The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
#13: Jim Lee (Justice League, All Star Batman and Robin, X-Men, WildC.A.T.S.)
I wrapped up an incredible haul from 2010’s Big Apple Con and New York Comic Con with this amazing Captain America sketch from the great Jim Lee. I uploaded a larger than usual image to show the texture and shading from the exposed pencil lines bringing out a darker mood in Cap’s expression. This is an amazing sketch.
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
#12: Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan, Cover Run)
Hi folks! I just got back from an amazing vacation in Italy, hence the lack of posts the last few weeks. I have a few Italy related posts in the pipeline, but I figured the best way to get back in the swing of things on Fante’s Inferno was with a post on the Captain America Project.
The twelfth spot on my Captain America jam page belongs to the amazing Adam Hughes. I’ve seen him at the New York comic conventions over the years and I never get tired of watching him draw. He was drawing quick sketches at the 2010 New York Comic Con in return for donations to a charity he was raising funds for and I was fortunate to get a Captain America head sketch.
I really like that the pencil lines are still visible underneath the inks. It’s amazing how much strength Hughes was able to capture in Cap’s expression with only a few lines.
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
#11: Khoi Pham (Mighty Avengers, X-Factor)
The 2010 Big Apple Con was also a mother-lode of Captain America sketches for my jam page. Next up on my list was Khoi Pham. I love the line work on this panel. And even though only half of Cap’s face is visible, Pham brings out the intensity in Cap’s expression.
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: Steve Epting (Captain America, Avengers, Fantastic Four)
We’re officially at the halfway point of the Captain America Project! To call this a passion project is an understatement. It’s been almost two years since I commissioned the first Captain America sketch for this jam page, and I’ve enjoyed it every step of the way. I’ve had more than a few folks I’ve met at the comic cons say “Are you still lugging that thing around?” Yep, until it’s finished! I won’t give away how many panels I have to go, but it’s almost complete. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the updates!
Steve Epting was the second artist I approached at the 2010 New York Comic Con at the Javitz Center. As a fan of his run on Captain America, he was one of the artists I needed to get a sketch from for this page. His commission list was full by the time I made it to his table but since the panel was smaller than a baseball card, he said he would try to fit it in later in the show. Needless to say, it was worth the wait!
Captain America sketch by Steve Epting
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: David Finch (Ultimate X-Men, New Avengers, Moon Knight, Batman: The Dark Knight)
David Finch has been one of my favorite artists since his run on New Avengers. The first page of original art I bought was from New Avengers #13. In subsequent years I picked up a couple of pages from his Moon Knight run, and a few sketches at the New York conventions.
One week after the 2010 Wizard World New York show, he was appearing at the New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javitz center. He was the first artist I commissioned for the Captain America Project at that show. I had commissioned a few sketches from David in the previous three New York Comic Cons, and I have always been in awe of his artistic ability. Check out his series of DVDs for the Gnomon Workshop and you’ll see what I mean. But he took it to a whole new level with this Captain America head sketch. Take a close look at the picture below. It was drawn with a ball point pen. No pencil sketch underneath. He just flat out drew it straight from his mind’s eye. In ballpoint pen. Amazing.
Captain America by David Finch
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: Herb Trimpe (The Incredible Hulk, The Defenders)
This particular sketch from legendary Marvel artist Herb Trimpe was the last one I commissioned at Wizard World NY in October 2010.
I’ve been a fan of Herb’s work since the 70s. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the first comic books I bought as a kid was drawn by Herb. I consider him an artist whose work defines the art of the Bronze Age.
Almost one half of this project was completed over that two day event. At this point in time I won’t give away how much of this jam page is complete, but I will say that it’s almost done.
Captain America drawn by Herb Trimpe
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: Joe Madureira (Uncanny X-Men)
Joe Madureira was another artist I approached at the 2010 Wizard World NY show. I had approached him early in the afternoon that Saturday, but he advised he wasn’t drawing sketches. Normally I wouldn’t ask a second time, but as the day went on, more than a few of the attending artists that worked on my page would say, “You HAVE to get Joe Mad for this page.”
Later in the day I noticed he was drawing a pencil sketch for an attendee. Figuring it couldn’t hurt to ask, I asked if he had opened up a sketch list. He hadn’t, but when he saw my Captain America jam page in progress, he agreed!
In my last post, I mentioned that Alex Maleev had accidentally spilled a drop of ink on one of the empty panels. Joe looked at it and said, “I can cover this up in my sketch if you want.” Of course, I said yes.
You can’t tell from this picture, but the ink stain is actually hidden in Cap’s shield.
Captain America by Joe Madureira
The Captain America Project: 20 artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: Alex Maleev
I commissioned Alex Maleev (Daredevil, Spider-Woman) for this Captain America sketch at Wizard World NY in 2010. As he drew this, he accidentally got a drop of black India ink on the panel below it. Fortunately the panel was blank and the ink drop didn’t affect a sketch, but it was very noticeable. The good news is, the next artist was able to incorporate it in his sketch. More on that next week!
Drawing by Alex Maleev
Captain America copyright Marvel Comics
The Captain America Project: 20 comic artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
This week: Rob Liefeld (X-Force, Youngblood, New Mutants)
Rob Liefeld made an appearance at Wizard World New York back in October 2010. When the artists and fans at the show saw my Captain America page in progress, more than a few said, “You HAVE to get Liefeld to draw a Captain America for you.” He was absolutely on my list. I go there early that Saturday morning and and was one of the first three people on line when the doors opened at 10 AM. It was worth the wait.
Normally I would watch the artists as they drew their version of Cap on my page, but Rob needed some time before he could work on it and asked me to leave it with him until he worked on it. Over the next hour or two I walked by his table to see if he was working on it. During that time I saw him work on a Wolverine and a couple of Deadpool commissions. He got to mine about halfway through the day and it was definitely worth the wait!
Drawing by Rob Liefeld.
Captain America copyright Marvel Comics.
The Captain America Project: 20 comic artists, 20 drawings of Captain America on one page.
Sorry I’m behind schedule! So this week there will be two Captain America Project updates.
This week: Rich Buckler (Fantastic Four, co-creator of Deathlok)
I got to meet Rich toward the end of the first day of Wizard World New York in October 2010. He’s one of my favorite Marvel Bronze Age artists, and I was lucky to get this sketch before the show ended. Yep, four Captain America sketches in one day. I’d call that a pretty good haul!
Drawing by Rich Buckler.
Captain America copyright Marvel Comics.
Fante's Inferno 