Gauntlet Gallery — D*Face Print Index
Ha Ha Ha, Not So Superman
Work Summary & Collector Notes
"Ha Ha Ha, Not So Superman" debuted at D*Face's Black Rat Press show in London on 2 October 2008. Built from a single-colour etching overlaid with an eighteen-colour screenprint on 300 gsm Moulin de Gué paper, the 60 x 88.5 cm work turns a comic-book superhero on its head with the artist's darkly humorous pop wit.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 95. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
The eighteen-colour screenprint over an etched plate makes this one of the most colour-intensive prints in D*Face's early output. By deflating a Superman archetype, it captures his recurring theme of fallen or corrupted icons, connecting comic-book nostalgia to a knowing commentary on heroism and consumer fantasy.
Collector Perspective
Tied to a specific dated exhibition, this print carries a clear provenance anchor that collectors value. The demanding eighteen-colour process rewards close inspection of registration and colour saturation. Buyers should confirm signature and numbering, and note the less common Moulin de Gué paper stock when assessing condition.
Historical Context
Debuting at a documented October 2008 Black Rat Press exhibition, the print sits within the peak of London's street-art-to-gallery transition. D*Face's reworking of American comic heroes during this period aligned with a wider pop-subversion movement that mined 20th-century popular culture for material.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2008
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 88.5 x 60 cm; Single Colour Etching with 18 colour screenprint on top of 300gsm Moulin de Gue Paper. 60 x 88.5cm.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 95.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats D*Face's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Debuting at a documented October 2008 Black Rat Press exhibition, the print sits within the peak of London's street-art-to-gallery transition. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2008 and attributes the edition to Black Rat Press.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Black Rat Press. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- D*Face — official site — D*Face studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- D*Face — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- D*Face (Q5203218) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
When was it released?
It launched at D*Face's Black Rat Press exhibition in London on 2 October 2008.
What is the print method?
A single-colour etching combined with an eighteen-colour screenprint on 300 gsm Moulin de Gué paper.
What are its dimensions?
The work measures 60 x 88.5 cm.
Why does the colour count matter?
Eighteen screenprint colours make it unusually complex, so registration precision and vibrancy are key quality indicators.
