Murray, Duane :: BETTER PLACE ART (a book I co-created)

Better Place art by Jim rugg (Easter egg page 117 Corner Box Art)

Artist: Jim Rugg (All)

2 Comments - 175 Views - 0 Like

Better Place art by Jim rugg (Easter egg page 117 Corner Box Art) Comic Art

Additional Images:

Better Place "death" telephone vote page by Jim Rugg

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Artwork Details

Title:	Better Place art by Jim rugg (Easter egg page 117 Corner Box Art)
Artist:	Jim Rugg (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	175
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	3/15/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Before reading, PLEASE take the time to look at the "Additional Image" to see the true beauty of this page.

So this is a fascinating piece. I originally intended to potentially self-publish Better Place, but when presented the opportunity to publish under my favourite graphic novel publisher (Top Shelf), I couldn't say no.

Top Shelf (rightfully) marketed the book as a middle-age book. I didn't write it that way, but understood their intention. The first thing they did, was ask that I remove the "overly graphic" images. That involved this page (and another that I will post at some point).

Originally, I wanted the character of Dylan to experience a personal "death". Meaning I wanted him to discover the "death" of Kid Cosmo. Because the death of Robin was such a huge deal for me growing up in the 80's and reading comics, I wanted to recreate that. One of the best re-creators in the business is Jim Rugg, who, being an indy creator himself, and an all around great guy, I wanted on the book. Jim's re-creations are great, because he doesn't just replicate, he re-creates with his own Rugg style. So... I gave him the choice. Do the "telephone vote page" from Death in the Family, or the last story page splash of the book. I don't even know why I bothered asking. OF COURSE the "telephone vote page" was the right page to do. So... he did, and this is the beauty that arrived.

AGAIN... PLEASE LOOK AT THE ADDITIONAL IMAGE TO SEE HOW THE PAGE WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK PUBLISHED. I wrote the text that Shawn added and designed on top of Jim's design (He did the sepia and background etc.)

I was SO UPSET that this page didn't make it and kind of want to do a "Director's Cut" just to include it. I ended up using just the Red Rocket head as the "corner box" to page 117 of the graphic novel, which is the Tyler Boss page, which I will also post soon.

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About the Owner

	Duane Murray
Joined:	November 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	CANADA
On CAF:	Duane's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 3/16/2022

Great idea! The update with modern texting would have swayed the trolls to kill him off with even more kayfabe zest! I like the railroad track brow to honor Aparo.

Keith Veronese
Member Since 2005

Posted on 3/16/2022

Very cool Duane!

All
	Marcus Wai 9/8/2025 12:17:00 PM
	Fredo Le 9/8/2025 12:17:00 PM
	John C 9/8/2025 12:17:00 PM
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