Wednesday, March 25, 2015

French Soldier # 2 (illustrated by Ron Chan)

This French Soldier was one of the soldiers searching through Johanna Constantine’s personal belongings in hopes of finding the stolen head of Orpheus, although I do not believe any of the soldiers knew what they were looking for.

He is visible on one page of Thermidor. He can be seen in Sandman # 29 on page 6, in panel 1. He is the solder on the left looking through the wooden drawers.

This French Soldier was drawn by Ron Chan. I like the line work on his face and his expression. I also like the use of brown ink in this portrait. It gives the portrait a flowy feeling that I can't quite describe, but really like.

Demon # 352 (illustrated by Lukas Ketner)

In P. Craig Russell’s adaptation of Dream Hunters, a Fox and a Badger make a wager to see who can make the Monk leave his small temple.

They each try a variety of methods to convince the Monk to leave and nothing seems to sway him.

One evening the Badger created an illusion in which an army of demons surround the temple and shout that if the Monk doesn’t flee they will eat his flesh.

The Monk exits the temple and expresses his unhappiness with these tricks and chases the “demons” away with a torch. Where the demons once stood a badger remained. The Monk threw the torch and singed the tail of the Badger.

This was the last time the Badger attempted to trick the Monk into leaving his temple.

This Demon is one of the Demons that the Badger created in order to scare away the Monk.

He appears in Sandman: Dream Hunters # 1, on page 14, in panel 4.

Lukas did a fantastic job with this portrait. Each time I look at this portrait I keep expecting to see someone’s face inside the Demon’s mouth.

Worlds’ End Patron # 40 (illustrated by Jöelle Jones)

Brant Tucker wanders around Worlds’ End, waiting for the storm to pass so he and Charlene can continue on their way to Chicago.

The storm continues to grow in intensity and lightning and thunder rattle the inn.

This tiny creature is one of several of his kind that are frightened by the thunder.

He appears in Sandman # 55, on page 1, in panel 7.

I absolutely love this portrait. Jöelle did an amazing job with this character. I love the expression on his face. Her line work adds layers of skin to his wrinkly body, which I think is a great touch and the choice of colors is perfect. This is probably my favorite portrait that Jöelle has done so far!!! It’s just perfection.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Interlude: Emerald City Comic Con

Tomorrow is the first day of the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington.

There are a lot of great guests at the show, including several Sandman Portraits artists. Here is where you can find them:

Ron Chan - Table 1124
Joelle Jones - Table KK-11
Lukas Ketner - Table 1124
Ibrahim Moustafa - Table A-15
Isabelle Melancon - Table F03
Lars Brown - Table DD-02
Russel Roehling - Table AA-07
Jeremy Haun - Table L-04

Please stop by and say hello and tell them how much you enjoy their portraits. Also, buy some of their books, prints or commission an original piece of art from them...and tell them I said Hi!

French Soldier # 7 (illustrated by Lars Brown)

This unfortunate French Soldier was attacked and beaten by Johanna Constantine as she escaped from the cellar with the head of Orpheus tucked under her arm.

He is seen in Sandman # 29, page 22, panel 5.

I knew that Lars would do an excellent job with this character and so I picked it specifically for him. I was right…he did do an excellent job with this character. Once again, Lars’ sense of humor comes through to this portrait.

Scarecrow # 1 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

In The Kindly Ones, Dream met five small children who were searching for their lost mother. He entertained them with scarecrows “who whispered among themselves in the voices of the stars of the silent screen.”

This is one of the four scarecrows who performed for the children. He appears in Sandman # 64, page 1, panel 1.

Anna’s personal touches, like the spirals in the scarecrow’s hair and the thick linework make this character fun and interesting to look at. I appreciate the use of deep pinks and oranges; they add a nice warmth to the piece.

African Sailor # 1 (illustrated by John Carmine)

In Worlds’ End, Jim recounts one of his many adventures on the seas while sailing aboard the Sea Witch. He tells the group of listeners about the other sailors aboard the Sea Witch. There were people from many different countries.

This man is one of the African sailors aboard The Sea Witch.

He appears in Sandman # 53, on page 6, in panel 4.

John did a great job with this portrait. I like the perspective of this portrait. We get a glimpse of the Sea Witch’s riggings and the gray sky above the ocean. This really adds a lot of context to the portrait, which I appreciate.

Here is African Sailor # 1…

Monday, March 23, 2015

Billy Ling (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

A common theme that runs throughout a lot of Sandman is the idea of telling and listening to stories. Death: The High Cost Of Living is no exception.

In the first issue of the series we are introduced to Sexton. He seems like a typical teenager, but perhaps a little depressed and he decides that he no longer wants to live….until Didi enters is life.

Didi is Death, as a mortal. Sexton spends the day with Didi and at the end of the day, she dies. Sexton recounts his day to Billy, who is a boy with special needs, who often sits in the hallway of the apartment complex. Billy’s mother thinks he sits in the hallway because he gets bored.

Sexton tells Billy about his day with Didi admits that he almost believed she was Death, saying that he wishes that Death could be someone like Didi instead of “just nothing, or pain, or blackness” and instead someone “funny and friendly and nice, and maybe just a tiny bit crazy.”

After Sexton goes into his apartment Mad Hettie visits the hallway, still looking for her heart, which Didi had given to Sexton in a Russian nesting doll and in turn Sexton gave the doll to Billy.

Billy appears in Death: The High Cost Of Living # 1, on page 11 and in # 3 on pages 21-24.

Anna did a great job with this portrait. Billy is a difficult character to draw and be respectful, but Anna accomplished that with her portrait. I really like the how Anna draws eyes and this character has kind eyes, which adds a bit of emotional attachment to this character from the Death series.

Here is Billy Ling…

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Dead Man # 19 (illustrated by Kai Martin)

When Orpheus journeys to the Underworld to rescue his recently deceased wife, Eurydice, he encounters many dead citizens of Greece in the great hall of Lord Hades and Queen Persephone.

This Dead Man is one of the many dead men in the Underworld.

He appears in The Song Of Orpheus, on page 31, in panel 2.

Kai did a wonderful job with this portrait. I really like the starkness of this portrait. It adds a level of coolness to the portrait, which works well for the dead.

Here is Dead Man # 19…

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Roman Citizen # 16 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

Augustus Caesar and the dwarf Lycius sit on some steps near the marketplace dressed as beggars and discuss politics, power and dreams in the story August, which appeared in Fables And Reflections.

Throughout the story many Roman citizens pass by these two men. Some of the stop and talk to them others ignore them as they would ignore a typical beggar.

This Roman Citizen ignored Augustus and Lycius as he passed carrying a large basket.

He appears in Sandman # 30, on page 8, in panel 6.

Anna didn’t have much to work with to interpret this character. I appreciate her ability to give the most vague of characters a face and personality. In her snapshot of the character, she managed to add great details such as the leaves and grapes to give a sense of the citizen’s role.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Ticket Seller # 2 (illustrated by John Carmine)

In November 1930, Ruthven Sykes, the second in command of the Order Of Ancient Mysteries and Ethel Cripps, the mistress of Roderick Burgess, run away together. They take a ship to America to start a life together outside of the watchful eye of the Magus.

This man is one of the two ticket sellers behind the counter in the boat station.

He appears in Sandman # 1 on page 16 in panel 2.

This is a great portrait from John. I like how this character feels very much like a man from the 1930’s. The bow tie and beard really make this character seem like someone who would be working at a ticket booth.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

French Soldier # 6 (illustrated by Max Rugers)

In Thermidor, as Citizen Louise Antoine de St. Just escorts Johanna Constantine into her prison cell, this French Soldier, kindly holds the door open for her. Isn’t that nice of him?

The French Soldier appears in Sandman # 29, page 10, and in panels 7-9.

Max did a great job with this French Soldier. I like that he incorporated the French Flag into the background.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Robert’s Workmate # 12 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

While Brant and Charlene are trapped in Worlds’ End, they hear stories told throughout the night as they wait for the storm to pass.

Mr. Gaheris tells a story about a man named Robert who lived in a large city that he loved very much. He worked in the city center, at a desk in a room filled with dozens of men and women who also sat at their desks doing a job similar to his.

This man is one of Robert’s workmates.

He appears in Sandman # 51 on page 12, in panel 1.

Anna did a fantastic job with this portrait. I love that she portrayed this character sitting in front of a computer doing his job. The glow of the computer screen reflected on his face is perfect and completely makes this portrait unique and awesome. This is a wonderful portrait of an incredibly obscure character within the Sandman universe.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

London Police Officer # 2 (illustrated by John Carmine)

In June 1920, Dr. Jon Hathaway committed suicide after the Royal Museum discovered that several of their books and manuscripts were missing. Roderick Burgess, the Head of the Order Of Ancient Mysteries, was at an inquest regarding his involvement in the missing manuscripts and the death of Jon Hathaway.

His involvement in the crimes and the death of Professor Hathaway could not be proven and he was cleared of all charges.

This is one of the London Police Officers standing outside the court as Roderick and Alex Burgess, Ethel Cripps (later known as Ethel Dee) and Ruthven Sykes leaves.

He appears in Sandman # 1, on page 14, in panel 2.

John did a fantastic job with this portrait. I really like the stoic expression on his face.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Faery # 60 (illustrated by Kai Martin)

On June 23rd, 1593, a group of Faeries crossed over to Wilmington, England with Titania and Auberon to see the first performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by William Shakespeare at the request of Morpheus.

This Faery appears in Sandman # 19, on page 8, in panel 2.

Kai did a fantastic job with this portrait of one of the many faeries to watch this play. The expression on this faerie’s face seems to express a bit of confusion in regards to the play, which was felt by several of the faeries. I really like the details that Kai put into this portrait and the wisp and curl of his hair. It’s a nice touch.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Ghost Boy # 5 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

In Season Of Mists, Lucifer decides that he is no longer interested in being the ruler of Hell. He empties Hell of all the demons and tortured souls and locked the doors behind him as he leaves. Some of them returned to where they died, others went to visit their living relatives.

This Ghost Boy returned to St. Hilarion’s School For Boys.

He can be seen watching Charles Rowland as he reads a book one evening.

The Ghost Boy appears in Sandman # 25, page 7, panel 1.

I absolutely love this portrait from Anna. It is a drastic contrast to her other portraits. I love the starkness of this portrait. It’s wonderfully perfect in its simplicity. I love the faint blues that Anna used on the ghost boy’s face. This is one of my favorite portraits from Anna.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Dreaming Deer # 1 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

In P. Craig Russell’s Dream Hunters, when the Monk visits Dream, we see dreamers within Morpheus’ cloak. After the fox gets her revenge for the death of the Monk and her story comes to an end, we get a final glimpse of The Dreaming and we once again see several dreamers swirling around Morpheus’ cloak.

One of those dreamers is this Dreaming Deer.

This deer appears in Dream Hunters # 4, on page 29 in panel 4.

Like in the published piece, Anna successfully captured the dreaminess of the moment with this character. Her use of clouds and swirls in the background allude to the dreaming and there is a hint of sadness in this deer’s eyes. I appreciate the expressiveness she managed to capture in this portrait.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Citizen Of Barbie’s World # 57 (illustrated by Kai Martin)

After Barbie smashes the Porpentine against the Heirogram on the Isle Of Thorns, Dream is summoned to uncreate her world and welcome the citizens of Barbie’s world back into the dark folds of his cloak.

This character is one of the many citizens of Barbie’s world.

He appears in Sandman # 36, page 34, panel 2.

A majority of the citizens of Barbie’s world do not have fleshed out stories and a lot of them are barely more than character shapes in the published comic. While they are not fleshed out they are still legitimate characters within the Sandman universe and I wish there was more detailed images of these characters because they could be interesting. Kai interpreted one of these characters and did a great job with the portrait. I love the strangeness of this creature. It reminds me a bit of an ape with wings. It’s awesome that Kai took a shape with absolutely no detail and saw this creature in the lines presented in this panel.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Despairing Man # 11 (illustrated by Max Rugers)

In Brief Lives, Despair visits Dream after Orpheus dies.

After Dream leaves and returns to his kingdom, Despair expresses regret for not helping Delirium search for Destruction.

Once Delirium returns to her realm with Barnabus, Despair also returns home to find Desire waiting for her.

Despair’s realm is filled with mirrors and mist and in each of the mirrors she can gave into the hearts and lives of humanity. She can witness them despair.

This man is one of the people in her mirrors.

He is standing in front of a tombstone, visiting a loved one.

He appears in Sandman # 49, on page 9, in panel 5.

When looking for characters for this project I initially thought this might have been Hob Gadling, who was seen in a graveyard in the third chapter of The Kindly Ones, mourning the death of his wife, Audrey. I decided that this was probably not Hob. I doubt that Neil would have added this into the script and it was not mentioned in the Annotated Sandman. I suspect that this background character was put there by Jill Thompson without any guidance from Gaiman.

Max did a fantastic job with this portrait. I love the gray background he used and then framed the mirror with paper to reflect the character in the published comic. I really like the expression on this man’s face. He seems incredibly sad and is not presented with an exaggerated sense of despair.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Cat # 11 (illustrated by Kai Martin)

In Dream Of A Thoursand Cats, a group of cats gather in a cemetery to listen to the tale of a wise storyteller cat who recounts here visit with the King Of Dreams and offers a glimmer of hope to other cats that they can shed the shackles of domestication and one day rule the world as their ancestors did.

This is one of the cats that listens to the storyteller cat’s tale.

He appears in Sandman # 18, on page 4.

Kai did an awesome job with this portrait. I really like the way Kai positioned the cat looking to the side. It feels like a movement that an actual cat would do, showing us, with a sense of superiority, that he doesn’t really need us, but will let us pet him when he’s ready.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

French Soldier # 1 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

Under the orders of Maximilien Robespierre and Louis-Antoine St. Just this French Soldier was one of the soldiers searching through Johanna Constantine’s personal belongings in hopes of finding the stolen head of Orpheus.

He is visible on one page of Thermidor. He can be seen in Sandman # 29 on page 6, in panel 1.

This is a great portrait. Anna really did an excellent job making him seem a little bit like a villain in the whole affair. The colors for this portrait are very vibrant and I really like that as well.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Dignitary # 15 (illustrated by Max Rugers)

Dream and his lover, Killalla Of The Glow, travel to the palace to attend the parliament concerning zones of responsibility and the merits of obligation.

This Dignitary is one of many who gathered at the palace.

He appears in the background in Endless Nights, on page 63 in panel 3. This is the fifth page of The Heart Of The Star.

This is a fantastic portrait from Max. I love the colors used on this portrait. The vibrant blues really seem appropriate for this character, a dignitary of the parliament.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Woman # 43 (illustrated by Kai Martin)

Richard Madoc became a celebrated author overnight after purchasing the muse Calliope from Erasmus Fry. While filming an interview for the television show The Book Nook, Madoc learns that Erasmus Fry has recently died, committing suicide.

After recording the episode Richard and the Book Nook host went to a small café where they talked further about Fry. This woman was sitting in the café enjoying some coffee with a friend.

She appears in Sandman # 17 on page 15, in panel 1.

I really like Kai’s portrait of this character. This woman is easily overlooked, but her presence in the café gives the story a sense of reality. Kai did a pretty straight forward interpretation of this character and I like her happiness. It’s infectious.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Onmyoji’s Servant # 4 (illustrated by Anna Hybsier)

When the Monk was a young boy, living with his family, he found a monkey in the market place that was believed to be dead, but The Monk saw he was still alive and brought the animal home. He nursed the monkey back to good health and he became the family pet.

One day, a noble man, The Onmyoji, came to visit The Monk’s father. This day ended in death and tragedy as the monkey was killed and the Monk’s father was disgraced.

This is one of the Onmyoji’s servants.

This servant appears in the P. Craig Russell version of The Dream Hunters in issue # 2, on page 22, in panel 2.

I really like this portrait from Anna. This character was barely visible in the published comic and Anna really brought this character to the forefront with this portrait. I like the details that she added to this character and I really like the shape of his hat. This is a really fun portrait of an incredibly obscure character.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Worlds’ End Patron # 33 (illustrated by Lukas Ketner)

Between tales, Brant wanders the halls of Worlds’ End while the storm continues to pound upon the reality and the inn. Lightning flashes, illuminating the sky,, and Brant counts the seconds between the lightning and the sound of thunder.

As the thunder echoes through inn, this creature, along with a group of his friends, is frightened.

This character appears in Sandman # 55, on page 1, panel 7.

Lukas did a great job with this portrait. The details of this charcer are amazing. I really like the multiple folds in his skin and the leathery appearance of his body.

Here is Worlds’ End Patron # 33…

Monday, March 2, 2015

Demon # 324 (illustrated by Max Rugers)

In the fourth chapter of Preludes And Nocturnes, Dream visits Hell to retrieve his stolen helmet.

After reclaiming his helm, as he readies himself to leave, Lucifer challenges Morpheus, telling him that there are millions of demons surrounding him and that he has no power in Hell.

Dream counters and says “What power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven.”

The crowds of demons part and let him pass, contemplating his words.

This demon is one of the residents of Hell who listened to Morpheus’ speech. He appears in Sandman # 4, on page 23, in panel 1.

I like Max’s approach to this character. In the published comic this character is not much more than an outline and Max gave this character definition and features. He sort of resembles Goldie a little, although Goldie is smooth and cute and this character definitely feels like he resides in Hell.

Here is Demon # 324…