Behind the Scenes: Ian Bertram’s Jaw-Dropping Little Bird Art

Darcy Van Poelgeest is an accomplished independent filmmaker whose take on ultra-nationalist violence and imperialism is sorely needed in today’s climate, but let’s not mince words: Ian Bertram is the star attraction of Little Bird. First published in France as a single volume, Little Bird has arrived on our shores as a five-issue mini-series via Image Comics.

Bertram came to the attention of many American fans via brief Batman contributions, but it was Dark Horse’s House of Penance that established him as a much-watch talent, especially when the subject matter is darkly fantastic. Little Bird follows a resistance fighter in an oppressive American Empire—sound too close to home?—but we’ll accept any excuse for more of Bertram’s horror-tinged, Otomo-esque aesthetic—which is why we’re thrilled to bring Paste readers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Bertram’s Little Bird process art. Check that out below, and be sure to pick up last week’s Little Bird #1 if you haven’t already.