Few artists, like Jorge Jiménez, have instantly and permanently left a DC comic impression. His athletic, cartoon-influenced style and his mysterious ability to bring both actions and emotions back to life has made Jimenez one of the definitive Batman artists of the present day.
Now, DC Art of Jorge Jiménez’s new Kickstarter campaign gives fans the opportunity to track evolution in one comprehensive collection, from early works in Smallville to famous tenure in Batman.
Looking back at over a decade of his work, Jimenez was impressed by the growth he saw in his storytelling.
“Looking back at my early work as a professional, there’s a mix of emotions,” he said. “On the one hand, they proved to be rather scary, especially from a narrative standpoint. There was a noticeable contradiction in the style of the entire page, as well as a lack of confidence in the forced angle and lines,” he admits.
But that doesn’t mean that Zimenez appears to be worthless in these early works.
“But on the other hand, I am proud because I have given so much effort to them despite not being officially prepared,” he said.
The impact of comics on superhero careers
Jiménez’s distinctive aesthetic – an unmistakable blend of American superheroes and anime energy – has become one of DC’s most recognizable styles.
“Through my childhood and adolescence, I have consumed a lot of anime and manga, especially the Schoenen genre of adventure that tends to be very dynamic and energetic,” Jimenez said. “The impact has become specific to my drawing style. I have tried to mitigate or eliminate it, but it’s always resurfaced.”
The balance between comics and traditional Western comics gives Jimenez an edge, giving his work both fresh and timeless.
Working with the best in the industry
Over the years, Jimenez has worked with some of the comic’s biggest names, including Scott Snyder, James Tanion IV, and Chip Zudarski. Each collaboration taught him something new.
“I really enjoyed working at Smallville, for example, with Brian Q. Miller,” Jimenez said. “I was forced to learn from the storyboards he created alongside fellow cartoonist Aaron Kuder. I had a similar experience with Chip. His notes quickly made things easier. I learned to concentrate my energy on character performances.
Stickers are just one of the bonuses you can score from Kickstarter.
Create a new legend in the DC universe
Beyond the reinvasion of classic characters, Jimenez is also on the forefront of creating new heroes and villains, including Punchlines, Failsafes, and Ghostmakers.
“In general, the first thing I do is talk to the writer until I get the most complete understanding of their vision for the character,” he said of the process.
“Perhaps I have to negotiate with them,” Jimenez said.
Of all his character designs, some stand out as personal favorites.
“The Super Sands, the Scarecrow Redesign, the Ghost Maker, the first version of FailSafe, the Super Boy Redesign that I did to create characters from scratch like Punchline,” Jimenez said.
Courtesy from FailSafe Design.DC Comics
Punch line design. Provided by DC Comics
Redefine iconic characters
Rethinking iconic figures such as Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Scarecrow is one of the most rewarding aspects of Jiménez’s career.
“With a scarecrow, it’s about rethinking everything, and the essence still conveys similar feelings to the original design, but it doesn’t look like anything,” Jimenez said. “Otherwise, it’s about adding subtle nuances to the outfit, like he did with Harley Quinn in the Joker Wars, where the character’s aesthetic had to match what James wanted to say about her in those chapters.”
A new era of matte fractions
Now, as Jimenez embarks on a new era of Batman, with writer Matt Fraction, he realizes he is evolving once again.
“Together with Matt, I’m discovering a profile that really captivates me,” Jimenez said. “He’s an incredibly organized and disciplined person, but he has some special qualities that really stand out to me.”
Jimenez added: “The way he presents his plans, the scale of them, and his ability to think about every detail and communicate how important those little details are. I feel that working on this new run with him is pushing me to explore aspects of my art that I have never explored before in the series.”
Stickers are just one of the bonuses you can score from Kickstarter.
Stickers are just one of the bonuses you can score from Kickstarter.
Revisiting Jorge Zimenez’s renowned career with DC art
Putting together Jorge Zimenez’s DC art was just as creative as emotional expression exercises.
“Looking back at this material has been a very positive movement for me,” Jimenez said. “Sometimes, we get caught up in our daily work, so it’s hard to really appreciate the journey we took. For years, I see my child’s flash, or my Smallville Superman after 52 new Superboys, and from then on I’m reconnecting with Jorge and saying, ‘You did that, guy!” ”
Small building design by Jorge Jimenez. Provided by DC Comics.
Just started
Towards the end of the chat, we asked who would choose if Jimenez could redesign the characters without restrictions.
“I’m redesigning Jonathan as a teenage superboy, the way I’ve always imagined him (in the future) while working at Super Sands,” he said.
Jorge Jiménez’s DC art allows fans to relive the thrilling heights of one of the most dynamic artists of modern comics. Whether it’s a bold reinvention of Batman’s rogue gallery, his high-energy battle sequences, or his heartfelt character moments, Jimenez’s work is a testament to the infinite possibilities of passion, perseverance and comic book storytelling.
