Odds and Ends :: Byrne, John

John Byrne - Alpha Flight #26 p30

Artists: John Byrne (Penciller) , Bob Wiaceck (Inker)

13 Comments - 693 Views - 11 Likes

John Byrne - Alpha Flight #26 p30 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	John Byrne - Alpha Flight #26 p30
Artist:	John Byrne (Penciller)
Artist:	Bob Wiaceck (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	693
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	13
Added to Site:	7/20/2020
Comic Art Archive:

Description

As a team book, Alpha Flight never really worked. The team was split after a couple of issues, only to be reunited for Guardian’s death, before being split again until his so-called “resurrection” (more on that later). Graphically, the serie was not without flaws either : the art was plagued with panels drawn with no background (although I guess few artists were ever able to draw two team books month after month as Byrne did).
Despite all this, despite Alpha Flight often leaving a sense of unfinished business, it remained over the 28 issues Byrne lasted on the title a fresh, fascinating dive into a brand new collection of heroes. The characters were complex in nature, more mature than most of their US counterparts at the time.

While Byrne often claimed that Guardian was the least interesting character of the team, his death was certainly meaningful. It only took a couple of pages for the Alpha Flight leader to meet his end in an abrupt, unexpected turn of events - leaving his wife and readers alike in a state of shock. With such an unexpected death, Guardian’s apparent return one year later was met by most fans with a definite sense of relief (even if the resurrection story with the Quwrlln aliens felt silly in retrospect :). 
And then, only one tiny episode later came the nail in the coffin. That gut-wrenching moment, the realization that James return was damn too good to be true - and that this robot b.tch named Delphine Courtney was behind this all the time.
 This final splash page was the shocker of #26 - and it may well be the shocker of Byrne’s entire run on the serie. While a couple of other splash pages may be considered superior graphically (page 4 of #10 being a serious contender), the piece remains a testament of Byrne lasting impact on the title.

And today, I feel just grateful to stare at this distinctive art piece of the Canadian super-team drawn by my favorite artist.

Thanks to Frederic for his kind assistance with that matter (I owe you one! :).

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About the Owner

	Peter Venkman ( 3 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	December 2003
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	FRANCE
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Peter's Classifieds Peter's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Rafa Amat
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

Great pickup!! Congrats!

Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

A Most Fantastic and Memorable Splash!!! Congrats on bringing home this AF GRAIL!!!!

bob fish
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

Awesome Splash ! Huge congrats

Eelco V
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

Many congrats! Awesome

comicinkking. com
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

I'm happy for you, sad for me! Congrats on a wonderful and very memorable splash!! Alpha Flight was one of Byrne's "peak" books in the 80's!

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

A memorable splash for sure.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 7/20/2020

Killer renditiona of the big reveal moment! So much Byrne goodness here. Great pure illustration, inks, high drama factor, teaser for what's next...yep...this one's got it all, as they say! Sincere congrats!

Joe Murray
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 7/21/2020

Loved that reveal splash, just a great one, congrats!!

Steve Gumm
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 7/21/2020

Wonderful example and very dramatic page by the talented Mr. Byrne!

John C
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 7/21/2020

Ah who doesn't love picking on the Canadians... hey. Wait a minute. Cut that out. I'll get angry and haul off and give you a dirty look. Perhaps start throwing back bacon and maple syrup around.

A B
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 7/21/2020

Congratulations, this is so so nice!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 7/26/2020

Stunner of a page! What a great splash! Congrats!

Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 5/17/2021

You could have saved yourself a lot of money and bought one of the Snowbird issue pages with no art on it...Just a suggestion. LOl. Its a great page.

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