F.M. :: MAYS RICK

Grifter VS Destine trading card art by Rick Mays & Karl Story

Artists: Rick Mays (Penciller) , Karl Story (Inker)

8 Comments - 543 Views - 11 Likes

Grifter VS Destine trading card art by Rick Mays & Karl Story Comic Art

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Additional Images:

The trading card

Next Item:
Thundercats 5 variant cover by Rick Mays

Artwork Details

Title:	Grifter VS Destine trading card art by Rick Mays & Karl Story
Artist:	Rick Mays (Penciller)
Artist:	Karl Story (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Trading Card Art
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	543
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	8
Added to Site:	1/16/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This is a very nice piece from one of the various Wildstorm trading cards set released during the TC craze in the 90s (here the Widevision set from 93).

I have always loved Rick Mays' art. His manga influence offered a different artistic style on the US type of storytelling and art when blending genres and artistic schools was not as common as it is nowadays. After a quiet GN release from Image years ago, he seemingly disappeared from the comic industry (if you have current info, please share them).

I always found that his characters, especially his women, which he had the tendency to give an Asian flavor to, were realistic and quite sexy. Kind of a what if you merged Kevin Maguire with Manga influences.

Point in case, Destine is not much covered in clothes here and she does feel nearly naked (looks at the muscles lines in her back and other tiny lines on her flesh which accentuate that impression).

Just remember boys, cosplay is not consent 😉

On the main card art, all the curving speed lines make for a super dynamic action shot and composition (and tactically avoid any need for backgrounds?). You feel the urgency of the scene. By his body position, you also get that Grifter is on the defensive side here with his enemy getting the jump on him.

Regarding the two inserts (found at the back of the card), Destine is nicely youthful, badassy and slightly haughty.

My actual favorite part of the whole piece is the Grifter insert. I find that the lateral speed lines to his guns make for an incredibly cool shot AND a nice and much welcomed change to the Jim Lee/John Woo hero jumping horizontally with the two guns shooting right at the reader/viewer poses that were so prevalent in those years. It also gives a great impression of speed, something Gritfer, the quick gun drawer, is known for.

Finally, I find that the usual expert inks really do justice to Rick's thick lines.

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About the Owner

	F M Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	BELGIUM
On CAF:	F's Classifieds Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 1/16/2022

There's a seller on eBay who says they are selling art on behalf of Mays. This original piece is very detailed and more than the chromium card could retain. The moving guns of Grifter are definitely a manga thing.

Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 1/16/2022

A Brilliant Work frought with action originating from Unique design and layout with delicate line work. Mays' pencils are masterfully embellished by Story🤙🏻

Charlie Newlin
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 1/16/2022

Great action in the battle image. Congrats!

Simon . K
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 1/16/2022

You don't see enough awesome Grifter art posted! What a cool piece!

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 1/16/2022

As usual, the original art is a hundred times better looking that the published version. You know I care nothing for these characters, but I really like Story's slick ink line.

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 1/18/2022

I remember loving Mays' work whenever I came across it in the 1990s. Really cool piece here!

Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 1/20/2022

Very cool piece, F M. When I first saw this, it was the speed lines that really grabbed me, and struck me as what might have been an early example of Manga-influenced art at the time of publishing. A really slick presentation, for sure, that really fits the piece & nicely elevates the piece above a simple "character vs. character" presentation. I really love the main card Grifter figure here, with the super inking choices; a great line weight against all the speed lines really allows it to pop. Great pick up, F M - congrats!

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 1/20/2022

I'm a fan of that type of motion line and power line background, too. Sal used it a lot to great effect, imo. And the line work here is very nice. That last panel pops so well with all that great fine detail, and crisp inks that are perfectly matched stylistically. I wasn't aware of Mays, but I really dig his style. Thanks for sharing. Congrats!

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