The Infernal Core jumps from TV (inset) to comics

The Infernal Core is ready for his close-up. The superhero creation of Face Off contestant Anthony Kosar makes his debut in the pages of DC Comics' Justice League Dark No. 16 this Wednesday, the prize for winning last week's Comic-Con-themed challenge on the Syfy reality competition series.

Some of DC's top artists worked with the contestants to develop the look and persona of the characters. Kosar, who has won the first three challenges of the season, impressed the judges with his detailed mask's "cracking lava" design, sculpting and painting.

"It was fun to watch the competition unfold on the show... seeing some of the contestants being challenged to explain their characters' back stories," says DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio. "That is something we discuss on a regular basis. When we build a character we have to understand who he is, what his motivations are, what his powers are, so when you're designing the character the artist really has to capture that essence in the look." Justice League Dark, which features mystically powered heroes (and anti-heroes) who battle supernatural threats, was a good fit for the Infernal Core because, "there's a heaviness and world-weariness to the character that defines him beyond good and evil," says Jim Lee, Didio's fellow co-publisher.

Justice League Dark writer Jeff Lemire incorporated the Infernal Core into the story and artist Mikel Janin adapted Kosar's design. "It's amazing how well the character carries over from a real-life constructed model and prosthetics to being drawn on a 2D page," Lee says. "The design elements on the costume work really well with the role of the character in the story." For a preview of the issue, click here.

Justice League Dark No. 16 goes on sale Wednesday, Jan. 30 at comic book stores and will be available for download the same day at readdcentertainment.com, the iBookstore, Nook Store and Kindle Store.

Face Off airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Syfy.

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