Namor the Sub-Mariner Annual 1 page 53 splash page by S.Clarke Hawbaker

A great Namor splash page from the first annual of his John Byrne’s relaunch Sub-Mariner serie (1991). This is page 53 for those who care and the first one from a short story where other heroes go to great length to help/force Namor to celebrate his birthday.

This opening splash burned itself deep in my early teenage mind back when. I don’t know why exactly. It must be due to the fantastic art by the then rare S.Clarke Hawbaker’s art (even truer nowadays) and his super sexy rendition of women. You have three great examples here. The target bullseye is nothing new but still fun (if not 100% immediately “readable” imho). And Namor’s profile is excellent as well. Very haughty, very king-like in the sense he has got class & style in spades. Simply perfect.

So when I saw this pop up at auction, I knew it had to be mine. I was quite surprised at how much I had to “fight” (i.e. bid) for it thinking nobody but me would care but the result is all that matters.

Hawbaker & Hoover are bot credited as artists for this short story. Given the difference in their style, it is quite easy to see who drew what. I don’t why they were paired up like this. Is there a link I don’t know about between the two of them? Did they share a studio? Did they live in the same town? Was it an editorial decision to help the slowest one (most likely Hawbaker) meet the deadline? I’d like to know but probably never will.

Akin & Garvey are both credited as inkers on this story and their “heavy” inks really elevates the art in the cense they give more cohesion to it by aligning two different art styles.

Very pleased by this Madeleine de Proust addition to my collection.