Though Collider is primarily a film and television news website, from time to time we post art that we think our readers might take an interest in.  Mondo posters have almost become a regular staple, and today we’ve got some art news to share that should be of particular interest to fans of DC Comics.  Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment yesterday unveiled a collection of artwork entitled "Darkness & Light: Art Inspired by Heroes & Villains, Hope & Heroism.”  The exhibit features a collection of original fine art inspired by the DC Comics universe.

We’ve got a few photos that give us a look at a key set of works including Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, and they’re pretty damn impressive.  The exhibit will be hitting the road for a series of public exhibitions that will benefit and raise awareness for the We Can Be Heroes charity.  Moreover, there will be a showing at the Michael J. Wolf Gallery in San Diego during Comic-Con.  Additional dates have yet to be announced.  Hit the jump to check out some of the art.

Photo Credit: Matthew Imaging

Here’s the press release:

BURBANK, Calif. (May 23, 2012) – Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment yesterday premiered “Darkness & Light: Art Inspired by Heroes & Villains, Hope & Heroism,” a collection of original artwork inspired by the universe of DC Comics and its iconic characters, including JUSTICE LEAGUE super heroes Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, and re-imagined by exceptional contemporary artists from around the world.  To celebrate the unveiling of this one-of-a-kind collection, DC Entertainment opened the doors to its new Burbank headquarters at The Pointe with an open house and private reception.

“We work with many of these amazing artists day-in and day-out. With this project, we gave them the free reign to interpret the universe of DC Comics super heroes as they see them in their medium of choice.  What we got back was a fascinating collection of visually stunning pieces, each offering a completely unique perspective on these universally recognized characters,” said Brian Deputy, Vice President of Creative Worldwide for Warner Bros. Consumer Products and curator of the “Darkness & Light” exhibit.

The collection, which includes more than 100 original works from artists spanning the globe and ranging in various forms, from graphic designers and painters to sculptors, will also raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign (www.WeCanBeHeroes.org).

The participating artists hail from around the globe – as well as within the halls of Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment – and bring their diverse backgrounds, unique artistic styles and perceptions of the universe of DC Comics to this collection.  Some key artists involved include Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Martin Ontiveros, Mike Palermo, Nathan Sawaya, Bwana Spoons and Amanda Visell.

The collection includes a piece by Martin Ontiveros called “Order/Chaos,” which depicts good and evil together, rendered in ink and paint on board; Kiyoshi Nakazawa combined various media in his dramatic interpretation of Batman in "A Great Sense of Humor;" working in steel, wood, paper, plaster and resin, Mike Palermo created "Man of Steel" that shows that there is a hero in everyone; Amanda Visell’s piece, “Wonder Woman,” uses paint on board to show this female super hero’s stoic but sexy power; and an oversized original work of art by legendary comics artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, which utilizes spray paint and acrylic on canvas to highlight the profile of Batman with a color scheme inspired by the colors of Africa – yellow, green, red and black.

“This distinctive collection unites the comic industry with contemporary artists, highlighting each artist’s individuality and style,” continued Deputy.  “The creators each had a deep connection to the characters and worlds of DC Comics and this passion is brought to life and captured for all to see through this incredibly vivid collection.”

Up next, “Darkness & Light” will take to the road with a series of public exhibitions that will continue to benefit and raise awareness for WE CAN BE HEROES, including a showing in San Diego at the premier Michael J. Wolf gallery during Comic-Con International from July 13-15. Additional exhibition dates and locations to be announced this summer.

WE CAN BE HEROES utilizes the iconic JUSTICE LEAGUE to help raise awareness and funds for three nonprofit partners – Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps – who are delivering aid to millions of people in need of critical assistance in the famine-ravaged Horn of Africa.  For more information on DC Entertainment’s WE CAN BE HEROES campaign, please visit www.WeCanBeHeroes.org.

To learn more about DC Entertainment and its iconic characters, please visit www.dccomics.com.