Beta Ray Bill

I can honestly say this is the first time I have ever drawn this character. And he is a tough one. Before drawing him I had to read up on him. I do remember seeing Beta Ray Bill on covers but never read Thor so I had no idea what he was or how he connected to Thor. Not sure I understand yet but here is my take on the character. As tough as he was, it was still fun. :)

This is Post #970

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow!

I've finally gotten around to doing The Shadow. Even though I put him the background of the Margo Lane piece, I had every intention of doing a solo Shadow piece. I read quite a few of the Shadow stories when they were released in paperback in the 1970s. I remember I enjoyed them quite a bit. Maybe it's time to revisit them.

This is Post #969

Magneto - Essendon Bombers

I completely forgot to share this commission that I completed at the beginning of May. This was commissioned by Alex as a prize for a winner in his Football Tipping Competition. This is Aussie rules football, folks. As I understand it, Alex runs this competition on a forum where other people pick a team to follow. The aim of tipping is to get all the eight winners for each week of football games. There are prizes for last place and first place (cumulative scores) for the year 24 rounds of games. If someone picks eight, then they go into the prize hat to be picked for a prize for the week. The prizes are either a care package of Aussie goodies and football paraphernalia or a piece of art with a footy slant.

The person that won had picked the Essendon Bombers and is an X-Men fan. He submitted a list of characters he liked and Alex pulled Magneto from the list. He then asked me to do this piece of art for the winner. Magneto is wearing the Bombers jersey and that is a Aussie football that he is manipulating. (There must be something in the ball that Magneto can use his powers on). Thanks for the commission Alex. And I hope the winner liked his prize.

This is Post #968

Ferro Lad - Legion of Super-Heroes

I believe Little John suggested Ferro Lad. If you are not familiar with Ferro Lad, he was a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He wears the mask because he is horribly disfigured. At least that is how he is described in the comic. He has the ability to turn his body into iron, and yes this was years before the X-Men's Colossus. Ferro Lad has a twin brother with the same ability.

Ferro Lad is also the second Legionnaire to die in the line of duty. (Lightning Lad "died" earlier but he got better). He was introduced in Adventure Comics #346 and died saving the galaxy in Adventure Comics #353. A very short career in the Legion but he made a big impact with Legion fans nonetheless. A newer version of Ferro Lad was reintroduced in the many Legion Reboots.

Thanks for the suggestion LJ!

This is Post #967

Buck Rogers and Wilma Deering

I believe this could be the first time I have drawn these two. I am not all that familiar with Buck and Wilma. And even though I did watch the 1979 movie and TV show, the only thing I remember about that is the annoying little robot and my crush on Erin Gray. Oh, and I also remember going to the theater to see the movie, which I believe was really just the two hour pilot cut for the movie going public.

I did this piece a little different by adding some gray marker to the mix. Also I attempted to give Wilma eyes that fit the 1930s. A lot of actresses back then seem to have large expressive eyes. And the eyelashes were thiner and separated. Whether I succeeded in my attempt is up to you. :)

This is Post #968

Magik (Illyana Rasputin)

No one requested Magik, but after researching Wolfsbane for yesterday's post, I was in the mood to draw her New Mutant teammate this morning. I hope no one minds. :)

This is Post #967

Wolfsbane (Rahne Sinclair)

Today's post was a suggestion from Erica. I have to admit it has been a very long time since I looked at any book that featured any of the New Mutants. I was buying the original graphic novel and series when they first hit the stands and was a fan for the first several years, but that was long ago. In researching the character for a present day look, I was confused by all the different interpretations. I had no idea what is recent and what is not. So I opted to go with the Rahne Sinclair I remember: The sweet, shy, good hearted girl from Scotland in her human form. Thanks for the suggestion Erica.

I have started on some of requests on my HeroesCon Advance Sketch List. There is still time to get on the list if anyone is interested. A few are finished and a few are in various stages of completion. I'm having fun with them and can't wait to share them at the show. And not a minute sooner. :)

This is Post #966