The Spectre- JSA Legacies Project Special #3 #JSApril
In celebration of JSApril, I am creating art of JSA members and their legacies characters whether it’s their successor, former sidekick, or even their kids. While I typically post an original JSA member alongside their notable legacy character, today I am going to post the first of a few special pieces celebrating those JSA members without notable legacy characters in the Justice Society. This is the final scheduled art piece of JSApril, though not JSA Legacy Project. Today, I am taking a look at the most powerful member of the JSA- The Spectre.
The Spectre
The avatar of the Christian God’s vengeance. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster, The Spectre represented a more justice oriented hero than even early Superman. Often the character dishes out ironic punishment to the wicked. Originally bound to Jim Corrigan, the Spectre would play pivotal roles in Crisis on Infinite Earths and Spectre would even be briefly bonded to Hal Jordan following the character’s sacrifice in the criminally underappreciated Final Night.
Spectre would become unbound and attempt to destroy magic in the Days of Vengeance series in the lead up to Infinite Crisis. The entity would later found itself bound to Crispus Allen, recently murdered GCPD officer and play a role in dishing out Vengeance in Final Crisis and Blackest Night.
Spectre’s Process
The process behind this one was a long one. I didn’t think to capture the pencil stage but it wasn’t much different. Throughout the inking stage, it looked awkward. I was playing around with far more solid blacks than usual here as I wanted to create hard shadows given the character’s ghostly white skin. It wasn’t until the painting stage that it started to click. I did a pass of watercolor for the clothing and cape. I then did a pass of india ink on the shadows and made the decision to ink the whole backdrop solid black. This really helped the piece pop and give that ghostly look I was aiming for.
I decided to add stars to the shadows on the character’s skin to create the ethereal look. I don’t know if they have a term but I always called the Perez stars for how often he used them to great effect to give this cosmic look. The final addition of green acrylic (via these acrylic brush pens) help give this green flame that I wish I used for Alan Scott a while back.
Overall, this was a piece I was very anxious about. Early on I debated adding Spectre to this project but I couldn’t justify his legacies as his involvement with the JSA was always around the Golden Age. Yet, given the character’s stature, I had to include him. I was worried that it wouldn’t come together and throughout the process it looked like it wouldn’t. Yet, I feel like this may have been the best one yet.
That’s a Wrap
I plan on writing an overall respective later this week reflecting on the overall process. I am going to be taking an art break for a couple weeks. I am drained after painting as many images I have done this last month alongside my full time job, parenting, and keeping up with my reviewing duties for the Beat. I do plan on finishing up the sketch book though. It will be a few weeks, though.
Did I leave out a JSA member or legacy pair that you love and you want to see me add into the final six slots? Let me know in the comments or over on social media. I may complete them and add them to the sketch book and here on Extremelyuncanny.com.
What is JSApril?
The Justice Society of America made their debut in All-Star Comics #3 in 85 years ago. In celebration, the folks over at Fire and Water Podcasting Network have assembled bloggers, podcasters, and many more creators to honor the world’s first superhero team. Find the full list of participants and more over at Fire and Water Network’s webpage and I truly encourage you all to check out some of the amazing things people have been creating.
Social Media
You can follow along with JSApril all of the other creators on social media with #JSApril. You can always find me here or over on Bluesky and I contribute weekly to The Beat. If you are new here be sure to check out out the archives. Personally, I’m quiet proud of my History of Heroes Reborn posts. You can see my other JSApril posts here.
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