Few artists have left as immediate and lasting an impression on DC Comics as Jorge Jiménez. With his kinetic, manga-influenced style, and an uncanny ability to bring both action and emotion to life, Jiménez has become one of the definitive Batman artists of the modern era.
Now, with a new Kickstarter campaign for The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez , fans have the chance to trace his evolution in one comprehensive collection, from his early work on Smallville to his celebrated tenure on Batman.
Looking back at over a decade of his work, Jiménez is struck by the growth he sees in his storytelling.
“When I look back at my early work as a professional, I have a mix of emotions,” he said. “On the one hand, I find them pretty dreadful, especially in terms of narrative. There was an excess of forced angles and a lack of confidence in the lines, along with a noticeable inconsistency in the style across the pages,” he admits.
But that doesn’t mean Jiménez doesn’t seem value in those early works.
“However, on the other hand, I feel a sense of pride because I dedicated a lot of hard work to them, despite having no formal preparation,” he said.
The Influence of Manga on a Superhero Career
Jiménez’s signature aesthetic — an unmistakable blend of American superheroics with an anime energy — has become one of DC’s most recognizable styles.
“Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I consumed a lot of anime and manga, particularly the adventure shonen genre, which tends to be very dynamic and energetic,” Jiménez said. “That influence has become intrinsic to my drawing style. There have been times when I’ve tried to moderate or even eliminate it, but it always resurfaces.”
That balance between manga and traditional Western comics has given Jiménez an edge, making his work feel both fresh and timeless.
Collaborating with the Industry’s Best
Over the years, Jiménez has worked with some of the biggest names in comics, including Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Chip Zdarsky. Each collaboration has taught him something new.
“For instance, with Bryan Q. Miller, I really enjoyed working on Smallville.,” Jiménez said. “With Aaron Kuder, a fellow cartoonist, I couldn’t help but learn from the storyboards he made for me. I had a similar experience with Chip, whom I adore; his notes with quick sketches always made things easier. With James, I learned to focus my energy on the characters’ performances and how they express themselves, in order to honor his brilliant dialogues. Scott was incredibly humane and kind to me, giving me the chance to contribute to the script in many ways.”
Creating New Legends in the DC Universe
Beyond his reinventions of classic characters, Jiménez has also been at the forefront of creating new heroes and villains, including Punchline, Failsafe, and Ghostmaker.
“In general, the first thing I do is talk to the writer until I have the most complete understanding possible of their vision for the character,” he said of the process.
Jiménez added, “Often, I have to negotiate with them. ::laughs:: If there’s a specific trait I feel strongly about that they don’t, I tend to be quite persistent in trying to convince them.”
Of all his character designs, some stand out as personal favorites.
“The Superboy redesign I did for Super Sons, the Scarecrow redesign, and the creation of characters from scratch like Ghostmaker, the first version of Failsafe, and Punchline,” Jiménez said.
Redefining Iconic Characters
Reimagining iconic figures like Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Scarecrow has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Jiménez’s career.
“With Scarecrow, it’s about reimagining everything, so that the essence still conveys similar emotions to the original design, but without resembling it at all,” Jiménez said. “Other times, it’s about adding subtle nuances to the outfit, like I did with Harley Quinn in Joker War, where the character’s aesthetic had to align with what James wanted to convey about her in those chapters.”
A New Era with Matt Fraction
Now, as Jiménez embarks on a new era of Batman with writer Matt Fraction, he finds himself evolving once again.
“With Matt, I’m discovering a profile that truly fascinates me,” Jiménez said. “He’s an incredibly organized and disciplined person, but he has some particular qualities that really stand out to me.”
Jiménez added, “The way he presents his plans, the scale of them, and his ability to think through every detail and convey how important those small details can be. I feel that working on this new run with him is pushing me to explore facets of my artistry that I’ve never explored before in the series.”
Revisiting a Storied Career in The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez
Putting together The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez was as much an exercise in creative expression as an emotional one.
“Looking back at the material for this has been a very positive exercise for me,” Jiménez said. “Sometimes, we get so caught up in the day-to-day work that it’s hard to truly appreciate the journey we’ve taken. Seeing my Smallville Superman after so many years, or my Kid Flash, or the New 52 Superboy, it feels like reconnecting with the Jorge from that time and saying, ‘You did it, man!’”
Just Getting Started
Toward the end of our chat, we asked who Jiménez would choose if he could redesign any character without restrictions.
“I would redesign Jonathan as a teenage Superboy, the way I always imagined him (in the future) while working on Super Sons,” he said.
With The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez, fans can relive the thrilling highs of one of modern comics’ most dynamic artists. Whether through his bold reinventions of Batman’s rogues gallery, his high-energy fight sequences, or his heartfelt character moments, Jiménez’s work is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the boundless possibilities of comic book storytelling.
To contribute to the Kickstarter, head here.
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