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Empire #1 Cover by Barry Kitson

Artist: Barry Kitson (All)

7 Comments - 155 Views - 5 Likes

Empire #1 Cover by Barry Kitson Comic Art

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Empire #1 Cover Preliminary

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Golgoth & Delfi by Barry Kitson

Artwork Details

Title:	Empire #1 Cover by Barry Kitson
Artist:	Barry Kitson (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	155
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Comments:	7
Added to Site:	8/27/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Here is a cover I never thought I would own. This cover came up on the Hakes auction website, some weeks ago, and I was lucky enough to win it. This is the cover to Empire #1, which came out in 2000, when I was an undergraduate. At the time, I thought I was done with comics, but I had friends who kept me appraised of what was going on in the world of comics. A friend told me about a new imprint called Gorilla Comics that featured creator owned books. He told me about a book named Empire and told me to check it out.

I was intrigued, especially when I found out the series was written by one of my favorite writers from my teenage years, Mark Waid. But what really intrigued me was the art by Barry Kitson. I had seen his work before in an Azrael series, but his work on Empire was something else -- lush, beautiful and detailed. Kitson became a favorite artist of mine.

How sad I was when Gorilla Comics folded and Empire ceased publication after two issues. But you can't keep a good idea down and a few years later, Empire moved over to DC Comics. Because many readers had not seen Empire when it was at Gorilla Comics, DC republished the first two issues under its own banner, complete with new covers. I liked those new covers, but did not think they compared with the gorgeous Gorilla Comics covers.

So here is the first cover of one of my favorite series. It introduced the world to Golgoth, Delfi, Tumbril and many other memorable characters who still live on in my mind, almost a quarter century later.

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	A K 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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Danny Hoskins
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 8/27/2024

Very cool! Congrats!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Congrats on a nice sentimental and nostalgic score. Not being familiar with the book, I don't know any of these characters, but it's a wonderful array. Great cover design for a 1st issue, as it seems to feature the entire cast. So glad you were able to acquire this wonderful memento from the past.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Sweet pickup! It would have been a grail from another time period of your life. I can tell that this probably had every major character of the story as the birth of a new universe.

Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Congrats! Amazing cover!

James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Sincere congrats on a great score!

Michael Sullivan
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Wildly underrated series by a powerhouse team. Kitson was firing on all cylinders in this series and on this cover. Congrats.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 8/28/2024

Nice composition giving us that "movie poster" vibe! Lots to see exquisitely packed in. Congrats!

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