As you likely know, we’ve been sharing a ton of incredible, original art from some of our favorite creators for our 31 Days of Hellboy feature, but we’re not the only ones who appreciate great renditions of Mike Mignola’s creation. Writer Jai Nitz (of “Dream Thief” and “Toshiro” fame) has been collecting sketches of Hellboy since 1993 from some of the best and brightest of the world of comic art, and Nitz was kind enough to share his collection with us.
There are a LOT of pieces, so they are split into three parts. Yesterday was part one and the last set will be appearing on Hellboy Day. We hope you enjoy, and give Jai a shout on Twitter and Tumblr to say thanks to this kind gentleman.
Artists in alphabetical order, by last name, with anecdotes below about select pieces.
Note from Jai: The Left Hand of Doom!
Note from Jai: One of my personal favorites. I’d love to see Hester write and draw a Hellboy one-shot.
Note from Jai: Mike really nailed this piece. By this time I had dozens of sketches and I was displaying them in alphabetical order. Mike knew he’d be next to Adam Hughes and said “I don’t want to get my ass kicked forever in your book.”
Note from Jai: One of the most effortless pieces I have. It’s just perfect.
Note from Jai: Another old friend, Brian did this piece at a store signing in KC.
Note from Jai: Mike did this piece for me at a con in KC with Mignola and Nowlan sitting next to him. Both of them marveled at the audacity and pure Kaluta-ness of it.
Note from Jai: I met Rob for the first time at SDCC where he was doing free skeches. He did this Hellboy for me and it remains one of my favorite. For all the crap people give Rob, everyone loves this piece.
Note from Jai: Sean’s first Hellboy.
