SDCC — With A Little Help From My Friends
San Diego Comic-Con, July 24-28, 2024
Tag: Joe Jusko
Joe Jusko — Spider-Icon
Variant Cover, Art of Joe Jusko, 2013
A short history of a beautiful painting:
Joe Jusko originally created this homage to this classic and iconic John Romita Spider-Man cover (#50, 1967) for a project that ultimately didn’t reach fruition.
I was fortunate enough to see the original — and not mull, noodle, or otherwise hesitate before purchasing it — when it was first offered for sale back in 2007.
As serendipity would have it, a few years later I was at IDW, and we landed Desperado Press as an imprint. Part of that deal included bringing Desperado’s Joe Jusko art book back into print.
Not wanting to miss potential opportunity for Joe or IDW, I asked Marvel if we could license the Spider-Man image for the cover of an exclusive limited edition version of the book. They said yes, told me the fee, and, after some smelling salts revived me, I said yes as well.
We (deliberately) only made 100 copies, and, on a per capita basis, it remains the most expensive licensing deal I have ever made.
But it’s a stunning piece that absolutely deserved to be a cover. (And, importantly, everyone would make a bit of money, so there’s that.)
And what did John Romita himself think about Joe’s painting?
“I had this piece on display at a Baltimore Con one year and who walks by my table and sees it, but John, “ says Jusko.
“He studied it for a while and then told me how much he liked it. A lot of guys would say that just to be nice, but John never said what he didn’t mean. For the rest of the show I had people coming over to my table saying John sent them over, telling them they had to see the painting. I’ve seldom been more flattered!”
Jose “Pepe” Gonzalez — Blood For Profit
Vampirella #44, August 1975
Our ode to Halloween and the creatures that inhabit the comic book pages continues…
I could prattle on and on about the astonishing art of Jose Gonzalez, but…
I think it’ better if we hear from another amazing art talent, Joe Jusko, on this one. He knows a thing or two about Vampirella.
And he expressed his admiration for Jose’s art, in the intro for the terrific Gonzalez art book (Dynamite Publishing), more eloquently than I possibly could.
Excerpt from Joe’s intro:
“Gonzalez brought such life to Vampirella and made such an indelible mark on the character that it’s become impossible for longtime fans to think of one without the other. He possessed an illustrative line that elevated the strip from mere comics to high art and often experimented with mixing techniques within the same story.
“He went from crisp line art to subtle washes, to wondrously soft and delicate pencil renderings with the intent of conveying the mood or emotion of a certain scene…
“Gonzalez took the character seriously, and despite the obvious unconventionality of her attire, never played her as a joke…. Gonzalez had a true respect for her, and even when the later stories began to border on the absurd, he never lowered himself or his approach to the same level.
“There were other wonderful artists who took over the strip for various lengths of time (Esteban Maroto, Gonzalo Mayo and the always amazing Jose Ortiz) but fans always eagerly awaited the return of Gonzalez and rejoiced when his art eventually reappeared.”
Vampi in 5 panels (with some terrific close-ups), the undead, great wash-tone — a cool page, all around.
Joe Jusko — Stan Strikes!
Trading Card and Litho, October 2013
One year ago today, Stan Lee headed off into the greater cosmos. I like to think he’s bugging the Watchers, endlessly and enthusiastically reviewing his many adventures on Planet Earth with them. Like this:
“Hey fellas, remember that time I saved everyone form the Martian invasion? Remember? Fellas?”
Fortunately for us, in case we forget, Joe Jusko captures the moment perfectly with this premium trading card and litho for Stan’s own Los Angeles comic book convention in 2013.
Stan Lee and Topps Mars Attacks. It’s perfect reflection of my misspent youth, and well beyond. I knew the moment I saw the painting I had to have it. Hell, Joe probably knew I would need to have it when he took the assignment. (We’ve known each other a long time.)
We miss ya Stan. I hope Jack and Steve are taking you on a wild ride through the multiverse — just like the good old days.
