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Rich Cirillo UNITED STATES
Member Since October 2004
667 Artworks | Watched by 135

Adam Hughes Mantis

Location: Adam Hughes
Artist: Adam Hughes (All)

11889  Views  -  46  Comments  -  23  Likes

Adam Hughes Mantis
Artwork Details
Location: Adam Hughes
Title: Adam Hughes Mantis*
Artist:  Adam Hughes (All)
Media Type: Mixed Media
Art Type: Commission
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 11889
Likes on CAF: 23
Favorited on CAF: 18
Comments: 46
Added to Site: 11/26/2010

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Description
This is a quick sketch that Adam scribbled on a cocktail napkin at a hotel bar after another grueling con. See it does pay to stalk your favorite artist and wait until they are feeling no pain to swipe their latest drunken doodle as soon as their back is turned!

But seriously... I had won the Ebay auction for a guarenteed sketch for the 2010 Baltimore Convention. In typical fashion, I had to search the bowels of my childhood to come up with the most obscure character I could possibly think of. Sure, anyone can ask for Wonder Woman for the 1000th time, where's the originality there? You want to show some balls, ask the artist for Aunt Beru's third cousin Mildred and watch the blank stare you get back! Let them find reference for that one!!!

I don't know why I like to take the road less traveled, but growing up reading comics in the 70's The Avengers was far and away my favorite mag! Steve Englehart was the writer when I bought my first issue and Mantis was a core member at the time! What was not to like about her? She was Hot, Asian, a martial arts expert, a former hooker and she proceeded to seduce each male member of the team, specifically the Vision, and created disention in the ranks! Okay granted her story got a little weird after the Swordsman died and she was proclaimed the Celestial Madonna and merged with a tree. She also had a habit of referring to herself as "This One"! But I'd rather focus on that she was Hot and Asian!

I thought since Adam and I are close in age (actually born a few weeks apart) that maybe we grew up reading some of the same comics, and maybe it would be a cool piece of nostalgia to try his interpretation of this character. Little did I know that he had no connection with this character what so ever and that it presented a problem for inspiration.

Allison and Adam were nice enough at the Baltimore con to let me know that he would be working on my sketch on the last day as Adam was waiting on some inspiration as he got rolling with his sketch list. Allison on the last day of the con asked me if I could hang around after the con ended that Sunday and Adam would work on it that evening back at their hotel. Not a problem, I was driving back to NY that night with Buzz so we could hang for a few hours. We met Allison and Adam in the hotel restaurant, had a nice dinner together, Berni Wrightson and his wife showed up, so it made for a fun time. Adam worked on my sketch after dinner, I was happy with it and we headed back NY that night! Commission done!...or so i thought...

About a day or two later I get an email from Allison that Adam was not happy with how Mantis came out and could I hold back from posting it online so he could give the character another try! When a talented guy like Adam offers to do your sketch over who am I to stand in his way! I knew they were busy with everything going on, heck they were getting married in a few days!!! I saw them at the NYCC in October and Adam went out of his way to tell me he didn't forget about my sketch! Very nice of him to even think of it in the chaos that is the NYCC! No problem, no rush!

Fast forward to a few days ago, I get an email through my phone while I'm at work. Allison letting me know my sketch is almost finished and will be shipped shortly!!! Made my day to say the least!!!

Then she asks if I want to see a scan??? Hell Yeah!!! Almost fell off my chair!!! It Rocked!!! Got a quick email from Adam thanking me for my patience and asking me to burn his first attempt! LOL

Long story short, this surpasses any expectations I could have had! HUUUUUUGE thanks to Adam and Allison for even suggesting doing the sketch over and for going above and beyond what I could have asked for! You two are Class Acts in my book! And again I am sorry for choosing such an obscure character! Maybe next time I'll ask for WW! ;)

About The Owner

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Rich Cirillo ( 9 )
Badges: Premium Gallery Owner
Member Since: October 2004
Last Login: July 2026
Ebay Id: Gatchaman7
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Art lover Member Since 2006
Posted On 11/26/2010

GORGEOUS!
Bill Dinh Member Since 2010
Posted On 11/26/2010

This is absolutely gorgeous, and mighty kind of them :)
. BRAUNY Member Since 2007
Posted On 11/26/2010

Hey Rich - great story for a great piece! All that waiting makes it even better. Congrats!
Justin Leigh Leiter Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/26/2010

An amazing piece...but am I right in hearing you say you've now got TWO drawings of Mantis!?? I'm sure the first one is mighty fine, even if Adam isn't fully satisfied with it. :)
Terry Maltos Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/26/2010

Great story! And a nice piece! Congrats!
Michael Rankins Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/26/2010

This One likes Adam's take on Mantis very much!
nino torre Member Since 2009
Posted On 11/26/2010

Great piece, Hughes does not dissappoint !
Foggy Bottom Member Since 2009
Forum Moderator
Posted On 11/26/2010

Baller.
Patrick  Brooks Member Since 2008
Posted On 11/26/2010

So you're the lucky dog that won this beauty. Adam posted it up on his Deviant page. Congrats. Just awesome!!
Scott Williams Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/26/2010

Adam has more talent per square molecule than just about anyone I can think of. Has Mantis ever looked so good? I think not.
R Thrower Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/26/2010

What a story! (and What a Sketch!) Congrats man!
Michael Bair Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/26/2010

Congrats on an outstanding piece of art. Nice story of Adam & Allison going above an beyond to make your commission idea come to life. I completely agree with your love of secondary characters. I sort of view it as being like album tracks, of course most people just want to hear the hit singles. For the artist it can be abit stifling ( remember when David Bowie had that concert tour where he was going to retire performing all the old material ). It's both a blessing & a curse to have a hit of any sort. Recording artist can solve this problem by doing a 'medley of hits', sadly I don't think this would work in visual form.
Jimmy Lawrence Member Since 2009
Posted On 11/26/2010

Oh wow!....
F M Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/27/2010

Frankly one of the best AH of this year :)
Kirk  Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006
Posted On 11/27/2010

This may be Adam best piece (for me also an Avengers nut). Can we see the other one (do you want to sell it?) : ) Congrats on an awesome piece of art.
Guido de Bue Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/27/2010

The art is great but the story makes it amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
Arts Jluc Member Since 2006
Posted On 11/27/2010

Mantis?...mmmm yes yes Mantis wow.
Jon C Member Since 2006
Posted On 11/27/2010

Very cool, I always liked Mantis as well and you never see her...and this is gorgeous (it's Adam, of course it is!). Awesome, congrats.
comicinkking. com Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/27/2010

Beautiful!
JONATHAN MANKUTA Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/27/2010

Great story and a greater piece...I love the obscurity of the character too...
Erik S Member Since 2003
Posted On 11/27/2010

Beautiful! And she's not THAT obscure a character, she's been a regular team member on the latest Guardians of the Galaxy team/comic that Marvel has been putting out.
Holly Burnett Member Since 2009
Posted On 11/27/2010

I can't think of anything to say... it's way too beautiful for mere words!!
Shailesh Patel Member Since 2009
Posted On 11/28/2010

Beautiful, her face is perfect along with the rest of her!
Ron S Member Since 2007
Posted On 11/28/2010

It's a great commission, but the story makes it that much better! Congratulations!
Anthony F Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/28/2010

Congrats Rich, thanks for the introduction to Marvel's Mantis. I am SO glad your didn't pick the other Mantis (the TV hero with the car). Nice job Adam, putting in the extra effort on your sketch(es)!
Mike W Member Since 2007
Posted On 11/28/2010

Great story, Rich, and as usual - EXCELLENT job by Adam!! Congratulations!!!
QUEER EYE FOR THE COMIC GUY GIRL X QUEER EYE FOR THE COMIC GUY GIRL X: LOVE IS LOVE! Member Since 2007
Posted On 11/29/2010

One of my favorite Asian bad girls from the 70s Avengers title...this was a great choice and Adam really kicked some ass on this one...awesome !!!
Alan N Member Since 2004
Posted On 11/29/2010

Beautiful!
eric basaldua Member Since 2009
Posted On 11/29/2010

so let me get this straight...u now have TWO adam pieces?? in that short amount of time?? nice...u lucky dog u!! he is SO good at drawing faces...great piece and pose
Allison Sohn Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/3/2010

eric basaldua wrote:
" so let me get this straight...u now have TWO adam pieces?? in that short amount of time?? nice...u lucky dog u!! he is SO good at drawing faces...great piece and pose  "
Two for the price of one. Its cuz Rich is such a class act!
eric basaldua Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/3/2010

Allison Sohn wrote:
" Two for the price of one. Its cuz Rich is such a class act!  "
well damn-nit ...i gotta go see if ebay has some class for sale...
Darryl Banks Member Since 2006
Posted On 12/2/2010

I'm an old school Steve Englehart Avengers fan, too. Mantis is a severely underrated character. I'd love to see Adam Hughes draw her more often!
Rich Cirillo Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/3/2010

What Allison is not telling you is I had to agree to groom and baby sit their sheepdogs when they are out of town at conventions! ;)
Allison Sohn Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/3/2010

Rich Cirillo wrote:
" What Allison is not telling you is I had to agree to groom and baby sit their sheepdogs when they are out of town at conventions! ;)  "
SOLD! Want a third mantis sketch? (she says, having spent most of this week grooming the dogs)
Dean Abraham Member Since 2008
Posted On 12/3/2010

Very nice Rich. great piece
Michael  Gowcharan Member Since 2003
Posted On 12/3/2010

Holy CRAP!!!!
Ross T. L. Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/31/2011

One of my favorite Hughes pieces on the entire site. Congratulations Rich!
Joe Boster Member Since 2004
Posted On 6/8/2012

Wow. Not just out of the park, but not even in the same zip code!
Doug Hazlewood Member Since 2009
Posted On 9/22/2012

That is a winner!!!
A N Member Since 2012
Posted On 1/28/2013

Yea. That is awesome.
R Lee Member Since 2012
Posted On 12/11/2014

This is still hands down one of the best AH commissions I've seen on Comic Art Fans. I love the colored version as well. I only wish AH still does commissions like this...
Bill Lait Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/2/2016

Great story, and that is the best looking Mantis I've ever seen! I had a similar experience with Adam years ago, I asked for Dumb Bunny and got a puzzled look. You know, from the Inferior 5? Crickets. But he absolutely killed it regardless!
Brian Mulcahy Member Since 2004
1    
Posted On 10/22/2021

Adam at the very top of his convention sketch game.

 Michael  McIsaac Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 11/24/2021

This is stunning.  I'm mesmerized by it.

 CJ Design Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 1/22/2023

Great piece and story!

 Mark Yanko Member Since 2009
1    
Posted On 5/27/2023

Wow, such a great story. (PS, what you ended up getting for all your pain wasn't too shabby either.) It says a lot about Adam that he went the extra mile for you and actually went back in the shop for a second, better try. Happy for you, Rich!

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