Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Tag: Ian Churchill

Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund — Supergirl’s Schizophrenia

Original Art and The Artists

Supergirl # 4 (2005 Series), February 2006

This was one of my earliest blog posts (2019), but with the new Supergirl film arriving in a few days, it felt worth revisiting.

This Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund splash is a personal favorite—and it comes with a good collecting story.

I had to pry it away from my pal Norm. He quoted me a price so high that I was sure he didn’t really want to sell it.

And he was sure I wouldn’t buy it.

Heh.

Years later, I still love the piece. And after seeing the movie trailers, I can easily imagine the current cinematic version of Supergirl doing exactly this to Lex Luthor—without having to split into two personalities first.

The setup is straightforward enough. Black Kryptonite—making one of its earliest comic-book appearances after debuting on Smallville—splits Kara into separate personalities. Her darker half has little interest in restraint. Here she gleefully tears apart the weaponized arm of Luthor’s war suit, sending shards flying in every direction.

Churchill and Rapmund really sell the moment. The exploding machinery is great, but Luthor’s expression may be the best part. It’s a wonderful mix of shock, panic, and the sudden realization that things are not going according to plan.

The new Supergirl movie opens wide in a few days. Whether it turns out to be a hit, who knows?

But I’ll happily wager this original art that it won’t age quite as badly as the 1984 version.

Sorry, Helen Slater. We adore you, but oof… that film.

From Supegirl’s first appearance in Action #252 (May 1959) to the contemporary “Woman of Tomorrow” series (2021), which helps provide the storyline for the upcoming film.


Ian Churchill — Melee

Original Art and The Artists

Superman Doomed #2, October 2014

Presenting the final post in our series celebrating Supergirl’s 5thseason premiere tonight on the CW.

As noted previously, Ian Churchill’s run on Supergirl was terrific, and his brief return here, is still a welcome one.

On this dynamic page, Supergirl shreds Cyborg Superman, who is (I think) actually Supergirl’s father, who is under the mind control of Brainiac, who is… never mind. This “prequel” to the complicated DC convergence crossover is convoluted, and the less said, the better.

But the art, of course, is great.

Ian Churchill — Split Personality

Original Art and The Artists

Supergirl # 4 (2005 Series), February 2006

Two Supergirls — one “light”, one “dark.” Lex Luthor in his “war-suit.” Appearances by Superman and the Justice League. Covers by the late Michael Turner. Darkseid. Big splashy fight scenes. And did I mention Luthor in his “war-suit?”

This fun —albeit brief — arc of Supergirl comes to us courtesy of Jeph Loeb, writer, and is rendered dynamically by Ian Churchill, penciller and Norm Rapmund, inker. 

Black Kryptonite, making an early comic book appearance here (It was first introduced in the Smallville TV show) is responsible for Kara’s split personality, and her dark side has no problem taking the gloves off, quite literally. Here we see her get the upper hand on Luthor’s — (ahem)— upper hand, as she gleefully destroys the weapon of mass destruction built into his arm. Check out the amazing detail as it shatters into a million pieces. Also noteworthy is Luthor’s face, which expresses a rare combination of pain and shock.

It’s always fun to see Luthor in his super-suit post Crisis on Infinite Earths, and especially entertaining to see Supergirl shred it.

CBR has a fascinating look at the iconic suit’s history here.

The “B” cover of the issue is a Churchill homage to Curt Swan’s cover of Action # 346.