We all have our favorite Batman character. Some of us like Robin or Nightwing, others like the various members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery. And let’s not forget one of the most important characters in the Bat-universe is the backdrop for its adventures: Gotham City. The town is dark and gritty, but at the same time, it has a silver lining of hope thanks to all the characters, good or bad, who reside there. Watching an artist create Gotham, applying a personal, unique vision is always fascinating–an artist like Mark Chilcott. He has a new series of prints featuring the Dark Knight and some of his most famous antagonists on sale at Bottleneck Gallery, and they are fantastic.
You’ll notice the theme throughout the prints of the rain in Gotham. Chilcott wants his Gotham to be dark and damp, with Batman having to fight through it to get to the light. If you look closely, his Batman is an homage to David Mazzucchelli’s art from Batman: Year One.
The Joker loves his run-down amusement parks, doesn’t he? It’s pouring cats and dogs, but the smile doesn’t come off his face as he awaits the arrival of his “soul mate.”
One could argue Catwoman isn’t so much of an antagonist for Batman anymore. You know, with the whole getting married and whatnot, but we’d argue their finally relationship is one of the reasons they fell in love in the first place.
Poison Ivy is one of Batman’s most intriguing villains. Her cause is just, but the way she goes about enforcing it is where the Caped Crusader has a problem.
The man who was born in the dark, molded by it, is also the man who broke the bat. Because of this, Bane will always be one of Batman’s most dangerous foes.
Only in Gotham can snowfall seem gloomy. Arguably the most tragic of the Rogue’s Gallery, Victor Fries’ eternal mission to save his dying wife will always bring him at odds with Batman.
Chaos doesn’t have to be six feet tall. Penguin’s the most cunning of Batman’s foes, what he lacks in physicality he makes up for with confidence and violence.
All of these limited edition prints are available for purchase from Bottleneck Gallery.
Which of Chilcott’s prints is your favorite? Is there a character you wish he added? Let us know in the comments.
Images: Mark Chilcott/Bottleneck Gallery
More Batman!
- Batman: The Animated Series is a tabletop game.
- Rick Baker’s gruesome take on Joker.
- Cruise the golf course with a Tumbler cart.
