MAN OF STEEL Codex Key and Smallville Destruction Concept Art by Warren Flanagan

Back when the studio was promoting Man of Steel they held contests to win a "Man of Steel Prize Pack" which had t-shirts, sweatshirts, a replica "Command Key" and a "Command Key" USB flash drive.

Pretty cool stuff. If you (like me) didn't win, you can still get a close look at the key from the film thanks to concept art from Warren Flanagan.

Flanagan is professional concept and storyboard artist who's worked on major motion pictures like X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), I, Robot (2004) and The Incredible Hulk (2008).

See versions of Jor-El's command key as well as some other images, including the DNA Extrator used on Superman in General Zod's ship "Black Zero."

Read about the most challenging design he faced and see more great concept art from the film.Click to enlarge.



He worked mostly on prop design and illustrated some of the Smallville destruction for 2nd unit.

Man of Steel (2013) Smallville destruction photo source

Smallville Destruction by Warren Flanagan

"The most challenging design was the smallest prop in the film...the command key!" Warren said, "It was a challenge to make it feel like it was Kryptonian technology without it getting too complicated because of its size.

"It was important to retain the 'S' emblem in the design as well...so really the shape of the key revolved around that symbol which made it instantly recognizable as Jor-El crafts it in the nano chamber.

Man of Steel (2013) Command Key photo source

Jor'El's Command Key Concept Art by Warren Flanagan

DNA Blood Extractor concept art by Warren Flanagan

Cane Prop concept art by Warren Flanagan

I asked him what's next and he said, "The most recent films I worked on were Robocop and Godzilla which both open next year, and I'm currently co-directing a short film with my brother Paul Flanagan which is almost complete."

I'm looking forward to hearnig more about the short film Warren! You can learn more about Warren Flanagan's work at www.warrenflanagan.com and his IMDb page.

Official Man of Steel Synopsis

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes "Man of Steel," starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder ("300,""Watchmen"). The film also stars three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner. Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon, and Faora, Zod's evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman's mother, played by Ayelet Zurer, and Superman's father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe.

Official Site: manofsteel.warnerbros.com

Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane,
Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Russell
Crowe

Cinematography by Amir Mokri

Release Date: June 14, 2013

What do you think of the illustrations?

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