You’ve seen Matt Smith’s pencils, you’ve seen Terry Austin’s inks, now here’s the final color for the Albany Comic Con exclusive Magdalena #1 cover. Matt’s previous Albany Con cover was a Witchblade image, with color provided by Matt’s Doctor Who colorist, Charlie Kirchoff . Charlie wasn’t available for the quick turnaround this time, so we had to look a little further afield for the color. Actually, a lot further afield.
When I did some work for Virgin Comics (now reborn as Liquid Comics) a few years ago, I worked as both editor and writer with a number of extremely talented India-based artists. The vast majority were adept at pencils, inks and color alike, and could work in a variety of art styles. So with assistance from my writer friend Saurav Mohapatra, the call went out for somebody who could leap heroically into breach and color the cover. Coming to the rescue was Saumin Patel, whom I had worked with when I edited Devi for Virgin (written by Saurav, in fact). Saumin provided interior art (but not color) on Devi, drawing in a unique style and exhibiting a sophisticated storytelling sense. He and Saurav had also collaborated on Mumbai Macguffin, which Saumin drew, inked and colored. The breadth of his talent is pretty impressive, as he’s worked in comics, animation, magazine illustration, advertising, storyboards and more. You can, and should, check out his blogs here and here.
Saumin volunteered to take a run at coloring Matt and Terry’s cover. As you can see here, he came through with a killer version that really pops forward the main figure of Magdalena, without losing the signature Albany towers and Egg in the background. The strong red of her costume highlights and inner cloak is going to be recurring color motif in the monthly series, and Saumin captured that aspect as well.
Saumin also offered up a second, slightly different version, this one with a violet overlay, giving the tones a bit flatter look. Both versions work well, but we ultimately decided to go with the brighter piece. I’m very much in Saumin’s debt for his work here.
The exclusive Magdalena #1 edition will be on sale at the Albany Comic Con on April 25. The con site is here. Hope some of you will be able to come to the show. If the cover doesn’t sell out, a few of the remaining copies might show up for sale online.
Cheers,
Ron
March 29th, 2010 on 10:38 pm
WOW!Nice colors by Patel.Great cover from the guys.I agree the brighter colors look better.Albany con has a great variant cover on thier hands.Cant wait to get one for myself.You must be proud of the 1st time collaborators knocking out a great piece.
March 29th, 2010 on 11:17 pm
Saumin is hardly a first time collaborator, ray. Both he and I broke our comics creatin’ teeth under Ron’s stewardship in Virgin Comics DEVI
March 30th, 2010 on 12:44 am
Mr.Mohaps,I didn’t mean Mr.Patel was a 1st timer.I meant it was the 1st time he collaborated with Matt and Mr.Austen.I believe this is the 1st time all 3 have worked together right?I know he has worked before as I bought Mumbai Macguffin from you at the last Albany con.Fun read and the art was beautiful.He is hell of an artist.Love to get a commission from him.
March 30th, 2010 on 8:51 am
ah, duly noted!
Saumin actually is a big fan of Matthew Dow Smith’s art and Matthew had good things to say about Saumin’s art in Macguffin. I just helped these talented people with mutual admiration connect.
March 30th, 2010 on 9:04 am
and .ray this time for Albany, I’ll have the TPB for DEVI with Saumin’s work and a Stjepan Sejic cover. ..and remind me of this blog post, if you want your free copy
March 30th, 2010 on 2:18 pm
Thanks Mr.Mohaps that’s very kind of you.
Who doesn’t like Matt’s art.I’m a huge fan of Matt’s.Matt would probably say I’m his biggest stalker.It’ll be nice talking to you again at the show.