Batman Character Study
April 30–May 2, 2022
Physical Medium
This character study follows the connected stories of five Batman characters. Batman (top left), Two-Face (top right), Harley Quinn (bottom Left), The Joker (bottom Right), and Poison Ivy (vines/flora). Each character was created with specific materials and styles to accentuate their stories or characteristics.
Batman is formed using soft pastels. The soft pastels allow Batman to blend into the darkness—stealth being his primary weapon—only emerging when he goes on the offensive. He dives from above to confront The Joker: Batman's nemesis. Poison Ivy's vines attempt to surround him but Batman is able to leap past it. Ivy only eclipses Batman's background foot as Ivy is only ever able to catch the bat when he's on the back foot. The vine itself never changes visually as their relationship is stagnant.
Two-Face, made of acrylic paint and soft pastels, lends a chaotic energy and unfocused aura to the dual personalities of the ex-attorney. The vine that encompasses him decays for two reasons. The vine is healthy until is crosses paths with Batman—Two-Face only received his scarred face after partnering with the caped crusader. Poison Ivy and Two-Face used to have a romantic interest in each other, but the dual personalities of Harvey Dent permanently rotted their relationship.
The Joker is made using ink and acrylic paint. This pop art inspired design lends to his theatrical, attention grabbing life. Poison Ivy's vine surrounds the clown with dangerous thorns. Even with the threat all around him, his eyes are set on his obsession—Batman. Ivy's thorns not only threaten Joker, but anyone who would attempt to stop her. The thorns surrounding Joker also stab into Harley Quinn's vine. This clues viewers into Joker and Harley's abusive relationship but also Harley's presence pulls Ivy away from harming Joker, even if it strains their relationship.
Harley Quinn was created using Markers and ink. This creates a minimalist illustrative style that forces her face to nearly sink into the background—an afterthought in this confrontation—as she typically was at this stage in her life. The vine, while entangled with Joker's, eventually peels away from Joker as she later becomes her own popular standalone character. A rose from Ivy garnishes Harley's vine which hints at their blossoming relationship. Finally, Harley's eyes turn away from the smoking gun—from crime—and instead turn toward the rose and up to Batman. This glance hints at Harley's future where she moves from a villain to an anti-hero and fights along side the Suicide Squad to save the world on multiple occasions.