Neverland unpublished DPS, pgs. 44 & 45 by Craig Hamilton
Artist: Craig Hamilton (Penciller)
17 Comments - 702 Views - 2 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionWhen I traded for these six pieces almost 15 years ago, I was absolutely thrilled. Even back then, Craig Hamilton’s abandoned Peter Pan project had already achieved mythical status. Maybe not on par with George Perez’s scrubbed Avengers and JLA crossover, but certainly no less lamented. I don’t know if my decision would be different today, but back then, given the choice between George’s penciled pages and Craig’s, I preferred the latter. So, when the trade opportunity presented itself, it was easy enough to justify. First of all, the artwork is (to put it simply) sublime. Secondly, I’m a huge Hamilton fan. And last, but not least, I didn’t have to worry about raising a large amount of cash. To this day, if you put a gun to my head, I couldn’t tell you what I traded for them. Apparently, nothing I missed too much. LOL!Over the years, I’ve enjoyed pulling these out to admire Craig’s labor of love. But the more and more I looked at the artwork, the more saddened I became at its unfulfilled promise. There is no doubt in my mind that Craig poured every single molecule of himself into this endeavor. And if completed, it would have been a career defining work (think Bernie Wrightson and Frankenstein). In that sense, it’s really hard not to feel like he was cheated out of his rightful moment in the spotlight. But who knows why things play out the way they do? I’m just glad this artwork exists as a permanent legacy and testament to his incredible creative abilities. As to the art itself, the pages exist in two groups. One portion having been already inked by the very talented Rick Bryant, and the remaining portion of pencil pages that had yet to be inked. Currently, I believe that Craig has only some of the inked pages in his possession. Of the pencil only pages, three pieces were stolen before they could be inked, and the rest are in private collections. I was extremely lucky that the person who owned the largest portion of pencil pages was open to a trade. At the time, there was certainly no way I could afford to secure all of them with a cash purchase. Of the six pieces I received in trade, five were interior pencil pages and one was the artist’s self-rejected color cover (he still has the completed version). Over the years, I have let two of the pages go, but only as gifts to two friends. The reason I decided to repost this, is because I only recently was able to make nice full-size scans of the art. When I first got the pieces years ago, I did not own a scanner. I asked the previous owner if he had full size scans, but the only images he had were screen shots from Craig’s gallery. So, when I initially posted these, I used those same images. Unfortunately, there were rather small. And since the art is over sized, it seemed even more of an injustice to only provide such a small view of the work. Anyway, I think these are pretty good scans and I am really thrilled to finally be able to display these pieces in a manner befitting their quality. Make sure you check out the other DPS (probably my favorite among all of Craig's Pan pages). Now, here is the description of this piece in Craig’s own words. ”Nibs comes running back to the grove of trees where the lost boys are emerging from their trees, falling and losing a tooth in the process. He warns that is a pack of wolves hot on his tiger tail and after a moment of panic, Tootles remembers what Peter would do if wolves chased him. Turn around and look at them between your knees, of course! In their animal skins, the Lost Boys do this and appear to the wolves to be strange other-worldly creatures. The wolves are frightened off and Nibs tells the others of the beautiful white bird he saw flying overhead. Tinkerbell arrives on the scene.” My thanks to Brett for one of the best trade deals I’ve ever been involved in. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
Posted on 3/8/2021
Honestly never knew Hamilton had attempted to tackle Pan! I only knew of his mastery through Fables. This never saw the light of day? Ouch. That wouldve been inhuman! Congrats on acquiring a piece of such a "should've been" adaption!
E DLS 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/8/2021
Nash of the Titans wrote:
Honestly never knew Hamilton had attempted to tackle Pan! I only knew of his mastery through Fables. This never saw the light of day? Ouch. That wouldve been inhuman! Congrats on acquiring a piece of such a "should've been" adaption!
Back then, I probably didn't appreciate the backstory of these pages as much. Today, it's impossible for me to look at them without imagining the countless hours he spent producing them, and all the passion and excitement he had for the project, only to have his dream slip away. Just heartbreaking. Thanks for the comment and do stay safe.
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
Posted on 3/8/2021
Gorgeous highly detailed artwork, another wonderful piece, congrats!
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
Posted on 3/8/2021
That is so ridiculously detailed! I hope you plan to get this one framed. Love it!!
Rick W
Member Since 2017
Posted on 3/8/2021
Hamilton was at the Peak of his Prowess with Pencil on Pan!!!!
Brett B
Member Since 2004
Posted on 3/8/2021
I can't remember what we traded either! Too long ago! All of the Pan pieces are gorgeous but those two DPS were amazing. So much hidden detail in them and just stunning to sit and look at. I do miss them but am glad you are still happy with them!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/8/2021
Brett B wrote:
I can't remember what we traded either! Too long ago! All of the Pan pieces are gorgeous but those two DPS were amazing. So much hidden detail in them and just stunning to sit and look at. I do miss them but am glad you are still happy with them!
I'm assuming you didn't keep the piece (or pieces) either, since I don't see anything I used to own in your gallery. Was hoping that you being younger than me, would have a better memory and help me out. I'm sure whatever it was is still featured in my SOLD and TRADED section, but I just can't recall which piece it was. Sigh! Sucks getting old.
Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
Posted on 3/9/2021
Such a lovely DPS! I have several pages Hamilton Pan pages and a pin-up in my CAF as well if you have not seen them.
F M
Member Since 2005
Posted on 3/9/2021
Just sublime and I agree about the career defining project it could have been. In my book, even in his current unfinished state, it was a career defining moment for Craig. And even if I'd like to know more about the reason behind it never being finished (though I have some intuition), I would LOVE to see it published as such (anyone out there?) à la Frankenstein the Lost pages (and leave it uninked please).
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/9/2021
F M wrote:
Just sublime and I agree about the career defining project it could have been. In my book, even in his current unfinished state, it was a career defining moment for Craig. And even if I'd like to know more about the reason behind it never being finished (though I have some intuition), I would LOVE to see it published as such (anyone out there?) à la Frankenstein the Lost pages (and leave it uninked please).
From Craig's gallery:
"15 years ago, I began an elaborate comic book adaptation of J.M.Barrie's original Peter Pan story. After 5 years of work and two publishers, the work was left unpublished and incomplete. This constitutes the most disheartening chapter of my life and I am currently in the process of chronicling the drama in a book called "Losing Neverland" in which the art will see print for the first time."
I have not heard anything of the project since this initial announcement. I assume it will be self-financed, but I haven't even seen a Kickstarter or GoFundMe for it. Hopefully this project hasn't been abandoned as well. And yes, even though the Bryant inked pages are wonderful, I prefer the pencil only pages as well.
A K
Member Since 2017
Posted on 3/9/2021
What could have been...Craig Hamilton is an extraordinary talent as this piece amply demonstrates.
J H
Member Since 2019
Posted on 3/9/2021
That is the most dynamic page layout I've ever seen. The panel layouts are art in themselves. And the way he's got the sound permeating every panel, and even those word balloons...For this not to be published is such a shame, but it would've been a travesty if we hadn't been able to see it. Thanks for sharing! Gorgeous work, and great trade (?). Congrats!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/13/2021
J H wrote:
That is the most dynamic page layout I've ever seen. The panel layouts are art in themselves. And the way he's got the sound permeating every panel, and even those word balloons...For this not to be published is such a shame, but it would've been a travesty if we hadn't been able to see it. Thanks for sharing! Gorgeous work, and great trade (?). Congrats!
You bring up a great point my friend. I think this piece is perfect for the way CAF is set up to view pieces. Obviously, when you click on VIEW FULL SIZE, you get all that incredible detail and texture of the pencils. But to really appreciate the brilliant layout and panel design you mention, it's so much better to view the piece in the smaller preview format so you can see how it all works as a whole. Thanks for the great comment and stay safe.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 3/12/2021
Very special pages - so much work in these it is sick they have not been published!
Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006
Posted on 10/21/2021
Can't believe I have ne etc commented on this one. Simply gorgeous. I had an opportunity many years ago to buy some of these pages and have always regretted passing them up. Great to see them here on CAF.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/23/2021
Ben Friedman wrote:
Can't believe I have ne etc commented on this one. Simply gorgeous. I had an opportunity many years ago to buy some of these pages and have always regretted passing them up. Great to see them here on CAF.
Not sure if I wouldn't have passed on a purchase myself Ben. But since it was a trade, the decision was a bit easier and less painful. And as I've stated previously, I can't even remember what I traded away. Obviously not anything I missed too much. Appreciate the comment sir.
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