Yanko, Mark :: Matt Haley

Ghost #4 - unpublished cover

Artists: Matt Haley (Penciller) , Tom Simmons (Inker)

307 Views - 4 Comments - 3 Likes

Additional Images:

Here's the published cover, for comparison.

This prelim is another false start. It appears on the back of the art.

Previous Item:
Ghost Special #1 - pg. 12 - splash

Artwork Details

Title:	Ghost #4 - unpublished cover
Artist:	Matt Haley (Penciller)
Artist:	Tom Simmons (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	307
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	8/25/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

I used to have a major thing for Dark Horse's "Ghostess With The Mostest" (but only in her original incarnation). This isn't the published cover by Matt Haley that appeared on Ghost #4, but it's pretty good. Matt told me it's an earlier, self-rejected stab at this composition. The published version is superior, but I still like this first take a lot.

I've wanted a representative Ghost page by Matt, and consider him, Adam Hughes, and Terry Dodson the best of the legion of pencillers who've tackled the book. I've always regarded AH! as the definitive Ghost illustrator, largely on the strength of his inspired Nouveau motifs, which contrasted so coolly with the weirdness of the concept.

Adam and Matt seem pretty much neck and neck in quality with hindsight, though. Each effectively captured the violence and visual beauty of this unique character conception.

Matt's forte as an artist on Ghost was his staging, and the way he visualized her for maximum impact, flowing and formidable. Matt made Elisa Cameron spooky and indomitable.

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About the Owner

	Mark Yanko
Joined:	August 2009
Last Login:	January 2026
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Mark's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/25/2021

The composition looks fairly close for the figures. Barb Wire doesn't have her sunglasses at night and the wrought iron gate replaces the bars here. Haley puts in these bars to contrast and accentuate the curves which are finely and applied, but then there'd need to be explanation of what the bars represent.

Harry M
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 8/25/2021

Is the published version that much better? I submit to the editor's judgement, but the difference in the impact of the two versions does not seem great to me. Yours is a great piece of OA. Congrats.

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 10/26/2021

Exceptional artwork by Haley. I think it's every bit as good as the published cover.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 4/7/2023

Ghost phasing through the other character? So cool. Easier said than done artistically, and I love that you gotta do a double take! Congrats!

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