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AssetID: 31777163

Headline: Balloon Artist Recreates Comic Covers

Caption: Holy pop-tastic Batman - these iconic comic covers have been entirely made from balloons. They are the work of Rupert Appleyard, a British ex-pat living in Edmonton, Canada. The covers include the Joker from Batman, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and an amazing Superman covering featuring Muhammed Ali. The 43-year-old, who works under the name Phileas Flash, have spent the last 13 years twisting balloons. He says: "I learned to balloon twist busking on the streets of Blackpool and also lived in Sheffield for a while. In 2009 I met my Canadian wife whilst I was working for First Choice in the Dominican Republic. I moved to Canada in 2012." He explains: "Ever since I read my first comic books I've loved their bright and bold style of art. Punchy and colorful graphics that excite and bring you into worlds where incredible feats are completely possible. It is an art form that lends itself perfectly to my medium of balloons. "Over the last few months, I have been recreating classic comic book covers whenever I had time. These balloon sculptures are larger than life (fitting in a 10 foot by 10-foot space) and take many days to make. I even made had to make one in two sections (Superman vs Muhammed Ali) to allow me to visit New York in the middle of making it. "After I finished the main sculpture I use photoshop to add in the lettering (which are un-inflated balloons with wire inside). I'm just learning the program, so forgive any mistakes. I tried to keep digital manipulation to a minimum, so what you are seeing is mainly just latex and air (renewable resources). The balloons I use are all biodegradable and responsibly disposed of, so these sculptures were also super environmentally friendly. "The great thing about these is that although the balloons are now all popped, the images and memory of them last forever. My plan is to make them into prints and stage an art exhibition as I have done with previous passion projects. "I was hoping to have made more of this Balloon Heroes series before releasing them, but my wife and I just celebrated the birth of a new baby son, so haven't had as much time to devote to it as I'd like (of course like any true nerd my son was born on May 4th). I chose comic book covers for this series as I have always been a huge fan of them. I love how the artists encapsulate a whole story into one dynamic image, and how the art form has evolved and grown up over the years. I guess it's a bit like balloon art in that evolution. "Most people still associate balloon art with the small gifts that kids are given at parties, but really they are versatile enough to make anything. It never ceases to amaze me what is possible with a little elbow grease, fresh air and a big bag of balloons."

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PersonInImage: The Joker from Batman: The Killing Joke comic