Machine Man commission, 2009

I remember how amazing it was watching the John Byrne Forum in real time as Clint Ludwick’s Marvel Monster Series of commissions rolled out over a couple years. Each new creature was awesome from Morbius, Godzilla, and Frankenstein’s Monster to the monster adjacent but more super-heroic Moon Knight, Blade, and of course Jack Kirby’s Machine Man! Shhh, a lil’ secret, he’s my favorite! Though I really love them all. Byrne was hitting yet another brand new high in his legendary career, that to me is practically all high points. He was often working at large impressive scales, perfecting his inking facility, experimenting with new techniques, and designing iconic new images for a greatest hits of classic creatures. Or, to steal a favorite show’s title: Creature Features! And then, John & Clint even did two of my all-time favorite non-A-listers Modred the Mystic and Man-Wolf! This commission comes with one oddity, and that is Byrne decided to hand color an incomplete copy. It’s missing a portion down the right side. Anyways, it’s an interesting curio, and I’m happy for its inclusion either way. Again, the Byrne & Ludwick commission series was so amazing, it’s basically criminal that Marvel hasn’t found a way to publish it! And so, today I get to enjoy Jack “King” Kirby’s Machine Man by John Byrne!

Thanks to Jack, John, Clint, Jim & Anthony.
Art from 2009 - 11x17.