I’m here for Romy, but I love good comics art (don’t we all?). This image is so DYNAMIC and POPS. I want to nerd out for a sec and consider how Pepe Larraz did it.
Speaking formally/aesthetically, the diagonals in this image are what make the magic. Rogue’s grabbed Deadpool and lifted him up in such a way that you can draw a perfectly straight line over the tops of their heads—thanks to her billowing white curls. Look at another (invisible) diagonal line that runs from the bottom of Deadpool’s butt thru the ripple along the bottom of Rogue’s skirt. The third big diagonal line is across the bottom of her arched feet.
Now notice that all three of these diagonals are perfectly parallel to each other. They run counter (ca 45º angle) to the biggest diagonal of them all: the glowing horizon line. That’s what gives the image its dynamism and pop—the consistency of these diagonal forces thrusting one way, in a sideways V ( > ) shape, against the horizon. If you squint a bit, you can almost see the perfect Z shapes their bodies make against the big horizon line.
Now for the storytelling and characterization that this image achieves:
Rogue’s flaring skirt and arched feet. Both tell you how *sizzling* the kiss is, how much she’s giving it all she’s got. That swoony feeling that rises up from the bottom of your feet and runs all the way to the roots of your hair. She’s kissing so intently that her eyes squeeze shut!
You know what kind of lover she is based on this one image: passionate, forthright as hell, playful, and adorbs.
These feminine, girlish touches give her openly aggressive pursuit and smooch of Deadpool a sweetness and sense of humor. And it’s a charming role reversal. Deadpool is in the traditional “girl” position: hapless, wooed aerial luggage.
The moon (again!) looks like it ought to be romantic, but is brash as a stagelight, which makes the image another touch of humor. But the brilliant clouds that surround Rogue’s and Deadpool’s shoulders are positively angelic.
And the city below them looks dope, its warm bronze lights in nice contrast to the fresh white light of the moon.
Good stuff.
PS. I did art history in college, and this is, like, the only way I’ve exercised that degree.
