Jack-in-the-Box by Brent Anderson

I've read every issue of Kurt Busiek's Astro City, every short story, ever since the title debuted 22 (!) years ago. Lately, other artists have joined Busiek in crafting stories set in this grounded super-hero universe, but his partners from the start have been Brent Anderson on interior art and Alex Ross for covers and designs.

When I spied Anderson's table at the 2003 Comic-Con International in San Diego near the end of the show, I thumbed through the pages of original comic art he had to offer. There were so many Astro City boards, I was in Heaven, but my wallet wasn't co-operating. Fortunately, I was able to get this quick pencil sketch of one of the more recognizable Astro City characters, Jack-in-the-Box. I love how the artist used one of the hero's shocker-nose gadgets to keep the image within the theme of the sketchbook.