I only managed 7 homages so I guess that leaves me a few to try out in a similar meme around Superman’s 75th, which is right around the corner.
I can’t wait to get to Electro Superman, Tim Sale’s Superman, DC One Million Superman, Red Son Superman and Chris Reeves Superman…
I don’t know if I can wait that long 
-Johnny Zito
This was also my first exposure to Alex Ross’ Superman. As a lil kid I was hooked on the style and even tried my hand at water colors once or twice. Unfortunately I could never give my characters the same breath of life Ross does.
This drawing is based on a splash page from the first issue just after Superman has come out of retirement to help the world deal with it’s super-human over population problems. It gave me goose bumps the first time I saw it.
-Johnny Zito
There are so many Superman styles and designs I want to take a crack at still, it’s hard to decide.Today I borrowed a frame from the opening sequence of Superman: The Animated Series which was a huge influence on me growing up.
I learned to draw action watching Timm and Dini’s Superman. I love the economical use of lines and for a long time I drew that way as my ‘default’ style.
-Johnny Zito
This Superman is a fresh design I did for Project Rooftop who are currently doing a Superman Homage of their own.
I’m of the opinion that Superman’s costume can’t be improved on. However, I recognize it might not translate well to every medium. That’s why my submission is specifically designed to work as a costume for the Clark Kent of television’s Smallville.
I tried to keep the uniform in the same tone and style as the other Justice League characters who have guest starred. But I borrowed the ‘S’ shield from Superman Returns and the textures from the Spider-Man movies.
Another strong influence was Thor’s suit in the Ultimates. I scrapped the Superman yellow in exchange for reflective/glowing patches of fabric like the Norse god’s chest plate. Even the suit itself absorbs and concentrates solar energy to feed Clark’s alien physiology. When he really pours it on the whole suit shines.
-Johnny Zito
This black and white (sorry, no time for color today) is based on an Action Comics cover from the Battle of Metropolis arc, which I think had something to do with Lex Luthor dying.
I don’t remember having a problem with the doo. I’m pretty sure it was gone before The Wedding Special in ‘96. Since then people have come to reflect on it poorly, lots of people think it looks like he has a mullet. But it looks like Rolling Stone’s hair with bangs if you ask me.
I do recall Clark looking particularly creepy with a pony tail though…
-Johnny Zito
I didn’t get into the golden age Superman stuff until High School. The hardback archived editions were an occasional birthday or Christmas present from relatives who didn’t know what else to get me. If they weren’t so expensive I’d have bought more.
Something that always struck me about Shuster’s Superman is that so much of the design has changed over time but the face is still recognizable today. I’ve read that when other artists came to work on Superman projects Shuster still drew the face in every panel.
Hope I’ve done this Action Comics cover some justice.
-Johnny Zito
Superman’s always been my favorite and I wanted to do something special to celebrate. I thought about doing ‘100 Supermans in 100 Days’ but that quickly got downgraded to ‘A Superman A Day in the Month of June’ which was also scaled back to ‘As Many Superman Sketches I can fit into the Month of June’.
Up first is my homage to Frank Quietly’s Superman from All Star. It’s based on the splash page from the first issue. I obviously didn’t go into the same detail, it’s more about paying tribute than out right reproduction.
When FQ’sBig Blue popped up on the scene three years ago I was so impressed with the look I honestly believed that his interpretation would quickly become the go-to for book bags, boxer shorts and key chains. I guess I thought it would be like how Bagely’s Spider-Man is everywhere.
That didn’t happen. Jim Lee’s version won out.
Regardless I always liked Frank’s better.
Look out for more
-Johnny Zito
So Adam Hughes illustrated this sweet ‘Vanity Fair’ style pin up of the super heroines from the DC Universe for the New York Comic Con.
It was a real smash, everyone dug it. Mostly.
And then Joanna, comic book journalist and blogger at Comics Worth Reading, had this great idea. She asked her readers what a male version of that poster might look like.
Here’s my entry:
My line up is a classic catch all with a few modern additions. Special credit to fellow Zudite Paul Salvi for the brilliant idea of putting Hal in his Air Force dress uniform. (Although I did go with the tropical white.)
Super (bu-huh!) Hi Res HERE.
Check out the other fantastic entries at Comics Worth Reading. Make sure you drop a comment for your favorite!
-Johnny Zito
South Philly is the coolest. I’ve lived here all my life.
-Johnny Zito
This doubles as my submission to The New Yorker’s Draw Eustace Tilley Contest.
Hipsters are the modern day dandy.
-Johnny Zito
That DIY’er bottles Limoncello and gives them out as Christmas Presents to friends and family. This year he was looking to go a lil fancier than usual so, I came up with this for his logo.
-Johnny Zito
*EDITED*
I just submitted to the Wonder Woman Wardrobe War! over at Project Rooftop.
It’s a crap shoot as to whether or not they feature mine but I’ll let you know when the submissions go up, regardless.
-Johnny Zito
I carved my Pumpkin to look like Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul.
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