Spider-Man (Peter Parker) & Mary Jane Watson by Mark Buckingham

Last Saturday 18th of July 2026, my wife and I visited BD Contern for the very first time. It's an international comic fair in Luxembourg, where the entire village transforms and opens its doors for all things comics. There's shops from Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany & France; a lot of collectors; and about fifty authors and artists. Among them were four artists that peaked my interest: Don Rosa, Mike Perkins, Liam Sharp & Mark Buckingham.

Due to how busy it was (and not being able to sacrifice the entire day there and it being a 3 hour one way drive), I managed to only visit Mark's table. Luckily, that was my prio as I had set up one very final commission by Mark a few months ago for this show. I asked for an illustration showing Peter & MJ's love - however Mark would interpret that, would be up to him and his imagination. 

This could be a classic 60s/70s door poster or an insert for a Valentine's comic (on which Mark did his very first Spidey work BTW). Exactly what I wanted - and a fun coincidence is that he reused a pose he did for an earlier MJ commission he did for me, but I let go. The insert panel on the bottom is perfection, as it still gives me a bit of "Peter Parker" in here. And another eye catcher are those gorgeously rendered flowers.

It's also fun that Mark seemed really happy with this one. As far as inks go, I checked with Mark and he mentioned the usual suspects for his style - like Steve Leialoha & Dan Green. But Liam Sharp - sitting next to Mark - weighed in and suggested Joe Rubinstein. Mark agreed that that would be a nice fit, too. 

This one is on A3 (Europe's 11x17) and fully rendered in pencil. Thanks, Mark!