Todd, Matt :: Watchmen

Before Watchmen Golden Age Nite Owl Hollis Mason Art by Darwyn Cooke

Artist: Darwyn Cooke (All)

4 Comments - 774 Views - 11 Likes

Before Watchmen Golden Age Nite Owl Hollis Mason Art by Darwyn Cooke Comic Art

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Character Study published in MinuteMen Graphic Novel Collection

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Before Watchmen Golden Age Nite Owl Hollis Mason Art by Darwyn Cooke

Artwork Details

Title:	Before Watchmen Golden Age Nite Owl Hollis Mason Art by Darwyn Cooke
Artist:	Darwyn Cooke (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	774
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	10/14/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Before Watchmen Golden Age Nite Owl Hollis Mason
Art by Darwyn Cooke

I picked up this illustration at Albert Moy’s booth. I am thrilled to have a piece of this quality by Darwyn. He was such an incredible talent who left us too soon. I wrote this at the time of his passing.
Darwyn Cooke was a master storyteller with the coolest signature in comics. He was an artist whose style was commonly and simply described as retro, but was much more than that, whether drawing a simpler time of the New Frontier or the harsh reality of Westlake's Parker, his artwork and storytelling expressed an elegant ideal. He was a comic creator who, with every encounter I had with him, showed an honesty and generosity with his fans.
He was....
...It's hard to use the past tense when talking about someone who's work had such a profound effect on your life.
My favorite memory of Darwyn was San Diego Comic Con back in 2012. It was Saturday night at the Hyatt bar. I had just self-published my comic Mysteryman and I was desperate to give one of my favorite creators my first published work. I could see Darwyn was about to leave for the night. Fortunately, I had enough liquid courage to approach him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Cooke?"
"It's Darwyn."
"... Darwyn, I just wanted to let you know how I am a huge fan and your work has been such an inspiration. I just self-published my first comic and, I realize it's not the best time, but I wanted to give you a copy of my comic as a thank you."
"Are you coming to my spotlight panel tomorrow?"
"I am..."
"Great, give it to me after that. How old are you?"
"Twenty-nine."
"Keep your nerve kid, you're farther ahead than I was."
I was so grateful that Darwyn took that moment to slow things down; he easily could have taken the book and said thank you, but he didn't.
The next day I went to his spotlight panel. Afterwards, I caught his attention and gave him a copy of my comic, and then he took out his pen - his pen with which he has signed so many of my comics in years past - and he told me, "You've got to sign it..."

Darwyn cared enough to take the time with a first-time comic writer. I hope he read Mysteryman; I hope he enjoyed it.
His work on the Parker novels were masterpieces. A perfect pairing of creator and material.
Even with projects like Before Watchmen, Cooke took such special care to flesh out two members of the Minutemen, Silhouette and Mothman, that he makes us care about characters that were mere footnotes in the original volume. I was particularly moved by the Mothman pages. That's right... Mothman. Cooke made you care, which is no surprise. Cooke was a master storyteller, and while he uses the designs and some layout cues of Dave Gibbons, make no mistake, this was a Darwyn Cooke comic. His sensibilities and style are ever present, and for that I'm grateful. The book was confident, but not cocky; it's respectful of the source, but never a slave to it.
It was original - just like Darwyn Cooke.
Thank you Darwyn, for your art, for your stories, and for your kindness. Rest in peace.

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About the Owner

	Matt Todd Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	August 2014
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Matt 's Classifieds Matt 's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Andy Robbins
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 10/15/2022

What a find for you! The art has found its perfect home.

Chris Lutes
Member Since 2016

1 - Posted on 10/15/2022

Completely gorgeous and a perfec piece for your collection! Tough to imagine anyone had a better NYCC than you!

Patrick O.
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 10/15/2022

The only thing that I could appreciate more than this artwork, is the story you left with it. Thank you for sharing both!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/23/2023

Fabulous art and equally fabulous story. I share your love of Darwyn's art and this is a spendid piece of his history. Thanks for sharing!

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