Revenge of the 90s! :: Personal Collection

Dawn by Joseph Michael Linsner from 1991

Artist: Joseph Michael Linsner (All)

429 Views - 4 Comments - 5 Likes

Dawn by Joseph Michael Linsner from 1991 Comic Art

Click Image to View Full Size

Previous Item:
The Dirty Pair: Start the Violence Cover by Adam Warren from 1999

Next Item:
Iron Maiden 'Killers' Commission - Cassie Hack

Artwork Details

Title:	Dawn by Joseph Michael Linsner from 1991
Artist:	Joseph Michael Linsner (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	429
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Favorited on CAF:	2
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	6/4/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Dawn is one of the cornerstone characters of the "Bad Girl" era - and in her earlier iterations, she was mysterious, tall and lithe. The way Dawn is portrayed on the cover of the legendary Cry For Dawn #1 is pretty much how I remember the first impression I had of her.

Back in 1991 when I was still in high school, I was airbrushing a giant nude Marilyn Monroe on a red sheet (from the Red Velvet session) for my AP portfolio - and someone anonymously complained about the nudity. I was required by my teacher to fold in the nude part of the artwork while I worked on it, making it incredibly hard to paint - and it didn�t turn out. Pissed off, I decided to do a pencil drawing showing myself in front of a large nude Marilyn with a censored block in front of my eyes.

Fast forward to 1992 when CFD #9 came out, and there�s the same Marilyn pose on the cover with the censored block on her eyes - and I was immediately hooked. I can�t remember if I felt a kinship with this artist, or that I just like Marilyn, or that it was just a really awesome cover - but regardless, I began hunting down Cry For Dawn stuff. Over the years, I drew many a picture of girls with three bloody tears running down their face. Dawn was the Bad Girl version of Iron Maiden�s Eddie for me: I was inspired by her beauty and the amazing talent of Joseph Michael Linsner - much like I was with Derek Riggs and his art in my early teens.

So, here we are at the end of my tale, and showing off a really neat Dawn commission from 1991 that is a wonderful example of the character from that time period - and I absolutely love it. Colored pencil, ink and marker - all coming together in the typical JML masterpiece. This art is one of those pieces that feels like it's a gateway into the past: it makes me think of that mysterious character I was entranced with so many years ago when I wanted to be a comic artist, and it's one of my most cherished pieces. I'm fortunate to have found it.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Dr. Balls ( 3 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2012
Last Login:	January 2026
Ebay Id:	Revengeofthe90s
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Dr.'s Classifieds Dr.'s Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 6/4/2024

Nice early example! I love the lettering Linsner did on this page.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 6/5/2024

Damn, you could have been Doctor Dawn. I guess they were scared since they were indie that someone could have taken their copyright back then if they didn't defend it and had no money for lawyers to police this new internet thing.

You should have drawn the Marylin without a shirt and pointed out that anyone could see nipples if you had a mirror. As for the art, very late 80's logo, she's leaner than what we got used to in the rest of the deacde. Very sexy with the fine and smooth airbrush finish!

Will K
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 6/5/2024

Really nice Dawn drawing !! Great background story !! Also now that you've mentioned it, this piece does have the classic Dawn dimensions. My collection used to include 3 of JML's and Joe Monk's business cards with Dawn on a crucifix, later sold on ebay. They used to be popular fixtures of the 90's NYC comics scene just selling early CFD issues.

Will K
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 6/5/2024

Also, someone complained about nudity in an AP art class ?? That is off the wall. Once again, one of the best vintage Dawn pieces I can recall.

All
	Brad Potts 1/24/2026 3:08:00 AM
	Dennis Books 1/24/2026 3:03:00 AM
	--J S-- 1/24/2026 2:40:00 AM
	Todd Warren 1/24/2026 2:34:00 AM
	Pop Warner 1/24/2026 2:18:00 AM
View All


	David Dias 1/24/2026 1:45:00 AM
	Miki Annamanthadoo 1/24/2026 1:42:00 AM
	Paul Biermann 1/24/2026 1:32:00 AM
	Bruce W 1/24/2026 12:30:00 AM
	Steven Ng 1/23/2026 11:56:00 PM