Artwork Details
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DescriptionI must confess that I was attracted to this page not so much by nostalgia but for its sheer aesthetic quality. It is quite difficult to put in words - and perhaps understandably, given the nature of the concept of aesthetic quality itself (which means different things to different people at different times). It appears simple but its content, when perceived visually, isn't. The overall - and apparent - simplicity belies craftsmanship at its finest (including the fact that the page is evocative and can move one in very subtle ways). Not surprising in the least, in my view, as John Bolton is a fine artist. This particular page features Jamie Dunreith, the Black Dragon, on horseback in three stunning panels.Perhaps what I've attempted to do is futile - perhaps, in the final analysis, it is for you to actually just view the page to appreciate its fine quality. An extra bonus - to me at least - was that this was purchased at a fairly reasonable price (indeed, I was prepared to bid higher in the auction concerned). Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Van Gogh's sunflowers, Bolton's Black Dragon. Asthetic over nostalgia.
Comicart Boston 
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Michael Kenyon wrote:
Van Gogh's sunflowers, Bolton's Black Dragon. Asthetic over nostalgia.
Many thanks, Michael. It might have been nostalgia as well, but, unfortunately, I never followed this mini-series back in the day. And I do like Van Gogh as well (a tragic genius: a very rough comparison is perhaps the late great Wally Wood).
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Michael Reyes wrote:
Majestic especially with the horse.
Many thanks, Michael. Yes, the horse is truly magnificent and majestic and is, quite appropriately, the central focus of the half splash. The overall detail that John Bolton put in is fantastic.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
He's evoking the fine illustration of Prince Valiant and even those from his side of the pond through the lens of history. There is clean elegance to it for a knight is noble, especially in times of peace.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Marcus Wai wrote:
He's evoking the fine illustration of Prince Valiant and even those from his side of the pond through the lens of history. There is clean elegance to it for a knight is noble, especially in times of peace.
Thanks, Marcus. What an insightful set of observations - succinct in form, yet wonderfull detailed in substance.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
John Bolton is one of the premiere illustrators to work in comics during the last 50 years. His Marada the She-Wolf and Black Dragon are absolutely stunning works of art. Congratulations on winning such a fine example from this series, CAB, especially at a good price!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
John Bolton is one of the premiere illustrators to work in comics during the last 50 years. His Marada the She-Wolf and Black Dragon are absolutely stunning works of art. Congratulations on winning such a fine example from this series, CAB, especially at a good price!
Many thanks, Rubén. His work on Kull was also wonderful. As I never followed the series, I set it aside from artwork I might like to bid on, but, as I kept coming back to it, I realized that I did really like it. Fortunately, the price didn't blow up in the final seconds (as I had feared).
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Thank you for reminding me of his Kull work, that is also absolutely magnificent! Congratulations once more.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Rick W wrote:
Fine art transcending the hobby!
Many thanks, Rick. There are certainly shades of that as well.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Was contemplating bidding on this myself. Just impecable work by Bolton. Huge congrats!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:
Was contemplating bidding on this myself. Just impecable work by Bolton. Huge congrats!!
Many thanks, Duke. And special thanks for not bidding; I am truly grateful.
Patrick R
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Nice win CAB,
I read Black Dragon back in the day and considered going after as well -- like you, was really drawn to the artistry rather than nostalgia. A beaufiful Bolton example. Congrats.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Patrick R wrote:
Nice win CAB,
I read Black Dragon back in the day and considered going after as well -- like you, was really drawn to the artistry rather than nostalgia. A beaufiful Bolton example. Congrats.
Many thanks, Patrick. Many thanks for not going after this piece! It looks more and more like the ultimate price of it could have gone much higher.
Nils E
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
I remember seeing Bolton in the pages of Warrior, what an amazing magazine, shame about the paper. Suddenly an artist on the Wightson Kaluta level burst forth.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Nils E wrote:
I remember seeing Bolton in the pages of Warrior, what an amazing magazine, shame about the paper. Suddenly an artist on the Wightson Kaluta level burst forth.
Many thanks, Nils, for the memories. It is a shame that the magazine was relatively short-lived, but it did serve as a springboard for many famous artists, including John Bolton.
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Great pickup CAB! I've always loved Bolton's work on the Black Dragon series, along with his Marada stories. What an artist! Congratulations!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
John Voytek wrote:
Great pickup CAB! I've always loved Bolton's work on the Black Dragon series, along with his Marada stories. What an artist! Congratulations!
Many thanks, John. Yes, the artwork is simply magnificent and very suited to the theme and time.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
I thought it was great too when I had it in my collection but needed money to buy more Jeff Hawkes by my hero, Sydney Jordan.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Peter Sullivan wrote:
I thought it was great too when I had it in my collection but needed money to buy more Jeff Hawkes by my hero, Sydney Jordan.
Dear Peter, I think that you are not being tongue-in-cheek? If so, it has found a good home. In any event, you have reminded me of a large gap in my collection - I just couldn't obtain a Sydney Jordan Jeff Hawke piece I really liked (was constantly outbid - could it have been you?). BTW, kudos to you for such a comprehensive collection of his artwork.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/27/2024
Comicart Boston wrote:
Dear Peter, I think that you are not being tongue-in-cheek? If so, it has found a good home. In any event, you have reminded me of a large gap in my collection - I just couldn't obtain a Sydney Jordan Jeff Hawke piece I really liked (was constantly outbid - could it have been you?). BTW, kudos to you for such a comprehensive collection of his artwork.
I am not joking. At one point I had 35 pages from The Black Dragon. I have to sell to buy these days so had to sell this to get money for more artwork, including Jeff Hawkes. Its a great page. I know you will look after it. The guy I sold it to only let it go as he managed to snag page 1 from the series and had to raise funds to pay for that. Sydney Jordan artwork is easy enough to get. I can put you in touch with him. Super friendly guy to deal with.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/27/2024
Peter Sullivan wrote:
I am not joking. At one point I had 35 pages from The Black Dragon. I have to sell to buy these days so had to sell this to get money for more artwork, including Jeff Hawkes. Its a great page. I know you will look after it. The guy I sold it to only let it go as he managed to snag page 1 from the series and had to raise funds to pay for that. Sydney Jordan artwork is easy enough to get. I can put you in touch with him. Super friendly guy to deal with.
Many thanks, Peter. Again, rest assured that the page has gone to a good home. Sydney Jordan must be very advanced in years now - it is nice to know that he is still with us. Many thanks once again.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
Wow! Beautiful!
Many thanks, Nick! A simple - yet completely accurate - description indeed!
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
I love John Bolton's artwork. What a beautiful piece! The horse looks amazing and love the look of the chainmail!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Ian Saint wrote:
I love John Bolton's artwork. What a beautiful piece! The horse looks amazing and love the look of the chainmail!
Many thanks, Ian. Yes, "chainmail"! It sounds so obvious now but the term eluded me at the time I was writing the description.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/22/2024
Jason Ladwig wrote:
Beautiful. Congrats!
Many thanks, Jason. As I just responded to Nick, this is a simple - yet totally accurate - description of the piece (which is itself simple, yet wonderful, at the same time).
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Bolton was fine as an X-Men artist, but this is the kind of story where his artistic skills really shined.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/22/2024
Timothy Finney wrote:
Bolton was fine as an X-Men artist, but this is the kind of story where his artistic skills really shined.
Many thanks, Timothy. You make an excellent point - another analogical example is his superb work on Kull.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 3/23/2024
Suitably evocative, moody and epic ambiance, a subtle breathing moment that neatly finds its place in the pace of the story... John Bolton does his best Foster, and... does it work!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/23/2024
Al Simpleton wrote:
Suitably evocative, moody and epic ambiance, a subtle breathing moment that neatly finds its place in the pace of the story... John Bolton does his best Foster, and... does it work!
Many thanks, Al. And thank you for such an excellent description.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/23/2024
Beautifully rendered per usual. IMO, from covers to pages, BLACK DRAGON is more representative of Bolton's best work. Congrats, CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/23/2024
Felix Lu wrote:
Beautifully rendered per usual. IMO, from covers to pages, BLACK DRAGON is more representative of Bolton's best work. Congrats, CAB!
Many thanks, Felix. As mentioned, perhaps Bolton was best suited to this particular genre of work.
Eric B
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/24/2024
Some truly wonderful details on display here! Wow. Congrats.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/24/2024
Eric B wrote:
Some truly wonderful details on display here! Wow. Congrats.
Many thanks, Eric. As an artist yourself, you will realize how intricate the details are on this page.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Toni S wrote:
That thirs panel is SUPERB! NUFF SAID
Thanks, Toni! NUFF SAID!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Lovely rendering and skillful execution! I can see the attraction!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/26/2024
M L wrote:
Lovely rendering and skillful execution! I can see the attraction!
Many thanks, Mikail. Yes it is truly aesthetically pleasing indeed.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/29/2024
I think the second paragraph of your description is perfect. And I imagine it’s probably why your write up didn’t run as long as some of mine tend to do. It’s easy enough to let art speak for itself. But it’s just as easy to ruin an experience by over analyzing it.
Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit that Black Dragon was not a book I fully appreciated when it first came out. So like you, there’s no nostalgia factor involved. Yes, I saw the series. I even bought it. But only because back in the 80’s, I was buying just about everything on the rack. And if I had to guess, Claremont’s name was probably the selling point.
As for this piece, it’s a marvelous page. I can’t stop staring at that last panel because, even without the original context, I can’t help but wonder what he was thinking in that exact moment? And even though I’m not an aficionado of strip art, when I look at these three panels as a whole, it makes me think of some of the great names and classic titles of the medium (Foster’s Prince Valiant in particular). Congratulations on this gem.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/30/2024
E DLS wrote:
I think the second paragraph of your description is perfect. And I imagine it’s probably why your write up didn’t run as long as some of mine tend to do. It’s easy enough to let art speak for itself. But it’s just as easy to ruin an experience by over analyzing it.
Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit that Black Dragon was not a book I fully appreciated when it first came out. So like you, there’s no nostalgia factor involved. Yes, I saw the series. I even bought it. But only because back in the 80’s, I was buying just about everything on the rack. And if I had to guess, Claremont’s name was probably the selling point.
As for this piece, it’s a marvelous page. I can’t stop staring at that last panel because, even without the original context, I can’t help but wonder what he was thinking in that exact moment? And even though I’m not an aficionado of strip art, when I look at these three panels as a whole, it makes me think of some of the great names and classic titles of the medium (Foster’s Prince Valiant in particular). Congratulations on this gem.
Many thanks, Eric, for such a thoughtful set of observations.
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