Comic-Con: Nightwinging it through Artists' Alley

Comic Art Ink booth.

Inside the Comic Arts Ink booth where Eddy Barrows' original Nightwing pages were being displayed. (Photo credit: Kyle Higgins)

Eddy Barrows' original Nightwing pages at the Comic Arts Ink booth. (Photo credit: Kyle Higgins)

Kyle Higgins, best known as the writer of ‘Nightwing’ for DC Comics, is a guest blogger for Hero Complex at Comic-Con International this year.

Of all the sights and sounds that Comic-Con International has to offer, my favorite is Artists’ Alley. This is the area in the far south end of the convention hall (next to Hall H) that features hundreds of incredibly talented artists, most of whom have original pages, prints, commissions, sketches and so forth available for purchase. For comic fans, this place can become mesmerizing. Hours slip away unnoticed.

As I was heading down to meet up with Francis Manapul, I passed an exhibitor’s booth called Comic Art Ink. What caught my eye was something I was quite familiar with, yet had never seen up close: Eddy Barrows’ original Nightwing pages, from our first seven issues of the book.

Now, to give some context: while comic books print at roughly 6.5 inches by 10 inches, no artist actually draws at that size. Instead, most work on 11-by-17-inch bristol boards. The result, in person, is stunning. Here are some up close, raw pictures, which have not been retouched.

– Kyle Higgins

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