BACK IN THE DAY…
Back in the day, when I was still working on submissions to send to publishers, I drew up four pages of this short story featuring Marvel Comics Entertainment characters Luke (Power Man) Cage and Iron Fist. Although I’m not certain exactly what year I drew them, as you can see, it was around the time that Jessica Jones was pregnant with Luke Cage’s kid. The idea with the sample was that I was bridging the gap between the hip-hop inspired, cornrow-wearing taciturn Luke Cage featured in Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben’s mini-series Cage, which was released through the Marvel imprint, MAX, and the mainstream Marvel version of Brian Michael Bendis, hence we open with Jessica braiding Luke’s hair.
Although some of the backgrounds aren’t as strong as they could be, particularly in the first page, I like the characterization and the acting. I hope you enjoy, and make sure to check out the site this weekend, because I’ll be posting a review of Jim Rugg’s Afrodisiac collection from Adhouse books.
- JEP
Great artwork! Speaking of back in the day have you ever read the 90’s Punisher issues where he decided to become black and team up with Luke Cage? It’s just as it sounds. Terrible and hilarious! I just read about it here: http://www.the-isb.com/?p=81
Magic Mike-
I did have the misfortune of reading that back in the day. It was a terribly, terribly wrongheaded idea, but it was still marginally better than the time he was brought back as an avenging angel in the Marvel Knights line.
- JEP
Hey, I remember these pages. Marvel’s loss is our gain here at World of Hurt.
Yeah… It just goes to show that Marvel is STILL fallible! Great pagework, Jay! Don’t say anything about ‘mistakes’ and ‘oversights’ within the artwork, cuz’ much of what you don’t agree to, artwise, is utilized by much of the Marvel bullpen RIGHT NOW.
Your collected series is gonna kill’em:)
These look great, Jay! I’m still of the opinion that you need to be doing a Luke Cage book, whether it’s set now or a throwback 70’s thing with Iron Fist. And at some point I’ll have to trick you into letting me snag a Luke Cage drawing from you.
Rodbuddah!
Thank you. I’d do a lot of things differently, anyway, but I do enjoy the facial expressions on the second page the most. I’m trying to speed to keep the pace up, to conclude the story soon, because every day, I’m thinking a little more about that collection, too.
Hope you and yours are doing well. We gotta talk soon.
- JEP
Doc Shaner-
I’ve got ideas for both time periods, although I would prefer the latter. Somebody call me.
No need for trickery, Doc. After that great pin-up you did of Pastor, it’s the least I could do.
- JEP