The Mighty Avenger might not have been cancelled at issue #8, a mere four issues before its story arc was completed!), but I imagine that won't be the case for much longer! If you especially dig his stuff in black and white, you might be interested in checking out Area Ten, a B&W graphic novel he did with Christos Gage for Vertigo's short-lived mystery line.

[mothy_van_cleer]

I've actually seen a few of these pieces on art collector sites before (the Joker & Harley one ranking among my favourites), but I had no idea Samnee was so prolific. That Two-Face from August 2007 is probably one of my favourite takes on the character ever.

And does anyone see a little bit of resemblance between that watch-chain-swinging Joker and the way he draws Archie? I mean, it's basically Archie Andrews in a zoot suit, as possessed by the evil spirit of Reggie Mantle.

[psychopathicus]

Not sure I can honestly see much of Mr. Andrews himself in there, but I see what you mean about the style - it is kind of Archie-ish.

[mothy_van_cleer]

Still, lest anyone think I'm pulling this comparison out of my behind:

[psychopathicus]

I guess I can see a bit of it now - but then, I also have to say that Mr. Samnee draws rather a weird version of Archie. I think it's supposed to invoke his early '40's design, but it doesn't quite work somehow.