Welcome back to Process Junkie where we look at the behind the scenes making of comics from all different angles. Today we’re talking with the incredible Elena Casagrande about superhero costume design! Although it’s hard for me to imagine any of you guys following this Substack NOT knowing who the insanely talented
Look, I'm sorry. If you're going to keep creating cool posts like this and interviewing multitalented artists for behind-the-scenes peeks at the creative process, I'm going to keep heaping praise upon you. DEAL WITH IT.
So, yeah. Another awesome post. I'm so enamored of Nat's new look (ESPECIALLY the hood) that it's fascinating to learn how it all came about.
A question popped in my head as I was reading this. When you're working on Marvel characters, is there ever a directive from on-high to change their looks (to fuel more collectibles, action figures, etc.)? Or is it always an organic decision that evolves from the storyline? I'm a huge Spider-Man fan and he has had *checks notes* 38,571 costumes in his history and they haven't always felt like natural developments propelled only by story and character, if you know what I mean. But Nat's new costume absolutely does! So, that's why I've been wondering about the impetus for these types of changes.
I just wanted to ask you and Elena if I can have my dang heart back after ya'll tore it out in the first 4 pages of Black Widow #12! 😭 But like ... in a good way? OMG, this issue was amazing! I don't even know which part was my favorite. Probably those heart rending emotional ones at the beginning. Although Clint was absolute comedic perfection and the action scene superb. Like seriously it was an emotional journey, ranging from verge of tears to LOL at Clint to wow beautiful fashion to woohoo action sequences to oh crap, that ending! And now who is THIS BAMF?! (Hopefully left my summary vague enough to avoid spoilers for anyone not caught up.) Anyway, great issue all around! And thanks to Elena for giving us an inside look on how she makes everything amazing. All her designs are dynamite.
I am totally loving this shit! 🔥🔥 also, how much joy does it bring you each time you get to say "our Eisner winning book"..? 😊
Look, I'm sorry. If you're going to keep creating cool posts like this and interviewing multitalented artists for behind-the-scenes peeks at the creative process, I'm going to keep heaping praise upon you. DEAL WITH IT.
So, yeah. Another awesome post. I'm so enamored of Nat's new look (ESPECIALLY the hood) that it's fascinating to learn how it all came about.
A question popped in my head as I was reading this. When you're working on Marvel characters, is there ever a directive from on-high to change their looks (to fuel more collectibles, action figures, etc.)? Or is it always an organic decision that evolves from the storyline? I'm a huge Spider-Man fan and he has had *checks notes* 38,571 costumes in his history and they haven't always felt like natural developments propelled only by story and character, if you know what I mean. But Nat's new costume absolutely does! So, that's why I've been wondering about the impetus for these types of changes.
I just wanted to ask you and Elena if I can have my dang heart back after ya'll tore it out in the first 4 pages of Black Widow #12! 😭 But like ... in a good way? OMG, this issue was amazing! I don't even know which part was my favorite. Probably those heart rending emotional ones at the beginning. Although Clint was absolute comedic perfection and the action scene superb. Like seriously it was an emotional journey, ranging from verge of tears to LOL at Clint to wow beautiful fashion to woohoo action sequences to oh crap, that ending! And now who is THIS BAMF?! (Hopefully left my summary vague enough to avoid spoilers for anyone not caught up.) Anyway, great issue all around! And thanks to Elena for giving us an inside look on how she makes everything amazing. All her designs are dynamite.
Excellent post. Looking at things like a cosplayer is an interesting perspective.
Love both suits (I’m a total sucker for hoodie-implemented costumes 😅)