RBerman's Loincloths-R-Us :: Conan and Barbarians

Arak #45 cover preliminary (1985)

Artist: Tony DeZuñiga (Penciller)

5 Comments - 154 Views - 11 Likes

Arak #45 cover preliminary (1985) Comic Art

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Published cover

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Artwork Details

Title:	Arak #45 cover preliminary (1985)
Artist:	Tony DeZuñiga (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pencil
Art Type:	Prelim
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	154
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	5
Added to Site:	5/10/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Arak was Roy Thomas' entry on the trailing edge of barbarian books in the Bronze Age; it lasted until issue #50. The cover is a montage summarizing the issue's entire plot. A butterfly-winged fairy falls from the sky into Arak's galley (main figure pair). After recovering, she flies away with Arak's young buddy Alsind (upper right). Arak and friends give chase (lower left). She goes into a cocoon and emerges as a giant caterpillar-beast (lower right), then enters another cocoon, emerging as a being of fire who disperses, much to Alsind's disappointment. In between, there's some business about a cruel kingdom whose nobles harvest the fairy wings for garments.

The central figures exemplify one of the most popular comic book cover themes, with some character cradling a fallen comrade. This compositional idea goes back at least as far as Michaelangelo's Pieta marble (1499) of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus after his crucifixion. Memorable comic book versions include Cyclops and Phoenix (X-Men #136), Superman and Supergirl (Crisis on Infinite Earths #7), Batman and Robin (numerous examples beginning as early as Batman #5), and more.

DeZuñiga lightly sketched the background, but the main figures are pretty much publication-worthy. The preliminary did not prepare me for the published cover in which the fairy has green skin, emphasizing her fantasy nature to those who miss the wings hanging from her back. I've been wanting a DeZuñiga piece for a while, and this was one of two Arak opportunities which came my way in close proximity. This one is 9.75"x16.25" on a slightly larger onionskin vellum taped to a white backing board (a little larger than 11"x17") to preserve it.

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	R Berman ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2018
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 5/10/2025

Awesome to see this!

Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 5/10/2025

An accomplished prelim! Beauty!

Kavi H
Member Since 2018

1 - Posted on 5/10/2025

very tight figures for the prelim, pretty cool to see!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 5/11/2025

Rare Marvel/DC crossover with She-Hulk! Any kind of fantasy world building seems to work with that DeZuniga illustrative touch. This prelim is as tight as RGK would doodle out in pen.

Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 5/11/2025

Cool prelim! Fantastic Write-Up!

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