Brian Peck Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) The "Best Of" competition provides CAF Collector's the opportunity to highlight their 5 most important acquisitions from the prior year. After the submission period ends, CAF's community votes on the artworks that they feel are the most compelling from the seven possible categories and once the voting period closes we tally the results to see which artworks are awarded the Best of 2020. There are no real awards at this time - only the prestige of being recognized by your peers. Maybe one day there will be! The annual "Best Of" competition has been hosted on ComicArtFans.com for many years in the Lowry Gallery. For a brief history of the Lowry Gallery please click here. When the Best Of began it was only available to Lowry members, but starting in 2020 the competition is now open to all CAF Members. Those Members who choose to participate will be able to submit up to 5 "Best Of" entries which keeps this in line with the Lowry's original mission of highlighting the best artworks in your collection, and voting for all 10 categories begins on 1/18/2021.Posting Entries Begins: Jan 9th Posting Ends: Sunday, Jan 17th at 11:59 PM EST Voting starts Monday, January 18th Voting end Sunday, January 31st at 11:59 PM ESTThe 10 Categories: Published/Unpublished Comic Book Covers Published/Unpublished Comic Book Splashes, Title Pages Published/Unpublished Interior Panel Pages Published/Unpublished Comic Book Pin-Ups, Illustrations, Trading Cards Published/Unpublished Strip Art Published/Unpublished Commissions/Recreations Unpublished Sketch Covers/Convention Sketches Published/Unpublished Media artwork (Music, TV, Movie) Published/Unpublished Non-Comic Covers, Pin-ups, Illustrations, Gaming Art Published/Unpublished Other If you are logged into CAF, Click Here to Submit Your Top 5 Pieces from 2020!You'll be able to Preview the submissions to the Best of 2020 Here! Edited January 18 by Brian Peck timguerrero and Latverian Tourism Board 2 Link to post Share on other sites
alxjhnsn Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Done! For the most part, this was a pretty easy decision for me, but as usual I had 6 that I wanted to put up, but only 5 slots. Sigh… (#firstworldproblems ) Here are my entries: Young Romance #1 by Alex Johnson and Thom Zahler Published/Unpublished Comic Book Covers Yes, I own the original art to the first issue of a comic book cover! Of course, it’s a comic book that I plotted and funded, but what they heck, it was published by Maerkle Press (Thom’s company)! If you are curious, you can read the full story by clicking on the link in the CAF Description. JL8 266 p. 3 of 3 - Beat down! by Yale Stewart Published/Unpublished Strip Art One of my favorite strips of all time is JL8 by Yale Stewart and I bought this climatic strip from his last JL8 story because it is a hoot. Karen and Diana are going to make Lex and his friends have a very bad day. As usual, you can read more about it on the CAF Description. Cruella de Vil by Aaron Lopresti Published/Unpublished Commissions/Recreations This one is my wife’s. She loves the Disney bad girls with Cruella, the Evil Queen, and Maleficent at the top of the list. She has an Evil Queen so I guess you can figure out next year’s Christmas present. Read more here. Sugar and Spike 100 Cover featuring Superman by Dave Aikins Published/Unpublished Commissions/Recreations Probably my favorite addition of the year and probably the best faux Sugar and Spike #100 Cover in existence! It’s also no where near the most expensive piece I bought this year. I just love it. You can read more about it and Dave here. Hide by Mike Maihack Published/Unpublished Comic Book Pin-Ups, Illustrations, Gaming Art This is one of Mike’s Inktober “sketches!” Imagine if he got serious. BTW, Mike’s Cleopatra in Space series is in animation on the Peacock Network in it’s third season. Check it out and read more about this piece here. Honorable Mention: Though I really like all the pieces that I bought this year especially the three (3!) other faux S&S covers, the one that I almost picked for the completion was this depiction of my bride as a vampire by Tom Mandrake. It was a KS perk. You can read the full tale here. Thanks to Brian Peck and Bill Cox for continuing this tradition of allowing us to share our favorite pieces for the year and see those that we most likely missed from the collections of others. Latverian Tourism Board 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Twanj Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) 3 Thor covers, and a Wolverine splash and cover/DPS. https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerybestofyr.asp?yr=2020&gcat=103642 McNiven Return of Wolverine #5 SNIKT! Claws out Logan in a Weapon X by Barry Windsor-Smith style https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1613928 Kubert \|/ Wolverine #1 Variant cover and pages 20-21 DPS with Domino, Jean Grey, and Gateway !SNIKT! \|/ https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1684449 Thor #419 Cover (1990) by Frenz/Sinnott https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1598521 Thor Volume 3 #10 Cover (2008) by Olivier Coipel and Mark Morales https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1646764 Unworthy Thor #3 Cover (2017) with Beta Ray Bill and The Collector by Olivier Coipel https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1676623 Edited January 11 by Twanj Andahaion and Latverian Tourism Board 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Sideshow Bob Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Category placement question: I am putting this cartoon from Pia Guerra (of YTLM fame) into the "Published/Unpublished Strip Art" category for Best Of 2020, but debating if it should be in "Other" or "Commission". It is a line-by-line commissioned ink recreation (from EmeraldCon this year) of one of her digitally-created editorial cartoons (published on IG and Twitter), which were then assembled into a printed collection from Image Comics called Me the People. Any guidance? Is it a strip if its an multi-panel editorial cartoon? If it's a recreation of a published digital-only piece, is it published or just a commission? Bob Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Peck Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 17 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said: Category placement question: I am putting this cartoon from Pia Guerra (of YTLM fame) into the "Published/Unpublished Strip Art" category for Best Of 2020, but debating if it should be in "Other" or "Commission". It is a line-by-line commissioned ink recreation (from EmeraldCon this year) of one of her digitally-created editorial cartoons (published on IG and Twitter), which were then assembled into a printed collection from Image Comics called Me the People. Any guidance? Is it a strip if its an multi-panel editorial cartoon? If it's a recreation of a published digital-only piece, is it published or just a commission? Bob I would put it into the commission and recreation since you mentioned its a physical recreation of digital artwork. Twanj, alxjhnsn and Sideshow Bob 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Brian Peck Posted January 9 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 9 Best of 2020 My Entries Tales of The Zombie #1 unpublished cover (1973) by Pablo Marcos This is a tryout for doing covers for Tales of the Zombie. Too bad they rejected it and went with Boris Steed and Mrs Peel #2 cover by Ian Gibson Love this series and the cover been after it for years. Synn The Girl From LSD #1 cover by Mark Heike A guilty pleasure of mine Love MArk's work this is my favorite over of his. Tarzan Statue design by Burne Hogarth I had seen the statue at cons but never seen this drawing. Great example by my favorite Tarzan artist. Avengers #55 by John Buscema and George Klein Master of Evil, Death Be Not Proud and The Vision story are my favorite Avengers stories. And they are inked by Klein one of my favorite inkers on Big John. This features and early appearance (under cover) for Ultron. Almost made the cut.... Wonder Woman Art of War statue design by Bruce Timm My first Time original, love the pose Uncanny X-Men #308 page 20 by John Romita Jr and Dan Green Another page towards completing the issue. Love it the creators showed the X-Men just hang fun either playing football or baseball. Ms Marvel #20 page 31 by Dave Cockrum by Bob Wiacek I have been wanting a page by Dave of his new Ms MArvel costume. Too bad he only did 2 issues. Flash Gordon #38 unpublished cover by Rudy Nebres Love he inks. A homage to the Flash Gordon #2 Gil Kane cover from the King Features 1960's series Who is The Real Green Hornet commission by Jeff Butler Loved Jeff's run on the NOW series especially Mishi Kato. This shows the multiple Greeen Hornet generations plus a few easter eggs. BCarter27, Latverian Tourism Board, rlextherobot and 4 others 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post batman_fan Posted January 10 Popular Post Share Posted January 10 Just one piece posted for me this year. My May 8, 1960 Peanuts Sunday. timguerrero, alxjhnsn, fenip and 4 others 7 Link to post Share on other sites
exitmusicblue Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Let's get ready to rumbleeeeeeeee Link to post Share on other sites
batman_fan Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Some great stuff already posted. Link to post Share on other sites
The Voord Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 (edited) Five Movie Poster original paintings (in date order) posted to the 'Published/Unpublished Media artwork (Music, TV, Movie)' category. THE PASSIONATE FRIENDS (1949) movie poster painting - artist unknown: WORLD IN MY CORNER (1956) - movie poster painting by Reynold Brown: A DAY OF FURY (1956) movie poster painting - artist unknown: THE VICTORS (1963) - movie poster painting by Renato Fratini: MANCHE MOGENS PRALL (1981) unused movie poster painting design - artist unknown: I don't really see the point of adding any also-rans, so I'll leave it at my five submissions. Edited January 10 by The Voord Latverian Tourism Board 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Latverian Tourism Board Posted January 10 Popular Post Share Posted January 10 It was hard to pick 5, but I think I have my submissions. I submitted 3 in the panel page category, ‘cause I’m a panel page kind of guy, along with a cover and a commission. So, without further ado: Fantastic Four #16 cover (2020) Nick Bradshaw Thing + Monsters = Clobberin’ Time! Jae Lee Wolverine vs Batman Commission Wow...That really escalated fast! Avengers #269 pg14 (1986) John Buscema Double knuckle sandwich, order up! :ding: Secret Wars #9 pg23 (1985) Mike Zeck Seems extreme. Have you considered a protein shake instead? Fantastic Four #250 pg20 (1983) John Byrne Ever wonder what it sounds like when the Thing chucks Colossus through a wall? Benedict Judas Hel, NC101, Twanj and 3 others 6 Link to post Share on other sites
pestonaccio Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Let's roll and thanks all for reading and voting for me! :-) Sandman - Mark Hempel - The Wake Not a big fan of his work, but on this page D'Isreali is perfect and covers all Mark's flaws. Hob Gadling is a plus. Sandman - Shawn McManus - A Game of You Got this piece from a black hole collector. A very nice page, featuring Dream receiving the dying world after the Cuckoo has flown away/died (Gaiman loves this run even if it's the less preferred by readers. There is a run on Fables which is almost a perfect copy of this one, when Therese travles to the broken toys land). Preacher - Steve Dillon - Proud Americans Nothing else to say here with Tulip and Jesse. A big shot of Jesse with a cig. Just before kicking some Grail's . Ennis and Dillon at their best. Darwyn Cooke - The New Frontier The only other artist who draws better women than Darwyn is Dave Stevens. Wonder Woman is resting when Superman (that tiny spot in the sky in the second panel) arrives, bringing bad news. It's for my wife. Hellboy Makoma pin up - Mike Mignola Got this one during the first CAF live. Had to sell one huge Mignola piece, but this one is almost as good as the one I had to let go. The Makoma story is great and wonderfully pencilled by Corben (I wish I had a page...). Hellboy and African animals plus a skeleton. HONORABLE MENTIONS: 1) I am a Vertigo guy. Invisibles by Chris Weston. King Mob and Ragged Robin. And Grant Morrison 2) Mike Mignola and Nyberg on Dracula. And the old man is there. Scary. rlextherobot and jaykza 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Timely Posted January 11 Popular Post Share Posted January 11 I had a banner year, but these are my personal top 5 choices. batman_fan, Michael Browning, mtlevy1 and 7 others 8 2 Link to post Share on other sites
BookofStrange Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Doctor Strange Surgeon Supreme #7 cancelled cover Artist: Max Fiumara (All) Doctor Strange 6 p. 24 The Mordo Chronicles part 1 (Aug 1989) Artist: Tom Sutton (All) Fantastic Four 27 p. 28 (June 1964) 1st Dr Strange Cross-over Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , George Roussos (Inker) "Dr Strange Gets Lost on His Way to the Surrealist's Convention" P. Craig Russell (1983) Ultimate Marvel Team-up 13 p. 19 (April 2002) Artist: Ted McKeever (All) Benedict Judas Hel 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post rsonenthal Posted January 11 Popular Post Share Posted January 11 I enjoy seeing all of the amazing artwork I missed during the year, so thanks to everyone for posting and special thanks to Brian and Bill for putting this on. I actually posted a lot this year, and that made my choice much more difficult. But, here's my top 5. COVERS Camelot 3000 #8 Brian Bolland DC Comics Presents #28 Jim Starlin - Mongul from the all too brief run that introduced him to the world! COMMISSIONS Deadman by Jim Lee (thrilled with this piece - part of his support of local comic stores) ILLUSTRATION ART The Corpse was Beautiful by Thomas Lovell - published in American Magazine in 1942, an amazing painting. SPLASH PAGES From Detective 1006 by Kyle Hotz, this is a showdown with Batman and the Spectre!! The depth of the inking is just spectacular. Have fun voting. I always do!! Ron batman_fan, NC101, MagnusX and 4 others 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Varanis Posted January 12 Popular Post Share Posted January 12 Here are my top 5 for the year! COVERS Cosmic Ghost Rider #1 Cover by Geoff Shaw Thanos #16 Cover by Geoff Shaw GAME ART Elrohyr's Brighthelms by Adrian Smith The Known History of Undermountain by Karl Waller OTHER The first ever sketch of Knull by Ryan Stegman Twanj, Andahaion, Benedict Judas Hel and 3 others 6 Link to post Share on other sites
malvin Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Thanks again for Bill and Brian for organizing this, as well as all the participants. Here are my selections and runner ups. CAF Link to all here 1. Covers - Frank Quitely All Star Superman Wizard Cover Even though I'm more of a Batman fan, I thought Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's All Star Superman was the best Superman story since Alan Moore's Supreme so I'm glad to get this cover 2. Splashes - John Cassaday Captain America Splash When I first saw Cassday's Captain America covers, it was so striking that it led me to read the storyline. I had to flip the page upside down but I'm glad to finally get a page image from his run! 3. Panel Pages - Alan Moore and Klaus Janson Green Arrow and Black Canary page One of the rare Alan Moore big 2 superhero story. I guess everyone was trying to look like Neal Adams back then. And of course everyone loves fishnets! 4. Recreations - Gerry Talaco Hulk 340 (vs. Wolverine) Cover Recreation One of my few themes are recreations or reinterpretations of the iconic Hulk 340 cover by artists I associate with Hulk or Wolverine. This is so striking! The colours just popped out at me 5. Other - Mike Grell Green Arrow Longbow Hunter Omnibus Cover Prelim I love how this cover encapsulates the Green Arrow Longbow Hunters series! And here are runners ups: 1st runner up - Ian Gibson Judge Anderson Page 2nd runner up - JR JR Man without Fear Miniseries Elektra full splash 3rd runner up - Walt Simonson X-Factor page Thanks for looking Malvin jaykza, alxjhnsn and Pete Marino 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Madman1138 Posted January 12 Popular Post Share Posted January 12 2020 sure was an insane year, but like others I had a pretty great year art-wise. Here are the 5 pieces I have entered in the annual Best Of. Due to my pickups being a bit different than usual, I am entering in some new categories I have never tried before, beside covers and pages, although I have some of those too. PUBLISHED/UNPUBLISHED NON-COMIC COVER, PIN-UPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, GAMING ART: This one is a true grail for me as I have always wanted a Wrightson piece from this era, either a Frankenstein plate or a Stephen King page specifically. With Frankenstein plates now in the 6-figure range, this was the next best I could have hoped for. It came framed and I stare at it everyday. Bernie Wrightson "November" illustration from Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf PUBLISHED/UNPUBLISHED COMIC BOOK COVERS: 2 great covers from 2 of my favorite properties. The first is this awesome J. Scott Campbell cover to Gen13 #17, near the end of his run on the hit title. I was glad to add another cover by him to the Gen13 collection as I truly loved that series back in the day, especially during his run. Gen13 #17 by J Scott Campbell and Alex Garner The second cover is from a favorite film property turned comic for Highlander! In this case, it is a cover painting by Gabriele Dell'Otto showing the end climax scene from the original film, and this cover was used many times for covers, limited lithos, and giclees. It is also one of Gab's first published American comic covers! Highlander #0 cover painting by Gabriele Dell'Otto PUBLISHED/UNPUBLISHED INTERIOR PANEL PAGES: I managed to get this awesome Punisher panel page from Jim Lee's run and right around the time of his transition to Uncanny X-men. This is a very dynamic page penciled and inked by Jim. Punisher War Journal #9 page 18 by Jim Lee PUBLISHED/UNPUBLISHED COMMISSION/RECREATION: This is a net category for me as I don't do recreations often. But I have been trying to find pages from Uncanny X-Men #266 for well over a decade and they just never come up or go for WAY more money than I could pay. When I tracked Mike Collins down he said he had none of the pages left after all these years, but but he had a recreation page he made for the first page Gambit appeared on and would I be interested in that? He sent me the scan and I sent him the money lol. So this is a recreation, but it is pretty exact, even with notes and text. Uncanny X-Men #266 page 13 recreation by Mike Collins You can see all of these Top 5 images on my CAF here: HERE. Thanks for looking! Dave K. Twanj, alxjhnsn, jaykza and 2 others 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post BillRJ Posted January 14 Popular Post Share Posted January 14 I'm submitting only one piece--my top acquisition of the year: Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #2 cover! Madman1138, Pete Marino, Twanj and 6 others 9 Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Peck Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 We have had a great turn out so far a good number of entries. If you haven't entered yet you still have time another four days until the entry window closes. If you are logged into CAF, Click Here to Submit Your Top 5 Pieces from 2020!You'll be able to Preview the submissions to the Best of 2020 Here! Twanj and ShallowDan 2 Link to post Share on other sites
