It was some years ago that I happened upon a website with multiple commissioned art pieces featuring scenes from that back-in-the-day series, Marvel Two-in-One. The title featured Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing, teaming up with a different hero or heroes from the Marvel Universe. The website intrigued me, because it had many of the scenes recreated by a variety of talented artists in the industry. After I discovered and joined CAF, I was pleased to find the proprietor of that site was also a member here, and featured many of those same pieces in his gallery. I shot off an e-mail to him, and he kindly responded. Thus, an online friendship was born. Now I'm happy to say that I regularly converse online with Brian, along with two other CAF greats, Michael F. Finn and Michael Dunne. Its sort of like a Rat Pack of comic art fans, with Michael Finn, Brian, and Michael Dunne in the roles of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy, and I'm in the Joey Bishop role. In other words, I'm damn lucky to be in the company of great guys like them. Check out their galleries and see some of the best art you'll find on CAF, bar none.

Which brings me to the piece featured here. Imagine my surprise when out of nowhere, a package arrived at my home containing the above killer piece of art. It was sent to me as a gift from my friend Brian. Of course, you all recognize the one, true King of Wakanda, the Black Panther, seen here on the prowl as rendered by the uber-talented Ken Steacy, whose work includes stints on Marvel Fanfare, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Doom Patrol, among others. Steacy knocked this one out of the ballpark, if I do say so myself.

Very special thanks to Brian for this act of unbridled kindness. The only thing I appreciate more than this excellent gift is the friendship I share with you and the others. This piece will soon be framed and on my wall, the only piece of art I own to hold that honor.

Social/Sharing