Ray Lago - Oorgo The Unconquerable

I saw Ray at the 2018 East Coast Comic Con and had a nice chat with him. I didn't even know he was going to be at the show, but we discussed a commission about him doing something in my Monsters Unleashed promo sketchbook. I was attempting to get something from Simon Bisley in the book, so I didn't get the sketchbook to him until later in the day and let him take it with him for the night. A friend picked it up for me the following day as I wouldn't be at the show again. (Thanks, Ankur!)

My theme for the book is any Kirby monster the artist would like to do and he immediately said he'd like to draw Oorgo, as he had actually worked on a story with Kurt Busiek back in the 90's, that for one reason or another he wasn't able to finish (Ricardo Villagrant eventually took over and it became the Strange Tales one shot from 1994). So, he had already drawn the character.

I think he did an amazing job! It's absolutely perfect!! Conveys the Kirby feel, while also having that beautiful ink wash technique that Ray is known for. That he was able to get all that into a space less than 5"x 7" with the building in the background and the smoke is so cool. One of the best in the sketchbook so far for sure!