Deathstroke vs Etrigan the Demon by Tom Grummett

A commission of Etrigan fighting Deathstroke by the great Tom Grummett.

Having been a longtime fan of Tom’s work since the beginning of his career (on Titans, Superman and Superboy, which I have continued to support ever since including his last two Kickstarter campaigns for Section Zero and by purchasing any book he has touched), I jumped at the chance when his commission list opened in 2018.

I had several characters and possibilities in mind but went for those two who I feel Tom draws particularly well. When I think Deathstroke, I think either Perez or Grummett. Etrigan has more references popping out but I love Tom’s rendition. I went with the fully inked and full background option, requesting a medieval setting such as the inside of a castle.

The piece was commissioned and paid for in February 2018 and delivered to me a bit more than 2 years later.

That is important because to me, it was a long time wait. And I won’t lie, it colors the experience slightly negatively. I know many of you have waited more than this or are still waiting for your commissions after years. I also know many of you have been even ripped off by artists not delivering (as have I even though I never feared it was going to be the case here). I just want to be transparent about my experience without wanting to instigate any controversy about it.

To be perfectly clear, Tom’s agent was always responsive through the process. He even helped me choose my subject when I geekfully submitted my commission options to him for advice. During the wait, I inquired from time to time about the expected delivery and was replied to every time. Even when, as time passed, I wrote with a more and more annoyed tone. Lastly, I was even proposed a full refund in October 2019 if the waiting was not to my liking. I choose not to out of respect for the agent and artist (who produced some sketches for me to review-see below for more on that point) and considering how long it had already been. I MAY have gone for it earlier if offered (I didn’t know it was an option nor did I even think to ask) and in case of need to finance another purchase.

At some point (Mars 2019), I was sent two layout sketches for the proposed finished piece. A process I welcome as it gives the customer the impression he is involved and allows him to somehow play art director.

The layout presented the piece vertically and had Deathstroke leap well above Etrigan’s blast. The other had Etrigan jumping down on Deathstroke. I replied that I’d rather have both on the ground (which would imply that the piece would be turned horizontally). I requested that both were attacking each other. So I clearly felt like I played the hands in art director in that sense.

I was then sent a sketch revised horizontally (November 2019) which was too similar to the first one in my opinion so I restated how I saw the piece and even provided examples of Tom’s own Titans artwork as to how I would see Deathstroke positioned (dodging the blast while firing his own or ready to be).

I was told that my comments would be relied to Tom but that these may reduce his creativity. On which I agree. Given the long wait, I just felt this was an opportunity for me to reduce the risk of not liking the final product.

When I received the scan of the final piece, I could see that Deathstroke was not leaping in the air anymore but still leaping and that my other comments were ignored. I guess it’s the artist’s prerogative and I’m fine with it. However, I believe a have a strong visual sense and that my request could have easily worked (for the better).

I see all of you art reps out there rolling your eyes. Does this experience portray me as a demanding customer? Most likely and I am. Certainly in our hobby where waiting as long as I did seems like the norm for many. Does my involvement in the process slowed it down? I’m sure it would be argued (and it makes sense).

Do I like the piece? Which is the most important question in the risk taking game of commissioning. I really do. But I feel like I own a very nice commission whereas I would have most likely found it spectacular if my requests were followed. So the usual, well worth the wait is not really applicable for me as the long duration of the experience is another factor which diminish my appreciation of it. This will most likely subside with time passing.

Now if you made it this far, again understand my rationale is just to share my experience being as factual as I could, not to chastise anyone.

I leave the final product in front of your eyes to appreciate hopefully free of my own frustration.

Please see the other images below to the initial sketches which I do not own. You can even choose which option you prefer ^^

The piece is not for sale nor will it be ;)

Thanks to Tom and his rep.