I've said this elsewhere, but I need to repeat it. Some, or perhaps MOST, of you are aware of the InkwellAwards.com site. And if you are, then you are probably also aware of a fundraising (and probably awareness raising) event they do where they take an image drawn by a rock-star penciller and do a "CALLING ALL INKERS" to provide their take. It is amazing to see them differences. And they sell the inked versions on eBay. I'll say it again...AMAZING. Well...before I ever became aware of this (and I will swear on a stack of Bibles that this is true), I purchased this Bernie Wrightson Prelim. After getting over being so giddy at owning something like this by Wrightson, it occurred to me that this could present an amazing opportunity. I would reach out to some of my favorite inkers as ask them to ink the prelim. And that has gotten my collection to what it is today.
BUT...why am I describing all of this here and now? Well Bob Almond, who's inked version you are looking at, is MISTER Inkwell Awards. Although it takes the efforts and dedication of many others, HE IS the man. So when I started considering who to contact for another inked version, it hit me like a ton of bricks that I had never approached Bob. At this point, I really do feel dumb for admitting that it didn't occur to me sooner because he not only is "MISTER INKWELL" (at least in my mind), but he is ALSO a great inker who has inked one of my favorite Star Trek-TNG for IDW. Well that has been dealt with and I now happily own this version.
I did take the opportunity to ask Bob a couple questions about this particular inking.
ME: I know there were "problems" or "challenges" with Bernie's premil, but I'm wondering if there was a part of this that you found particularly difficult?
Bob:
"I normally do not refer to the original inks but I did early on for a few things that looked weird to me or were unrecognizable because they were small shapes in the background. In his inking over himself he made some changes from the prelim, which is normal, and in some cases I followed the prelim and in others the published version. I am normally a faithful inker to what's in the pencils but I still did take some minor liberties and not allow myself to be a slave to every line as originally set down."
Me: Was there something you were pleased with the way it came out?
Bob:
"I was a bit concerned that I'd lose the contrasts necessary for all the elements to read properly in the image since there was a lot going on but I am happy to say that everything seems to pop out as they should, although I have to credit Bernie, the master, for how he composed it as that made it easier to follow lightsource and shadows while rendering."
Me: Based on either the scene or because it was Wrightson, was there anything you did differently or uniquely compared to inking someone/something else?
Bob:
"I honestly don't have the steadiest hand and thus I cannot replicate the way Bernie renders his lines so I simulate them in my own way to get the gist of the idea. Looking at his Frankenstein magnum opus, it can both inspire to do better and intimidate, even crush your spirit. So I feel that as long as you understand what he was trying to convey you handle things in that mindset but be willing to improvise where necessary. Not that I am saying I improved on what he drew or inked, but I tried to channel the general spirit of the work."
Me: At this point, are there any pencillers you haven't inked but would like to?
Bob:
"I've been fortunate to have inked most of my heroes and favorites for commissions...Perez, Byrne, Hughes, Colan, Tan, Zeck, Wrightson before this one, Grell, Starlin, Perkins, Medina, Finch, Fradon, Vigil, Frenz, Segovia, Romita Jr. and Sr., Art Adams, Netzer, Heath, Sinnott, Broderick, Isherwood, Morgan, Simonson, Hembeck, Epting, McLeod, Texeira, Brunner, J. Buscema, but I am curious about inking Kirby, Kane, Ditko, Golden, S. Buscema, K. Jones, Alan Davis, N. Adams, Layton, Pacheco, Raney, Miller, Day, and many more."
