Artwork Details
|
DescriptionIt’s the oddest thing - the minute I finalized the purchase of this cover, I felt just the briefest flicker of “I might be done now.” I don’t know why I thought that, and I’m not stopping, but I can’t deny that it was there. I guess even I didn’t know how much I was pining for a Bolland Animal Man cover, deep down inside.The surrealist experimentations that Bolland made during this cover run are always a pleasant surprise. On each re-read, there is something new to discover in each one. I remember registering them as a kid, just perplexed as hell, but also mesmerized. Baby dinosaur was one of my absolute favorites. And dear god is it even more gorgeous in person. I saw it in person recently at TorpedoCon and it’s in fantastic condition. This cover is also messing me with me in another way - it is EXPERTLY inked - by a ghost figure known only as Jennifer Capriati. In a recent instagram post, Bolland himself jokes about the tennis player. Thanks, and have a great weekend. P.S. I have to give a shout out to the seller, Bedrock CIty - they followed up after the sale with a phone call to thank me for the sale and make sure everything went well. Thanks Eddie! P.P.S. Yes, I know, chicken gap. P.P.P.S. Part of the “If I don’t bid on this one thing, I can buy these other cool things” HA Summer 2021 decision. P.P.P.P.S. I've had this out on the easel for a couple days now and I must say, it's one of the most captivating pieces of art I've ever had pass through my grubby paws. There is so much detail and the execution is practically flawless. What really emphasizes the skill is the relatively larger areas of deep black. They are laid in as lovingly and expertly as the highlights on the halo around the light peeping into the barn (pun intended) or the absolute painstaking hand breaking work on the hay. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would be hard pressed to suggest current artists that are producing traditional covers of this quality, and that is a compliment to Mr Bolland, not a slight on current artists. Alex Ross. Le Tradd perhaps. Nobody will read this anyway so I will let my hot take stand. P.P.P.P.P.S. I have to think that someone at DC made the absolutely idiotic decision to add the question mark. Completely unnecessary. The Chicken says it all. Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Will Tervay 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Love the detail. Bolland is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Fantastic cover, expertly inked by Brian Bolland. You don't honestly believe anyone else actually inked this, do you? Clearly Brian and his colleagues at the time had an inside joke about Capriati going on at the time, but only Brian and anyone else in on it would be able to tell you what the joke was. Of course after 30 years, even they may no longer remember the origin of the joke!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Fantastic cover, expertly inked by Brian Bolland. You don't honestly believe anyone else actually inked this, do you? Clearly Brian and his colleagues at the time had an inside joke about Capriati going on at the time, but only Brian and anyone else in on it would be able to tell you what the joke was. Of course after 30 years, even they may no longer remember the origin of the joke!
This was my first thought, and definitely agree - why would they give an unknown an inking credit, but what a weird joke to lean into! I even compared the handwriting, and it looks like they went so far as to have someone else write "Jennifer Capriati" because the 'N's are completely different.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
I've seen jokes like this on a few occasions, actually. Just some internal company fun. Bolland clearly wrote his own name and the title on the top border after he finished inking the cover, then after sending it in to DC, someone at the office wrote in Capriati's name on the inker line. She was a big star back then, so any popular celebrity's name from that period would make sense, but only whoever wrote it would be able to tell you what the joke was.
Jeffrey Wedding
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
I secretly hope it is Jennifer, and that she is still ghost inking random greatness such as this throughout the industry. We should examine all chicken-dinosaur works more closely.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Capriati inks are just as nice as Soon-Yi's on https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1755602
Peter Venkman
Member Since 2003
2 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Fr the record, my cover (#52) was inked by Goran Ivanisevic ! 🙂 Congrats !
M L
Member Since 2015
Posted on 9/16/2021
Peter Venkman wrote:
Fr the record, my cover (#52) was inked by Goran Ivanisevic ! 🙂 Congrats !
Ah, now we're getting somewhere. I hear some of these serve and volley players are very deft with their wrists. Makes sense they'd handle a brush well.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
M L wrote:
Ah, now we're getting somewhere. I hear some of these serve and volley players are very deft with their wrists. Makes sense they'd handle a brush well.
What are you trying to say about Soon-Yi?
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Marcus Wai wrote:
What are you trying to say about Soon-Yi?
Working with old artifacts requires a delicate touch.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Whew! As you say, I'm sure that uber detail is gorgeous in person! Definitely a sweel representative Bolland example, and FUN. Congrats, M!
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
This is stunning, absolutely love the detail. The inking is outstanding. Gotta find out who that is.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Great pickup from a great run...and now we have some new in-joke knowledge!
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Bolland Animal Man covers are prized for their incredible detail amd artistry, this is one of the best!
James S
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
As many have mentioned, the detail, contrast, and clarity are outstanding!
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Judging by the linework, Jennifer has a great forehand--er, hand.
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/16/2021
Sockamagee! (When it comes to Bolland AM covers, I probably will have to settle for the issue 19 prelim. Congrats.)
Rob R
Member Since 2019
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 9/17/2021
One day I can only hope to have a piece by Capriati.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/17/2021
Rob R wrote:
One day I can only hope to have a piece by Capriati.
I had to work the front court and the baseline to snag this puppy.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/17/2021
Pure Bolland magic! Love the whole ensemble of characters, especially the baby trike! I am also (now) intrigued byt the inker mystery! Congrats and thanks for sharing!
Vik V
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 9/17/2021
Bolland is a master! His pencils and inks are phenomenal! Congrats
John Espinoza
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 9/18/2021
Brian Bolland Animal Man covers are always so mesmorizing no matter the content. Nice pick up.
Jason D'Ambrosio
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 9/18/2021
Seeing this cover brough back a flood of memories... I had forgotten how much I loved this title when it was coming out ... I know I famously say no DC but I actually did read a fair amount of it in my youth and this is on the top of the list! Congratulations!
Steve C
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 9/18/2021
Brian's stuff is always so good and crisp! Excellent piece!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/18/2021
Never thought I'd be blown away by a Brian Bolland chicken. The rest of it ain't bad either.
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/20/2021
That rooster looks as confused as Animal Man. Chicken Mom has some major explaining to do...I love Bolland's awesomely bizarre sense of humor. Jennifer Cipriati. Lol! I'm 100% with you on that insane, crisp detail. There are a lot of very detailed artists, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any that make every little detail as perfect as BB does. Cipriati sized congrats!
Reba Jacobs
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/21/2021
Love that 'I might be done now' feeling. Those are the pieces to wait for and can see why this was one such. Such a great series and this is astonishing.
Wolvie Fan
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/30/2021
P.P.P.P.S.S. Friggin awesome! You can never go wrong with classic Bolland. Great grab, congrats!
Jeremiah Avery
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 10/2/2021
Congratulations on this amazing art! I can only imagine how great it looks in person!
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/22/2021
Great cover and a great pick up! This cover spent many years down here in Texas, and it is a fantastic Bolland example
Jason G
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/20/2023
I mean, who hasn't had that feeling? Not the “I might be done now.” feeling. Because almost no addicted collector is gonna be with you on that one! The feeling that Buddy and the chicken/rooster have. I feel like this cover is a metaphor for my entire life! Wow, I got deep there. Didn't know I was gonna have an existential crisis in the comments section of CAF. Oh, and Bolland and Capriati are an unbeatable team. They should play doubles!
Antoine Dennison
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 12/17/2024
It's an excellent piece; I had the chance to see it in person back in the mid-90s. An art dealer was selling dozens of Bolland originals, including several Animal Man covers, many of the hand-painted ones in addition to the black and white, and some Judge Dredd Art from the U.S. reprints.* That art changed my life. There's nothing like seeing a Bolland in person.
Regarding the inking credit, I remember that Jennifer Capriati was a famous tennis player whose career peaked in the 90s. I don't know why her name would be on the art, but I don't believe that anyone but Bolland touched the art (except for the paste-up question mark, perhaps. We all know that editorial thinks they know better than the artist).
* At that time, most of the Bolland originals were going for $500.00; none were more than $1,000.00.
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| Al Milgrom Captain Marvel #44 Drax the Destroyer S |
Auctions
 |
BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #79 COVER (SOLD FOR $320K) |
Auctions
 |
Dave Cockrum - X-Men #150 Cover |
Hakes Auctions
 |
DETECTIVE COMICS #522 COMIC BOOK COVER COVER ORIGINAL ART BY JIM APARO. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Japan Comic Art Expo
0 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Monty B9/5/2025 3:53:00 PM |
|
Saxa Luna Galianan9/5/2025 1:01:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Michele M9/5/2025 12:05:00 PM |
|
Keith Veronese9/5/2025 11:09:00 AM |
|
Aron Wiesenfeld9/5/2025 10:39:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Coollines Artwork9/5/2025 9:24:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art9/5/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/5/2025 6:43:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|