Gauntlet Gallery
What is D*Face’s piece called “Ha Ha Ha, Not So Superman”
Summary
A defaced riff on the classic Superman comic image: D*Face renders the Man of Steel mid-fall in his blue suit, red cape and yellow 'S' shield, but replaces his heroic face with a grinning, hollow-eyed skull crowned by the artist's signature little white wings, while a magenta 'HA HA HA!' speech bubble mocks him down the left edge and a small crash burns below. It is a quintessential early-era D*Face mash-up that turns an icon of American invincibility into a symbol of mortality and ridicule.
Why It Matters
The print distills D*Face's central project: hijacking the most recognizable figures of 20th-century pop and advertising culture and corrupting them to expose the death and emptiness behind the gloss. Superman, the ultimate untouchable hero, is reduced to a laughing corpse plummeting to a fiery wreck, his nobility undercut by the cackling 'HA HA HA!' and the winged-skull motif that recurs across D*Face's work. By targeting an American superhero in his hand-drawn comic vernacular, D*Face sits squarely in the lineage of Pop Art appropriation while pushing it toward the darker, satirical edge of British street art.
Collector Perspective
A recognizable subject from D*Face's strongest period of pop appropriation, which is the area collectors most associate with his name. The edition size for this title is not published here, so scarcity should be confirmed against the certificate or a reliable database before purchase. Superman is among the more sought-after of his defaced-celebrity and superhero images, which supports demand relative to his lesser-known motifs, though it does not carry the premium of his rarest hand-finished or large-format editions. Condition matters: the worn halftone look is intentional, but genuine handling damage, fading of the magenta, and trimmed margins all affect value. Treat it as a mid-tier, liquid name in the urban-art market rather than a blue-chip rarity.
Historical Context
Made in 2008, during D*Face's Early Street Era as he transitioned from stickers and street work into a serious studio and gallery practice anchored by StolenSpace, which he co-founded. The imagery directly appropriates the visual language of mid-century DC Superman comics and their flying, cape-streaming hero poses, then defaces them with the skull-and-wings iconography he had been deploying on the street. It belongs to a broader late-2000s wave of artists weaponizing comic-book and advertising nostalgia, and reflects the post-financial-crisis mood of seeing invincible icons brought low.
FAQ
What does this print depict?
It shows Superman in his classic blue costume, red cape and yellow 'S' shield falling head-first, but with his face turned into a grinning, hollow-eyed skull topped by D*Face's signature small white wings. A magenta 'HA HA HA!' speech bubble runs down the left side and a small crash burns at the bottom.
What is the edition size?
The edition size for this title is not recorded in our information. Buyers should verify the exact number from the certificate of authenticity or a trusted edition database before purchase.
What medium is it?
It is a screen print (silkscreen), produced in 2008, with the rough halftone and registration character typical of D*Face's printed work of this period.
Is it signed and numbered?
D*Face limited prints are typically hand-signed and numbered by the artist, usually in pencil in the lower margin. Confirm the signature and edition number on the specific impression you are considering.
Who is D*Face?
D*Face is the British street artist Dean Stockton (born 1978, London), a pop-art provocateur known for defacing comic-book, advertising and celebrity imagery with grinning skulls and a winged 'D*Dog' motif. He co-founded the StolenSpace gallery in London.
Related Works
About the Artist
D*Face is the working name of Dean Stockton (b. 1978, London), a leading figure in British street art. He came up pasting stickers and posters across London in the early 2000s, then built a pop-fuelled visual language that defaces comic-book romance, advertising and celebrity iconography. Recurring motifs include his winged-eyed D*Dog, grinning skulls and doomed comic-strip lovers. His practice spans screenprints, hand-painted multiples, sculpture and large-scale murals worldwide, and he co-founded the StolenSpace gallery in London. His work satirises consumerism, power and our collective obsession with fame.
Collecting D*Face at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic D*Face prints?
Gauntlet Gallery offers an extensive, authenticated inventory of D*Face prints and contemporary editions, with new drops added regularly. Browse the current collection at gauntlet.gallery.
How does Gauntlet Gallery ensure authenticity?
Gauntlet Gallery is built on curation, authenticity and transparency — every work is vetted and its provenance, edition details and condition are disclosed up front.
Does Gauntlet Gallery add new D*Face prints?
Yes. New drops are released regularly across D*Face and other leading artists; see gauntlet.gallery for the latest inventory.