Animal Man #41 - Cover

Love the detail.  Bolland is amazing.  Thanks for sharing!

Fantastic cover, expertly inked by Brian Bolland. You don't honestly believe anyone else actually inked this, do you? Clearly Brian and his colleagues at the time had an inside joke about Capriati going on at the time, but only Brian and anyone else in on it would be able to tell you what the joke was. Of course after 30 years, even they may no longer remember the origin of the joke!

This was my first thought, and definitely agree - why would they give an unknown an inking credit, but what a weird joke to lean into! I even compared the handwriting, and it looks like they went so far as to have someone else write "Jennifer Capriati" because the 'N's are completely different. 

I've seen jokes like this on a few occasions, actually. Just some internal company fun. Bolland clearly wrote his own name and the title on the top border after he finished inking the cover, then after sending it in to DC, someone at the office wrote in Capriati's name on the inker line. She was a big star back then, so any popular celebrity's name from that period would make sense, but only whoever wrote it would be able to tell you what the joke was.

I secretly hope it is Jennifer, and that she is still ghost inking random greatness such as this throughout the industry. We should examine all chicken-dinosaur works more closely.

Capriati inks are just as nice as Soon-Yi's on https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1755602

Fr the record, my cover (#52) was inked by Goran Ivanisevic ! 🙂 Congrats !

Ah, now we're getting somewhere. I hear some of these serve and volley players are very deft with their wrists. Makes sense they'd handle a brush well. 

What are you trying to say about Soon-Yi?

Working with old artifacts requires a delicate touch. 

Whew!  As you say, I'm sure that uber detail is gorgeous in person!  Definitely a sweel representative Bolland example, and FUN.  Congrats, M!

This is stunning, absolutely love the detail. The inking is outstanding. Gotta find out who that is.

Great pickup from a great run...and now we have some new in-joke knowledge!

Outstanding!

Outstanding!

Egg art week. 

Bolland Animal Man covers are prized for their incredible detail amd artistry, this is one of the best!

The detail!  The fun!  Just incredible!

As many have mentioned, the detail, contrast, and clarity are outstanding! 

What an odd cover. I love it!

Judging by the linework, Jennifer has a great forehand--er, hand.

Sockamagee! (When it comes to Bolland AM covers, I probably will have to settle for the issue 19 prelim. Congrats.)

I always loved this cover, congrats!

awesome cover

This is a great one!

One day I can only hope to have a piece by Capriati. 

I had to work the front court and the baseline to snag this puppy. 

Pure Bolland magic! Love the whole ensemble of characters, especially the baby trike! I am also (now) intrigued byt the inker mystery! Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Bolland is a master! His pencils and inks are phenomenal! Congrats 

Such a stunning cover!

Brian Bolland Animal Man covers are always so mesmorizing no matter the content. Nice pick up.

Seeing this cover brough back a flood of memories... I had forgotten how much I loved this title when it was coming out ... I know I famously say no DC but I actually did read a fair amount of it in my youth and this is on the top of the list! Congratulations!

Brian's stuff is always so good and crisp!  Excellent piece!

Never thought I'd be blown away by a Brian Bolland chicken.  The rest of it ain't bad either.

That rooster looks as confused as Animal Man. Chicken Mom has some major explaining to do...I love Bolland's awesomely bizarre sense of humor. Jennifer Cipriati. Lol! I'm 100% with you on that insane, crisp detail. There are a lot of very detailed artists, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any that make every little detail as perfect as BB does. Cipriati sized congrats!

Love that 'I might be done now' feeling. Those are the pieces to wait for and can see why this was one such. Such a great series and this is astonishing.

P.P.P.P.S.S. Friggin awesome!  You can never go wrong with classic Bolland.  Great grab, congrats!

Congratulations on this amazing art!  I can only imagine how great it looks in person!

The details are amazing. Congrats ML!!!!

Great cover and a great pick up!  This cover spent many years down here in Texas, and it is a fantastic Bolland example

I mean, who hasn't had that feeling? Not the “I might be done now.” feeling. Because almost no addicted collector is gonna be with you on that one! The feeling that Buddy and the chicken/rooster have. I feel like this cover is a metaphor for my entire life! Wow, I got deep there. Didn't know I was gonna have an existential crisis in the comments section of CAF. Oh, and Bolland and Capriati are an unbeatable team. They should play doubles!

It's an excellent piece; I had the chance to see it in person back in the mid-90s. An art dealer was selling dozens of Bolland originals, including several Animal Man covers, many of the hand-painted ones in addition to the black and white, and some Judge Dredd Art from the U.S. reprints.* That art changed my life. There's nothing like seeing a Bolland in person.

Regarding the inking credit, I remember that Jennifer Capriati was a famous tennis player whose career peaked in the 90s. I don't know why her name would be on the art, but I don't believe that anyone but Bolland touched the art (except for the paste-up question mark, perhaps. We all know that editorial thinks they know better than the artist).

* At that time, most of the Bolland originals were going for $500.00; none were more than $1,000.00.