Sean Clarke :: Mike Ploog

Marvel Spotlight #4 (unused cover)

Artist: Mike Ploog (All)

14 Comments - 1,876 Views - 3 Likes

Marvel Spotlight #4 (unused cover) Comic Art

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Additional Images:

published version

a closer look

message from Marie Severin to Mike Ploog

Swedish "Varulven" (Werewolf) #3

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Man-Thing #11, page 8

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Marvel Spotlight #4, page 15

Artwork Details

Title:	Marvel Spotlight #4 (unused cover)
Artist:	Mike Ploog (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,876
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Comments:	14
Added to Site:	1/14/2017
Comic Art Archive:

Description

As an LD50 (median lethal dose) has never been established for artwork by Mike Ploog, 2016 was another year for me to ride the snake, recklessly administering another uncut, pharmaceutical-grade dose of pure undiluted Ploogamine via the Ploogolimbic pathways directly to the Ploog receptors in my brain stem. While it's taking more Ploog just to feel "normal" these days, I feel like I can quit any time. *shudder*

"This is the unpublished, first version of the cover art to Marvel Spotlight #4. After I finished it, the editor thought that it would be better if I drew the monster busting free of his chains. Most of the time I drew the interior stories and then based my cover art from an interior scene. It didn't always work out that way, but that was my preferred method of working." ~ Mike Ploog (from "The Art of Ploog")

When Marvel's production department asked what to do with this first version upon receiving his redo cover (which was used for the comic), Mike Ploog told them to just throw it out! Thankfully, Marvel returned the art to Ploog, with a handwritten note in the bottom margin from Marie Severin saying "Mike- this is too nice to throw away- see sketch attached- Marie" (see additional images). Marie included a cartoon of a crowd of Marvel staffers, each saying "I'll take it!" Sadly, Marie's cartoon didn't survive the decades, and her message to Ploog on the bottom of the art was a casualty of the conservation/restoration process, and rinsed away along with the glue stains.

In 1972, Mike Ploog sold this original version of the Marvel Spotlight #4 cover to a collector (now in his eighties) who kept the art for 44 years and decided to sell it in 2016. It is my honor and privilege to be the second caretaker of this art- Ploog's second cover submitted to Marvel, and third Werewolf By Night story- and to share it with fellow fans of the great man's work. Profound thanks and respect to Michael, to Mike Ploog for his decades of inspiration and entertainment, and to the former owner for preserving this artifact of comics history for all these years.

And, if you can wait until I am in my eighties, you could be the third pro tempore guardian of this artwork!

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About the Owner

	Sean Clarke Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Sean's Classifieds Sean's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Scott Williams
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/15/2017

Where the hell did this come from???? Never seen this image before! Vintage Ploog Werewolf? Holy moly, you made my week. Congrats!

Steve Kro
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/15/2017

Wow! I feel the Ploogamine rush as well. Great backstory to piece.

Mark Howland
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/15/2017

Well, SOMEone went shopping!

Bronze Horror Fan
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/15/2017

You just made my Sunday morning skim. Too cool!!

John B
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/15/2017

That's really somethin'

Lenny Da Collector
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/15/2017

Drake This is simply lovely. I think I actually prefer this version to the published one. Congrats on scoring a fresh unseen piece like this with a great history behind it!

Steve Day Vich
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/15/2017

I have a feeling that you deserve this. Congrats.

Roger K.
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

Posted on 1/16/2017

Seriously? What the heck? Damn! Heck! Heck damn! Words fail me.

Robbie Cook
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/18/2017

Wow Drake - waaaaaaaaay better than the published piece! I don't know how you do it but you must have connections cause this little number is gorgeous. One of Ploog's top five covers EVER!

Red Raven
Member Since 2012

Posted on 7/9/2017

amazing cover !!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/1/2018

Amazing Ploog cover! And your story ain't bad either! Thanks!

Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/18/2020

Sean, a superb Ploog WBN masterpiece. It's so sad Marie's notes were washed away. Who did the conservation. Usually they can cover some parts before soaking it to deacidify it. Regardless, a great cover!

The Gweese 2
Member Since 2019

Posted on 9/24/2020

WOW super cool Werewolf by night cover! Never knew this existed, glad i stumbled across it! 😀

Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 11/20/2021

Damn, give me a shot of that pure Ploog goodness any day. Yeah, this one will keep me from painful Ploog jonesing for at least a week.

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