Best of 2023 :: Published/Unpublished Comic Book Covers

Black Panther Vol 1 wraparound COVER by Brian Stelfreeze

Owner: K Gearon
Artist: Brian Stelfreeze (Penciller)

Click Image to View Full Size

Additional Images:

Published Hardcover Sleeve

Stelfreeeze sketch!

Previous Item:
Uncanny X-Men (2018) #1

Next Item:
Avengers 3 Variant Cover (2016)

Artwork Details

Title:	Black Panther Vol 1 wraparound COVER by Brian Stelfreeze
Artist:	Brian Stelfreeze (Penciller)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Cover
Views:	911
Likes on CAF:	41 42
Favorited on CAF:	1
Added to Site:	10/3/2023

Description

This is a biggie. Well, it IS literally big � a 16x24 image on a 19x28 board. But that�s not what I meant. What I mean was�I mean�just look at it. I still randomly do a fist pump here and there because of picking up Stelfreeze�s cover to BP #1 last year. Now this?!

This is the wraparound cover to the Coates run volume 1 hardcover, which Stelfreeze painted specifically for it. It�s one of only three pieces Brian did traditionally for the whole run � all else was digital. Fortunate to have 2 of the 3, one B&W art, and this one color. Crazy colors. Sublime colors. Fill in your superlative.

First, the overall layout and composition, incorporating so many characters and story beats. Tetu in red on the left, the challenger to the way Wakanda�s governed � big clue is what�s painted on his chest. Then Aneka and Ayo in the Midnight Angel armor, which they ended up using in the second BP movie. Literally just lifted Brian�s design for the film. I won�t go through every character, but will call out bro and sis, Shuri and T�Challa, on the right. REGAL sibs. I like here how Brian added more visible facial features through the mask on BP. Works well with the blue hues.

That brings me to the pure illustration paired with the colors. Whew. See all the different palettes in different sections, looking like you got the whole rainbow represented. As you move left, feels like it�s red to blue to green to purple to blue again. With lots in between. I remember first seeing this image and immediately noticing that design element of having the erupting red energy from the Vibranium mound cut straight up right through BP. Slick stuff, man. Subtle, but not. If that makes sense. Makes sense to me, anyway. And that landscape, with the sunset, clouds, then the beam�wowza.

OK, I�m done. Just take it in my fellow CAFers! And thanks, Brian, and Jason!

https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/icegif-993.gif

UPDATE 1/29/24 - At OAX this past weekend, Mr. Brian Stelfreeze did a free sketch on the inside of my hardcover copy - see in additional images! The paper is black, so we got BP in purple and white :)

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	K Gearon ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	April 2011
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

All
	Mike Pf 9/7/2025 9:15:00 PM
	Alberto Gonzalez 9/7/2025 9:02:00 PM
	Jason Baccus 9/7/2025 9:01:00 PM
	Daily Planet Gallery 9/7/2025 8:52:00 PM
	STUDIO COMICS 9/7/2025 8:40:00 PM
View All


	alan moorefield 9/7/2025 8:28:00 PM
	Lea Boyles 9/7/2025 8:24:00 PM
	Reuben Ruppert 9/7/2025 8:11:00 PM
	RipCity Gamer 9/7/2025 7:34:00 PM
	Nikolaos K 9/7/2025 6:51:00 PM