This week's pick:


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

JOHN CARTER of MARS by Andy Kuhn



For some reason unknown to me, I decided to scan this piece
when it was half done, and fool around with it in photoshop.
I've posted both versions for you to dig.
John Carter of Mars.....I picked him 'cause I love him!
I was introduced to the character through the 70's marvel comics
version, drawn by Gil Kane, and inked by Rudy Nebres.
If you've never seen that, look it up. It's beautiful work.
Can't wait for the movie! There needs to be a new comic book too.
Maybe with yours truly drawing it. :)
I had a blast making this drawing.
Thanks for looking!

14 comments:

Ryan K Lindsay said...

This looks pretty cool. Not what you'd expect, but sometimes that's fun.

This should be rolled and placed in a porcelain scroll holder and buried in a desert somewhere.

Lee Cherolis said...

I definitely dig the black and white version more. You loose the depth in the other one, and the little airship trail which is such a small detail but I think, important.

Stephen Thompson said...

I love the colour version, all the open line makes it so much livelier. Win Win.

Mike Hawthorne said...

You nailed it right out the gate, man! I'm struggling with my piece, and here you are making it look easy! ;)

Mike

Hideous Energy said...

Awesome job.

He reminds me of Madmartigan from "Willow."

Nathan Fairbairn said...

Cool! I want to buy this comic, Andy. Make it happen! :)

Craig Zablo said...

You draw the comic and I'll buy it.

Mitch Gerads said...

Oh man, Andy. This illo makes me absolutely itchy to start my Carter. The hot toned watercolor version is completely inspired. Awesome awesome awesome!

Brian Thomas Wolf said...

Awesome. This Twart thing brings me smiles.

Dan McDaid said...

This is really fine, Andy. Shades of Kev O'Neill in the design and rendering? Beautiful work, anyway, love the spot blacks.

Ron Salas said...

Beautiful work, Andy! I love the hell out of that wash version.

I've only read the books;never read the comics. Were they adaptation of ERB stories or brand new ones?

ANDY KUHN said...

thanks ron. i think they were adaptations, but it's been awhile since i looked at them. i could be wrong.

Michael Lapinski said...

What I love about the color piece is the way the watercolor effect and lighting are pulpy and electric at the same time.

There's an alien energy that isn't present in the expertly rendered finished piece (which does have its own engaging handling of black and exciting markmaking).

Francesco Francavilla said...

That watercolor version would pass perfectly as a paperback cover from the 60s or 70s :D
Love the use of blacks in the final version too: make it for a very iconic composition :)

Cheers,
Francesco