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Concrete #2 Back Cover
Concrete #2
Artwork Details
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Description12 x 16 back cover to the second issue of Concrete by Paul Chadwick, published in 1987 by Dark Horse Comics.This image served as a preview for the next issue of the series and the story “Mountain with a Steel Heart,” which revealed the origin of Concrete. In short, Ronald Lithgow and his friend Michael are captured while on a camping trip by an alien race who later transplant their human brains into Concrete vessels. Only Ronald escapes, albeit trapped in a concrete body, and this image depicts the pivotal moment when he has finally attained his freedom. It’s hard to call Concrete a cult favorite when Chadwick's series was one of the most talked-about books of the late 80s and 90s and enjoyed a level of widespread critical acclaim reserved for books like The Dark Knight Returns, Love and Rockets, and Watchmen. Concrete (and Chadwick) received multiple industry awards, including Eisner Awards for… - Best New Series in 1988 - Best Continuing Series in 1988 and 1989 - Best Black-and-White Series in 1988 and 1989 - Best Writer/Artist Award for Paul Chadwick in 1989 I read Concrete in its heyday as I was seeking books outside the Big Two. Although Concrete becomes “Concrete” as a result of being captured by aliens, the stories Chadwick wrote and drew were set in the real world and focused on Ronald (formerly a speechwriter for a U.S. senator) navigating through his life in a concrete shell and the opportunities and hardships that entailed. The stories were always humane and involving and leaned into environmental issues and politics (yet never in a way that felt forced or ham-fisted). This piece from early in the series run highlights many of Chadwick’s strengths as an artist, including his precise rendering and his overall versatility as an artist. He had a knack for drawing the natural environment as this image shows, not to mention the Kirby-esque technological flourishes that anchor the portraits of Ronald and his friend Michael. Oh, and Chadwick even incorporates some sweet Art Deco corners into this image. Above all, Chadwick excels at figure drawing. Although Chadwick is, essentially, drawing a rock monster throughout the series, he never forgets that there’s a person inside the concrete shell. So whether it’s drawing Ronald/Concrete or supporting characters like Maureen and Larry, Chadwick renders them all with grace, delicacy, and naturalism. I understand that Chadwick is working on new Concrete stories. The relative infrequency of his output has almost certainly kept the character off the radar for new readers; but seek out those original stories that are readily available through Dark Horse if you’re not familiar with the character and you’ll understand why this book was a high-water mark for comics when it was originally published. Social/Sharing |
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artless artmore 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/2/2023
Spectacular example from this classic series! And great write-up in your description. I do hope more Concrete stories are in our future
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
This was one of the best independent comic books from the 1980's and certainly a favourite of mine at the time. I used to own the front cover at one time, and if I still had it, I would've bid on this. But alas, it has been won and placed into a much better and more fitting collection. Congratulations, Mark!
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
This was one of the best independent comic books from the 1980's and certainly a favourite of mine at the time. I used to own the front cover at one time, and if I still had it, I would've bid on this. But alas, it has been won and placed into a much better and more fitting collection. Congratulations, Mark!
If you still had that cover I would've thrown money at you for it!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
This was one of the best independent comic books from the 1980's and certainly a favourite of mine at the time. I used to own the front cover at one time, and if I still had it, I would've bid on this. But alas, it has been won and placed into a much better and more fitting collection. Congratulations, Mark!
But Ruben... that front cover has the most obnoxious man in the world.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Marcus Wai wrote:
But Ruben... that front cover has the most obnoxious man in the world.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Something in Paul's art line catches my eye
The Ronald in back cover goes walking by
Looking for a little bit Dark Horse to grow, so
Give me love, give me heart and stone
You never get Michael to the other side now
I'm tied to the hope that you will somehow
Hard as Concrete who's something more
But I lost your love, heart in stone
The tear in my art as you rock in line
I feel so low, heavy head is high
Every time he moves convinces me more
Please, give me love, give me heart in stone
Looking to the day when I saw your face
I wasn't in the running, I wasn't in the race
Ron moves in a way that I've known before
Now I want your love, heart in stone
Being you ain't easy now
Issue two's the harder part
This cover want, me for myself
I've needed you right for this very art
Oh won't you even try to
Give a little bit of art deco
Give a little bit of indie glow
Give a little bit of heart and stone
Don't you make me beg Dark Horse
Give a sign, I need to know
A little bit of heart in stone
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Marcus Wai wrote:
Something in Paul's art line catches my eye
The Ronald in back cover goes walking by
Looking for a little bit Dark Horse to grow, so
Give me love, give me heart and stone
You never get Michael to the other side now
I'm tied to the hope that you will somehow
Hard as Concrete who's something more
But I lost your love, heart in stone
The tear in my art as you rock in line
I feel so low, heavy head is high
Every time he moves convinces me more
Please, give me love, give me heart in stone
Looking to the day when I saw your face
I wasn't in the running, I wasn't in the race
Ron moves in a way that I've known before
Now I want your love, heart in stone
Being you ain't easy now
Issue two's the harder part
This cover want, me for myself
I've needed you right for this very art
Oh won't you even try to
Give a little bit of art deco
Give a little bit of indie glow
Give a little bit of heart and stone
Don't you make me beg Dark Horse
Give a sign, I need to know
A little bit of heart in stone
😢 That T'Pau song was always an earworm and maybe even more so with your leveled-up lyrics.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Mark V wrote:
😢 That T'Pau song was always an earworm and maybe even more so with your leveled-up lyrics.
The song is from 1987. One of the writers' first name is Ronald. I would have liked to think the song was playing in the background while someone was reading the book.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
A GREAT comic. A favorite since DHP #1. Which came out in...1986. What a year! What an addition to your collection! Congrats!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Concrete was always (visually) good and to be frank, it was so refreshing to see a character made of stone that was different than the usual clichés (i.e. with a smoother skin surface).
Doug L
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/3/2023
Terrific piece from a groundbreaking series. Also one of the first ongoing series to feature "tasteful" female nudity as a theme, with an emphasis on the differences between observing and desiring.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/5/2023
Congrats on acquiring this great vintage example!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/18/2024
Wow! This sure brings back memories. Stunning back cover to one of the most unique series of the 1980s. Concrete was unique not only in its concept, but in its humanity. This art to the back cover of issue #2 is gorgeous and demonstrates Paul Chadwick's ability to portray the beauty and fragility of nature. Fabulous pick-up, congrats!
Anthony Fox
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/5/2025
Agreed on the commentary. Chadwick is a very versatile and often overlooked artist. A gem of a beautiful Concrete piece
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