Huzzah!! Art!! :: Mike Perkins

Lois Lane (2019) #5, p.21

Artists: Mike Perkins (All) , Greg Rucka (Writer)

11 Comments - 406 Views - 3 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Lois Lane (2019) #5, p.21
Artist:	Mike Perkins (All)
Artist:	Greg Rucka (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	406
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Comments:	11
Added to Site:	3/15/2022
Comic Art Archive:	Lois Lane Issue: 5 Page: 21 View

Description

In what can only be chalked up to impossibly good fortune, I am amazed that I get to post a gorgeous two-page sequence from Mike Perkins� beautiful �Lois Lane� run, where we find The Question (Rene Montoya) �following the money� and interrogating a ne�er-do-well.

All the elements I find most striking about Mike�s work are on full display here; the sheer illustrative quality of his work, the amazing tones he applies to his art, the unerring execution of his storytelling, and especially the unbelievable depth he gives to the mood and the shadows here (like how both the cord to the room�s lone lightbulb and the criminal�s legs disappear into glorious inky blackness in panel 1). The outstanding Greg Rucka dialogue on the published pages is completely unnecessary to convey the scene.

I really loved Mike�s take on the Rene Montoya Question, and the �Rorschach� pattern the failing lightbulb is making here is not only visually sublime (with its smoky tendrils snaking around the page), but it also acts as a directly indirect Ditko shoutout. A Rorschach pattern in a criminal interview makes us think of Watchmen�s Rorschach, which brings us back around to Ditko�s Question, which links us right back to Rene. A brilliant, fun �generational� through line that is gorgeous to look at, but doesn�t beat you over the head (unlike other interrogation techniques Rorschach might sometimes employ).

(CAF�s own resident art analyst, the mighty Chris Snorek, had another take that I really think is probably closer to the truth; that the pattern isn�t so much a Rorschach pattern as it is a Leviathan reference, with the impending �Event Leviathan� event on the horizon. �Always bet on Snorek�, my mom always tells me. Although if we�re both looking at the abstract design and getting different reads on it, does that actually make it a Rorschach pattern after all�?)

But the button for me here is in panel two, with the awesome shot of the criminal�s eye, showing us exactly how effective Rene�s �interview technique� is. I love the sidelong angle Mike uses, and how it underscores the criminal�s unsuccessful attempts at a brave face; his fear of what is happening outside of his eyeshot; of not even being able to turn enough to look headlong into The Question�s no-face. I love how our eye as a reader is drawn to the exact spot it needs to go.

Even the �unruled� hand-drawn panel borders add an organic, wild energy to the proceedings that ramps up the feeling of danger from the criminal�s POV.

Incredibly rich work which I am thrilled to show here. Thank you, of course (always!), to Ruben (at comicbookartgallery.com)! :)

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	Jason Hussa ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	March 2017
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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E DLS
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 3/15/2022

Can never have enough black on a page, as far as I'm concerned. Even more fun with an artist who knows how to use it. Dramatic and powerful page.

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 3/15/2022

I've always told people that if they want to know when a given page is masterfully composed, the best way to know is by looking at the thumbnail before clicking on it. When you can look at a thumbnail and you can pretty clearly make out what's going on without needing to click, that's precisely when you SHOULD click and take a closer look because it's likely going to be at least a nice as you think it appears in the thumbnail.

I won't go into what I love about both of these sequential pages, because you've already covered it all yourself in your description and frankly speaking, you're a better wordsmith than I am. But I will say that had I allowed myself to go crazy buying pages from this series, this was one of the obvious choices of "scenes/sequences" I would've picked up. But I'm even more happy to see the pages in the collection of someone who sees exactly what I see in the art and is equally moved by it!

Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 3/16/2022

Ruben DaCollector wrote:

You are 100% spot on, Ruben. My own method of picking out a page is similar to the course of action you recommend; I usually do a "quick skim" and pay very close attention to what resonates after an almost cursory glance, then I swing through for another, more detailed "scouting pass". Invariably, I find the ones that grabbed me that first time through also impress me most the second time. Not always, but a consistently high percentage of the time.

Thank you for your very kind words, Ruben (and all!) and for helping me add this incredible sequence to my collection. They get far more than a cursory glance now, let me tell you. :)

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

2 - Posted on 3/15/2022

Your analysis of this page is top-notch, so I'll just add that I really like this version of the Question, and DC should pay Perkins whatever he wants to do a revival of Gotham Central because he would kill it on that type of book.

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 3/15/2022

The smoky quality of that light, as it eats at the darkness, and leaves the gray inky wash at the edge, is just beautiful. That panel could be a splash or painting of its own. Gorgeous sequence, Jason. Congrats!

Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 3/16/2022

J H wrote:

The smoky quality of that light, as it eats at the darkness, and leaves the gray�inky wash at the edge, is�just beautiful. That panel could be a splash or painting of its own. Gorgeous sequence, Jason. Congrats!

Thank you, J H, and I completely agree; quite probably my favorite image from any single page I have. Your description gave me goosebumps: "the smoky quality of the light, as it eats at the darkness...". I wish I would have said that! :) Thanks for the great comment, J H (and everyone)!

Harry M
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 3/15/2022

I am not sure what impresses me more, the art or your description. Congrats on both.

Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017

Posted on 3/16/2022

Harry M wrote:

I am not sure what impresses me more, the art or your description. Congrats on both.

Harry, thank you for your very, very kind words. Trust me - the page is more impressive. ;) Thank you.

artless artmore
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 3/16/2022

Terrific! Love the mood Perkins achieves in these pages

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 3/16/2022

That's a LOT of inks but it really sets the mood, doesn't it?

I really enjoyed Montoya becoming the Question, a surprising move that was handled well at the time and made sense. Her absence of face is really haunting here.

Great page with, again, a very strong writer ;)

Chris Snorek
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/16/2022

The "smoky light" as you guys put it is also very evocative of The Question (Dr. Rodor's gas). Great effect to really make this otherwise really dark page sing.

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