Dakota North Commission

You don't see his name pop up often as he goes for long stretches without working on anything.  Even people who run comics stores for decades didn't know the name.  His contemporaries also know this and have often encouraged him to just keep drawing as far back as the '00s.  When art shows up, it has a nice sense of cartooning that shows off the character in their best light.   

Salmons is a fantastic artistic oddity.

(and I share your love for those).

Is this recent (as I remember him getting "troubles" with past commission lists).

Yes, this is recent. Commissioned in December 2022. Took a little longer than first expected but Tony and his rep came through,

Definitely an interesting piece and artist. I've heard some interesting stories as well! 

Guns blasting and an awesome looking piece.

I'm also in the vocal minority of Salmons fans. He is an artist's artist to be sure.

Many thanks, Chris. If you know, you know!

I wish you'd have requested to have her in mid-80's inspired clothing rather than a Black Widowesque outfit, but it's a nice looking piece nonetheless. I really loved Salmons' work when I first saw it in Marvel Fanfare. It was so different from what everyone else was doing in comics at that time. His Hulk story in particular was fabulous, a Kirby inspired pastiche, if you will.  He then got some more notice with Dakota North, but primarily from other people in the business, as his artistic approach was far too illustrative and the series was reality based rather than superhero at a time when 99.9% of readers were going superhero crazy. It would've been interesting to see how his art would've progressed had he been able to do monthly work over a long period. Alas, we'll have to satisfy ourselves with the tiny body of work he did put out and cool commissions like this one.

Tony doesn't always adhere to the brief but I kind of knew that going in. 

I missed out on the Dakota North series when it first hit the stands, but picked it up a decade later and enjoyed it.  Very cool image here by Salmons.

Very cool piece, Mark.  A series I remember seeing in the 80's, but not one I ever read.  Huh - very interesting story.  Really like the style here, though, as well as the costume details (appreciate the unclipped strap on the holster!), lettering (and how it is incorporated into the design of the piece), and the choice of stance.  I'm really glad Mr. Salmons came through for you and delivered a really solid commission!  Congrats, Mark!

Dynamic pose and you gotta love the "BM" sound effect lettering drawn right on!  Congrats!

Love Tony's more modern take on Dakota North. It was a great series that just didn't last long enough.

Love love love Tony Salmon's art!