DaCollector, Ruben :: GRUMMETT, TOM - SUPERBOY ART

Superboy #14 - Cover!

Artists: Tom Grummett (Penciller) , Karl Kesel (Inker)

15 Comments - 762 Views - 4 Likes

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Superboy #14 - Color!

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Superboy #1 p.16 - 3/4 SPLASH!

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Superboy #21 p.07 - Legion of Superheroes!

Artwork Details

Title:	Superboy #14 - Cover!
Artist:	Tom Grummett (Penciller)
Artist:	Karl Kesel (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	762
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Comments:	15
Added to Site:	2/16/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Here in this next installment of my Grummett Superboy cover collection, we have one of the lesser impressive covers of Tom's run, at least from the standpoint of looking at it strictly as a piece of art, due exclusively to the fact that it is closer to being just one third of a cover. Fun fact: I was the first owner of this cover way back when, but I sold it around 15 years ago when the Art of Tom Grummett was not the primary focus of my collecting, and now all these years later I've gotten it back!

While I typically prefer cover art to have all the stats included, in this hobby we don't get a choice and I will say that regardless of my preference, it is only a preference. The lack of logo/title stats has never and will never preclude me from acquiring an original cover. Having said that, this is one of those times where I really wish the stats were included, because without them the art on its own feels "empty", while when you look at the scan I've included of the published comic book, just having the stats added makes a big difference on this piece because they appear to add weight, both figuratively and literally, to whatever the giant black mass is that's pushing down on our hero!

Yes, I'm aware that having replacement stats added is an option. However, the reason the published cover looks as good as it does is because in it's horizontally flipped position, the angle at which the black mass goes diagonally matches up nicely with the angle of the Superboy logo. Have the logo added to the art as it was drawn would likely clash against the art because the diagonal angle at which the black mass is going is in complete opposition to the angle the Superboy logo would be going. Either way, it's still an option. For now though, I'll enjoy it as is.

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About the Owner

	Ruben DaCollector Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	April 2008
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.ComicBookArtGallery.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Vik V
Member Since 2016

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

Nice cover, Ruben

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

I like this cover, but I might put a lot more stock in being non-standard and playful with the audience than your average reader. Superboy covers of this period were all about fun, imo, and I like how it looks like his time is running out. Better but the book fast, Superboy is a goner!! I like what Grummett did here. Nice re-pickup! Congrats

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/16/2021

J H wrote:

Thanks, Jason! Perfectly said. The entire Kesel/Grummett run on the title was all about having fun, and this cover idea fits that fun factor very well. In my description, when I say this is a "lesser" example, I'm speaking for the average collector of course, the majority of whom would pass on this even if they collected Grummett Superboy covers, simply because there's not enough art on it. But I can always find something fun about even a lesser quality example and as you stated, the design perfectly fits the "Buy this comic and help Superboy before it's too late!" marketing angle!

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

I really like it if only for the fact that it tells a story and leads you to want to know more. Those are the best.

T Shen
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

Agreed, the logo and additional wording would have made this cover even more spectacular but I do still enjoy the unique perspective of this piece - congrats!

Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

Wow, this is so well drawn that I get a strong panicky feeling just looking at it. The fact that Superboy covers are usually much more lighthearted makes it even more powerful. Yeah, there is a lot of black, but that just makes the fear factor even greater, cuz not only is there very little space left for him to breathe, but there's that HUGE thing above him as well. I'm a-scairt!

Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

I like your description of it being lesser pieces. ha ha. My thought is - its almost modern art. the blackness reminds me of those all one color canvases. like 'a dark winter's night' or some such descriptive.

John C
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:

The night was sultry.

Kin Wong
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 2/16/2021

Cool to see the published artwork compared to the original, but I'm curious why it was drawn with the S backwards to begin with. Either way, I actually like this orientation more (S aside) since it has a sense of "forward momentum" (for those of us who read left to right).

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/17/2021

Kin Wong wrote:

Good question, Kin. I never asked Tom, but with my knowledge of comics publishing I can hazard only 1 educated guess. The most likely scenario is that Tom sent in the finished pencils to DC with the S properly drawn, at which point the editor decided they would like the cover flipped horizontally for publication. But upon sending the cover to Kesel for inking, they would've told him that they intended to flip the image, but in order for the S emblem to look right on the published cover, they would've had to instruct Kesel to redraw it backwards before inking the piece, so that it looked proper when they flipped it for publication. I cannot think of a single other plausible reason.

James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 2/17/2021

You always have to be on the lookout for attacks by large blank monoliths!

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 2/17/2021

That big black space is kinda jarring, and that's a good thing. In one way odd that you've got so much of the board covered in it but in the other it really ups the potency of the overal image/moment. You really feel the heavy blacks are also a heavy weight, putting Superboy in real trouble here. How will he get out of this?! Open up to see! Congrats!

Andy Wurst
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 2/17/2021

Sweet cover !

Neon Dragon
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 2/18/2021

Very cool and unique art concept!! Great recapture Ruben, after all those years!

David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator

1 - Posted on 2/24/2021

Stat or No Stat, this Cover is really cool. Perfect addition Ruben.

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