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Chris K. UNITED STATES
Member Since August 2008
753 Artworks | Watched by 224

Windsor-Smith, Barry - Miracleman, issue 23, cover (June 1992)

Location: MIRACLEMAN - issue 23 (COMPLETE BOOK)
Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith (All)

2973  Views  -  29  Comments  -  9  Likes

Windsor-Smith, Barry - Miracleman, issue 23, cover (June 1992)
Artwork Details
Location: MIRACLEMAN - issue 23 (COMPLETE BOOK)
Title: Windsor-Smith, Barry - Miracleman, issue 23, cover (June 1992)*
Artist:  Barry Windsor-Smith (All)
Media Type: Paint - Watercolor
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 2973
Likes on CAF: 9
Favorited on CAF: 1
Comments: 29
Added to Site: 9/22/2014

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Description
‘Standing motionless before the viewer expressing a supra-humanism…no flying, no fighting, no sitting in remorse amid some wreckage’. – Barry Windsor-Smith describing his depiction of Marvelman on the cover to issue 23 of ‘Miracleman’, which debuted Neil Gaiman’s Silver Age storyline.

When I reached out to Barry Windsor-Smith about whether he still might have this cover, I let him know that while I thought it was one of his simplest images, I also thought it was amongst his finest covers. I have to admit I was surprised when he agreed with me.

Windsor-Smith was as gracious as I could have ever imagined in our dialogue back and forth about the piece. He let me know his goal was to represent the character for what he perceived Alan Moore’s vision to be: not a superhero or a super villain, but the singular personification of a supremely transcendent human being. He didn’t want to show him flying or fighting or sitting in remorse amid the wreckage of London. He wanted him just standing motionless before the viewer…expressing a supra humanism that countless covers of superheroes had yet to capture.

He felt good about catching Marvelman as he perceived him - but said it didn’t come easy. He drew the figure over and over and even began painting two of the half dozen attempts that he eventually scrapped. With all of the iterations, he never wavered from the concept of simplicity; no background or details of any sort that would place Marvelman in a place or time or any circumstance of any nature whatsoever.

So, how could this piece be any more special than it already is? Easy – it’s matted and framed (as well as signed and dated) by BWS himself…something he let me know he had never done before and has not done since to a piece of his own comic art. It’s an incredible bonus to what is IMHO a stunning piece of art - comic art or otherwise. Hope you enjoy it, as well!

Thank you for the advice, Joseph!


About The Owner

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Chris K.
Badges: Premium Gallery Owner Best of 2024 Best of 2023 Best of 2021
Member Since: August 2008
Last Login: July 2026
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Ron S Member Since 2007
Posted On 9/22/2014

Awesome!! I don't normally love colored art, but this is spectacular.
Mike W Member Since 2007
Posted On 9/22/2014

I'm blown away - by both art and the story behind it. Barry is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I'm extremely happy for you, my friend!!!!! Congratulations on acquiring this masterpiece!!!!
Malvin V Member Since 2004
Posted On 9/22/2014

Wow, this is a great piece! Congrats on adding this to your collection!
. BRAUNY Member Since 2007
Posted On 9/22/2014

Major congrats!
LB Jefferies Member Since 2003
Posted On 9/22/2014

Unbelievable. You've just blown my mind for the rest of the week. Completely unfair thing to do on a Monday.
Jonathan H Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/22/2014

Wow what a find! Congrats!!
Jeremy Radisich Member Since 2004
Posted On 9/22/2014

Truly stunning piece of artwork, and I love hearing about BWS' mindset when he was working on it. One of my favorite things about this painting is the background color--something pretty sublime about that shade of purple...
Chris K. Member Since 2008
Posted On 9/22/2014

Jeremy Radisich wrote:
" Truly stunning piece of artwork, and I love hearing about BWS' mindset when he was working on it. One of my favorite things about this painting is the background color--something pretty sublime about that shade of purple...  "
About that background color...should have mentioned it in the description; thanks for bringing it up! It's not paint but film. Letraset makes ultra thin color sheets to adhere to artwork and graphic presentations to get a maximum flatness of consistent color where a painted background might end up with streaks or a less than uniform appearance. From my understanding, BWS has been using these films since his art college days.
Matt W Member Since 2009
Posted On 9/22/2014

Unbelievable cover and story!
Jonathan Mueller Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/22/2014

Stunning; but you're such a tease!! "..it’s matted and framed (as well as signed and dated) by BWS himself..." and you don't show us a pic of it, for shame! All kidding aside, congrats and thanks for sharing!
Mark Levy Member Since 2004
Posted On 9/22/2014

Very memorable - the additional pictures feature would be great for su to see the frame!
E DLS Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/22/2014

A great story behind this piece. And how wonderful that the story was provided by the artist himself. Congratulations!
Jeff Singh Member Since 2004
Posted On 9/23/2014

Great cover. Perhaps no Manga Carta equivalent but it will do:) p.s. just read you CFA-APA article.
Felix  Lu Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/23/2014

Most memorable. Hands down the best one of the three you were considering. Congrats again!
Jason Harris Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/23/2014

Awesome pickup sir. I talked to Barry about this some 8 years ago, but was never able to find the funds. Nice to see it finally out there again.
Shelton  Bryant Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/23/2014

A Stunning Windsor-Smith!!!! A Thousands Congrats!!!!!
Patrick  Brooks Member Since 2008
Posted On 9/23/2014

Just a gorgeous piece and a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing both.
Gene Park Member Since 2004
Posted On 9/23/2014

Yeah Jeets!
Oystein Sorensen Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/23/2014

A fabulous piece in all its apparent simplicity. Great description too.
Dino Mauricio Member Since 2009
Posted On 9/23/2014

Brilliant MM piece, always a big fan of BWS art!
Joseph Melchior Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/23/2014

Well you know my thought on both MM generally and this cover. A study in contrast with Mr Totleben. A stunning addition to your collection. And you're welcome - always happy to help my fellow collector spend money! ;o)
Steve Day Vich Member Since 2007
Posted On 9/24/2014

It's ok. Let me know when you get something good. (You can read between the lines here).
J L Member Since 2005
Posted On 9/24/2014

Subdued image of MM and spectacular at the same time. Wow. Great pick up!!!!
C . Member Since 2008
Posted On 9/24/2014

Great cover for a great comic, congratulations!
Gal Schwartz Member Since 2005
Posted On 10/5/2014

Truly lovely cover ! So different and with so much class.
Keith Veronese Member Since 2005
Posted On 10/11/2014

Amazing Ronan!
Mike (aka Off White) White Member Since 2008
Posted On 10/25/2014

Great story and a great pkup! Congrats!
John Livesay Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/3/2014

Amazing!!
M L Member Since 2015
1    
Posted On 3/20/2024

Understated elegance - you and BWS are right on the money with this one. 

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