DC BOMBSHELLS TRADING CARDS II
Assignment: Base and chase cards / 3D renders / web graphics
The second of Cryptozoic’s popular DC Bombshells trading cards sets, these cards are based on DC Comics’ “Bombshells” series, which takes place in the 1940s. On this set, I designed 64 base cards, plus 54 other chase cards. A 3D render showing the packaging and included figure were made in Blender and shown on web graphics.
Printing technology included deco foil stamps, and opaque white ink on holographic cards of varying rarities.
Inspiration for this set was taken from a variety of period sources, including 1940s movie posters, newspapers, Bauhaus design principles, and movements such as Art Deco.
Above: A 3D render of the cards, packaging, and included Harley Quinn figure.
BASE CARD AND VARIANTS
One design challenge on this set was the fact that the art for the base cards was made up of sketch cards from the previous set. This meant that each card had the previous set’s logo at the bottom center, which could not be shown this time around.
For the base cards, I decided to try and create a WW2 Poster style image, with the back being more reminiscent of a newspaper, or something printed. The characters’ names were printed large on the front, with the flying bomb from the logo separating the art from the name, and neatly cutting off the previous set’s logo.
Variants were created with different colors of foil, and the silver variant was also printed on a rainbow foil board, with opaque white ink under the characters and frame.
CHASE SETS
A variety of chase sets were also designed, including these four:
New Bombshells comic book covers, which I designed to look like an art deco poster;
Terrific Twosome, which showcased art depicting two characters and was designed with a hand painted 1950’s sign style;
Batgirls, which showed characters playing baseball and was designed to look like vintage baseball cards complete with hand drawn “autographs;”
Production Sketches, which were based on Bauhaus design and posters
Variants of these cards were produced, with the most common having no foil, and getting progressively more rare through different colored foils and / or being printed on rainbow foil board.
Membership Cards
One final insert was a set of “Membership Cards,” designed to look like vintage cards for various DC Comics related clubs and businesses from the 1940’s. These were a unique and fun assignment, and I enjoyed getting the chance to research real period cards, and sneak in various easter eggs with the signatures and names on the cards.
