DaCollector, Ruben :: GRUMMETT, TOM - X-Men Forever II

X-Men Forever II #4 Cover - Mystique & Marvel Girl!

Artist: Tom Grummett (Penciller)

11 Comments - 2,196 Views - 5 Likes

X-Men Forever II #4 Cover - Mystique & Marvel Girl! Comic Art

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Additional Images:

X-Men Forever II #4 Cover - Color

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X-Men Forever II #3 p.22 - Mystique!

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X-Men Forever II #6 Cover - Mr. Sinister!

Artwork Details

Title:	X-Men Forever II #4 Cover - Mystique & Marvel Girl!
Artist:	Tom Grummett (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pencil
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	2,196
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Comments:	11
Added to Site:	10/20/2020
Comic Art Archive:

Description

While this somewhat Salvador Dali inspired cover design had so much potential, Marvel editors found a way to screw it up and ruin it. Despite the cover having been pencilled and forwarded to Marvel on time, they somehow, inexplicably managed to blow the inking deadline, thereby leaving them no time but to go straight to the coloring stage! Looking at the published comic of which I've provided a scan of in the additional images section, they appear to have then hired some random teen from deviantART to digitally darken the line art and apply what is possibly the worst color job on a cover ever published.

Anyway, the lovely pencils feature a looming Mystique head shot back drop with Jean Grey and "Roguecrawler" being blown away through the surreal landscape. While it appears at first glance that Colossus is also on the cover, that is actually Nick Fury in a hideous costume that, when no color is applied, makes him look like, well, Colossus!

Still happy to own this cover, but it ultimately serves more as an example for the Marvel "Editors: What Not to Do!" handbook and and example of "what might've been".

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About the Owner

	Ruben DaCollector Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	April 2008
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.ComicBookArtGallery.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 10/20/2020

Heh. I 100% agree with your point. They took amazing pencils, and a super dynamic cover, and turned it to blech. I like how they used the word "hatch" to cover up the door. Nice touch. This image could use a re-publish. At least you see what could have been, since what you have is really nice. Congrats!

Vik V
Member Since 2016

1 - Posted on 10/20/2020

Hahahaaaaaa... Best and winning comment with your description!!! Congrats to the colourist.

The original pencils cover rocks!!! Fantastic idea with some details of the biggest moments in art history. Congrats, Ruben

Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 10/20/2020

Oh man, your descriptions really crack me up sometimes.😂 I agree... A brilliant and very groovy pencilled cover with disappointing post-penciling production. It is a shame that they covered up that cool floating door. But yeah, a great addition to your collection.

Steve Lipsky
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 10/20/2020

Clear cut case of the pencil cover being so much better than the published mess! And, yes, I also thought ti was Colossus in the background instead of Nick Fury with that horrible costume on. Still I do like the Salvador Dali melting clocks in the foreground. And, Tom's pencils are, as always, great! Great cover with great potential but, poor execution in the publishing phase. Congrats!

James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 10/20/2020

Om nom nom nom!

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 10/21/2020

Nice cover but I had never seen the published one and this is indeed a disaster. Do you know if Tom or Claremont (who can be quite vocal when needed) complained about it? Because this would certainly not help sales.

John C
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 10/21/2020

Mystique's mind is quite the mess. To bad the shark from the interior didn't make the cover.

Mike Pascale
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 10/22/2020

That quality of skill in that pencil art is in direct opposition to the editorial competence shown in the story, Ruben! Wonderful pickup by a nice guy and a helluva storyteller. Congrats!

David Askani�Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator

1 - Posted on 10/24/2020

I’m a true fan of Penciled Covers, love the rawness of it. This one is impressive!

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 11/20/2020

I thought "Dali" too when I saw those clocks :) Overall, I really like the composition and though Mystique is in the background her impact is clear as you move to the fore! And you're not kidding - bang up job there on published image. Luckily enough it doesn't take anything away from the OA itself. Congrats!

Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 7/16/2021

The artwork is lovely. Marvels printed version is...bleeding awful. How to ruin a cover, Marvel Style.

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