1.5 seconds

I’ve been kicking around the notion of playing with mixed media, where i create art over photography. While on my way to a meeting at the Downtown branch, I happened to look up with the Devon Tower looming over me, the sun just behind the glass spire. I thought it looked cool, so I pulled out my phone and snapped this photo. I didn’t think much of it for the rest of the day.

Yesterday I began thinking about superheroes (like I do) and specifically about the moment right before a big battle ensues. Our hero is patrolling the city, minding his own business when — WHAM! Ambush. Then I pulled back from that scene a bit. What if someone was walking down the street, and happened to look up just as that moment is about to occur? How surreal would that split second be? Think about it. You catch a burst of color in motion in your peripheral vision, look up to see your city’s hero just as he or she takes notice of the incoming attack. The last second and a half of calm normality before the world turns upside down.

Credit: This spidersuit design takes inspiration from the mind of of the Brakken Spider Verse, a dude way more talented than I.

About the author

Brandon Johnston is a librarian by day and an illustrator and storyteller by night. He lives in Oklahoma City with his partner, two children, and two doggos. He likes all the Star Wars, scifi-fantasy media of all shapes and sizes, and gaming.