1995 Wildstorm Groo trading card #IG-2 (The Sage & Mulch) by Kevin Nowlan
Artists: Kevin Nowlan (Penciller) , Kevin Nowlan (Inker)
146 Views - 21 Comments - 18 Likes
Additional Images:
card packaging
published card
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis one took a minor detour to get here. I first noticed the piece in an auction this past summer. As a huge Nowlan fan (and of course Groo), I was immediately intrigued. While not exactly a prime Nowlan cover, splash, or commission piece, I still appreciated it as a wonderful drawing with Kevin’s usual masterful inking. It wasn’t something that I HAD to have, but one I certainly wouldn’t mind adding to my Nowlan collection. As such, I put up a fairly modest bid. Not anything I realistically expected to hold up, but one that could maybe net me a good bargain. I honestly did not expect to win it, and I didn’t.Sometime later, I saw it being offered for sale on CAF. Initially, it was offered at a minimal profit over the auction price. When it didn’t sell, it was offered closer to auction cost. And when it didn’t sell again, it was actually offered at a loss. Unfortunately for me, none of those prices were anywhere near my very modest bid. Haha! Eventually the piece disappeared. And while I lamented my lost opportunity, I honestly didn’t give it much thought after that. But then a few weeks ago, it popped up again in a different auction. I immediately thought about throwing up the same modest bid amount from the previous auction. But remembering how that really didn’t do me much good, I decided to up it just a tad. Once again, I really didn’t expect to win. But miracle of miracles, this time I did. The best part is that I was able to get it for about a third of what it went for in the original auction. So the art gods were definitely smiling on me. At least for once, since I almost always tend to get clobbered with most of my auction bidding. Anyway, it wasn’t the most direct path, but I’m just glad it eventually got to me. About the art. While I am a big Groo fan and have pretty much every issue from all four publishers of the comic, I actually don’t remember these trading cards at all. I would guess at some point after they came out, I probably saw them on Sergio’s table at some convention. But honestly I don’t remember. I did some quick online searches after I got the artwork and apparently Wildstorm did release a set of trading cards back in 1995. The set is comprised of 153 cards featuring Sergio’s art, and 9 additional chase cards by guest artists like Jim Lee, Sam Kieth, Mike Allred, Simon Bisley, Jeff Smith, and Kevin Nowlan, among others. This is of course the Nowlan card. It’s #2 in the 9-card IMAGES OF GROO subset. Except this isn’t an image of Groo at all. Instead, it’s an exquisitely rendered drawing of Sage and his dog Mulch. As always, Kevin’s brushwork is just masterful, and the inks are absolutely sublime. One of the things I love most about Kevin’s art is how he can make even a (seemingly) simple illustration a master class in inking. As someone who enjoys creating logos, he has a great design sense. Plus, I think he has a perfect understanding of the black and white art form. Basically what I’m saying is that this guy knows his shi.......uh, stuff. And he just makes everything look good. Anyway, super happy to have this mini masterpiece by a true Master of the craft. I reached out to Kevin to ask if he had any memories of doing this piece and he told me that he was (and I quote) “just happy I got to draw a dog.” Thanks to all of you who took the time to stop by. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Kavi H 
Member Since 2018
Posted on 12/2/2025
Nice Nowlan piece with top notch inking as usual! Did not know about this Wildstorm trading card set either, but not surprised as it was the 90s after all! Also noticed this one making the auction/for sale rounds a few times in a short period of time somewhat recently, which is a good recipe for a bargain if you end up being the last taker in that sequential story of art changing ownership hands quickly :) - good for you and congrats on the new addition at a great price!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/2/2025
Duke Fleed wrote:
Nice to know we have another interest in common!
Obviously there can only be one #1 Groo fan. But hey, I'll settle for any spot in the top 50. Appreciate the comment, especially considering it's not an actual Groo drawing.
André .
Member Since 2015
Posted on 12/2/2025
Fun piece, and nice to finally see it in a collection!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/2/2025
Rick W wrote:
Wise move, choosing this card from the deck!
Speaking of choosing. When I reached out to Kevin, I asked him why he chose this particular character. He told me that by the time Wildstorm approached him to do one, this was the only character left. So it wasn't so much a luck of the draw thing, but more being the last horse at the trough. Of course I realize that if this HAD been an actual Groo drawing, I probably wouldn't have gotten it for that price. So my "wise move" had more to do with loving Kevin's work, rather than being a Groo fan.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/2/2025
Great art that you want at 1/3 cost is a formula that works every time! Congrats on getting the piece you want, at a price you want. And a dang good piece of art as well. Congrats!!
George H
Member Since 2009
Posted on 12/2/2025
I always love how clean Nowlan is able to draw and his, unique to him, shapes and proportion. Great example!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/2/2025
Marcus Wai wrote:
All it took was a tad.
Haha! That's right, just a tad. I wish I could win all my auctions with just a tad. But like I said, my bids usually get clobbered. At least it worked this time. I'll keep trying though.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
Posted on 12/3/2025
Awesome and unique artist/subject pairing! Loved your engaging description, as always. Third time's a charm! I hope to finally land a couple items I somehow let slip through my fingers at past auctions, and your tale gives me hope
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/3/2025
artless artmore wrote:
Awesome and unique artist/subject pairing! Loved your engaging description, as always. Third time's a charm! I hope to finally land a couple items I somehow let slip through my fingers at past auctions, and your tale gives me hope
Good luck buddy! Sometimes all we have is hope. Unfortunately for me, I have more hope than actual cash. And hope only gets you so far. Just glad it worked out in this case.
F M
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/3/2025
I'll confess I've never read anything "Groo" but it's Nowlan so you pay atention ;)
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2025
F M wrote:
I'll confess I've never read anything "Groo" but it's Nowlan so you pay atention ;)
I would argue that you should probably pay attention to Sergio as well, but I totally agree about Nowlan. That's someone who ALWAYS gets my attention. Thanks for the comment my friend.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
Posted on 12/7/2025
So, so, sooo cool. What a treat to see a more down to earth take on The Sage & Mulch here by the always delightful Mr. Nowlan (who absolutely knocked it out of the park on "the dog"... It's my favorite part of the piece! :) Putting the "wow!" in bow-wow, I guess...!). Fantastic write up (as usual) and I was chuckling out loud as you added more and more twists and turns. If there was ever a more comic-character-accurate way for a piece to make its rambling and indirect way to the collection that is trying and trying and trying (and trying!) to bring it home, it is your description of the meandering and roundabout journey this piece took to reach you. Love that story! :) Yup - a gorgeously inked specialty piece that finally arrived to where it appears it was obviously headed all along. Big congrats, pal. :)
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