Mystery Sketch - The Hanged Man by Caleb Ady

Comic Art Live Sprint 2025 Mystery Sketch!

The Prompt: "Your favorite Astro City character"

I ordered my mystery sketches late this time around and so I had no idea who was getting mine. About a week ago, I received an e-mail saying that I was going to receive a package from Caleb Ady, a name I was not familiar with. So I did a quick search and found out that Caleb is an artist who posts frequently on Instagram. While browsing his stuff, I came across this Hanged Man piece and knew it couldn't be a coincidence. And now I have the piece in hand!

The Hanged Man is the supernatural protector of the Shadow Hill area of Astro City. He's often seen floating ominously in mid-air, silently watching events unfold. His body is typically portrayed in all black, as if he's perpetually in silhouette. His only adornments are the sack over his head and the length of rope that ties it around his neck and floats around his body. The sack was pulled so tight over his head that you can make out the indentations of his eye sockets which really add to the creep factor by making it look like he's looking right at you.

Caleb managed to perfectly capture the essence of The Hanged Man: he looks ghostly and melancholy. A mere suggestion of a man who has faced his share of troubles. The textures on the rope and sack contrast with the far less detailed body to make the character feel like he may or may not actually be there.

Follow Caleb on Instagram:
DJ Space Invader Art