comicfanboy007

This week I bought my very first published cover.

“Strange Adventures” Issue 4 Cover By Mitch Gerads  
Writer Tom King
Artists: Mitch Gerads and Evan “Doc” Shaner
Letterer: Clayton Cowles 
With “Strange Adventures”  collaborators Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Evan “Doc” Shaner, and Clayton Cowles deliver on the premise and the promise of what I hoped to see and want to see in an Adam Strange story and a Mister Terrific story. The series had incredible visual storytelling, a seamless duet from masters of their craft. Gerads and Shaner have never looked better. Both artists are handling all stages of their art, they are even doing their own coloring which makes the cohesiveness of the art more impressive. “Strange Adventures” is a Sci-Fi mystery and meditation on war. Created in the Silver Age, Adam Strange is a Flash Gordon/John Carter like space hero.  Adam is an archeologist who is transported to the alien planet Rann. Adam becomes the finned rocket pack wearing hero who saves the planet. He marries the heroine and leader of Rann Alanna, and they have a daughter, Aleena. We open the story on a Adam at a book signing for his memoir “Strange Adventures.” After the civil war that engulfed Rann is over, Aleena’s fate is unknown as Adam and Alanna return to Earth. Adam writes a memoir about his exploits called “Strange Adventures”.  Both literally and metaphorically “selling his story,” When an enraged protestor who confronted Adam about war crimes during the war on Rann ends up dead. Adam asks his friend and fellow hero Batman to investigate him. To come at him hard like any other criminal, to prove his innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt. Batman, knowing that his relationship with Adam could cloud the investigation refuses and Adam asks Batman to find a detective as good as he is. Which brings Batman to ask Mister Terrific to investigate. Mister Terrific, aka Michael Holt is a genius tech hero and the third smartest man in the DCU, although some would say he is the smartest. He is an Olympic class athlete, and his main tools/weapons are his t-spheres which are the spherical computers surround him and protect him. He is the second person to take the mantle of Mister Terrific, the original, Terry Sloane, was a founding member of the Justice Society. The first issue ends with Adam and Michael just meeting for the first time. 
The investigation officially begins. Eleven issues in and King, Gerads, and Shaner have shown their cards. Each revelation more heart wrenching than the last. For several issues, I was worried the team was maybe slowing things down a bit too much, but now I get what they were doing, and I am seeing the clues they left along the way. The scripture that Adam paraphrases in his dedication in the book. “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.” Mister Terrific reciting the lesson of “The Green Knight” "”Gawain feels only shame for his failure not keeping his honor." Even the family picture of Adam, Alanna, and Aleena in celebration with red confetti falling hinting at the blood shed this war has wrought on the Strange family.  As Mister Terrific so eloquently puts in his letter to Alanna Strange “Adam wanted us to find what he didn’t hide. It So we would miss what he did.” Adam Strange lied, his war crimes were the lie to hide a much darker truth. His war crimes metastasized into treason. The man of two worlds struck a deal to save Rann, and in exchange Adam gave his enemies, the Pykkts, Earth, and his daughter Alanna was collateral. Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and Doc Shaner have taken us into Adam Strange's “Heart of Darkness”. War is hell but with his sins revealed Adam has become a warrior in line (inverted might better convey my point) with Col. Kurtz from "Apocalypse Now"  
“Mister Miracle” used a nine-panel grid to tell the story “Strange Adventures” is largely using a three-panel page, a change they were inspired to use based on Darwyn Cooke’s “New Frontier”.  It gives the story a different flow but still epic and incredibly personal. King is setting the rhythm of the story and I love the cadence of his writing for the issue. The music this comic orchestra is playing is magnificent. I love how King writes Adam and Alanna’s relationship. Full of love, passion, joy but you can see there are cracks in the veneer this is not Scott and Barda. And I can’t wait to see what this team does with Mister Terrific. Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner Similar to how “Mister Miracle” took all the best lessons from some of King’s best work (“Vision” and “Omega Men”) and evolves it into something very special “Strange Adventures” is continuing that evolution. You can see the care they have put into this series Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner’s comfort with their collaboration is incredibly apparent, initially switching from scene to scene eventually going sometimes volleying back and forth from panel to panel in some sequences and it is flawless.  “Strange Adventures” Issue 11 was brutal and brilliant as Alanna confronts Adam about the devil’s bargain he made. King, Gerads, and Shaner’s masterful use of the dual storylines in this issue and in the series throughout was terrific. This is a story that uses the medium of comics in the best way, add to it you have two artists in such synch with each other is a marvel. Take a well-deserved bow Tom, Mitch, Doc, and Clayton and thank you. 
My love for this creative team is no secret and as an art collector it has been hard to not be able to own more examples of their work as both artists are mostly working digital these days. I have had the good fortune of getting commissions from both, but nothing that has been published. At the launch of the “Strange Adventures” Mitch did announce that he would be drawing his covers traditionally. The weekend of SDCC 2021 Essential Sequential announced Mitch’s art would be discounted. I knew now was the right time and I purchased the cover to issue four, which is one of my favorite issues of the entire series as we see Mister Terrific’ s investigation takes him to Rann and it reminded us just how awesome Michael Holt is. This was a major milestone in my Original art collecting as it was my very first published cover. The cover is comprised of two boards. One being the portrait of Mister Terrific and the second being the outer space background. It is gorgeous to see in person and am so grateful to have such an amazing example by a master of the medium. 

https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1746031

My latest piece by the incredible Mitch Gerads His amazing work on Mister Miracle rightfully won him back to back Eisners. His art and storytelling captures such raw emotion and power. The quiet moments as powerful as the most cosmic of clashes. I love his work so much.
I was lucky to get on Mitch's list for SDCC 2019 and I got an amazing Mister Miracle Scott Free.
When his list opened for NYCC I knew I needed to get a second piece.
This was a piece that was inspired as I was listening to the podcast Word Balloon with Tom King as they were talking about Mitch's art and how his art is perfect for street level characters. I have also been pouring over the IDW Daredevil Born Again Artisan Edition. A masterpiece.
Matt Murdock is one of my favorite characters in all of fiction. His resilience is unmatched, he bends but never breaks...completely.

"It was a nice piece of work Kingpin. You shouldn't have signed it."

This scene from Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's seminal work is one of it's finest. It was a moment that I felt captured Born Again and one that Mitch's art would exemplify. And I was right. Mitch exceeded my incredibly high expectations. Thank you Mitch for your amazing work and for this amazing piece. https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1585605

The past few months have been very good for my comic art collection and it culminated this past weekend at New York Comic Con. The following are the commissions I was able to pick up. Hope you enjoy

Scott Williams

Dark Knight Returns Batman Unmasked

I am a big fan of Dark Knight Returns and Batman Unmasked is probably my favorite theme and recently I have been combining the two and it has resulted great commissions. Scott Williams delivered a stunning piece and was great to work with. Great communication and I absolutely love how he drew old man Bruce. I also really enjoyed talking with him about his original art collecting. All an all a wonderful experience.

Mahmud Asrar

Game of Thrones Battle of Winterfell Jamie Lannister

Mahmud Asrar is an amazing artist whose work continues to improve by leaps and bounds. His work on Conan the Barbarian with Jason Aaron is a career defining. I know it's controversial, but I actually really enjoyed the final season of Game of Thrones. My favorite arc being Jaime Lannister's failed attempt at redemption. I like that it showed the journey to redemption is hard and sometimes you falter and fail. I thought that this would be a great fit for Mahmud and I was right. I couldn't be happier with this piece and how it turned out. The scans do not do this piece justice.

Marc Laming

House of X: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, and Wolverine

House of X and Powers of X has been some of the best comics of the year. Jonathan Hickman has made every Wednesday an event and this may be the best X-Men story I have ever read. Marc Laming is a very underrated artist. I love his line work and when his preshow commission list opened, I knew that the House of X, X-Men would be a great pairing of Artist and Character. Marc has been loving the HOX/POX and was excited to draw this and I think it shows.

Joe Mulvey

House of X: Cyclops and Marvel Girl

House of X and Powers of X has been some of the best comics of the year. Jonathan Hickman has made every Wednesday an event and this may be the best X-Men story I have ever read. Joe Mulvey is an up and coming artist currently working on The Wailing Blade. I saw Joe do another HOX Professor X commission not that long ago and I knew I wanted a X-Men piece by him, and I was lucky enough to get on his preshow list. A great pairing of Artist and Character. Joe has been loving the HOX/POX and was really excited to draw this and I think it shows.

Iban Coello

Eddie Brock/Venom

Iban Coello has been drawing Venom for quite some time now and is currently filling in while regular artist Ryan Stegman is drawing Absolute Carnage. I how he draws the symbiote and wanted to see him draw the symbiote revealing the bearded Eddie Brock from the current issues of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman's Phenomenal Venom run. Arranged as a preshow commission. Iban was super nice.

Doc Shaner

Mister Miracle Scott Free Unmasked with Beard

My love for the Tom King and Mitch Gerads Mister Miracle knows no bounds much like my love of Doc Shaner's artwork. His elegant linework and beautiful and expressive storytelling is amazing. When his preshow list opened, I immediately leapt to get on it. With his upcoming collaboration with Tom King and Mitch Gerads on Strange Adventures, I seriously considered getting Adam Strange, but then I thought that sometime soon I would see Doc Shaner draw Adam Strange, but unless I asked, I might not ever see him draw the Mister Miracle from that run. I had extremely high expectations for the piece and Doc blew them out of the water. The sunglasses with Darkseid's reflection is such a great touch and the veggie tray background...marvelous. You can see how much fun he had drawing this piece and I could not be happier with it.

Rod Reis

Joaquin Phoenix Style The Joker

I have yet to see the new Joker Movie. With NYCC happening the same weekend there just has not been enough time. I do look forward to seeing Joaquin Phoenix's performance and I love the design of the character. I think there is a lot of potential. Rod Reis style is perfect for the character and I love how he interpreted it. Regardless of how I like the movie this is a stunning piece of art.

Klaus Janson

Dark Knight Returns Batman Unmasked

This was the last commission I picked up at NYCC 2019 and talk about a high note to go out on. A stellar example of Dark Knight Batman Unmasked by one of the original creative team members. Klaus did not draw this at the show, he took it home to his home studio and it’s just spectacular.

Brian Level

Venom Unmasked with wings and the All Black Sword

Brian Level is an amazing artist. When he reopened his preshow commission list, I knew exactly what I wanted a winged unmasked Venom carrying the All Black Sword of the Symbiote God Knull. It's specific I know, but I love Cates and Stegman's Venom run, and so far my requests for this version of the character have turned out amazing.

Marco Checchetto

Venom Unmasked with wings and the All Black Sword

Marco is an amazing artist. His run with Rucka on Punisher and his current work on Daredevil is fantastic. He was not at the show on Thursday, so I immediately ran to his table on Friday and made his list. I wanted a winged unmasked Venom carrying the All Black Sword of the Symbiote God Knull. It's specific I know, but I love Cates and Stegman's Venom run, and so far my requests for this version of the character have turned out amazing. Marco's assistant said he would really be down for this as it was so Metal. I picked it up on Saturday and my jaw hit the ground.

Daniel Warren Johnson

Venom Unmasked with wings and the All Black Sword

Daniel Warren Johnson is an amazing artist. That statement surprises no one who has seen his art. His creator owned work on Extremity and Murder Falcon is epic, beautiful, kinetic, and filled with so much heart. His Commissions are unparalleled. He was the first table I ran to on Thursday morning. I wanted a winged unmasked Venom carrying the All Black Sword of the Symbiote God Knull. It's specific I know, but I love Cates and Stegman's Venom run, and so far, my requests for this version of the character have turned out amazing. I was thrilled with this version. I love how he drew the wings and made Venom look like a Knight of Knull. And it is very very metal. Those wings are amazing.

Geoff Shaw

Venom Unmasked with wings and the All Black Sword

Geoff Shaw is an amazing artist. His work on God Country is masterful storytelling and helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I wanted to see his take on a winged unmasked Venom carrying the All Black Sword of the Symbiote God Knull. It's specific I know, but I love Cates and Stegman's Venom run, and so far my requests for this version of the character have turned out amazing.

Ian Bertram

Galactus and Silver Surfer

This is marvelous. Simply Marvelous. I was incredibly lucky to get on to Ian's list. I love his style and really wanted to see his version of something Jack Kirby. We discussed two options and his face lit up when I said Galactus. Thank you so much to Ian and to the Felix Comic Art staff for helping to make this happen.

Javier Fernandez

Batman Unmasked

Javi is awesome. This is a great example of Batman Unmasked.

Alex Riegel

Nick Fury Agent Of SHIELD

(Not From NYCC) Alex's work is no stranger to this page. It's fantastic and I have wanted a piece by him for a while. After attending a signing with Jim Steranko, I knew exactly what I wanted from him. This was a stunning piece that I am thrilled with.

Tom Reilly

Superman

This was a lovely predone piece by Tom Reilly. I love the colors and the joy he brings to Clark's expression.

Tom Reilly

Ex Machina The Great Machine

Ex Machina is a political superheroic drama that combines elements of the West Wing, Unbreakable, and a dash of Mad Men.

Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris weave a cautionary tale of wielding power both political and super.

We meet Mitchell Hundred talking in the dark to...no one in particular, this is his confession. He tells us in the first few pages of this fifty-issue series that this is a tragedy. We flashback to various times in Mitchell’s life.

Over the next forty-nine issues they lull you into feeling that maybe...maybe Mitchell and his partners, best friend Bradbury, and surrogate father Kremlin, will succeed and overcome the external and internal threaten New York and Mitchell’s administration. Instead their well-intentioned path leads to the only place it can, a hell made of compromise and regret. I love Tom Reilly's work and thought this would be a really interesting pairing. I love how he drew the Great Machine costume.

Martin Morazzo

Ex Machina Great Machine/Mitchell Hundred Campaign Poster

Ex Machina is a political superheroic drama that combines elements of the West Wing, Unbreakable, and a dash of Mad Men.

Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris weave a cautionary tale of wielding power both political and super.

We meet Mitchell Hundred talking in the dark to...no one in particular, this is his confession. He tells us in the first few pages of this fifty-issue series that this is a tragedy. We flashback to various times in Mitchell’s life.

Over the next forty-nine issues they lull you into feeling that maybe...maybe Mitchell and his partners, best friend Bradbury, and surrogate father Kremlin, will succeed and overcome the external and internal threaten New York and Mitchell’s administration. Instead their well-intentioned path leads to the only place it can, a hell made of compromise and regret. I love Martin Morazzo's work and thought this would be a really interesting pairing. I love how he composed this piece and drew the Great Machine costume.