MS: Well, I'm a video-game artist by day...husband, father, and freelance illustrator by night. I've worked for Visual Concepts in the games industry for the past 5 years, primarily making art for the NBA 2K series. Learning and working with CG graphics caused me to want to explore these techniques, and their usage in illustration.

BOF: What projects have you worked on in the past? What are you working on now or coming up?

MS: My biggest project has been to create cover illustrations for DC's "JLA:Classified" series. These will debut at the end of July with issue #10, and run for 6 issues. It's been a big thrill to work with the major characters in the DC universe. Batman will be featured in July's issue, both in the story and on the cover. I'm also doing a cover for Moonstone's new "Buckaroo Banzai" series, based on the '80s cult movie. Another fun genre.

BOF: Lifelong Batman fan? Tell us a bit about about "Batman and you."

MS: I've loved the Batman character since I was a little boy. Adam West to Michael Keaton to Kevin Conroy....and every comic book version along the way.

BOF: So, what do you think about BATMAN BEGINS?

MS: I'm really impressed with how the director and writer have handled the story. Gritty, realistic, dark..all the things you'd want in a Batman film. I've followed the making of this film VERY closely...with a lot of help from this site, I might add. The casting was spot on. I couldn't believe it when I heard Bale was cast to play Batman. I couldn't believe they got it THAT right. After seeing EQUILLIBRIUM, I had already tagged him myself as the only choice for the character. I'm very excited to see this film.

BOF: What's your take on the Bat-suit that Christian Bale wears in the film?

MS: I was a little underwhelmed when I first saw the initial pics of it. After a while though, I realized it's part of an overall plan: to explain as realistically as possible, why Batman looks the way he does. Plus, as in most films, a still image looks very different from what you get in a composed moving bit of film. From what I've seen, the way it's lit in the film, and Bale' stance...all scream "this is the Dark Knight". In short...I've learned to love it, I guess. I even modified my 3D computer version of Batman to reflect something I liked in the film version. Those little spikey arm "scallops" are now appropriately more dangerous looking in my version.

BOF: Any thoughts about the previous four BATMAN films?

MS: The first BATMAN, Keaton, Nicolson, etc. - is the only really watchable one. Even Burton's take was confused, though. I think he wanted to make an old Universal monster movie, ala "Dracula" or "Frankenstein," but settled on Batman as the subject matter. I think a super hero film's success can be measured by how realistic the environment/world is that you set him in. There's no place for the hero to shine (or even an arch-villain), if his world is more outlandish than he is. This is why the original SUPERMAN is good, the Spider-Man films are good....etc.."Batman and Robin"....not so good. That's not to say these worlds can't be "stylized" - just cut back on all the colorful gel-lighting, and monstrous sets which never feel like a real place.

Man I agree totally. Anything you would like to say to the BOF audience?

MS: Support the film (as if I had to say that). I'm confident this is going to be great. By supporting this film, studios will make more (hopefully, learning what makes a good superhero pic and what does not).

Continue to buy comics too. This is still the backbone industry providing the basis for these movies.

Lastly, I hope everyone digs what I've done with the Batman cover of "JLA:Classified." Although my work is done on the computer, I try very hard to make each illustration work as a single image - trying NOT to call too much attention to HOW it was done. I'd rather folks say "hey, that's a cool picture of Batman," and then, maybe afterward, start to see the detail, and wonder how it was made.

Again, you have a great site. I look forward to your close coverage of the BATMAN BEGINS sequel!

BOF: Thanks a million! Make sure you check out Mr. Stabling's WEBSITE, and check out his picture of The Joker below!

BATMAN BEGINS STUFF & GEAR. Click below!