Additional Images:
Early ink wash
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Description(AUTHOR’S NOTE: Now that it’s the cover to the Absolute edition, I’ve reposted this piece because I wanted to share the story of how it came to be. However, I didn’t want to lose the kind comments people already posted, so I’ve left the original in my Tim commissions folder. For those who don’t mind long stories, I hope you enjoy my reminiscences of Tim and this piece. For those who don’t, who cares? You’ll skip this bit anyway. Lol.)To be honest, I’m not a fan of taking commissions and turning them into covers. It deprives artists of the chance to create a brand new piece for the viewing public, not to mention keeps companies from having to hire them for more work. However, with Tim gone, that obviously wasn’t an option when DC was looking for a new cover to grace the Absolute version of Superman: For All Seasons. So, Richard Starkings came to me. But let’s back up and start at the beginning, shall we? This one’s dated 2009, but our story actually kicks off in 2005 at the ill-fated, one-and-done Wizard World Boston. Having recently become acquainted through his message board, I convinced Tim to come to the show with a bribe… tickets to see the Red Sox battle the Yankees on the last weekend of the season. Mind you, this was 2005 and coming on the heels of Aaron Boone’s walkoff in 2003 and the 3-0 Sox comeback in 2004, the only time in the storied history of our national pastime a team engineered a victory when facing elimination in four straight games. So, even though Tim was a Mariners fan, I figured it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. I was right. However, there was just one catch. I needed to get a ticket for Tim’s friend Mark, a Yankees fan, as well. I had no idea who Mark was, but if dealing with a Yankees fan was the price I had to pay to spend a night watching baseball with my idol, it was a small price indeed. As it turned out, Mark was Mark Chiarello, art editor at DC Comics, who I’ve been fortunate to count as a friend since that wonderful evening I spent with him, Tim and my good friend, Oliver. The show itself was slow. I’d already picked up a Jack Sparrow commission based on a conversation my friend Rich and I had with Tim a few weeks earlier in Worcester, MA. It was after a store signing at That’s Entertainment and the first time we’d hung out, and Tim opined over drinks that he couldn’t stand Johnny Depp. So, being the ball buster I am, I told Tim I was going to have him draw Jack Sparrow for me at Boston, which actually turned into a sketchbook I carried to conventions for a while. Anywho, by the end of Sunday the show was pretty dead. I’d spent most of it by Tim’s table with new friends Rich Hennemann, Colin Solan and Bill Nolan, who I knew from Tim’s message board and I’d already met in Worcester. We spent the weekend watching Tim draw and talking baseball, which led to a new friendship with this guy who’d joined in the baseball talk… John Higashi… who has since been involved with many of my favorite Tim memories. Heading into the last hour of the show, Tim finally had no one left to draw for. He’d just whipped up a beautiful head sketch of Death for Oliver, so I asked if he’d be willing to do one for me of Superman over the Kent farm. I wasn’t envisioning anything elaborate. He’d been doing cool pencil sketches for folks that weekend and that’s all I was hoping for as I saw the farm start to come to life. But then, before I knew it, he pulled out his brush and laid down a first layer of wash. I couldn’t believe my luck. This wasn’t a commission… or paid work of any kind. Simply a friend showing kindness after a great weekend spent hanging out and getting to know each other. Unfortunately, as I stood there mesmerized by his handiwork, the show came to an end. Not to worry, though. We’d already made plans to visit Tim for Emerald City Comicon the following year to coincide with the Mariners Opening Day at Safeco Field. Bring it and I’ll finish it there, he said. So, I did. However, over the course of a packed weekend filled with countless memories (which included meeting his wonderful parents and visiting his childhood home), he never had the chance to put pen to paper. And that started a pattern of me bringing Superman to every convention we were at together, only to take it home still incomplete. It’s possible finishing this bad boy lasted longer than it needed to. The guys would rib me about it and I know Tim got pleasure out of that. So, it would not shock me to learn he purposefully didn’t finish it a few times just to bust my balls. Eventually, however, he polished it off in magnificent fashion. As the self-proclaimed #1 Superman: For All Seasons fan, it gives me all the feels of that book and provides everything I could have ever wanted when I asked for Supes over the Kent farm. And that’s where I always assumed the story would end. A remarkable gift I cherish from my idol turned friend. But then, almost twenty... Social/Sharing |
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Jared Michalski
Member Since 2004
3 - Posted on 1/1/2025
(So, apparently there's a character limit on how long a CAF description can be, as my writeup got cut off. Here's the rest of what I had to say about this one for those interested.)
And that’s where I always assumed the story would end. A remarkable gift I cherish from my idol turned friend. But then, almost twenty years later, Richard Starkings came knocking.
One of Tim’s best friends, Richard was deeply involved in the creation of the Absolute edition. With Tim gone, he was determined to bring the project to life in a way that celebrated Tim and this masterwork in the most deserving way.
Out of the blue, he messaged me on July 1, 2022 with a scan of this piece after the initial layer of ink wash. He had in it his files and was wondering if I could send him a scan of the finished piece. I said of course and asked him why he needed it, and he said they were in early conversations for an Absolute edition.
Finally! I’d been begging DC to give my favorite comic of all time the Absolute treatment, and with Richard involved I knew it wouldn’t disappoint. So, I sent him the scan and told him I’d happily provide him anything else he needed from my collection.
Over the next few days I scanned hi-res TIFs of every For All Seasons page I owned. I also reached out to friends and fellow collectors to get scans of pages I don’t own so Richard could bring as much material as possible to DC to get the green light… which they did.
A few months later Richard sent me prelim colors of the cover by Jose Villarubia, and a year later a comp copy of the Absolute For All Seasons arrived on my doorstep. To say it was thrilling to have it in my hands, with the piece Tim did for me as the cover, would be a massive understatement. But the biggest thrill came when I cracked her open and found my name at the top of the special thanks area.
I embarked on my love affair with Tim’s art when I pulled a copy of The Long Halloween #1 off the shelf as a 17 year old. However, dating all the way back to my earliest childhood, Superman has always been my hero. I grew up on Christopher Reeve and watching George Reeves reruns with my dad, and I’m told one of my first words was “Ooperman”. My son is named Clark.
Looking back, having my favorite artist craft my absolute (pun intended) favorite Superman story for me to consume at the age of nineteen was a perfectly-timed gift. At its core, For All Seasons is a coming-of-age story and, while I’m still trying to figure out the world and my place in it, I was just stepping out into the larger world as I watched Clark do the same on the page.
As I looked ahead to adulthood, and the many trials and tribulations to come, what better example for navigating this thing we call life could there be than Jeph and Tim’s touching and heartfelt examination of how those trials can be difficult, even for a Superman. As we learn over the course of the story, our adventures will be filled with soaring moments, setbacks and self-doubt. At times, it will feel as if the entire weight of the world rests on our shoulders. But, no matter what happens, no matter your place in this world, the way forward is to persevere and try to do what’s right, even when doing what’s right is hard.
It’s easier said than done. No doubt about it. But as we prepare for a new iteration of Superman to hit the big screen this summer, we’re fittingly reminded to “Look up”. Not at Superman, but TO him.
That’s what I see every time I look up into the clouds of this cover. A shining example of who I want to be. A husband, father and human being who does the right thing for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.
I’m not there yet, and probably never will be. But, as Jeph and Tim teach us in these pages, it’s not about perfection. It’s about trying our best, because that’s all any of us can do.
Thanks, Superman. Thanks, Jeph. And thank you, Tim. I love and miss you every day, buddy. I’m eternally grateful my tries are informed by our friendship and the example of kindness that you, and this sketch, have always given me.
Mister Miracle 
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
Nice! Truly amazing story Jared! Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
Now THATS a story! Thank you most for sharing it with us all. Adding this to my faves just so I'll have it saved to reread your epic quest of arrival to an interetion of big blue that clearly was more than destined to be yours. Congrats!
Simon M.
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
Lovely piece of art and then all the back story makes it better and even more special.
Ken Martin
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
I'm not reading all of that! Kidding. I read it all. Beautifully written and just makes me miss Tim a little more today as we start off the new year.
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
Beautiful piece. I know CAF records most views, most like and most comments. Wondering what the record is for longest write up.
Mike Rice
Member Since 2003
2 - Posted on 1/1/2025
You being so long-winded that CAF cuts your mic might be my favorite part of this. ;-)
Seriously though, great story for a great piece by a great friend.
Jared Michalski
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
Mike Rice wrote:
You being so long-winded that CAF cuts your mic might be my favorite part of this. ;-)
Seriously though, great story for a great piece by a great friend.
I've certainly never been known for brevity. lol
Brian Mulcahy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 1/1/2025
That was the show where I first met Tim and and a few other guys whose names escape me.
Paperchaser 1968
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/2/2025
....now that is just all kinds of lovely!!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/2/2025
Once more for old time's sake. Very important to not forget the personal stories as you are the sole caretaker of them.
Brian G
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/2/2025
Got worried when I saw this pop up in new art, thinking it might have changed hands. I recalled seeing it for the first time, in the highlight slot, shortly after Tim's passing, and how perfect a selection I thought it was for that moment. After clicking into the piece and reading the wonderful backstory, I was reassured that this one is not only EXACTLY where it belongs but also being put to very good use. I'm not sure there is a better choice for an absolute edition cover than this. And to think how many other folks might get to view it for the first time now, is a very warming thought indeed. Happy New Year!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 1/2/2025
Well, make have taken some time, but it ended up beautifully, Jared. Love those tones...super stuff from the late great Sale. Congrats!
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 1/5/2025
Wow such an amazing story to this piece; I enjoyed reading every word of it. Thank you so much for sharing. This cover is so amazing; major congrats!
Kin Wong
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 1/7/2025
Absolute-ly beautiful piece that is only surpassed by the story behind it. Thanks for sharing!
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