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The Sentinels #007 - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

Artists: Brendon Fraim (Penciller) , Brian Fraim (Inker)

4 Comments - 1,273 Views - 0 Like

The Sentinels #007 - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft Comic Art

Additional Images:

Original concept sketches

Refined concept sketch

Pencils

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Artwork Details

Title:	The Sentinels #007 - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
Artist:	Brendon Fraim (Penciller)
Artist:	Brian Fraim (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,273
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	8/10/2012
Comic Art Archive:

Description

The Sentinels #7 (September, 1962)
"Can the Sentinels Stop the Earth's Destruction?"

Who are these mysterious visitors from beyond? What do they want? Can the Sentinels stop the destruction of planet Earth?

Guest appearance by American Security Group government liaison, John Force, the Magic Agent.

Roll Call:
The Alien;
His Robot;
John Force, 'The Magic Agent' - babysitting the group and representing the usual government presence in these things;
Nelvana;
Magno; and
TNT Todd

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I figure the Sentinels must have encountered some aliens, robots, etc. over the course of their career, why not some like those from 1950s movies? Those movies would be in the memory of artists working at the time, and likely showing on TV as well. Probably couldn't Google them though, just a guess. Maybe the artist working on the book liked Sci-Fi movies when he was younger and his father brought home movie posters from his job as projectionist or something. So, he drew inspiration for the cover from those old films.

So, I gave the Fraims the scenario below to illustrate with the idea above.

One of my favorite films is The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), which featured a peaceful alien visitor (Klaatu) and his robot servant/policeman (Gort). I also luv the actor Robert Culp - he was the Man! (Bill Maxwell from Greatest American Hero) He played a role on the early 60s sci-fi TV Show, The Outer Limits, the "Demon with a Glass Hand", the "hand" actually being a super-computer where he had to assemble the fingers to activate it or something.

So, the cover is loosely based on the image of Klaatu and Gort (alien visitors, their ship, etc), but shows the alien with Culp's face (so, no helmet) and his glass hand. I had the Fraims replace the robot with something vaguely similar to Gort crossed with some robot (I think it's is actually an alien in armor, but whatever, looks like a robot) from Earth vs the Flying Saucers (which is much more of a "B-movie" than TDESS, but still fun).

How's that for convoluted? ;-)

Of course, when you read the 'actual' comic, you realize they are peaceful visitors, like Klaatu - the alien and robot are types of 'Sentinels' themselves, looking out for planet Earth. But the cover just seems like they are a threat. So the title 'The Sentinels" has a double meaning - it actually refers to them. Dun-dun-duuunn.

And no, that's not Nick Fury, it's John Force, from the American Security Group. 60s super-spy! (Although, I just realized the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, wouldn't be released until October of 1962, so ... maybe Standard was ahead of the game? Keep those characters guest starring to maintain the trademark! Yeah, that's the ticket -- he guest stars and by coincidence, super-spies become sexy shortly thereafter, so Standard acted liked they led the way!)

I doubt the timing on the Outer Limits reference works either, but I think it looks cool. The heavy use of shadows from the glass hand is pretty sweet. Magno has a bit of a Perez vibe and Nelvana looks particularly sweet. Also - rivets on TNT Todd with varying shadow/light - love it.

Additional Images:
Image 1: Original concept sketches
Image 2: Refined concept sketch
Image 3: Pencils

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	Roy Johnson
Joined:	December 2010
Last Login:	July 2023
Country:	CANADA
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Comments on this Artwork

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Kevin Moorhead
Member Since 2008

Posted on 8/10/2012

You had me at Day the Earth Stood Still.

Mike W
Member Since 2007

Posted on 8/10/2012

A very, very cool piece!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Michael One Minute Later
Member Since 2005

Posted on 8/10/2012

nice!

Gerry Turnbull
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/30/2016

totally awesome

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