Action Comics #651 Homage Amalgam Style!

Heroes Con 2023 Pickup!

I wanted to get something from Eranga for a long time, and I told him when I saw his page recreations of famous moments from X-Men and Thunderbolts for 4C Comics, I knew what I would ask for.

This concept had been on my mind since I really got into the commission game. I wanted a recreation of Action Comics #651, but not just any recreation. I had reached out to Oscar Jimenez back in 2020, who penciled the Amalgam issue JLX Unleased #1 where Mistress Maxima (Maxima and the White Queen amalgamated together) appears for a few pages.

When I inquired if there were any character models that existed for Mistress Maxima, Oscar was kind enough to let me know that "Yes, I designed the Hellfire League of Injustice's looks by following some brief depictions that Priest made in the script. But it was an in-page task, as their apparition was so brief and all that no actual character sheets were needed"

I warned Eranga if he agreed to look at my commission concept, it came with a 14 page pdf attached. Instead of Maxima and Superman, it would be Mistress Maxima and Super-Soldier of the Amalgam Universe! Of course, he was more than up for the task!

Without a doubt, this was the single most considerate commission experience I've ever had in my entirety of this hobby of ours. He reviewed my reference without judgment or complaint and understood the complexities and challenges involved. There was no definitive character design for Mistress Maxima, only what could be made out in a few panels on three pages of JLX Unleashed. There were some pre-approval sketches (a first for me!) And constant progress shots and updates.

I love how this turned out and couldn't be happier! So glad Eranga was able to realize this commission concept long held in reserve!

P.S. I also reached out to extraordinaire Digital Colorist (and currently available for commissions!), Dennis Lehmann aka Bouncie D to add colors and some Trade Dress to complete the vision. When he finished he also surprised me with a BONUS Variant Cover! Such a cool retroactive-continuity idea to have the Diamond Form as a variant version! I would have never thought of it myself, but I love it!