Shelby from Blacksad by Juanjo Guarnido

I recently posted a doodle I got from Mr. Guarnido, one I had acquired through a whatnot stream. This was, at the time my last gasp of a chance to own a piece of his art any time soon. What I didnt know was that my circumstances would change drastically not long after and I WOULD be able to attend NYCC this year... briefly.

I set this up pretty much as soon as I knew I was able to. Guarnido was basically the main reason I even wanted to go. To meet him would be a huge opportunity. And I'm very happy to say it is one I was able to achieve. We had a great time discussing Blacksad and I even got to show him some of my artwork.

This character is Shelby, a newer villain from the most recent volume who will also be appearing in the next one. We don't know too much about his past YET but he's a fairly rare breed in the Blacksad universe... a reluctant villain, one who doesn't enjoy killing but is constrained by circumstance due to the failing health of someone he cares deeply about. I thought it was unique and so I requested him for my villains art wall. Guarnido told me his story in the next volume would be shocking.

There was a mix up regarding whether this would be a bust or a headshot commission but Essential Sequential agreed upon the original price and honored it for a color headshot with Guarnidos approval. The next day this masterpiece was waiting. It feels surreal to even own this, and I couldn't be happier. Me and Juanjo may just be cut from a similar cloth, check out our matching goofy expression in the picture haha.

So I went into this summer praying for even one Guarnido piece and ended up with two. I almost never get more than one piece of art from the same artist, its just a way I operate my collection so it doesn't get out of hand. But I dont count small remarques, and for a maestro like Juanjo Guarnido I'm happy to make an exception.