This past week, I received in the mail my copy of Mike Grell 50th Anniversary Art Book Volume 1. It is a fantastic book by one of my favorite comic book writers and artists that was launched last year on Kickstarter.
Mike Grell is renowned for his work on his comic book creations THE WARLORD (DC Comics) and JON SABLE: FREELANCE (creator-owned). But for me, it was his work on GREEN ARROW for DC Comics that caught my eye.
Mike Grell inspired me when I was kid to want to be BOTH a comic book writer and artist combined when I grew up. And in essence, I did that.
I even had the chance to meet him in person and later collaborate with him on a comic book cover for Shooting Star Comics in which he illustrated my character YELLOW JACKET: MAN OF MYSTERY from THRILL SEEKER COMICS on it and I did the graphic design and digitally colored the cover of his work. I still own Mike's original artwork and contributed a high-res image of it for Volume 2 of this upcoming book.
Volume 1 of the Mike Grell Art Book covered his career from 1973 to 1992, taking fans up to his work on James Bond!
Volume 2 picks up with Shaman's Tears, and brings us all the way to modern day, including some brand new pieces that are sneak peeks of sorts for some great things to come from Mike Grell during his second 50 years in comics!
They have interviews with Mike, about his career, and a deep insight into his approach as an artist.
I can't recommend this enough if you're an old school comic book fan. Along the way, I'm sure many of you like me fell in love with his work.
Check it out on Kickstarter. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Thu, February 20 2025 10:59 PM CST.