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Swamp-Thing 10 cover recreation (with a twist) by Mike Perkins
Artist: Mike Perkins (Penciller)
14 Comments - 389 Views - 14 Likes
Additional Images:
Published cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI was going to sit on this one for a while but I realized that I was too excited about it and that it would be a perfect post for Halloween.Now this very idea had been percolating in my head for years and I had several artists in mind to tackle it. And to be fully transparent, Mike was not one of them. Then Mike was a announced as a guest at the Facts 2023 Autumn convention and after months of warming up to his art due to constant discussions with other collectors and the deserved exposure due to his stellar work on Swamp Thing with Ram V, I was thinking about commissioning him. When it clicked in my mind was when I saw Mike contribution for the Hero Initiative charity auction held at the Baltimore con which featured both swamp creatures. I knew I had the right artist for my idea. Now to be perfectly clear, I was pretty (art) directive with this one as I knew what I wanted (and did not want). So the basic idea was for Mike to recreate the famous Wrightson Swamp-Thing 10 cover but replacing Anton Arcane with Man-Thing. I’ve always enjoyed both characters as well as the fact that they sprung at the same time from the Comics zeitgeist of that era to the point that nobody knows or can clarify which came first (not that it matters much btw). Discussing that very aspect with Ruben, then came the choice of removing Anton’s un-men which made no sense if their daddy was not on the piece. I decided to keep Swamp-Thing exact pose as his right arm looked right even without it being held as it would look like he was readying his punch. I then asked for Mike to keep the tombstones and make a reference to both Bernie Wrightson and Mike Ploog, one original creator and the other being the artist whom I associate the most with Man-Thing and who was my point of entry to the character as a child, as I adore both creator’s work, both masters of the macabre in their own right (one being more illustrative and the other cartoony). I was delighted that Mike chose for Ploog’s name to appear a bit less clearly as he shared my initial concern that it could be perceived bad taste to write his name on a tombstone for obvious reasons. Lastly, being an animal lover, I insisted on several swamp critters being included to liven up the piece, a snake a toad in this case. To say that Mike KILLED it would be quite the understatement. I will even be sol bold as to proclaim that this piece is even better than the charity piece he produced priorly. His lush brush work would make Bernie proud and the fact he didn’t deviate from the original at all (if you exclude the changes I requested) cements that sentiment. Then of course, I need to mention his gorgeous backgrounds in wash which create a fantastic sense of depth to the scene with its 3 planes (the characters, the tree behind them and the forest far behind). Many thanks to Mike, a true gentleman as I was able to assess myself upon meeting him a Facts and to RubenDaFacilitator for his (mouthy friendship and his) help. Happy Halloween 2023 to all. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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André . 
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
Excellent concept and execution. The ink wash background makes everything pop that much more. Congrats!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
An excellent rendition of an inter-company cross-over that was so obvious that it SHOULD have happened back in the 80's! That they never put these two characters together in their own book is a travesty. This piece could even serve as the cover to that one-shot special! Using the 10th and final cover of the original Swamp Thing series by Wrightson was a fun idea for this team-up and I really appreciate the nod to both Wrightson AND Ploog here. The little swamp critters are nice little additions as well.
Now, of COURSE you would think that YOUR commission is even better than the one Mike did for the auction. I, however, see them as separate and very distinct. This one is based on a classic cover and therefore looks like it was meant to be a cover, while the other one was designed and executed to be a nice scene depicting both characters, with losts of mood and atmosphere. It is quite beautiful, I might add! So, I can't choose between one or the other, rather I see them both as being uniquely separate and both are distinctly beautiful and easily stand on their own without any need for comparisons. Most importantly, I'm glad you're happy with it, as that's all that really matters!
George H
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
Such a great commission idea for Perkins and beautifully executed! Beautifully done.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
A most macabre mossy Mike melee, man! Textural OA goodness overload here! Big congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
This is awesome and Mike Perkins gets the characters through and though! And that's the FACTS!
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
The EVER-amazing Mike Perkins does it again! First off, F M, this is a -wonderful- idea for a commission, and I personally think you chose exactly the right artist for the job. :) It looks to me like he had a great time drawing it, too, such is the care he took to get the poses right and add that drop dead GORGEOUS background - wow! How fortunate that Mike was coming to FACTS and you could meet, chat, and pick up art from the man! Really great work! CONGRATS, Fred!
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/31/2023
One of my favorite Swampy covers, or out of any cover, and I so dig your/Mike's take on it. It could be a published cover, imo. Gorgeous inks and washes, as he does. And you know I love these Swamp Dudes with my similar Allison commission. Great choice and stunning work. Swamptastic!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 11/1/2023
Fabulous character/artist choice! Love Perkins's organic forms and wash tecnique.
Killian Cramers
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 11/1/2023
Words lack the capability to describe this one! It's said a lot, but the scan barely does it justice, too! What an example of Perkins' amazing craft. Happy I could see this one in real life! Congratulations once again!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 11/1/2023
The details are intense. Great recreation with a lot more to see.
gene o
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 11/15/2023
Great piece. Great characters. His inks, and general use of blacks are superb
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