Joe Phillips painted cover to The Heretic issue 4

I have to thank Bill Cox for hosting a great show with Joe Phillips. I hadn't heard of him before this show on Comic Art Live. It was a fantastic and insightful interview and sale. I missed out on a few of the black and white card illustrations and when I saw a cover was coming up I claimed it ASAP. It is done prismacolor pencils on black colored paper. Joe said he was mentored by Craig Hamilton and Brian Stelfreeze in colors. The piece measures 18 x 11.5 . There is a crease that runs at the bottom from side to side about 2" from the bottom. It is nicely executed piece with texture and darker hues. The was done in late 1996 based on the publication date for issue 4.

Below is a bit of the storyline as Dark Horse described.

The Heretic started out as a highway man type robber evolving into a half smell/ demon. The character reflects some of life issues Joe was experiencing at the time.



THE HERETIC #4 (OF 4)
In the climatic battle for the fate of Terceron City, both angelic and demonic forces converge on The Heretic. Fighting both his enemies and his former allies, Allegiance, The Heretic manifests surprising abilities to restore the mystical balance and save the city he now calls home!

Terceron City is home to many murderers and manipulators -- it's overpopulated, over-industrialized, and totally corrupt. It's also home to many heroes, including the super-clean superteam Allegiance. But where Allegiance isn't getting the job done, Terceron's latest resident, The Heretic, has no such obstructions. A rogue from an ancient brotherhood of religious assassins, The Heretic has renounced both his murderous past and Allegiance's code of honor. Terceron City's going to get a whole lot better, or he's going to see that it dies trying.
CREATORS
Writer:
Joseph Phillips & F.R. DeLeonardo