Windsor-Smith, Barry - Miracleman, issue 23, cover (June 1992)
Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith (All)
29 Comments - 2,868 Views - 9 Likes
Artwork Details
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Description‘Standing motionless before the viewer expressing a supra-humanism…no flying, no fighting, no sitting in remorse amid some wreckage’. – Barry Windsor-Smith describing his depiction of Marvelman on the cover to issue 23 of ‘Miracleman’, which debuted Neil Gaiman’s Silver Age storyline.When I reached out to Barry Windsor-Smith about whether he still might have this cover, I let him know that while I thought it was one of his simplest images, I also thought it was amongst his finest covers. I have to admit I was surprised when he agreed with me. Windsor-Smith was as gracious as I could have ever imagined in our dialogue back and forth about the piece. He let me know his goal was to represent the character for what he perceived Alan Moore’s vision to be: not a superhero or a super villain, but the singular personification of a supremely transcendent human being. He didn’t want to show him flying or fighting or sitting in remorse amid the wreckage of London. He wanted him just standing motionless before the viewer…expressing a supra humanism that countless covers of superheroes had yet to capture. He felt good about catching Marvelman as he perceived him - but said it didn’t come easy. He drew the figure over and over and even began painting two of the half dozen attempts that he eventually scrapped. With all of the iterations, he never wavered from the concept of simplicity; no background or details of any sort that would place Marvelman in a place or time or any circumstance of any nature whatsoever. So, how could this piece be any more special than it already is? Easy – it’s matted and framed (as well as signed and dated) by BWS himself…something he let me know he had never done before and has not done since to a piece of his own comic art. It’s an incredible bonus to what is IMHO a stunning piece of art - comic art or otherwise. Hope you enjoy it, as well! Thank you for the advice, Joseph! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Ron S 
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/22/2014
Awesome!! I don't normally love colored art, but this is spectacular.
Mike W
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/22/2014
I'm blown away - by both art and the story behind it. Barry is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I'm extremely happy for you, my friend!!!!! Congratulations on acquiring this masterpiece!!!!
Malvin V
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/22/2014
Wow, this is a great piece! Congrats on adding this to your collection!
LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003
Posted on 9/22/2014
Unbelievable. You've just blown my mind for the rest of the week. Completely unfair thing to do on a Monday.
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/22/2014
Truly stunning piece of artwork, and I love hearing about BWS' mindset when he was working on it. One of my favorite things about this painting is the background color--something pretty sublime about that shade of purple...
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 9/22/2014
Jeremy Radisich wrote:
Truly stunning piece of artwork, and I love hearing about BWS' mindset when he was working on it. One of my favorite things about this painting is the background color--something pretty sublime about that shade of purple...About that background color...should have mentioned it in the description; thanks for bringing it up! It's not paint but film. Letraset makes ultra thin color sheets to adhere to artwork and graphic presentations to get a maximum flatness of consistent color where a painted background might end up with streaks or a less than uniform appearance. From my understanding, BWS has been using these films since his art college days.
Jonathan Mueller
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/22/2014
Stunning; but you're such a tease!! "..it’s matted and framed (as well as signed and dated) by BWS himself..." and you don't show us a pic of it, for shame! All kidding aside, congrats and thanks for sharing!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/22/2014
Very memorable - the additional pictures feature would be great for su to see the frame!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/22/2014
A great story behind this piece. And how wonderful that the story was provided by the artist himself. Congratulations!
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/23/2014
Great cover. Perhaps no Manga Carta equivalent but it will do:) p.s. just read you CFA-APA article.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/23/2014
Most memorable. Hands down the best one of the three you were considering. Congrats again!
Jason Harris
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/23/2014
Awesome pickup sir. I talked to Barry about this some 8 years ago, but was never able to find the funds. Nice to see it finally out there again.
Shelton Bryant
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/23/2014
A Stunning Windsor-Smith!!!! A Thousands Congrats!!!!!
Patrick Brooks
Member Since 2008
Posted on 9/23/2014
Just a gorgeous piece and a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing both.
Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/23/2014
A fabulous piece in all its apparent simplicity. Great description too.
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
Posted on 9/23/2014
Brilliant MM piece, always a big fan of BWS art!
Joseph Melchior
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/23/2014
Well you know my thought on both MM generally and this cover. A study in contrast with Mr Totleben. A stunning addition to your collection. And you're welcome - always happy to help my fellow collector spend money! ;o)
Steve Day Vich
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/24/2014
It's ok. Let me know when you get something good. (You can read between the lines here).
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/24/2014
Subdued image of MM and spectacular at the same time. Wow. Great pick up!!!!
Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/5/2014
Truly lovely cover ! So different and with so much class.
Mike (aka Off White) White
Member Since 2008
Posted on 10/25/2014
Great story and a great pkup! Congrats!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/20/2024
Understated elegance - you and BWS are right on the money with this one.
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