Pathways to Fantasy #1 Cover by Barry Windsor-Smith (1984)
Artists: Barry Windsor-Smith (All) , Barry Smith (All)
55 Comments - 2,088 Views - 46 Likes
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Artwork Details
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DescriptionAs a young teenager, this was my introduction to the greatness that is Barry Windsor-Smith.It even inspired me to do a painted recreation of the cover in art class (can be seen in 'My Art' gallery). Holy grail achieved! Pacific Comics 1984 13-1/2" x 18" Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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John C 
Member Since 2014
3 - Posted on 7/4/2025
This is not a dude. You are a dude. This... This is a man. A handsome, muscular man... It's like a pirate had a baby with an angel.
Lance Suarez
Member Since 2004
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
congrats on a beautiful piece of art. One of Barry's best paintings!
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Stunning BWS cover! Takes me back to the aw I felt seeing it the first time when Pathways came out. Thanks for posting
Bob Diamond
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Yawn... what else you got?
Besides one of of the best Barry Smith paintings ever. Congrats on scoring your grail! It's a beauty. Color me green...
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
3 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Grail! Art for art's sake. An incredible achievement all on its own.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Holy cow Rick. I can't even make any quips with this one. Stunningly beautiful BWS work. Congrats on your holy grail! Murica! ok...one quip.
André .
Member Since 2015
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Well damn. Colors have held up better than some others I've seen. Congrats!
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
What a score!! Congrats, Rick...of course this is right in your wheelhouse!
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Whoa!!! Huge congrats, Rick! Amazing piece!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Lots of great foliage detail. Congrats on this beautiful BWS cover!
Malcolm Bourne
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
You won the auction! One of the most amazing pieces of art ON THE PLANET!!! Many Mazaltovs.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Holy shit! YOU'RE the one who won this?!? Is THIS the big piece you said you were going after and had to sell a few of your other pieces to help get it? I can't imagine it could be anything bigger than this! Such a classic, and incredibly beautiful Conan illustration! I couldn't afford the comic because it would've meant 3 less Marvel comics at the time, but I clearly remember how gorgeous the cover was when it hit the stands. Congratulations, Rickster!
Rick W
Member Since 2017
3 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Holy shit! YOU'RE the one who won this?!? Is THIS the big piece you said you were going after and had to sell a few of your other pieces to help get it? I can't imagine it could be anything bigger than this! Such a classic, and incredibly beautiful Conan illustration! I couldn't afford the comic because it would've meant 3 less Marvel comics at the time, but I clearly remember how gorgeous the cover was when it hit the stands. Congratulations, Rickster!
Yes, this IS the one!
To quote the mighty Chris Snorek- "for the greater good" ;)
Thanks!
Simon Ma
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 7/4/2025
Jaw-dropping. I can see why you might have left out the background in your fine teenage effort to re-create it – how do you begin to do that? A cover that is in a class of its own. Congrats.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/5/2025
The question must be asked...Are you going to hang this side by side with your version?
Neon Dragon
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 7/5/2025
This was the star of the auction for obvious reasons, and one of the nicest color bws pieces I've seen. Such a masterpiece and beyond grail territory.
F M
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 7/5/2025
BWS is in a class of his own and so is this cover. Just superb.
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 7/5/2025
Absolutely one of BWS's greatest pieces ever, nuthin' but Grail, you've won CAF and the internets today, huge congrats!!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 7/5/2025
Stop the Insanity! Now that you climbed Mt. Everest, is it time to retire? Just wow!
Doug L
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 7/5/2025
Unbelievable! Congratulations Rick. (And if you have to sell any of your other grails, you know how to reach me ...)
Zaddick L
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/5/2025
Great example Rick.
The Michael it's signed to is Michael Thibodeaux.
I remember being very tempted by it when Michael was offering it at San Diego many years ago. Also a good bit more on the asking that what you got it for.
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
What a seminal BWS. Congrats on fulfilling your dream.
David Roach
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
Completely astonishing, one of Barry's finest pieces.
Ray Wong
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
Mindboggling, Rick! The fact that this art inspired you to recreate it with your own hands tells me it's in the right home. It also says a lot that you sacrificed some precious pieces to win it. With deepest appreciation, and congratulations of the highest order.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
Technically, every work of art is unique... Then, some are more unique than others... But when it comes to this piece, we're reaching a whole new level, up several scales! But, then, it's BWS and a major work of his, so... You can open up your own museum, now!
Chris Puckelwartz
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
Incredible piece of BWS art Rick! Huge congrats on a dream achieved and thanks much for sharing!
Jason Ladwig
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 7/6/2025
W-O-W!! (still picking jaw off the ground). Congratulations Rick!!
Paul Brzegowy
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 7/7/2025
The word "grail" gets tossed around some on this site, a personal "grail" can be anything you coveted personally but this is a "Grail" that all of us would covet. Congrats.
Carl Choi
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 7/7/2025
Amazing. Amazing piece. Can't say I'm not envy of this as I had another priority in the same auction but it sounds like it ended up in the right home. Congrats!
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 7/7/2025
Major congrats Rick such an epic beautiful piece!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/8/2025
A holy grail! I guess "The Castle of Aaaauuuggghhhh" actually exists! Cheers! (Great painting, by the way.)
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/9/2025
Holy Grail indeed- this qualifies! Congrats and sorry for driving the price up.
Jordan Joanou
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 7/9/2025
Huge congrats on adding this grail to your wonderful collection.
It is mesmerizing. Hope you frame it someday.
Peter Roe
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 7/10/2025
Oh my! Incredible! Grail indeed! Big time congratulations Rick!!!!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 7/11/2025
Truly outstanding, man, wow. Cannot beat it as a BWS example. Whew. HUGE congrats!
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 7/18/2025
The composition and detail in this piece is otherworldly! The history makes it that much better and reminds how great this hobby is. Sincere congrats on bringing an absolute beauty home!
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