I know what you’re thinking: starting a Darick Robertson art appreciation post with a Transmet image is cheating. You’re not wrong.
But at the same time, how can I not? Look — “Transmet” is not just a definitive book for Robertson and his career, it’s a definitive book period. This is a book that defines a generation of readers as well as any other Vertigo series of it time, and it stands in league with some of the most classic of modern day comics as a series that ushered in a new way and helped define Vertigo for the world. So picking it as something to kick off a little art appreciation post for Robertson almost seems mandatory, given what a huge part he played in that.
And that image up at the top? It captures all of what made “Transmet” great. It’s a bit crazy conceptually as Spider writes from a ledge (an apt metaphor if I’ve ever heard one) and it has a Darrow-esque way about it, filled with minutiae that fleshes out both the City and allows you to get lost in it for a while. It’s a rather striking image, one with a lot to behold, and a lot of Robertson’s work is defined by this quality. He has a clear love for superheroes and superheroic flare, but after a cursory glance is done you’ll begin to notice the hidden details, the little things he puts into his art that allows for the book to be more than just a passing jaunt into a fantasy world where the impossible happens. Robertson makes these worlds real, and he makes them real in a way not too many artists can effectively match. There’s certainly a stylistic angle that many artists champion, but Robertson’s execution is wholly unique.
Take a look below for some select pieces by Robertson that continue to show off his immense talent in a variety of ways.
[image lightbox=true caption="Walking Dead Hero Initiative Cover"]https://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/08/hi117.jpg[image lightbox=true caption="Nightcrawler cover"]https://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/08/nightcrawler.jpg[image lightbox=true "The Boys #34 All Star Superman Parody"]http://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/08/the-boys34-darick-robertson.jpg[image lightbox=true "The Boys #48 DKR Parody Cover"]https://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/08/Boys48-Cov-Robertson-temp.jpg[image lightbox=true caption="Holden Caulfield"]http://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/08/holden1.jpg&q=95&w=593&zc=1&a=t" style="border-bottom: none;" />And last but not least, I just wanted to share all of Robertson’s “HAPPY!” covers without any of the trade dress, just because I think when looked at upon their own in order they tell a story in their own right. I think that’s perhaps one of the more impressive things about them; “HAPPY!” itself was a concept that needed a little explanation as to the how’s and what’s of it all, but just looking at Robertson’s covers here you’ll get a pretty good if not definitive idea on what the series is all about — and what makes this impressive is how little is going on here. The stark white backgrounds against a single character make these evocative each in different ways, whether it is shared fear or confusion or terror and disgust.
So take a look, and if you haven’t checked the series out before the trade is in stores now.
