Mike Grell - Jon Sable, Freelance #21 (First, 1985)
Artist: Mike Grell (All)
24 Comments - 896 Views - 17 Likes
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DescriptionThrilled to finally get a "battlemask" Jon Sable cover, having narrowly missed out on one 5 years ago and been looking for one ever since. One finally popped up recently, this #21, with a huge Sable image in full combat regalia, that I liked even more. In fact, I'm not sure there's another in the series that I like quite as much, and I'm very happy to have it in my collection now!In the issue, Sable, who is in the hospital after being shot by a rookie cop in the previous issue, spies Carla Bellows visiting her husband who has been in a coma for the past 5 years. Sable wonders how that is possible, as Bellows - dubbed "The White Widow" by the press - was convicted of trying to kill her husband for his vast fortune by nearly braining him with a horseshoe and trying to make it look like a riding accident. Don't ask me how, but, Bellows in the story is somehow out on bond while her case is being appealed. It turns out that Sable was friendly with her husband when he helped train Sable for the 1972 Olympics, and so he begins to stalk & harass Bellows to make sure she doesn't flee the country and evade justice if she loses her appeal. Sable jokes to Myke that he, the consummate professional who usually only takes on assignments for money, is going to play vigilante ("Batman") on this one. Things come to a climax when Bellows, riding her horse Widowmaker, tries to trample and kill Sable but ends up badly injured when the horse fails to successfully jump clear of the stone wall Sable was sitting on. Sable later visits Bellows in the hospital, where he brings her the news that she has won her appeal, but, we also find out that she is paralyzed from the neck down as a result of her injuries. Pictured: Original cover artwork to Jon Sable, Freelance #21 (First Comics, February 1985) by Mike Grell (writer & artist). Ink over graphite on 11 x 17" Bristol board. Social/Sharing |
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Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
So awesome! Not familiar with this book but the ink job on that cityscape is damn biblical. Congrats!
Gene Park 
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Nash of the Titans wrote:
So awesome! Not familiar with this book but the ink job on that cityscape is damn biblical. Congrats!
The NYC skyline is a photostat, I'm afraid! This was such a fun book back in the day - I love going back every now and again to re-read issues from the series.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Love the graphic nature of this cover. Great to see art from this publisher and from this time period. Huge congrats!
Rick W
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
One of my favorite comic titles.
Tough to find battlemask cover! Congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Larger than life Jon Sable image over the big city in a movie poster styled cover bringing that 80's class and sophistication.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
A fantastic addition to your collection, Gene - a signature Jon Sable image!
* bronze-is-gold
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
This is one awesome Grell Jon Sable cover! Congrats! Love the layout with Sable stradding the city landscape and the mysterious woman's image behind him. At some point savvy collectors will likely take note of this series along with so many other great comics from First that are overlooked ... although even now artwork from them seems to be scarce even for those of us looking.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
This is one where you throw all comps out the window. Whatever other JSF covers have sold for publicly is irrelevant. Laugh if you want, but this is DKR page territory value-wise for the '80s collector who must have the best. Before you laugh, know that there is significant crossover appeal for both. I pity the seller, but I congratulate you on an epic score!
David Mandel
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
This is just fabulous! And worth the wait for one with the mask and costume! Took me forever to find one too, but felt really happy when I did. Congrats!
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Probably my favorite cover in the run. Whatever the cost, well worth it and will seem like a bargain in the short term. Congrats!!!
Michael Sullivan
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Amazing classic Sable cover. One of my all time favorite series. It has all the elements, the Mauser, the mask, the femme fatale and the city. Congratulations.
Chris C
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
Who let this beauty go? Phenomenal. A KEEPER among keepers.
Mel C. and B. Carter
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/26/2022
The missus and I both love this series. Great cover! Congrats!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/27/2022
First Comics creator-centric series were a breath of fresh air. Like his Warlord, Grell's Jon Sable gave readers a series a new, comic book spin on an underserved genre of pulp fiction, and, as this cover shows, his art was never better.
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 7/27/2022
Congrats, Gene! Unfamiliar with the series but looks like you and a couple others have gone and exploded the market for the art!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 7/27/2022
Somewhat reminiscent of the first issue cover, but so much better designed. By reducing the scale of the cityscape and having Sable crouching over it, the whole cover becomes so much more dramatic. Plus, the conscious decision to leave the background white was a brilliant call by Grell. He knew that the figure's black costume and that "Veronica Lake" close up would stand out better against the original white background. I've looked at all the original run covers and I just don't think you would ever be able to top this one. Congratulations!
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/30/2022
Wow, that's everything I'd want in a Sable cover, congrats!!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/10/2022
The perfect Sable cover! Love the dynamic pose, the cityscape tucked between his legs, the femme fetale in the background...All so '80s.
Shannon Weathers
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/21/2023
One of the best Sable-the battle mask, the background, and the villain's face combine perfectly.
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