Facebank: Superhero Currency

It is said that art is often an honest reflection of societal issues at large. History shows that for centuries art has been a sort of barometer, documenting larger issues through the lens of the artist. This certainly holds true for the work of Italian artist Alessandro Rabatti. His series Facebank serves as commentary for…

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We Can Be Heroes

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… the proliferation of superhero movies in recent years has spawned all sorts of superhero art (here and here and here), which we are generally fond of. If art is a barometer for cultural consciousness, then fantasy and escapism seem to be at the forefront of people’s…

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Vintage Superhero Portraiture by Foto Marvellini

It’s not often that we, the general public, are exposed to the ancestry of superheroes and other fictional characters. Stories of family roots have sometimes been depicted on the pages of comic books and graphic novels, and briefly on film. But Italian photography duo Carlo Marvellini and Andrea Marvellini, otherwise known as Foto Marvellini, have…

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8-Bit Artwork by Adam Lister

It’s said that what’s old becomes new again… trends are cyclical to some degree. Our recent past (the 1980s) featured a rise in technology, and 8-bit graphics found in Atari and Nintendo gaming systems. These now rather primitive looking graphics have influenced fashion, music and entertainment, and in this case, art. New York-based artist Adam…

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Super Flemish

It seems as if we are currently in the golden age of superheroes, at least if the release of major motion pictures is a gauge. These characters seem so pervasive in popular culture today, not just in the US but worldwide, that inspired works of art are almost inevitable. French photographer Sacha Goldberger really raises…

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Super-sized Superheroes

Superheroes are often revered not only for their remarkable abilities, but also their superior body types and physiques. Chicago-based artist/illustrator Alex Solis turns that perception on its head in this fantastically funny series (which has actually expanded beyond superheroes to feature #famouschunkies). We love how Solis captures the essence of each character, so they are…

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Heroes and Villains by Josip Kelava

Croatian-born, Melbourne, Australia-Based designer Josip Kelava is wildly talented. He has a very specific aesthetic style that really resonates with us. Kelava’s sense of typography is phenomenal, and paired with his excellent illustration skills, this series of superheroes and villains really shines. The way the illustrations interact with the type adds some great dimension. Via…

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The Secret Life of Heroes

Superheroes (and villains) are often depicted in all their idealized glory. But French artist/illustrator/designer Grégoire Guillemin’s unique perspective is rather striking. Not just for their (highly effective) pop art style, but for his depictions of everyday life, and sometimes compromising situations. Guillemin’s sense of humor shines through these outstanding illustrations (prints for sale here). Via…

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Superhero Silhouettes

San Francisco-based designer/illustrator Khoa Ho explores the past and present of some notable superheroes in this terrific series. The minimal, monochromatic style gives them some gravitas appropriate to the subject matter. In his own words, Ho says “I took a dive into the origins of these individuals and who they were before they became superheroes…

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Polygonal JLA Heroes

Yes, we have a certain fondness for superheroes, as well as polygonal art (here and here). Once again, an illustrator/designer has merged the two into some impressive works. This time it’s French artist Simon Delart, otherwise known as s2lart. His series of Justice League heroes is made up entirely of triangles, which is pretty impressive…

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