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Challengers of the Unknown #5 Cover (1991) Marc Hempel

Artists: Marc Hempel (Penciller) ,  Marc Hempel (Inker) ,  Jeph Loeb (Writer)

4 Comments  -   325 Views  -   1 Like


Challengers of the Unknown #5 Cover (1991) Marc Hempel Comic Art

 

Additional Images:


Published Cover

ChallengersPieta

 

   

Artwork Details

Title: Challengers of the Unknown #5 Cover (1991) Marc Hempel
Artist: Marc Hempel (Penciller)
Artist: Marc Hempel (Inker)
Artist: Jeph Loeb (Writer)
Media Type: Marker
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 325
Likes on CAF:
Comments: 4
Added to Site: 6/6/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Cover penciled and markered/inked by Marc Hempel and the first cover in my collection.

A cool cover for Challengers of the Unknown: Must Die; an 8 part mini-series published in 1991. This series was the first collaboration between writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale who went on to make Batman The Long Halloween and many others. This is a cool little tale of a decaying world and aging "heroes".

This was done on an art board that I believe comes from Marc Hempel's studio with the DC board top of the time taped on. It was done with water-soluble marker (archival; will not fade or discolor) on 2-ply Bristol 12" x 18" Board. The size really gives the piece some visual weight in hand and you can really pick out all the detail in the piece. It's actually visually and spatially really well done and I love the little bit at the top of the figure that doesn't connect. Also on a side note it kind of reminds me of the Jumanji cartoon style which came out in 1995 so perhaps they took inspiration from Hempel??

For the published version the flames in the background were tweeked a bit.

On a personal note, I really like the piece and I can't help but see aspects of the Pieta in it. I attached in additional photos a demonstration of this. Marc Hempel says this was unintentional and was impressed at how well they lined up :)

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About the Owner

Adam Law ( 5 )
Premium Gallery Owner
Joined: October 2012
Last Login: September 2025
Ebay Id: mundusdane
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai 
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 6/6/2021

That additional picture sold it to me.  That gritty early 90's era shaped a lot of people's art tastes and it is fascinating to see the crop of artist from which it emerged from.

Adam Law 
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 6/6/2021

Marcus Wai wrote:

That additional picture sold it to me.  That gritty early 90's era shaped a lot of people's art tastes and it is fascinating to see the crop of artist from which it emerged from.

Yeah, seeing the coored version adds some impact and colored pencil style coloring is a cool choice that I think works.  The art may seem simple but it emits an emotional scene if you let it.  

kent mansley 
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 6/6/2021

Hempel is so talented! Congrats!

Christian Palomba 
Member Since 2010

Posted on 6/9/2021

Stellar piece. Congrats on adding it to your collection.

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