A modern master visits Gotham for the month of October — for the seventh straight year…
For the seventh consecutive year, superstar artist Chris Samnee is posting online a new Batman black-and-white sketch every day for the month of October —he calls it #Batober — and for the seventh consecutive year, we’re highlighting 13 of his grooviest illustrations.
Each day, he takes a single word — in the same vein as other “x-tober” sketch challenges you see out there — spins a fitting image, and puts it online.
This is something I take great joy in doing every Halloween season. For one thing, I’ve long said that the highest compliment I can pay an artist is that I’d want to see them work on a Batman series. That’s Chris, all the way.
For another, I’ve been beating the drum for a long time that I’d like to see a Batman and Robin “early days” comic done in a modern style. Y’know, the Dynamic Duo. Bruce and Dick. With wit and camaraderie and a celebratory tone instead of “emotionally crippled older man takes out his anger on younger protege.” Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest is the closest we’ve seen to this ideal.
From 2020’s #Batober
So all I can say is I want two great tastes that taste great together — Waid and Samnee on such a Batman and Robin series.
There’s always hope, right?
Anyway, in the meantime, here’s Chris’ list of #Batober 2023 prompt words…
… and here are 13 MAGNIFICENT BATMAN SKETCHES — many featuring the greatest partnership in comics history:
Stone
Solitude
Forgotten
Call
Handful
Shelf
Grace. (Even without looking at the prompt word, I knew it had to be “Grace.” Look at that fluidity of motion. Gorgeous.
Torn
Reveal
Twist
Inheritance
Spooked
Pose
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Plus, don’t forget there’s still another week or so to go in October. You can check out the rest on Instagram.
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MORE
— 13 Magnificent BATMAN Sketches by CHRIS SAMNEE: 2022 Edition. Click here.
— 13 Magnificent BATMAN Sketches by CHRIS SAMNEE: 2021 Edition. Click here.
October 23, 2023
I do hope you follow up the remaining pictures. Don’t do Instagram. These are very well done. Would love to see some of the 50’s Bat-Family in there.
October 23, 2023
These sketches from Chris Samnee showcase how talented he truly is as a creative talent.
October 23, 2023
Why isn’t this man doing a monthly Batman book? His art is incredible.
October 23, 2023
I love the extra special touch in making sure that sketch number two, is about Two-Face. I love his work and would love to see him do a Batman Graphic Novel-maybe with a Michael Cho cover‽