This was a quick job for an in-store promo poster for Levi’s. A little concepting, a little writing… a little broadsiding. Because who doesn’t love the broadside?

I’ve spent the better part of my creative career trying to hone my skills at crafting designs that appear to come from another era. In fact, I’m in the middle of trying to game AfterEffects and Final Cut Pro to produce believably 70s videos (or at least believably borrow the aesthetic, I’m not trying to create a forgery).

So seeing the above video promotion for The Watchmen was a real treat. I’m fairly confident they’re using vintage equipment and methodology to firmly place the news report in the time period. The effect is stunning.

Perhaps even moreso for standing next to the 80s-inspired clip below. I cannot put my finger on it, but the effect is far from complete. The lighting is off, or the focus is too crisp, or… I really wish I knew why I’m not fully buying it. The animations seem right, but the studio footage simply doesn’t feel genuine. What’s wrong with it? Or is it just me?

(via Laughing Squid)

Blambot has a fantastic breakdown of how type conventions work in comics and graphic novels. Full of things that are news to me, like the use of breath marks. Great as a supplement to the always relevant work of Scott McCloud and Will Eisner.

Comics Grammar & Tradition (via BoingBoing)