Argent Comics, DC Comics and Hahnemühle got together for an extraordinary collaboration with ‘The Killing Joke’, which takes comic art and fine art to a new level. It is particularly noteworthy that this work is a classic DC Comics title. A milestone in comic history, it is now being reinterpreted as an exclusive collector’s item. For this project, Hahnemühle is providing two of its papers for fine art inkjet printing and artistic printing techniques, so that each page can be read and experienced as a handcrafted work of art. This collaboration impressively demonstrates how high-quality materials and iconic comic art merge to create limited editions of the highest standard.
The FineArt Papers
At the centre of this project are Hahnemühle’s FineArt papers, specially selected for this project: Photo Rag® Metallic for the Avant-Garde Edition and genuine handmade copperplate paper for the Noir Edition.
The Photo Rag® Metallic paper used for the Avant Garde Edition is an exquisite FineArt Inkjet paper that captivates with its soft feel and characteristic metallic surface. This special texture gives colours and contrasts a subtle luminosity that makes every illustration in DC comic art appear vivid and deeply nuanced. The giclée printing technique allows the paper to unfold its full potential, as the pigment inks precisely reproduce even the finest gradations and ensure that colour depth and richness of detail are fully preserved. The soft metallic sheen creates a characteristic depth that gives the pages an almost three-dimensional effect. The visual clarity and sophisticated shimmer create a high-quality presentation that impressively reflects the artistic standards of the Avant Garde Edition.
Mould-made Printmaking Paper in a specially requested grammage was used for the Noir Edition. This high-quality paper is traditionally manufactured on the cylinder mould paper machine at Hahnemühle. With its matt, velvety soft and finely structured surface, it is ideal for classic artistic printing techniques such as relief printing, letterpress, and offset printing. Its high volume and special smoothness give it a tactile quality that makes the black-and-white illustrations in ‘The Killing Joke’ appear particularly clear and deep. At the same time, the copperplate paper is also suitable for modern digital printing processes. The Noir Edition thus combines traditional craftsmanship with modern printing capabilities at the highest level.
The exclusive collaboration between DC Comics, Argent Comics and Hahnemühle has resulted in a unique work of art that offers collectors the opportunity to own a piece of comic history in unparalleled tactile and visual quality. This project also impressively demonstrates how carefully selected materials and innovative printing techniques can bring classic stories to life in a new way. With this choice, Hahnemühle underlines its expertise in fine art papers and sets standards for the presentation of comics as collectables and art objects.
The print runs for both editions are limited to 47 copies each to maintain exclusivity and collector’s value. Due to the limited number of copies, demand is expected to increase. Interested collectors can pre-order copies exclusively via the Argent Comics website. Early registration provides access to information about the sales launch, enabling collectors to secure one of these strictly limited editions.
