The Centerfold

By Joe Solis, Image Grafix

In October of 2023, Joker 2.0 was hit by a motorcycle and subsequently totaled. It was heartbreaking and truly disappointing. A lot of work went into creating the truck just right so that it would garner attention as well as act as a showpiece for people to admire. After all the dust had settled and we finally knew where we would land on the accident we decided to move forward with the new project.

In November of 2023, I decided to try again this time doing a version of the Joker that would be slightly different but still stretch the limits of both creativity and my abilities in my industry. Having been in the industry for over two decades you can get into a rut or get complacent. I have always done my best to keep pushing the envelope and learning new techniques. I have always been in the mindset to keep learning, whether it was through wrap classes or watching and learning from other artists.

So fast forward to Joker 3.0, this time I wanted to change the path of this version. This version started with a canvas of a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This concept I wanted to be different, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to do another Joker truck or something completely different, but something led me back to this villain. I have normally used photos and changed or manipulated them to add or subtract design aspects but this time I wanted to reach a little forward and stretch into a new avenue in the design world. As AI has started to dive into art, I chose to utilize this tool and have it help with the concept. Utilizing AI has been a journey that has helped expand my capabilities in the illustration world. It’s not an end-all-be-all, and I know a lot of true illustrators are very opposed to using AI for design.

As much as I can empathize with them, I also see AI as a tool like using Photoshop to help with design.

Heath Ledger’s character of the Joker is my favorite version, so I keyed on that character and started building. Normally when I build a themed wrap like this one, I start with a “focal point”, in this case, the character, and then add many more layers to complete the composition of the “scene”. With this one as with other others, I look at the vision as a movie poster scene and try to execute the scene as such. Now for the kicker, I chose to make one side Joker and the other Harley Quinn. That was a plot twist I did not see coming so that added some challenges. Having two different characters I wanted to make sure that everything flowed together and tied into each other. For me when I see some designers that I admire I love their overall complete composition.

So, for Harley Quinn, I love the character of Margot Robbie from the suicide squad. I focused on that character for the passenger side. Now the one thing I have learned is that with AI there are only some things that it can create so actual work is needed to make sure that things look “right”. As many designers know, when using AI some things like hands or clothing don’t always look right. As with any design, there is some time and attention needed to add or subtract to make it complete. After many hours I finally finished the design and the next step was to get it into production. I wanted to try something new, so I opted for Orafol Gloss Nacre, which is a pearl white. I wanted to have a base that I printed on to have a metallic feel when in the sun. Secondly, I wanted to add a layer on top that wasn’t the same ol’ same gloss laminate. I added KPMF Gloss Blue Pearlescent to see if I could give it that “pearl paint job” feel. We printed it on an HP 365 Latex printer.

Other additions to the build were a full custom audio system, with a custom-made box enclosure with 3 10” subs and full audio in the doors and dash all done by Ultimate Innovations. Marine Kustomz created a full lighting system featuring under glow, wheel lights, engine bay lights, and interior lights. Then the truck had a 9” McGauheys lift, powder coated by Clutch Coatings and installed by NXTUP customs. All seats were custom upholstered with black and purple leather. For wheels and tires we used Xtreme Wheels 24’x14” on 35’s to finish it off. Thank you to the entire team for helping bring this to life.