Shahin's Gallery :: Covers

Barb Wire v2 #1 Cover

Artist: Adam Hughes (All)

7 Comments - 974 Views - 7 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Barb Wire v2 #1 Cover
Artist:	Adam Hughes (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	974
Likes on CAF:	7 8
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	7
Added to Site:	9/29/2023
Comic Art Archive:	Barb Wire Issue: 1 Page: cover View

Description

The standard cover read "Don't Mess With Barb Wire" but a mail in retailer variant could be obtained for one that was a little more digitally blood spattered and read "Don't @#$% With Barb Wire."

How to get the variant? Dark Horse Comics (in a stroke of pure marketing psychotic genius) said that the ultra rare version was only available by sending in 20 copies of the (at the time) newly-released Marvel Star Wars #1 first printing.

Said Dark Horse president Mike Richardson: "No retailer who is a true Star Wars fan would destroy his or her own first issue, so what better way to pump sales than by offering a reward for extra copies? Of course, we're hoping that Marvel returns the favor by offering an exclusive Star Wars cover for every 20 Barb Wire covers it receives. Seems fair and what better combination exists in this or any other galaxy that Star Wars and Barb Wire?"

Apart from the somewhat bonkers history, this cover is one of the best examples I've seen of Hughes traditional work. Commissions are usually pen and Copic, and modern covers are pen and ink with digital color. This baby is a mixed media extravaganza, with marker, paint, intense crosshatching, etc. I had long been on the hunt for a great Hughes cover, so being able to pick this up from him was fun.

When I purchased, he looked at the piece and wistfully said "Bye, crotch shot." It was a more touching moment than I'm making it sound.

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About the Owner

	Shahin Chandrasoma ( 9 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2023
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Shahin'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

2 - Posted on 9/29/2023

Sometimes sending a Wire is like a kick in the crotch for these sham tough guys! Hughes Reminds us that he can still deliver big impact from pin up pieces.

Justin Porter
Member Since 2003

Posted on 9/29/2023

Bad @$$!

John C
Member Since 2014

Posted on 9/30/2023

Even his friends are thinking "dammmm, that's gotta hurt."

Eric B
Member Since 2014

Posted on 10/1/2023

Well he won't be in issue #2.

C Bailey
Member Since 2013

Posted on 10/3/2023

Don't FUCK with BARB WIRE! Great cover and well known issue/image with some great history. Congrats Shahin! 🍻

Ben Bressel
Member Since 2003

Posted on 12/31/2023

That's so cool

M .
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/21/2024

The expressions on the two guys holding Barb are priceless. Classic AH! The detail is superb, the jackets, jeans, hair. Why doesn't this piece have more comments?

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