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Thunderbolts 20 page 22 SPLASH by Mark Bagley & Jon Holdredge
Artists: Mark Bagley (Penciller) , Jon Holdredge (Inker)
13 Comments - 587 Views - 9 Likes
Additional Images:
Published splash
Artwork Details
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DescriptionAs I wrote in the introduction of my Bagley gallery, the highlights of Bagley’s stellar career have been for me, New Warriors (he was still a young and rough artist in place but the great stories and his enthusiasm made up for his faults), Thunderbolts on which he was on fire and his various contributions to the Spider-Man mythos (Ultimate and regular Marvel universes).Now this splash speaks for itself. Just a great shot (…) of Hawkeye. The character has had the benefit of excellent artists drawing him during his history (Byrne, Perez, Pacheco, Paul Ryan, David Lopez) and I find that Bagley is certainly up there among them. Despite his being static and not as dynamic as one could hope when thinking of Bagley’s version of the character (which I already own an example of, visible in this very gallery), the stance, his strong figure build and above everything his flamboyant bravado all make for a pitch perfect splash and rendition of the character. He is holding Dreadknight’s costume (I confess I had to look it up), a device he used to infiltrate the team, a fun story point that is commensurate with T-bolts constant history of things not being what they appear to be, turncoat characters and deceptions. And like the piece I posted yesterday in my Immonen gallery, I also get an Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe vibe from his pose here. Let’s not forget to mention Jon Holdredge’s inks which are discrete and perfectly fitting. Now let’s comment on the elephant in the room, Stan Lee’s signature. It’s become almost a meme in our hobby that Stan Lee could ruin an OA piece by signing right in the middle of it. I actually don’t mind as it’s my one and only signature by the Man himself. And the background is generic enough here that it’s not that hindering. But the story doesn’t end here. This particular piece had been on my to buy list for years, sitting signature free on a dealer’s site with what I thought was a bit of an expensive asking price (again, pre-pandemic days). Then the piece received an updated price when it was upgraded with the Stan Lee signature (I think it was a 200$ price bump). Which I didn't really care for. Time went on and I decided to bite the bullet as I realized it would piss me off if I missed on buying it. I literally sent my purchase request 24 hours before Stan Lee’s sad passing. As I didn’t hear a reply within the usual time frame, I sent a reminder. I was replied to that the piece was available but I had to commit (i.e. pay) asap (i.e. right away) otherwise the price would go up 500$. How classy and delicate. Now I’ve always “admired” dealers and/or collectors who bump the price of any art in their inventory once the news of an artist passing reaches the general public or those who rush to ebay or the auction houses to benefit from it but his one takes the crown. Lucky for me, said dealer likely felt “trapped” by the date of my request and didn’t meet his urge to retroactively bump the price up (which could have been badly perceived in a public forum ;) I’ll let you guess who it was (and would reply to guesses sent privately. You get one chance each ;) This is my fifth addition to my 2022 CAF b-day party. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Peter Sullivan 
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
I loved this comic run and this is a great splash.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
A Bagley Hawkeye is better than a jive turkey any day of the week!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
Great reveal splash, just as effective as when the team's own reveal was done! The dealer also revealed themselves too.
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
Completely agree on the stance/image being in the OFFICIAL HANDBOOK, and great job on wrestling this piece to safety before it got way too high and lost in the "vault". Congrats!
Harry M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
Hawkeye seems to be pleased, so I guess his infiltration was successful. Stan Lee's signature is often placed in probamatical places, but IMO yours is just fine. Congrats.
J H
Member Since 2019
2 - Posted on 2/11/2022
Karma ain't just a member of the New Mutants. The universe will return the favor to those types, imo. As for your splash, that's the kind of dynamic Marvel Universe pose you buy and don't think twice about. It's filled with his brash personality, and Holdredge laid down some incredible inks. I really like how they perfectly support, and enhance, Bagely's style. Great page for the birthday! Big congrats!
Ted Latner
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/11/2022
Fantastaic splash and hey at least Stan Lee did co-create the character (unlike half of the other art he's signed)! I do think Thunderbolts was some of Bagley's best artwork and thankfully still fairly affordable.
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 2/12/2022
A great splash from a great series. Glad you got it before the price went up by $500.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/14/2022
Great splash, F M, and there are few roguish grins quite as effective as Hawkeye's, both narratively/dramatically and in that, "Hey, look at that arguably misplaced signature" (or "Art dealers, amirite?") kind of way(s). I'm sincerely hoping that's enough to get you over those two particular bumps (it sure sounds like it is), which would be the piece's best birthday gift possible. :) Another beautiful add, F M - congrats!
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/16/2022
Great splash I foolisly let go of years ago. I am glad it founda good home.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/18/2022
Just a straight up primo splash of Hawkeye. I always dug his costume and it's cool seeing Bagley's rendition here. Will he join the T-bolts?! Congrats, man. Sounds like since you decided to bite the bullet - no regrets!
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