Aquaman #44 Original Art by Jim Aparo

Aquaman #44 ends with an unusual "tag" for the next issue, which ran on a half-page along with an ad at the end of the issue. Here's the master Jim Aparo's original art for that piece--how could any kid not pick up the next issue?!?

Adventure Comics #451 Original Art by Jim Aparo

I never tire of looking at original Jim Aparo art (currently for sale), especially when it's Aquaman original art! 

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

JLA: A Midsummer's Nightmare Original Art by Kevin Maguire

This is master comics artist Kevin Maguire's original cover to JLA: A Midsummer's Nightmare #1 from 1996, soon up for auction on Comic Link. So if you've got some deep pockets, here's your chance to own an original Maguire, featuring Aquaman!

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

Aqualad by Ramona Fradon

This majestic shot of Aqualad by the legendary Ramona Fradon is currently up for auction over on Comic Link. If you've never had the good fortune to meet Ms. Fradon in person, then here's your chance to get an original from her!

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

Adventure Comics #441 Original Art by Jim Aparo

Here's a page of beautiful original Jim Aparo art from Adventure Comics #441. And here's the printed version:

...I don't know about you, but I'm irked we never got back to the Guild of Plankton Farmers subplot. Maybe in the movie.

All kidding aside, Jim Aparo remains my favorite Aquaman artist, even after all these decades. I never tire of looking at his work, especially on the Sea King.

(h/t: New F.O.A.M.er MW Gallaher)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #43 Original Art by Butch Guice

Here's the original art to Butch Guice's striking cover to Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #43, currently for sale over on ComicLink! Here's the finished version:

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

Aquaman by Nick Cardy - 2004

Check out this masterful portrait of the Sea King by Nick Cardy from 2004. hAs you can see from this piece, even though it was many decades into the man's career, he had lost none of his skill.

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

Super Heroes Vitamins Original Art

Here's Neal Adams' original art that was used for the Super Heroes Chewable Vitamins campaign (currently for sale over on Romitaman). If you look closely, you can see an erased figure right next to Batman, who looks a lot like Aquaman. Based on the final layout of the ad, maybe the Sea King was moved so he wouldn't be so obscured by the harried Mom (who is on her fifth cup of "coffee").

I have never been able to find a bottle of these--open or sealed--on eBay, so I have always been curious as to whether there are little "A" shaped vitamins included. I seem to remember taking these as a kid, but that was so long ago...

(h/t: F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer)

Original Aquaman Art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado NOW ON SALE!

For the Aqua-Fans who are fans of the work of Ivan Reis and Joe Prado (that's pretty much all of us, right?) comes some exciting news, courtesy F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa:

Chiaroscuro Studios art sales on CAF

New art agency representing top artists opens CAF gallery for art sales

Chiaroscuro Studios is a just-launched agency representing several top talents including Ivan Reis, Rafael Grampá, Renato Guedes, Yildiray Cinar, Eddy Barrows, Eduardo Pansica, Thony Silas, and many more.

Chiaroscuro Studios will also take care of the art sales of most of these artists and have just opened a gallery on CAF with artwork from Ivan Reis’ best-selling runs on JUSTICE LEAGUE and AQUAMAN, including several interior pages, splashes and covers not previously offered to the comic art market, such as Ivan’s stunning ABSOLUTE BLACKEST NIGHT wraparound cover.

You can check the gallery and the available original art pieces (prices included) at: http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerydetail.asp?gcat=94774. Paypal accepted.

And for a full list of artists represented by Chiaroscuro Studios please visit www.chiaroscuro-studios.com

Check it out, Aqua-Fans! Here's your chance to own some of the best Aquaman art of the last quarter century. Thanks to Ivan for letting us know!

 

Who's Who Original Art by George Perez

A few weeks ago my Fire and Water Podcast co-host The Irredeemable Shag found this diamond for sale on eBay--George Perez's original art to the cover of Who's Who #1!

The asking price was a cool 5K, but as far as I can tell from the auction, there were no takers. I wonder if they'd be willing to take my bid of (checks Shazam! Arby's drinking glass where I keep my spare change) $21.49?

Never get tired of Aquaman drawn by George Perez!

Aquaman (Vol.6) #70 Original Art

From F.O.A.M.er Scott Cosby comes this page of original Aquaman art:

"I purchased this page art piece of Aquaman #70, page 15 (1994) from a dealer at SoonerCon (Oklahoma City) in 2011. In the story titled: 'Unification By Division', the people of Atlantis and Cerdia are not too thrilled with Aquaman's plans to unite the two nations, and Aquaman has to stop a plot to destroy unification as well as convince the people it's a good idea.

The creative team of this issue includes (script) Dan Jurgens, (pencils) Gordon Purcell, (inks) Claude St. Aubin, (colors) Digital Chameleon, and (letters) John Workman. The war would result in the utter devastation of both Poseidonis and Tritonis as well as ravaging Cerdia. It was revealed that the Ocean Master was behind Cerdia's aggression. He also kidnaps Tempest and Dolphin's son right after his birth. The war is eventually won, Ocean Master is driven off, and Cerdia is annexed by Atlantis. As a token of peace, Tempest and Dolphin name their son Cerdian. What a great story-arc for the Sea-King!"

Thanks Scott!

Aquaman Statue Sculpt by Jean St. Jean

This is the original sculpt of the 2009 DC Direct "Heroes of the DC Universe" Aquaman bust by artist Jean St. Jean.

Mr. St. Jean was nice enough to share photos of his work for this piece on the Shrine's Facebook page, and as you can see it's truly amazing stuff. Thanks Mr. St. Jean! 

 

 

Anatomy of a Comic Book Page: Justice League #15

More amazing original Justice League art by Reis/Prado/Reis! At each stage of the process, from roughs to pencils to inks to colors, the amount of work the art team puts into their work is simply staggering. They haven't missed a step going from Aquaman to Justice League.

As always, we get to see these thanks to the generosity of Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M. member extraordinaire Ivan da Costa, who has much of this stuff in his personal collection. Thanks guys!

Anatomy of a Comic Book Cover - Justice League #16

These "Anatomy of a..." posts are among the most popular Shrine posts, and no wonder: we're getting an inside glimpse of Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis' creative process, as tracking their work as it goes from rough idea to the one you saw on the stands.

While I can't find fault with the final version, I have to say I really like the tight marker rough that was ultimately rejected; the one with Wonder Woman in the background. It looks as though Aquaman, as soon as he's done with Superman, Batman, and Cyborg, is about to get a magic lasso around the neck!

As always, we get to see these thanks to the generosity of Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M. member extraordinaire Ivan da Costa, who has much of this stuff in his personal collection. Thanks guys, and keep 'em coming!

Anatomy of a Comic Book Cover - Justice League #15

Last week's post featuring the Aquaman splash page from Justice League #15 in its various stages of creation was such a hit the Shrine thought we'd try it again, this time focusing on the cover!

As you can see from the thumbnails above, penciler Ivan Reis tried putting a couple different heroes in the lead position, finally settling on Aquaman (yay!). Once that was established, he moved onto a tighter pencil version, followed by Joe Prado's inks, then Rod Reis' colors, ending with the cover you all saw on the newsstands (or would have, if this was 1976). It goes without saying, awesome stuff all around!


By the way, Reis and Prado are currently selling the original art to this issue over on their ComicArtFans page, where you can also commission Joe to a custom piece! Having seen and held Reis and Prado originals in my hand, I can tell from personal experience that as good as their work looks here, it looks even better in person!

Anatomy of a Comic Book Page - Justice League #15

Thanks to Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa, we get to see the evolution of this awesome splash page from Justice League #15, from rough to pencils to inks (courtesy Joe Prado) to color (courtesy Rod Reis). The boys hit the ground running with their debut on the book, and of course seeing Aquaman make such a powerful entrance only made the whole thing sweeter. I look forward to more awesome moments like this in future issues!

Thanks Ivan and Ivan!

Ivan Reis Aquaman Concept Art

More Aquaman concept art from Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa, this time of Aquaman in his "five years ago" phase, when he was leading The Others.

All this stuff is going to make an awesome action figure line...

Thanks Ivan and Ivan!

Justice League #17 Cover Sketch

(Click to embiggen)

Yet another item generously sent into the Shrine by Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa, this is the former's rough sketch for the cover to Justice League #17, next to the finished version by himself, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis.

If you look close you can see bits of all the JLers hanging off of Orm's trident...this looks like a job for Aquaman!

Thanks Ivan and Ivan!

 

Justice League #15 Preliminary Art

(click to embiggen)

Ivan Reis and F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa sent in this little beauty, a two-fer of Reis' preliminary art for Justice League #15, page 8, next to the finished page, inked by Joe Prado.

Aquaman busting the heads of what looks like a gang of toughs wearing penguin masks? Sign us up!

Thanks Ivan and Ivan!

Ivan Reis "Others" Concept Art

This is some of Ivan Reis' concept art for "The Others" storyline, featuring Aquaman as he looked a few years in the past and what is an early version of Prisoner of War (before it was decided he should wear a hood). Whoever it is, these would make great model sheets for an action figure line. Just saying.

This piece (and a few more coming soon) were sent in by F.O.A.M.er Ivan da Costa. Thanks Ivan!