The KING and I A Tale of MY artwork: A gift to (and from)... Jack Kirby

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Jack Kirby at his drawing board, as seen in the documentary:

"With Great Power - The Stan Lee Story"

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Yes, I know… after an attempt to commit myself to posting artwork more often here, than do I seemingly vanish off the face of the Earth. My current schedule of freelancing and "day-job" keeping me quite busy, with no new posts for a year – missing many opportunities, including; Halloween and Thanksgiving.

But what if I tried to make up for it by presenting a blog entry that is part “ghost story” as well as a testament of my deepest thanks? – Both aspects given to me from Jack Kirby – 20 years apart.

This blog entry is a true life story about how I met Jack Kirby, gave him a small gift, and how, over 20 years later, his “ghost” showed up and returned the favor.

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JACK “KING” KIRBY was not only one of the founders of the comic book medium, but perhaps its greatest talent as well.

The worlds that burst like lightning out of his mind, the fantastic imagery that exploded like a volcano from his hand, likened him to a god; a true “CREATOR”.

But this tale is not one that focuses on the myth of the man, nor on the legend that spawned such descriptors, but instead on a small personal history... and a mystery, sparked by a moment or two in time – one forever in amber within my memory – the other… captured forever on film.

Take a look at the photograph atop this post, of Jack Kirby at his drawing table.

Do you see the drawing of Captain America atop the King’s board?

The one with which he is posed, pen in hand, as if upon which he is putting some finishing touch?

That… is MY artwork.

Ah… I hope that got your attention.

Yes. That is MY drawing of Captain America, one that I gave to the King, when I had the pleasure to meet him at a comic convention back in (late) 1990  (or early 1991).

Not only that, but if you look even closer, you’ll note that the artwork is inside a black matt frame.

That is because when I frequented comic-cons during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s it was as a professional artist (having had some pro work with a few indie publishers) and I would sell my work – some; original art, drawn at request, and some; hand-colored photocopies of previously drawn illustrations, framed in those mats. It was one such piece that I gave to Jack Kirby.

I will provide PROOF of which here.

Here is a photograph of myself, taken expressly for this post, with not only a similar, colored photocopy… not only one in the exact same type of matt… but one that was taken from my flatfile archives, where it was stored away after being colored, matted, signed & dated in 1990! In my other hand is the ORIGINAL pencil artwork, drawn in 1989 (which shows what was obscured by the mat: the Shield & Eagle atop the flagpole and the rest of Cap’s left foot, as well as the remainder of the flag).

Just so you don’t think that I merely photoshopped my work into the photo (or drew it after the fact), please note that I discovered the Kirby photo while watching a documentary, on Netflix, a few weeks ago : “With Great Power; The Stan Lee Story”, which was produced in 2010.

Here’s the pertinent clip from the show that shows the image shown in the photo atop this page:
(if for some reason the video clip doesn't show properly, a link to the YouTube page where I posted it can be found [HERE])

Obviously, I could not have altered the image in an already-filmed documentary, which anyone can now go and verify. The Kirby photo is near the end of this clip (but around the 20 minute mark in the full video).

Now allow me to turn the clock back, for a moment of explanation as to the origins of how Jack Kirby came into possession of my work, and then I’ll turn the clock forward again, to early this month, when I discovered that the photograph of the King with my art even existed…

While I have already written of my meeting with Jack Kirby, back in an old post, a few years ago on my other blog, [HERE], I’ll recap and continue the tale now.

As some readers of this blog may know (as detailed in several other old posts), I was a professional writer / artist for a few independent comic companies in the late 1980’s – early 1990’s (1987 – 1991 to be exact).

I had started out just as a guy with a rented table in the dealer’s room, who would either draw your custom art on the spot, or sell pre-drawn samples and even hand-colored photocopies of my work.

It was in that manner that I was “discovered” by some publishers and garnered assignments for published work. With actual published credentials, I then graduated to a free table in “artist’s alley”, the professional’s room.

Still, I was a young and inexperienced 20-something year-old “kid”, and every once in a while, a “real” pro artist would walk over to (or past) my table and we would get to talk about the industry.

At one weekend show in New York City, I met Jack Kirby. (I also met Stan Lee at the same show, but I've already told that tale [linked to HERE]). Jack was walking through the “artist’s alley” room, with his wife, Roz. I saw him, and immediately felt that I should say something… DO something… to express my gratitude for his immeasurable contribution to the field.

Suddenly, I KNEW what I could do. Like the tale of the “Little Drummer Boy”, I had a gift for the King, and while it wasn’t much, it was all that I had.

I looked at my artworks which surrounded and covered my table, and thought that, most of those characters were co-created by Stan Lee, and would not make an appropriate gift, as they might instead serve to rekindle the heated feelings that Jack Kirby may have had towards Lee and Marvel. No. Instead I would make a gift to him of the one character thereupon that was his – with no ties to Stan Lee…

Captain America.

I quickly grabbed a hand-colored copy of a drawing of Captain America that I had done, and vaulted over my table to go and meet this iconic industry giant.

Gently shaking his hand, I gave him the illustration of the comic character that HE had created - and bestowed upon the world - as a gesture of my thanks and admiration.

I embarrassingly asked for an autograph, but his wife explained that he was under strict orders to rest his hands and that if I gave my name and info, he would mail one to me at a later date.

I happily did so, saying that autograph or no, this was indeed an honor that I would never forget

While I never did receive the autograph, I took some small, humble hope that a piece of my work was in possession of the man. Although, truthfully, even that thought was fleeting, as I wondered why a giant such as he would even bother to keep such an offering. Looking at the illustration with the eyes of a more mature artist, I know that the illustration really isn’t very good. Sure, it has good qualities, but overall, it’s just not all that good. Not good enough for someone like Jack Kirby to keep it for long.

I thought that maybe he’d have tossed it in the back of a closet, out of a kind sense of thankful obligation, sort of how one might keep a received birthday card in a drawer and promptly forget about it for years. Such was the fate that I imagined for my artwork; gently forgotten in the back of a closet, until it would eventually be discarded.

Sadly, within 4 years of our meeting, the King was dead.

I couldn’t help but wonder over the years… Did he keep it? Did he like it? Would it be thrown away with the assorted junk that accumulates on the periphery of our lives?

A gift given. A memory made. And a mystery… in my mind.

Now please indulge me as I flash-forward to the present and my viewing of the documentary.

While flipping through the selections on Netflix, I was in the mood for some comicbook goodness, and thought a documentary would be perfect.
The selection; "With Great Power - The Stan Lee Story" sounded familiar, but I knew I had never seen it. Surprising since it was released in 2010.

It would be less than a half-hour before a point in my life of 20 years prior would leap into my present-day living room.

When the scene in question came on screen, it felt like an electric jolt went through my body. My body went rigid, my eyes opened wide, and my mind… my mind reeled.

I immediately recognized my work. But more importantly than anything, I immediately knew that Jack Kirby had kept my gift.

It was as if I were seeing a long lost friend, contacting me from beyond the grave to answer a question, long thought unanswerable.

To see that the great artist not only kept the piece, but had it close enough at hand for use as a prop in some photo-shoot truly brought a shock to my mind, and a sense of peace of mind as well.

But then it also brought further questions:

WHEN was this photo taken?

WHY? For WHAT purpose?

I can only imagine that when asked to pose for some photo opportunity (a magazine shoot perhaps), the photographer may have thought that a piece of Jack's own original black-pencil artwork might not have "popped" (which is unthinkable), or simply lacked the visual impact that a full-color illustration would instead provide. So the (ignorant) photographer just had Jack place an already-colored piece on the desk.

So, looking around his studio for a suitable image, of a character that would be recognizable, not only for who it was, but that it was one of his characters, my artwork simply fit the bill. Nevermind that it wasn’t drawn by Kirby, as his hand is positioned to block the view of my signature (a ~PCK~ in a scroll with the year beneath it) which I would guess was the photographer's direction; "OK, Jack... just move your hand over a bit...there!" Authenticity may have taken a back-seat to necessity.

I knew that there would only be a few people who could shine any light on these tiny mysteries (perhaps John Morrow from TwoMorrow's Press - publishers of the Jack Kirby Collector magazine, or someone from the Jack Kirby Museum project). However, I also knew that there was one other man who would not only have the best chance of knowing, but who might like to discuss this story with me, and so I contacted Jack Kirby’s long-time assistant & friend, Mark Evanier (who you'll note was shown being interviewed at the start of the video clip I presented above).

Mr. Evanier told me that Jack Kirby kept EVERY drawing that he was ever given by fans. He would keep them nearby in his studio, some hung up on the walls, some down leaning against the walls of the room, and that he would frequently interchange what was displayed on the walls and/or the floor stacks. Everyone got time to shine, and he didn’t judge the works on artistic merit more than the fact that he was thrilled that someone actually took the TIME and ENERGY to CREATE something. He was humbled, and gladdened that he was able to inspire anyone to do so, but it was the act of creation that he most admired and by which he was delighted.

Most others sent him drawings OF him WITH his creations. My gift, however, was one of an impromptu nature, given on a chance meeting, and as such, was only of one of his creations.

THAT, it seems is what might have been the reason that my artwork was placed upon his table for the photo. It would be unlikely for a drawing OF Jack and his characters to be drawn BY Jack, wherein my piece featuring only Captain America might have been a better fit for the photographer’s direction. That and/or the fact that without any other figures on the page, the one figure is full-sized and instantly recognizable to the viewer, if not the actual style or the fact that it wasn’t a Kirby drawing.

Sure, when I first saw the documentary photo, my mind had let fly with fanciful notions that maybe Jack Kirby had liked my work... and maybe had it on his desk because he wanted to send me an overlay drawing showing me the correct way it should have been drawn (as I know that it wasn't a great piece)... Or maybe, he saw some spark of talent in the drawing and wanted to mentor me... or maybe someone, somewhere saw this one piece and maybe wanted to contact me for some project...

All fanciful dreams...

The truth is most likely what I and Mr. Evanier both concluded; Jack was a class act and kept all things that fans gave him. His hands wouldn't allow for him to draw anything for that photo session, and maybe the color drawing just fit the bill as a prop.

That I had always sort of wondered whether he kept it, whether he liked it, whether it was lost in time... all those questions were answered by one photograph, over 20 years later. For that I am grateful. For the fact that he used my drawing, my tiny gift, for the photo (even if by random chance)... I am humbly honored.

And so, I just want to say once again, for all the wonders he has given the medium, all the enjoyment that he has given to me, and for the gratitude that I feel knowing that he liked and had my work near to him… THANK YOU, JACK KIRBY.

* UPDATE*

It is my pleasure to state that John Morrow of the aforementioned TWOMORROWS PRESS, has expressed an interest in publishing this blog entry in one of his publications! Most likely The JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR magazine!

He has asked for high quality images for reproduction of all the images seen in this post, so it should look quite nice.

I'll be sure to make the official announcement when the article is published.

*UPDATE 2*

After months of trying to orchestrate an open spot in the JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR, (because, as anyone with even a smidge of publishing understanding knows, space is a premium and stories crop up and drop off constantly,) my tale was published, in a truncated form, in the letters pages of issue #64.

While not the big feature story I was hoping for, it did contain most of the information from this post as well as photos seen in this post. Not too bad.

*UPDATE 3*

(01/01/2017)

While flipping around YouTube a day ago, I found ANOTHER documentary that shows the same photo of Jack Kirby with my artwork. This time, MORE of the photo is shown.

From the 1996 documentary:

 STAN LEE: The ComiX-Man

 (that it seems was broadcast in two segments on A&E)

 https://youtu.be/7vgapiQek7I

The photo is at the 14:52 - 14:55.5

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*UPDATE 4*

(11/13/2017)

A brand NEW documentary (series) has begun to air last night on AMC (American Movie Classics) titled:

ROBERT KIRKMAN'S SECRET HISTORY OF COMICS

and on the first episode:

The Mighty Misfits Who Made Marvel

,at the 28 minute mark, that image was used, yet again, when speaking of the mistreatment of Jack Kirby, and how, ironically, he wasn't being acknowledged for his artwork.

The episode can be watched for free on either YouTube OR the Google Play app/site.

HOW many documentaries used this photo?

Now, more than before I am determined to find out WHAT this photo was for and WHY Jack chose MY piece with which to pose.

I may never know the answer, but I am filled with wonder.

Thanks, Jack!

A COMIC ART COMMISSION: 1 Doctor Strange

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This post SHOULD have been made in August 2012.
However, I neglected to do so, and such it's being entered now before 2012 wraps.

Oh, so how to begin this post after...Lo! A YEAR or so has passed since my last offering.
Many quotes could be used, from Mark Twain's oft-repeated, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" to even to paraphrase Eva Peron's (by way of the play, 'Evita'), "Don't cry for me 'blogger-readers', the truth is I never left you..."

So what HAVE I been doing these past many months?

Well, a lot of real-life @#$%^&* (my car's transmission gave up the ghost and my wife's car had problems that in order to fix cost the money I had saved to buy a used one for ME).
After a summer of no real work (my current job with a school is "seasonal") I've been called back for the new school year, but it's a rough schedule.

But, the good news is that during the summer, I got to do some freelance artwork.

I had a few occasions to use my talents to earn some well-needed green - two for old employers, who - while still not able to rehire me - due to budgetary constraints - occasionally send me some requests for artwork. I won't bore you with those pieces, since they tend to be, non-comic-book, exploded-view technical specs for how to assemble assorted products. *yawn*

There's a promotional comic book project that has been given the green-light, but it's still in the planning stages, so that isn't anything I can work on at the moment.

However, I have had a few instances where I have either been asked (or, took it upon myself) to draw a comic-book character (or two) for a readers of my comic blog.

Sadly, I didn't scan in some of the other pieces, as they were more or less "quickies" ($10 - $20 "sketches" drawn on comic book backing boards, which, while I might call them "sketches", can be very detailed and often are what other artists might charge double the amount to produce).
Characters like Batman, Spider-Man and Green Lantern. Cool stuff, but, as I said, basic sketches and I mailed them off without nary a scan.
oops.


In fact, the object of this post (and my next) were actually drawn during the summer. This one having been drawn for someone who did not request one, per se, but did - out of the goodness of her heart - made a donation to the blog via paypal.


A kind reader opened her heart (and purse) to send a donation and so touched was I by her kindness that I made sure to draw her something "special" as my way of saying thanks.

click to enlarge

drawn by PTOR, ye humble blogger.

(so humble that I only sign my work with the mysterious -yet stylized-

 "?" question-mark-shaped letter "P".)
Oh, and the since it was commissioned via the comic blog I tossed that URL up top.
But no worries, the URL typed along the top is only on this digital version.

Drawn in pencil (blue and graphite) with copious amounts of subtle detail and shading, on 8.5 x 11 bristol board (the type of paper used for the drawing of comics), I presented her with this rendition of Doctor Strange (a large head-shot with a smaller full-body pose alongside).

Basically, I drew two different "roughs" and then dove into this final piece (which would normally fetch somewhere around $50 - $70 or so at this size and level of detail, but I gave to her "free" to repay a kind deed).

Just so you can see the process, here are the two sketches.

 2 ballpoint pen scribble sketches.

The first sketch I was looking for the right "mood" for Doc's face. Then, I just wanted to rough out the rest of the composition: smaller full-figure of Doctor Strange in his astral form, window design, but wasn't sure about adding the collar of the Cloak of Levitation.

The second sketch, I made the main figure / bust a bit smaller so I could fit in the cloak and the Eye of Agamotto, and then changed the position of the smaller figure to one that I liked much better.
But, the main figure now seemed too small for the composition, so I would have to lose the cloak and Eye entirely to accommodate the larger head.

And thus, once the final layout was deemed "right", I worked up the final piece that you saw above.
(Normally, if I was taking this as a commission - and not a surprise "thank you" - I'd have emailed the rough sketch to see if that was the direction the buyer would want before drawing the final piece.)

I sent her a scan of the final piece to see if she liked it, and then, with her approval, sent the physical drawing on it's way.

So pleased was she that she commissioned another item.
But that might be included in a future compilation post.

ORIGINAL COMIC ART FOR SALE! - The FIRST Batch - THOR, WOLVERINE, BATMAN - ROBIN DAREDEVIL, SHE-HULK, SPAWN

As some readers of this blog may recall, I was, for a few years, a card-carrying, paid, professional comic-book writer and artist. This was primarily back around 1988 to 1992.

During that time, in addition to the actual comic books that I was hired to create (for some small indie publishers), I also would frequent many comic conventions (comic cons) in the U.S. (primarily New York City, Long Island NY, Boston, Chicago and Pittsburgh, among others).

While attending the conventions, I had my own table in the "Artist's Alley" and would take commissions for original artwork, and also sell hand-colored, framed art prints.

Although drawn in pencil, I may have been a little ahead of my time, in that I knew that if I drew the pieces tight enough, that they could be reproduced without the need for inking.

Now, after more than 20 years, due to financial circumstances, I am selling these original pieces - some of which were used to make the black and white prints that I would then hand-color for sale.

Up on eBay, I have listed the first batch - 6 assorted pieces - and at the insanely low starting price of only 99cents!

These first 6 include:
THOR, SHE-HULK, DAREDEVIL, BATMAN & ROBIN, SPAWN, and... WOLVERINE.

The link for the eBay auctions can be found [HERE].

 * click on images to see them in greater detail *
(but the scans do NOT do the artwork any justice. Trust me. The originals are much nicer.)

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THOR
1989
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
14 x 17 vellum finish bristol board
full bleed image

Taking advantage of the fact that his own movie has just opened, I am making THOR the lead item in this sale.

In this image, THOR is wearing a full suit of mystical armor and sporting a full beard.
This was drawn to pay tribute to the time when his title was written and drawn by Walt Simonson, who introduced those elements to the character.
One of the most critically acclaimed runs in the character's history.

The THOR auction can be found [HERE]

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SHE-HULK
1990
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
14 x 17 vellum finish bristol board
10 X 13 image

Cousin of the HULK (she received a blood transfusion from him - which also transferred his powers to her), the SHE-HULK has been "Savage", "Sensational" but always "Sexy" and ready for fun!

SHE-HULK auction can be found [HERE]

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DAREDEVIL
1989
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
8.5 x 14 vellum finish bristol board
8.5 X 11 image

Perched atop an ornate brownstone rooftop in New York City, DAREDEVIL keeps watch to protect the citizens from any evil that would befall them.

The DAREDEVIL auction can be found [HERE]

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Oh, and in case you don't think I show any love for the DC side of the street...

BATMAN and ROBIN
1991
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
14 x 17 vellum finish bristol board
10 X 13 image

Swinging out over the rooftops of Gotham City, the Dynamic Duo are ever-ready to combat the criminal element.

The BAT-auction can be found [HERE]

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And now, to highlight an "indie" property (if IMAGE can be seen as "independent")...

SPAWN
with ANGELA and VIOLATOR
1993
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
9 x 12 vellum finish bristol board
8.5 X 11 image

Cursed by Hell and Abandoned by Heaven, SPAWN (aka Al Simmons) is forever trapped between both realms and must constantly battle the forces of both.

I conceived of the flip-image of the hour-glass to show that he is trapped and doomed by both sides of the veil.
Weep for him, for he shall never know peace.

You can bid on the SPAWN artwork [HERE]

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And, of course, no "team" is complete without this next guy...

WOLVERINE
"STICK IT"
1991
Graphite pencil over blue-line pencil drawing
9 x 12 vellum finish bristol board
8.5 X 11 image

The ferocious mutant known as WOLVERINE is known for his rough and ready attitude - but his friends can also attest to a sense of humor as well.
Popping out a single (middle) claw (with a finger behind it), here he displays both!

Dig your claws into the Wolverine artwork [HERE]

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These are merely the first of several batches.
I aim to list one batch per week (starting and ending on Sunday evenings).
However, I will be listing them, in advance, here on my art blog - in case anyone feels that they want to inquire about prices or just want to make an offer, and thus avoid the whole eBay rigamarole.

Upcoming drawings are of:

- ANGEL
- BATMAN
- CAPTAIN AMERICA
- CONAN
- DR. DOOM
- FANTASTIC FOUR
- GHOST RIDERS (Johnny Blaze vs Dan Ketch)
- GREEN ARROW
- GREEN LANTERN CORPS
- HULK (grey) -vs- RHINO, JUGGERNAUT and ABOMINATION
- INHUMANS
- INVADERS (Captain America, Namor, Human Torch I, Toro, Bucky)
- IRON MAN (large image)
- IRON MAN (8.5 x 11 image)
- JOKER
- J.L.A (the Bwa-ha-ha roster)
- J.S.A
- MOON KNIGHT
- NAMOR; the SUB-MARINER
- NIGHTCRAWLER
- PUNISHER
- SILVER SURFER
- SPIDER-MAN
- SUPERMAN
- TEEN TITANS
- WOLVERINE (crossed claws)
- WOLVERINE vs BATMAN
- WOLVERINE vs FAUST
- X-MEN (Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Havok, Rogue, Dazzler & Psylocke [in her original body and costume])

Like the assortment available this week, some are "good", some are better!

Remember, the link for the eBay auctions can be found [HERE] .

 Thanks!

TO WRAP UP 2010 - ROM : SPACEKNIGHT Illustration - FINAL * INKED * IMAGE

Well... we're one day from the end of another year... and to wrap up both the 2010 blogging year as well as the recent ROM SPACEKNIGHT original art series of posts (found HERE, HERE and HERE - wherein I went through the process of creating an original piece of artwork made especially for the fundraiser show/ auction to benefit former Marvel comics writer, Bill Mantlo - who was paralyzed and suffers permanent brain damage from a hit-and-run accident in 1992) I am presenting my original illustration here... in all its "final *digitally* inked glory" (if only I could put multiple "quote marks" around the word "glory")...

Click to see in all its """glory""".

 Original art by yours truly; PTOR.

The auction went well, some beautiful artworks made available to the masses for a good cause.
I can't rightly state that I understand the levels of bidding, however.
Some pieces, which, to me anyway, seemed slightly lesser than others, made off with large final bids, while other, artistic masterpieces of design, color and technique went by with only a scant (if any) bids.

I have two theories:

1. Pieces created by famous (or underground) professionals went for higher values - due to their fan-bases and potential high investment potential.
2. Pieces with any nudity and/or sexual connotations went for even higher levels - well... because sex sells.

With no sour grapes in any way, I'll own up to the fact that my own piece suffered, admittedly so, because I did not have time to color it.
Black and white pieces generally don't do well.
Especially, since mine was designed to BE in color, so it lacks the proper chiaroscuro and "spotted blacks" required of a piece meant to stand alone in stark black and white.
Simply put - I dropped the ball.

When reduced to the size of a thumbnail image (which is how they were seen in the auction listings - until one would click on it to see the whole piece made large), mine was unrecognizable as to what the image contained.

To rectify that, I am hoping to produce a fully colored version to present to the committee so that the color version might be used for the upcoming book release instead of the black/white version.

That is not to say that I am ashamed of this piece in any way.
Sure, like any artist, once I finished it, I IMMEDIATELY started picking it apart for all its varied mistakes and glaringly bad bits... that's just the nature of an artist to see where he/she could do better... but, that said,  I DO like it for what it is and stand by it as a sweet piece of comic art.

Best of all... because it was done for a good cause.

See you in 2011!
~P~

HELPING During the HOLIDAYS. FUND-RAISER AUCTION ARTWORK

Hello Art lovers, comic fans, and collector-enthusiasts of all ages...

I am here (after a few weeks of personal limbo - which I'll get to another time) to hawk the original artworks that are up for sale / auction over at the fund-raising event known as SPACENITE2 that Floating World Comics is holding to raise money for the medical bills of long-time comics writer, BILL MANTLO!
The link to Floating World's site is HERE - so you can preview the artworks in all their glory.
Their eBay auction link for the artworks can be found HERE.

As you may recall from my last post(s) -linked to [HERE] - I have a piece in the auction as well.
I submitted a finalized digitally inked Black and White piece of artwork which they are selling as a high quality, archival print.

MY piece is featured on their site [HERE] .
And the AUCTION for my piece is HERE.

For your convenience, I'll post a pic of the piece at the end of the post.

Now, remember, only ONE of each artist's work will be available.
Some are original works, in a variety of styles and media... some, like mine, are prints (since many artists work digitally there IS no "original").

The auctions end between December 26th and Dec 30th (depending on which images you're interested in).
So you have to bid early and OFTEN to make sure that you secure the one(s) that you want!

And also, (and most importantly) give some much needed funds to help pay for the continued medical care of a man who believed in the better aspects of humanity, and wrote about them in his many comics stories... and then... when he LEFT comics behind (or more accurately, comics left him behind) he became a legal defense attorney for those who had neither voice nor funds to pay for an expensive legal team to help them in their hour of need.

Bill Mantlo put his beliefs up front where he could use them to do good.
A real life super hero.

But, after being struck by a hit-and-run driver, he was left in a serious state of incapacitation, permanent brain damage and physical trauma. He will never be the same man again... on the outside.
But within him still exists the heart and soul of a fighting hero.

Please, be his hero now.

Bid early and often and while you get a sweet piece of artwork (AND a justly deserved feeling of do-goodery), Bill Mantlo gets to know that his words meant something to us all.

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You don't have to bid on MY piece (but I'd appreciate it if you did)... but here is the blue-line artwork (before digital inks were applied).

Click to make "Galadorian" in size.

original work is

11" x 17" in blue pencil

Artwork by yours truly - PTOR

It's a jam-packed piece, showcasing nearly all of ROM SPACEKNIGHT's foes!
From left to right, top to bottom are;

• Female WitchWraith
• The "Dweller on the Threshold"
• The "Most High One"
• DeathWing
• Another female WitchWraith
• A "Thornoid" plant
• A WatchWraith android
• A Hell-Hound (in phantom form - in Rom's grip)
• A Male Wraith
• The Horror known as; HYBRID
• Another Hell-Hound (in Phantom form, with the Doberman dog form it morphs from at its feet)
• Another "Thornoid" (tangling ROM's arm and legs with its tendrils)
• Another Male Wraith (getting blasted into Limbo)
• Another Male Wraith (who is. Freaking. Out!)

And of course, ROM; SPACEKNIGHT in the center of it all.

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Thanks for looking!
~P~

ROM : SPACEKNIGHT Illustration - FINAL IMAGE - For the Spacenite2 Bill Mantlo Fundraiser

Hey all,

Well, I actually DID get to finish the ROM artwork for the Bill Mantlo benefit (that I mentioned last post - HERE) , but it wasn't until this past weekend that I actually had more than a moment to do so.

Luckily, Jason from Floating World comics (the awesome people hosting the Bill Mantlo fundraiser - linkee HERE) told me that late submissions were still accepted.

I just need a few more moments to transform my blue-line artwork into "digital inks" in photoshop, but alas... time is not my friend.
(* See crazy story at end of this post)

But, without further ado... here is the image that I managed to work up.

original work is
11" x 17" in blue pencil
Artwork by yours truly - PTOR

I had wanted to actually INK and/or digitally color the piece, but time... that fickle mistress likes to kick me.

It's a busy piece, showcasing nearly all of ROM SPACEKNIGHT's foes!
From left to right, top to bottom are;

    •    Female WitchWraith
    •    "Dweller on the Threshold"
    •    The "Most High" One
    •    DeathWing
    •    another Female WitchWraith
    •    a "Thornoid" plant
    •    a WatchWraith android
    •    A Hell-Hound (in phantom form - in Rom's grip)
    •    A Male Wraith
    •    The Horror known as; HYBRID
    •    Another Hell-Hound (in Phantom form, with the Doberman dog form it morphs from at its feet)
    •    another Thornoid (tangling ROM's arm and legs with its tendrils)
    •    Another Male Wraith (getting blasted into Limbo)
    •    Another Male Wraith (freaking. out!)

And of course, ROM; SPACEKNIGHT in the center of it all.

 I'll transform this into digital inks and submit the file, and in the meanwhile, will try to find time to actually INK it, so that it'll be a completed piece for the auction.

Maybe, when I have time, I'll colorize it.

So, let me know what you think.

----------------

*Crazy story found here:

So, as it turns out, with all the craziness of my life, I managed to finish the artwork and drove to Staples to get it scanned in on their over-sized printers, but got into a car wreck on the way.

My car could be "totaled" but I did manage to get to Staples to get the job done.

Then I tried to post this last night but my laptop seems to have some kind of virus or something and wont boot up, so I had to wait until now to quickly type this as I try to squeeze a few seconds out of another crazy day.

But... hey... it COULD be worse.

ROM : SPACEKNIGHT Illustration A Work-in-Progress For the Spacenite2 Bill Mantlo Fundraiser

If you recall, one of my previous posts showcased a piece that I had drawn for a charitable organization / event (for the MDA - Muscular Dystrophy Association) - as seen HERE.
In that post, I mention the worthwhile nature of doing such unpaid volunteer work for charitable purposes.

Well, this is another such instance.

I'm hurriedly trying to complete an illustration for the SPACENITE 2 - Bill Mantlo fundraiser event held by those fab folks at Floating World comics - link to site HERE.

Long story short, they have had some events in order to raise money for the medical bills of creator BILL MANTLO, former writer (of every issue of ROM and many other Marvel comics) whom, after leaving comics to become a public defense lawyer - has been incapacitated since 1992, after a hit-and-run driver struck him, causing irreparable brain-damage.

Sadly, while I KNEW about the fundraiser, I thought the artists commissioned were by "invitation-only", and so I never thought to inquire about submitting a piece.

Then, a blogger-friend sent me a note that submissions are indeed open for one or two more slots... BUT (and here's the rub) they have to be completed and submitted by Sunday, November 28th!
TOMORROW!!!

I only found this out on Thanksgiving day (Thursday).
So, I worked up a few sketches yesterday, and one "semi-final" rough, but still need to redraw it, to smooth out the rough spots, rearrange a few of the figures, add a bunch more and add tons of details to the background and such.

Unfortunately... with all that I have going on today... I'm not sure if I'm going to make it.

BUT, I will work on it anyway.

In the meanwhile, HERE is the "semi-final" rough (minus a TON of details and ideas that are present on the other sketches - which will, hopefully be added in the final image. Such details will include: A Deathwing, more Male and Female Wraiths, a Wraith getting blasted into Limbo, a few other Spacknights - shown in cameo and whatever else I can cram in from the ROM comic lore).

The original is to be 11x17, and this scan crops off a big chunk of it all around.

Be kind. It's just a rough sketch.
ROM: SPACEKNIGHT vs from top left to bottom right:
Female Dire Wraith, Watchwraith robot, HellHound,
Hybrid, Hellhound
and Male Dire Wraith getting blasted into Limbo by ROM.

Enjoy.
And wish me luck.
Oh, don't mind the watermark.
It's a comic-book related piece, so I put the logo of my comic blog on it.

Original artworks will be auctioned off some time in December, and prints will be sold of many others, all to raise funds for Mantlo. So, save your pennies and bid early, and often.

If you've EVER enjoyed an issue of ROM, or any of Bill's other comics (of which there is too long a list to recap here) feel free bid OR... if you aren't the bidding-on-artwork kind of person, feel free to make a donation.
Those wishing to make direct donations may send them to Bill's brother Michael who has long been caregiver of his brother.


Michael Mantlo
425 Riverside Dr #12-E
New York, NY 10025

Of course, if PayPal is more your speed, drop by this link to make a direct donation at the Floating World Comics site.
[HERE]
Make a private donation to the SPACENITE - BILL MANTLO FUND directly from your Paypal account. 100% of the funds go to Mike Mantlo.
Or, if money is tight, drop a letter to tell how much you love Mantlo's work.

Comic book style illustrations Wizard cover submissions - 2000

Today's post is one that ties into two previous posts, and sets up more upcoming posts.
A pivot-post you might call it.
(Or... you might not. But I will. And I just did.)

Those two previous posts were:

• - the 2nd post on this blog (from a month ago - seen [HERE]) which teased this content with one image of a comic-book character illustration.

• - and one from just a few days ago [HERE] which showcased a "series" of illustrations of hands.

That last post mentioned that the next-to-last of those illustrations was done during a time when I was in the midst of an artistic renewal (the year 2000).

These images were a part of that renewed era and were done at nearly the same time.

As an added bonus, in addition to showing the four drawings, I'll also show the various sketches and rough stages that lead up to the final works.
Thus allowing a "behind-the-scenes" look at the process.

These four pieces were drawings that I had submitted to Wizard magazine, a comic-book industry mag, for a cover contest back in 2000. They asked for artists to draw a comic book character (possibly their favorite character - mine being the Marvel comics mystic, Doctor Strange) for a shot to win a commission to draw an actual cover for the magazine that would see print.

I didn't win.
As far as I could tell from my delivery confirmation slip... they never even made it there.

First I'll just show the four final pieces, and then the breakdown of sketch processes.

*click on images to see larger*

Doctor Strange - cover 1
April 13, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

Doctor Strange - variant background
May 20, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

Doctor Strange - vs- Mindless Ones
May 21, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

Doctor Strange - "Art Nouveau"
May 22, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

I don't have the originals of the finished pieces. These scans were made before I mailed the art away.
However, I do have the sketch materials and those are newly scanned.

---

As with any project of this sort, it's always best to start off with a basic thumbnail sketch.
Just a very rough concept doodle that quickly gets your idea onto paper.

This was what I first envisioned:

ballpoint pen doodle

This rough sketch of the layout has the main figure taking up most of the cover, with open space on the left side for feature blurbs and room up top for the logo.

I almost always do my rough sketches with ballpoint pen, as I like the way the pen flows with little resistance and never requires sharpening. Although, I will admit that this thumbnail is far rougher than most that I do.
Most of the time I pour serious attention and detail into my ballpoint pen roughs.

Next, I sketched a more detailed rough image, in the appropriate size of what the final image should be.

pencil rough sketch

This was pretty much what I wanted, but I had a few things that required tweaking.
One of which was the lighting style for the fingers on his left hand.
So, I quickly worked up these two slight variations to see which one would look best to me.

subtle variations of lighting fx

It seems that I obviously favored the one on the left, because I didn't even continue finishing the other one.

That decision made, I proceeded to work up the final piece, first by drawing everything in light blue pencil.

blue pencil drawing

There are two reasons why I use blue pencil for the preliminary drawing;

• - it's outdated now, with the advances of color copying and scanning, but in "pre-computer" days, blue lines didn't photocopy or print. So if an artist worked his original pencils in blue, and then they were inked over in black india ink (as was the common practice) and printed, only the black ink work would print - the blue lines not being able to be "seen" by the printer. It's a habit I never stopped. It still works a bit now, because the blue lines can be made very faint and still won't show up (or can be removed in photoshop).

• - much like the ballpoint pen, the blue pencil flows smoothly over the paper - its "lead" being more waxy than traditional black graphite pencils.

Finally, I went over the blue-lines with black pencil to create the "finished" product.
(I put "finished" in quotes because normally, it would then be inked and then colored - AND also because I didn't feel it really was quite complete.)

Doctor Strange - cover 1
April 13, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

I still felt that it needed something.
But, I had other projects and work that would take me away from this project for about a month, and I would return to it as soon as I could.

Knowing that a background image or pattern would help complete the work, and that if it were to be used as a cover it could be reduced in opacity to prevent it from being too distracting, I produced a second drawing working from the rough original and added a nice element of design that really tied it all together.

blue pencil drawing

---

The primary design element in that new background is of a familiar nature for that character, being the window-shape of his home. The border-element is one that I created, utilizing a basic design aspect of the "Eye of Agamotto" medallion that he wears about his neck. Thus I was able to create an interesting background that would resonate with those familiar with the character, while being visually interesting to those who might not know anything about him.

Doctor Strange - variant background
May 20, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

At the same time that I was reworking ideas for a background design on that piece, I also had the need to create new and better illustrations (as like many artists, once I was finished with the previous one, I saw all the flaws present and hated it).

Knowing that, like my intricate design background of the earlier drawing, the publisher could easily reduce the opacity of any part of the drawing and have the main figure remain at 100%.
So, to that extent, I went a little crazy and produced a other-dimensional battle scene.

blue pencil rough lines with graphite pencil and black felt tip marker on sketchbook paper

---

If you take a close look at this sketch, it has many layers of line-types all reworking toward a cohesive final image.
The blue pencil lines are wild and rough, placing figures and things in approximate areas. The black pencil adding tighter details and finalizing placements. The felt-tip marker adding final details and outlines.

This was actually one of two simultaneous roughs for that drawing, as I also worked a "naked" body drawing for the main figure on a separate sheet of paper. It's good practice to draw an accurate human form and then build the clothing over it. Especially if, like this character, the costume is loose and flowing.

blue pencil rough
(note the added hands - which were for the last of the 4 illustrations - as you'll see.)
No idea why I burnt the corner of the paper.

---

Then, I redrew it all, tightening up all the details and elements, in blue pencil...

blue pencil on bristol board

... and then went over it all in black pencil to finalize.

Doctor Strange - vs- Mindless Ones
May 21, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

Knowing that I got a little carried away with that previous image, I thought I had best work up one final image, more traditional in nature to a magazine cover, but still with an interesting background design.

I've long been a fan of the "Art Nouveau" style made famous by artist Alphonse Mucha, and thought that its flowing and intricate style would be a perfect fit for a sorcerer like Dr. Strange. So, I started working on the new image with that in mind.

blue pencil rough

Starting with a basic concept sketch, I just roughed in the figure and some approximation of design elements. This more or less gave the feeling of what I was looking to accomplish.
However, it wasn't close to being right.

Several things irked me:

• - the gesture of the right hand
• - what to do with the left hand
• - the right leg.
• - the flow of the cloak
• - the background

Yeah, pretty much everything.

So, I reworked it in another sketch.

blue pencil and black pencil sketch


---

You'll note that there are several erased versions of the right hand. I eventually chose hand poses that I doodled on a previous rough (of the nude figure drawing - I recycle paper whenever I can - many of these drawings being done on the back of other scrap paper or printer paper). Those hands really worked well for me. I also adjusted the flow of the cloak (on the left of the illo) to curl up towards the camera and tilted the body into more of a floating reclined position.

Still, the right leg wasn't quite right.

So, I quickly worked up a rough of the body and drew in a better leg.

blue pencil on tracing paper

---

Liking that leg far more than the others, I reworked it into a new sketch, and added an intricate background element.

black pencil figure with blue line background

---

The background design utilized various elements that are taken from this character.

The repeating circular patterns are (like the background of the first drawing) stylized aspects of the "Eye" amulet he wears, the pointy "demon-shape' that leads from each towards the center is the character's chest emblem and the outer ring has the repetitive scrollwork that is reminiscent of the detains on the border of his cloak, and barely noticeable, between the outer scrollwork and the inner "Eye" designs is a pointy shape that is a allusion to the cowl/high-collar that sits atop his cloak.

Still, if you can believe it, I thought it was missing something, and worked up a traditional Art Nouveau border design into my "final" blue-line art. I also tossed in a rough idea for a possible "Art Nouveau" style logo.

blue pencil on vellum-finish bristol board.

---

However, still something wasn't right.
Realizing that this character almost needs to have that window design somewhere, I traced the border onto a beat up sheet of tracing paper, and drew in a stylized version of the window design that also had an interlocking motif, allowing it to be seemless in the overall design.
I decided that it would look best in the center section of the border.

blue-pencil on tracing paper

---

Happy with the new design I altered it when it came time to add the black pencil work (but if you look closely, you can still see the erased lines of the aborted original design).

Doctor Strange - "Art Nouveau"
May 22, 2000
graphite pencil over blue-line pencils
on vellum-finish bristol board
approximately 8 x 11.5 inches

---

So, that was it.
It took a couple of days to sketch it all out, but once the preliminary design work was done, it was a simple matter to bat out the final pieces.

Next time, I'll continue with comic book style artwork, but I'll delve into the archives of my actual comic book pages (what they call "panel-by-panel continuity") drawings.

I have several submission samples to show as well as artwork that I had produced which actually saw print in real comic books.

I'll also feature other types of professional works here as well - storyboards, book covers, product renderings, package designs and more (in case comic book style art doesn't interest you).

All in good time.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found the behind-the-scenes design sketches to be informative.

Thanks for stopping by.

A "teaser" of things to come.

I will be revealing some old artwork (and before too long some new works) as a sort of "online portfolio".
(I'll also have to update an actual proper web-site, but for now, this will do just fine.)

---

First up, I'll be showcasing some comic book style artwork that I had done (starting with some old stuff, even going as far back to my youth) featuring the Marvel comics character; Doctor Strange and his worlds.
But as a sneak peak, I'll post one image that has been seen hither and yon on the web already...

So without (further) ado...

presents...

an old DOCTOR STRANGE illustration.
(click to make more "Louvre-worthy")

pencil artwork by myself- in a style inspired by Alphonse Mucha

This piece was one of several that I had sent in to Wizard magazine, a comic-book industry mag, for a cover contest back in 2000 (which is why I have the placeholder for a "Wizard" logo up top). I drew the Marvel comics character; Doctor Strange because he has long been one of my favorites.

If you are interested in Doctor Strange and other Marvel magical characters, feel free to visit the Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog as well. [HERE]

So, I'll be back here before too long, showcasing artwork, old and new, promoting this space and some wares for sale (I'll be taking commissions as well) and just getting back to my roots.