Wizard Magazine - 1994 Gatefold Cover!
Artists: Tom Grummett (Penciller) , Karl Kesel (Inker)
23 Comments - 2,827 Views - 27 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis piece of original art was commissioned by editor Brian Cunningham and illustrated by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel in 1994, intended to be published as a gatefold cover for an issue of Wizard Magazine. I tracked down editor Cunningham and asked him if he had any recollection as to why this completely finished beautifully illustrated cover ultimately went unpublished. He explained that although he didn't remember the specific reason, he did say that in those days they often commissioned more than one cover and tended to go with whichever cover featured the characters that seemed to be the most popular that month and that is most likely why this one didn't get used. I also spoke with Stephen Shamus, brother of Gareb Shamus, who told me that it has been many years since the family had sold the company and they no longer had access to any of the old records. That was unfortunate as well, as I had hoped to access those old records to try to find out on which issue number this artwork would've been the cover for.At any rate, given that this piece was drawn in 1994, I can say with certainty that this artwork was intended to be published as a gatefold cover to one of the issues from Wizard Magazine #30 and #42. This spectacular looking piece features the (at the time) new Superboy and Robin, the part of the artwork which would have been published as the front cover, as both characters had just begun brand new title runs. The right side of the artwork would've been the part that folded in between the cover and first page and features Superman, who at the time was going through the various story arcs post "Death of", as well as Azrael in his Knights End costume, who at the time was involved in the very popular Knightfall storyline in the Batman titles. As a huge fan of Tom Grummett's art and also of Karl Kesel's inks and writing abilities, this has to rank as one of my favourite pieces produced by either artist, and I'm really happy to have the opportunity to own it as a great representation of some of the great stuff DC was putting out in 1994, mostly produced by Grummett! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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J H 
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/5/2020
Grummett's work is just so clean. This is a really nice DPS, and I love that Azrael. Congrats!
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 10/5/2020
Lots of 90s goodness here. Should of been published
Simon . K
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 10/5/2020
Who do I have to sacrifice to Cthulhu to get this page??!!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/5/2020
On every other earth in the multi-verse, this piece is a published cover. I don't know why our earth dropped the ball, cuz it is magnificent! Love all the characters and the call-back to the DC Universe as it was in 1994.
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 10/5/2020
The fact that it wasn't the Wizard cover doesn't take away anything from this marvelous piece. Awesome image that stands on its own!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/6/2020
It's fantastic so who cares if it was not published.
90s goodness and a prime period for Grummett.
Noah H
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 10/6/2020
This is making me realize I need an Azrael commission from Tom. What a great collection Ruben!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/6/2020
Published or not that's an outstanding image! Must look real purty in person. Nice deduction too on your end as far as figuring our what it was intended for. All characters look great but I really like that Supes. Great front shot but got the heroic head turn as well. And the hair...takes me back to them younger days in the '90s :) Congrats!
Cartoon Fanboy
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 10/7/2020
Great piece Ruben. I actually pulled out those issues of Wizard (I still have all my copies) and looked for any articles that might fit this cover. I found some Superman and some Batman, but I didn't see anything with both. Regardless, it's an amazing example of the characters and major events that Grummett helped define.
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 10/7/2020
Ruben!!!! Badass!! This is such a spectacular Gatefold Cover and definitely deserved to be published!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 10/10/2020
Wizard had some of the best covers back then. This is a fun piece for sure. While I am sure DC characters did see a share of the covers back then - I think (and this is not scientific) there were more marvel pieces in general and along with Image comics, etc.. DC didn't get as many covers as it could have.
Noah H
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/22/2021
I'm sure you have no plans to sell this, but if you ever do, please put me top of the list to make an offer!
j sly
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/5/2021
My 2 favorite storylines from the 90s by one of my favorite artists! Huge congrats!
Brandon Coffey
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Wow...no words to describe how awesome this is....Grummett doing Robin, Superboy, Superman AND Az-Bats all on the same peice?!?! Just wonderful.
Rich Cirillo
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 6/13/2021
A really nice example of some of DC's most popular characters from '94! Congrats on a Great Grummett piece!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 4/20/2023
I'm having a 90's flashback here! Man, could this gatefold be any more classic? Motorcycle Jacket Superboy and Mullet Superman! Plus Knight's End Azreal and a 90's Robin? Shame this never got published, but at least you're sharing it here with the rest of us. Undeniably iconic cover even if it is unpublished!
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