This drawing of Doc Savage and the Thing battling the evil Blacksun (a la Marvel Two in One # 21) is especially meaningful to me because it was a surprise gift from friends (and fellow comic art collectors)
Michael Finn and
Michael Dunne commemorating the birth of my son.
Working in secret, the two Mikes combed through old emails I'd sent them and determined (correctly) that MTIO 21 was (a) one of my favorite stories in the MTIO run and (b) a book at the top of my commission 'to do' list. Choosing Rich Buckler to draw this piece also has a bit of a story to it, as the Mikes knew that Rich was an original MTIO artist who I'd been unlucky in getting a drawing from in years past.
I am looking forward to sitting down with my son in future years and telling him the story of how this wonderful gift came into being. I feel honored and humbled to have such good friends who would go out of their way to do something like this for me and my family.
At this point I usually provide details about dates and artist contact info, but I don't know any of that (for obvious reasons). Completed some time in 2008 is the best I can offer.
Rest in peace, Rich.
