Powerline #3 Cover Painting by Kevin Nowlan: The unaltered original before Marvel made her wear pink sunglasses
Artist: Kevin Nowlan (All)
7 Comments - 363 Views - 19 Likes
Additional Images:
Nowlan's pencil prelim from his blog
Cover as printed
Artwork Details
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DescriptionOne of my favorite Kevin Nowlan covers and, in my opinion, the best cover ever done for a very mediocre comic. The late 80s Marvel Epic Shadowline covers always looked incredible thanks to painters like Nowlan, Sienkiewicz, Kent Williams, and Jon J. Muth.This piece has a great backstory. Nowlan has written that Marvel approved the sketch, but after he finished the painting they asked him to add pink sunglasses. He hated them, calling them “awful,” and a paste-up version with the glasses went to print. Somewhere out there that altered version still exists, but this is the unaltered original. Even better, it came from Mike Mignola’s collection before it surfaced at Heritage Auctions. It is pure Nowlan, quirky proportions, wide-eyed expression, and beautifully layered paint and colored pencil. The lighting, color shifts, and electric movement in the hair make it a standout image that still has more intrigue than the comic it was made for. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rick W 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 8/13/2025
When you wake up in the morning and the light is hurt your head
The first thing you do when you get up out of bed
Is hit that streets a-runnin' and try to beat the masses
And go get yourself some pink sunglasses
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/13/2025
Talent knows talent! Offbeat artwork of the 80's were a big part of the subversive nature of the time. You can see more of the anxiety and uncertainty in this version where the shadows under the eye tell you more about her beleaguered state of mind. Never touch a downed power line that could be live.
Chris Lutes
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 8/14/2025
Wow. Incredible, jaw dropping pick up Chuck! Congratulations! I could stare at this piece for hours. Kevin packs so much story in her expression and the absolutely masterful technique on display make this a showstopper in any collection.
Chris Snorek
Member Since 2009
2 - Posted on 8/14/2025
Fine art masquerading as illustration. They added the sunglasses to complete the disguise!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 8/14/2025
The layering of paint and colored pencils done here is so nice for a mixed media cover! Best cover for a mediocre comic should be a new category in the CAF awards every year, you can have the first award! :) - damn those pink sunglasses sorta ruined it though, but the original is superb. congrats!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
3 - Posted on 8/14/2025
Kavi H wrote:
The layering of paint and colored pencils done here is so nice for a mixed media cover! Best cover for a mediocre comic should be a new category in the CAF awards every year, you can have the first award! :) - damn those pink sunglasses sorta ruined it though, but the original is superb. congrats!
Best cover for a mediocre comic would have thousands of entries a year, most comics, like most artforms, being of that nature. This cover would be a strong contender of quality disguising mediocrity within. I barely remember the comic.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/14/2025
I agree, sans glasses is best. Glad the original survived and congrats on adding to your collection!
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