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Submitted: September 25, 2010
Image Size: 286 KB
Resolution: 900×1199

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Miss Miseryby *mcguan

Cartoons & Comics / Traditional Media / Comics / Mixed Media

I had another couple sketches nailed down and ready to get the full work-up, but with the news this week that DC was shutting down the WildStorm line, I felt a little melancholy. I decided to pick a character from that line and with the Girlfriend theme* in mind, I went with one of my favorite books: "Sleeper" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. That's a great genre-spanning title that you need to read if you haven't already. And it led to even better things, as the two guys have gone on to do "Criminal" and "Incognito," two of my current favorites books.

Calling "Miss Misery" a girlfriend may be a stretch - and it would probably get you a boot in the face from the lady herself - but as she was the girl for whom the protagonist Holden Carver carried a torch, she fits the bill. She's a classic bad girl (especially since her very existence demands that she be bad since her health and strength increase when she's behaving amorally), so how could I resist?

Plus the name "Miss Misery" makes me think of Elliott Smith, which makes me happy. Which is ironic, if you've ever listened to Elliott Smith.

I went minimalist with the colors because they tend to be my weak spot. But a spare and somewhat bleak look lends itself to the book and character. I still managed to do at least 5 different versions, playing around with the color scheme.

Pigma Micron pens, Pentel brush, Photoshop colors.

* After my submitted pieces on Mary Jane and Jenny from "The Rocketeer" last week, I think three pieces in a row makes the "Girlfriend Theme" official, right?

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~PencilApe Jul 27, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Great job here, reminds me of Dave Johnson cover style, very well done.

*mcguan Jul 27, 2012

That? Well THAT is a huge compliment! Thanks a lot!

~PencilApe Jul 27, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Yea, seriously. I'm a big fan of Dave Johnson, and he's producing some of the most interesting covers of any comics these day, the guy's a design genius. So when I saw your piece it just popped right out. We're our own worst critics, but I'm telling you, this cover of yours tells a pretty clear story, it's perfect.

~GeeHALE Oct 29, 2010

Great placements on the blacks and whites, man! Very nice piece!

*mcguan Nov 3, 2010

Thank you much!

~ehanson1971 Oct 15, 2010

I love Sleeper and Miss Misery in particular. Great job on this piece. I like the colors and I think restraint is a good thing, especially considering the look and colors of the Sleeper series.

*mcguan Oct 17, 2010

Thanks! I started going in a different (highly detailed) direction on this and could tell I was overdoing it.

=TRDLcomics Oct 15, 2010 Professional Interface Designer

+1 Win for Elliot SMith Reference
+1 Win for Sleeper concept piece
+1 Win for it being Miss Effing Misery, one of my favorite iterations on this character cipher ever
YEP
you win!

*mcguan Oct 15, 2010

And +1 to you for the awesome comment. Thanks!

~stideshvn Oct 14, 2010

I love Elliott smith! That was first thing I wondered if there was a connection. Awesome to see another fan who likes Elliott and there is a connection

wonderful piece!

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