Spider-Man 2099 #5 variant COVER by Rick Leonardi (ft Morlun)
Artists: Rick Leonardi (Penciller) , Dan Green (Inker)
35 Comments - 1,518 Views - 22 Likes
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Original Pencils
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DescriptionLast week I posted by first Coipel; this week posting my first Leonardi! Another artist that I definitely needed to check off the list!His work has such a strong, natural, organic quality. Almost an effortless feel in terms of his line work. Kind of like Bret Blevins that way, who I’m also a big fan of. And got the Dan Green treatment here, too! His name is not brought up as often as some others when you talk about inkers but there’s been more than a few pencillers who have told me he’s one of the best. In fact, I was e-mailing a while back with Leonardi and I sent an image of the inks for this piece (Leonardi did the original pencils on a separate board – see additional image) as I don’t believe he had actually seen them, or, maybe he hadn’t seen them in a long while. In any case he responded with “Really cool to see Dan’s inks like that! Fearless gestural inking, no sign he’s scared to let the brush be itself”. So that was cool to read! I know Leonardi’s work, like many others, from Spider-Man 2099. Loved the costume and I remember how dynamic his images were. So I’m stoked to have a cover example! Albeit it’s not from the original series but that’s alright by me. From the Spider-Verse event (fun read BTW) and here Morlun’s shown up via portal to take out Miguel. I’ve liked the Morlun character since Straczynski/JRJR’s first ASM arc so that was another draw for me. Actually my second cover with the character, the other being a Campbell piece from Black Panther when Shuri had taken on the mantle – check it out in my gallery. Really like here that Morlun has a calmer expression, not straining or screaming, as that calmer yet menacing demeanor is how I view the character going back to his first arc. To me an image with a lot of energy as Miguel looks in real trouble and there’s literally energy framing the characters, including a little Kirby Krackle :) And when poring over it I get Leonardi’s assessment of the Green inks. I actually had said inks for a long time. Got them on ComicLink way back when not knowing they were just the inks and not the original pencils. Mistakenly wasn’t noted on the ComicLink listing and I didn’t think to ask. When I discovered they were just inks/not pencils ComicLink was really cool and said they would take the piece back no problem if that's what I wanted. My strong preference, if at all possible, is to have both the pencils and inks to a piece if they are indeed done on 2 different boards. So I mulled sending back but then thought “I really like the piece. It was fairly inexpensive. Maybe I can find the pencils at some point? Either acquire them or maybe move the inks to the owner, as I'm sure they'd be interested in the inks?” So I held on to it. And ended up finding them! The owner was none other than fellow collector bud and Spidey mega OA fan, Paul P. We agreed that we should get these 2 together whether it was him or I that would be the one to own ‘em. And lucky for me it ended up being I, so thanks again, Paul! And thanks, all, for looking! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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E DLS 
Member Since 2005
3 - Posted on 1/22/2021
There are probably a lot of interesting arguments to be made about artwork that is produced in multiple pieces. Whether it's pencils, blue line, and inks, or main figures and backgrounds, done on separate boards. For me, the main concern would be keeping all related pieces together. As a collector, I have inevitably run into situations where set pieces were separated for whatever reason. And if I don't have them all, I can't help but feel the artwork is incomplete somehow. So great that you were able to secure both pieces for this wonderful Leonardi cover.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 1/24/2021
E DLS wrote:
There are probably a lot of interesting arguments to be made about artwork that is produced in multiple pieces. Whether it's pencils, blue line, and inks, or main figures and backgrounds, done on separate boards. For me, the main concern would be keeping all related pieces together. As a collector, I have inevitably run into situations where set pieces were separated for whatever reason. And if I don't have them all, I can't help but feel the artwork is incomplete somehow. So great that you were able to secure both pieces for this wonderful Leonardi cover.
I'd agree - if there are 2 separate boards for pencils and inks you wanna have both if at all possible. Get the WHOLE process, y'know? Generally we see pencils/inks on one board but in order to get things done more timely we're seeing the 2 board process used more. Which is alright by me if I can get both. And you can see some other opinions in the other comments here, which is all good! Preferences are just that. I considered sending the inks back after I realized my "mistake" but I liked them a lot and thought I MIGHT have a shot at the pencils at some point. And am stoked to have done it! Thanks, Eric, and all, for the comments!
Harry M
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 1/22/2021
I guess I am not quite with you about the need for both the pencil and inked version. For me the inked version used for the publication is what matters. For each their own. But the final version here is quite nice, free but controlled inking. I like way Morlun reaches out from the black background to grab Spider-Man in surprise. I am not familiar with the story but it certainly is dramatically portrayed. Congrats.
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
Congrats on this really great looking piece of art!
Vale DG
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
I already told you what I think about this page….but I’ll say again..love it!!! Congrats my friend..and as you know I like Dan Green inking here
Ryan Barrett
Member Since 2019
2 - Posted on 1/22/2021
So cool that Paul helped you to match the pencils and inks together. I bet it feels great to have accomplished that collector goal.
Morlun is one of the scariest Spidey villains for me. And the composition of this cover illustrates just what makes him a terror for any version of Spider-man- not only Morlun's power, but also the haste at which he can move. I remember the Spider-man cartoon from the 90s fondly and one of my favorite elements of that cartoon was how an episode could feature Scorpion as the primary villain, but then all of a sudden, the Kingpin and Mysterio would show up. Morlun has that sudden danger status featured here on the cover as he comes forth through a portal to terrorize Spidey 2099. Morlun is like Michael Myers- this unstoppable force of immense strength and inevitability. Webheads cannot hide from Morlun! And the lack of a sense of safety inherent on this page is what makes it really pop for me.
Thank you for sharing, sir! I always appreciate keeping an eye out for your latest acquisition here on CAF!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 1/24/2021
Ryan Barrett wrote:
So cool that Paul helped you to match the pencils and inks together. I bet it feels great to have accomplished that collector goal.
Morlun is one of the scariest Spidey villains for me. And the composition of this cover illustrates just what makes him a terror for any version of Spider-man- not only Morlun's power, but also the haste at which he can move. I remember the Spider-man cartoon from the 90s fondly and one of my favorite elements of that cartoon was how an episode could feature Scorpion as the primary villain, but then all of a sudden, the Kingpin and Mysterio would show up. Morlun has that sudden danger status featured here on the cover as he comes forth through a portal to terrorize Spidey 2099. Morlun is like Michael Myers- this unstoppable force of immense strength and inevitability. Webheads cannot hide from Morlun! And the lack of a sense of safety inherent on this page is what makes it really pop for me.
Thank you for sharing, sir! I always appreciate keeping an eye out for your latest acquisition here on CAF!
Thanks, Ryan - I appreciate and agree with your Morlun assessment! I remember thinking how that first ASM arc was different from a lot of Spidey I had read prior and that had a lot to do with Morlun. I mean, he was straight up scary, and it was clear that Pete was in over his head and knew it. Did that stop Pete? No, and that's why we love him, but he had his work cut out for him to say the least. To put it mildly. As you say, Morlun was an unstoppable kind of force of nature and his stoic unnerved demeanor totally gave you (and Pete and the other Spider folk in Spider Verse!) that feeling of dread and inevitabilty. So, yeah, glad to have another piece featuring him getting cover treatment lol :)
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
3 - Posted on 1/22/2021
My pleasure, K! Glad I could help you unite these two great pieces. The power of Morlun is really exemplified here in this nicely framed, Kirby-crackly image. I really like Morlun's expression too. He and his spider-totem-slaying siblings were always kind of cocky and "no fuss-no muss" as they went about their business. Made them seem even more invincible. Anyway, congrats man!!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 1/24/2021
Paul P Spiderversity wrote:
My pleasure, K! Glad I could help you unite these two great pieces. The power of Morlun is really exemplified here in this nicely framed, Kirby-crackly image. I really like Morlun's expression too. He and his spider-totem-slaying siblings were always kind of cocky and "no fuss-no muss" as they went about their business. Made them seem even more invincible. Anyway, congrats man!!
Thanks for the comments as always, Paul, and thanks more for the pencils lol :) Much appreciated, bud! I'm glad to have joined the Leonardi Spidey 2099 club along with you and some of our other fellow collectors. And good point on Morlun. Not easy to add villains that will last to the already great Spidey rogues gallery but goal was achieved IMO with this one and a big reason was the cocky elitist bent that Morlun and his sibs had in doing what they do!
EDOUARD N
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
Lovely addition and as usual a cool story my friend !
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
Nice cover by a modern master.
I for one would not care for blueline inks at all. But then again you got one of Leonardi's great inkers and you managed to (eventually) score both pieces so that's indeed a bonus in this particular case.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
2 - Posted on 1/22/2021
Absolutely fantastic cover, K! Undoubtedly it’s my age showing, but I know Leonardi best from his ‘Cloak and Dagger’ work in the 80’s - love the crazy folds in Colak’s cloak! - and was happy when he was tapped to do the art for the Spidey 2099 series. I LOVE the fact that you were ultimately able to assemble the pencils and inks (and of COURSE it would be the mighty Paul P that would hold the key! :) ) and, like you, this is the version of Morlun that I picture: less histrionic; more... inevitability. FAR scarier that way.
I love Mr. Leonardi’s work, but there’s something about this piece strikes me as more... confident (?) than usual... Just a really strong, relaxed composition - extremely solid and dramatic as hell - without over-exertion. Not that he usually does ‘over-exert’, it’s just that this one feels a bit different to me. Really, REALLY nice example! Congrats, my man!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 1/24/2021
Jason Hussa wrote:
Absolutely fantastic cover, K! Undoubtedly it’s my age showing, but I know Leonardi best from his ‘Cloak and Dagger’ work in the 80’s - love the crazy folds in Colak’s cloak! - and was happy when he was tapped to do the art for the Spidey 2099 series. I LOVE the fact that you were ultimately able to assemble the pencils and inks (and of COURSE it would be the mighty Paul P that would hold the key! :) ) and, like you, this is the version of Morlun that I picture: less histrionic; more... inevitability. FAR scarier that way.
I love Mr. Leonardi’s work, but there’s something about this piece strikes me as more... confident (?) than usual... Just a really strong, relaxed composition - extremely solid and dramatic as hell - without over-exertion. Not that he usually does ‘over-exert’, it’s just that this one feels a bit different to me. Really, REALLY nice example! Congrats, my man!
Yup, Paul held the key...BIG surprise, right?! :) And you're not the only one to comment on Morlun's depection here as well as the character in general. "Less histrionic...more inevitability." I like that, and agree! I'm glad you like the piece so much and see a little "extra" in it. In general, I feel like Leonardi's one of those artists that just makes things feel and look simple, relaxing, etc...when they're not :)
Troy C. Punswick
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
For me, I like the pencil art when buying a piece where both the pencils and inks exist separately. Congrats though on putting the pair together. It is a really nice cover!!!
Joshua Tan
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 1/22/2021
Great story and yes the art should always be reunited! Congrats on getting a leonardi Spidey 2099 cover!
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 1/23/2021
Oh, man, Spider-Man 2099! I loved this Spidey series, it was such a great concept. And this Leonardi cover is really dynamic. A great Morlun, and I love the depth he created to really sell that portal. And even some Kirby Krackle. Cool cover! Congrats (on getting the band back together)!
Nick-le-Fou !!
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 1/23/2021
Huge, huge congrats for gathering both versions. If we could have discussed this prior to all that, I would have been able to tell you that two versions existed, but no worries, the awesome Paul P stepped in and saved the game. Truly happy for you, my friend.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 1/24/2021
Nick-le-Fou !! wrote:
Huge, huge congrats for gathering both versions. If we could have discussed this prior to all that, I would have been able to tell you that two versions existed, but no worries, the awesome Paul P stepped in and saved the game. Truly happy for you, my friend.
I'll keep that in mind next time, Nick, lol! Yeah, I didn't realize until a lot later that the pencils were sold directly by Leonardi through his site. Still in my earlier collecting days but as you note, it all ended up working out. Thanks!
Red Raven
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 1/23/2021
Perfect pièce action, and great inks Dan green !!
James S
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/23/2021
So glad you were able to complete the set on this awesome piece!
Chris Lutes
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 1/26/2021
Beautiful pieces! Mr. Leonardi's pencils are such a special combination of being tight enough that you can always recognize his work but with a loose energy that gives different inkers so much to interpret. So cool to hear the story of how you were able to reunite them.
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 1/29/2021
You crazy!!! I love it, so damn beautiful!!! Congrats on this Badassness.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 1/31/2021
Green's ink here really ARE an organic masterpiece. Literally some of the best, quite possibly even THE best, inks I've ever seen from him. While I was always a huge fan of the Leonardi and Austin pairing and still am, Leonardi's modern day pencils are far more amenable to brush inking like Green's, so this is flat out some of the best that Leonardi has ever looked!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/1/2021
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Green's ink here really ARE an organic masterpiece. Literally some of the best, quite possibly even THE best, inks I've ever seen from him. While I was always a huge fan of the Leonardi and Austin pairing and still am, Leonardi's modern day pencils are far more amenable to brush inking like Green's, so this is flat out some of the best that Leonardi has ever looked!
Appreciate the insightful and flattering (to Green, not me!) comments on this piece, Rube - makes me even happier to have picked it up! Glad you like it as much as you do. I see what you're saying regarding how well the brush inks complement Leonardi's modern day pencils...really clear when looking at this. Especially when seeing the pencils on one board and the inks on another. And as you can see in my description, Leonardi agreed! Thanks again!
gene o
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 2/5/2021
Great image! I always liked Leonardi's clean, minimalist lines on this title. Really gave it that "futuristic" feel!
Sylvain R
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 2/11/2021
What a great cover!! I always remember with nostalgia the Spider-Man 2099 era, Leonardi was a king at that time!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/21/2021
Fabulous! Love Leonardi's work! And Dan Green is a phenom!
Don D
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/3/2021
Wow! This is awesome! I'm such a 2099 fan and love seeing these pieces out there!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 1/28/2022
Great piece and congrats on the long hunt being successful! Thanks for sharing!
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