Hellstrom - Leonardo Manco

I loved Manco's Marvel work that he did back around the turn of the century.  The western minis and the Dr. Doom minis were fantastic.  This is an outstanding piece!

Oh man...I totally forgot about that Doom mini - spectacular art by Manco on those. I never did get around to reading the westerns though. Maybe something that needs rectifying.

Blaze of Glory and its sequel, Apache Skies, both written by John Ostrander with art by Manco.  I remember loving both of them when they came out, but it has been almost twenty years since I read them.

Sublime, can almost hear you cackling fiendishly...

My cackle is indeed fiendish but dimished somewhat by the coughing fits that follow.

Who am I kidding? Was the pants buttoned or unbuttoned before you starting "touching" the commission. ;)

Hahahaha I TOTALLY set myself up for that one! But...they were buttoned. 

I followed the series for Bair and Nieves initally but it was all about Ellis and Manco later on (though both were early in their artistic development).

It's a great HellstORm (WTF with the name change) piece indeed and Manco's art was perfectly suited to the dark corners of the Marvel Universe.

I was tempted by this one but went for other targets ;)

Maaaannnnnnn am I glad you looked elsewhere or I would've been either lighter in the wallet or in art :)

Ellis and Manco were definitely the ones that cemented my love of this book. Perfect synthesis of a creative team.

Hellstorm could be the original Firestorm! or vice versa! Let that sink in. Congrats on a great Manco illustration!!

Lol maybe that's the reason for the spelling change? And thanks, Duke (#1 Groo Fan)!

For a contemporary piece it really has a classic presence. Nice pick up! 

Very cool!  It's got that wild energy of a Sienkiewicz and Bisley.  It also has that seductive quality with the low rise jeans and undone button / zipper.  

Hahaha that unbuttoned fly has become the show-stopper of the piece (which may been Leo's intent to begin with)

Sweet!

Sweet!

I agree that was a great, dark book. Excellent commission!

Scary-like ghost like figure in the background, I see you! Subtle but so affective, awesome addition bud!

Oh man...I see what you're talking about now. Not sure if it's intentional or not but once you see it, it's THERE.

Man.  The presence of Hellstrom here can't be denied.  Exquisite rendering, brought on by all of those textural elements that ain't easy to make happen.  And an emotive piece - VERY hard to do.  As you note, not a Hellstrom fan, but this is ALL about the art.  Not hard for any of us to see why you picked it up.  Congrats!