BATMAN TDKR Tribute

So it occurred to me not too long ago, as I was looking at my copy of the 10th Anniversary trade paper back of The Dark Knight Returns that said collection came out in 1996. After doing some quick math I realized that 1996 was 15 years ago which would make 2011 the 25th Anniversary of one of my favorite stories of all time.

Now granted I don't keep up with all the comic news like I once did but I remember the 10th Anniversary being a big deal and once I realized this year was the 25th birthday of TDKR I wanted to do something special to commemorate it. In fact I had about a dozen different ideas but I also chose Bats as the topic for this month's Pummel competition and between quitting my job and prepping for Baltimore I didn't really get the time to flesh out any of those ideas I had floating around the old noggin.

So yesterday I set down, after digging up my copy of the 10th Anniversary, and started drawing. In the mix I started really having a good time revisiting one of my most reread and well loved books. I'm not going to say that this is anywhere near my best work and I'm sure that in short order nothing will stand out but the flaws to my overly critical eyes but right now I can say I had a blast drawing this. And that's not something I can always say, even about the pieces I feel are the best representation of my abilities.

I'm planning on revisiting this theme in the near future, hopefully sooner than later, because there are at least three other pieces I would like to make before the year is out to celebrate this book. But with more time being devoted to paying work and seeking paying work, I'm finding that I have less time to devote to my own special interest pieces. Which is a double edged sword I guess.

At least this reminds me of how much fun it can all be.