Just finished a commission of animating a Richie Rich cover. It was a favorite comic of the person requesting it. I was happy to do it! Currently, I figured people would merely use AI for such things. Thanks so much, JS!
Kerry Callen
@kerrycallen.bsky.social
MAD contributor. Freelance illustrator.
When I come across an unused penciled page by an old master, in this case Jack Kirby, I love trying my hand at inking it. But, then it feels incomplete without dialog and color, so I do that too. Btw, does Hulk have extra tough hair, like Superman? Has it ever been addressed?
On this commission, I was asked to replace the scary alien on UFO Flying Saucers #5 with QUISP! I don’t know anyone, of a certain age, who doesn’t like Quisp. His breakfast cereal was discontinued many years ago, but he will occasionally show up in select areas as a limited release.
Here’s a pretty straightforward commission The request was for me to create a Ghost Rider cover showing his disapproval of “Billionaire’s Row” in NYC.
I find causal nudity, for comedic effect, hilarious! Social media doesn’t agree. For this finished commission, I added pink briefs. The joke is Star-Spangled Kid wore blue with a star pattern BEFORE Wonder Woman appeared in comics. Her culottes were also blue with a star pattern.
"Goose Rider" commission! The request was to recreate Ghost Rider #6, art by John Romita, in the style of Steve Mellor. Mellow drew the first Goose Rider in Marvel Tales #1.
Here's a fun commission. I was asked to recreate the insult drawing of the Thing as its own, physical art! The panel originally appeared in Fantastic Four #15, 1963.
I currently have a piece of original art, and print, up for sale on ebay. I'm looking forward to the new Spider-Man movie! But, I'm fairly sure this scene isn't in it. ebay.io/m/WMCv0d
Last week, I shared the cover I drew for Dr. Eldritch #1, an upcoming indy comic. The creator then commissioned me to color a back cover, using an earlier commission I drew last year. Done and done! (Do people still say that?)
Here's the promotional poster for FREESTATE COMICON in Lawrence, KS on Sept. 12. I based it on 1950's Blue Bolt #105 cover, by the great L.B. Cole. The old man I added is John Brown, a Kansas abolitionist from the 1800's. He's the official "mascot" of the con.
I just finished the cover for "Doctor Eldritch" #1, for an indy publisher. I don't know a lot about the comic. I just went with what the image the writer described. The book isn't out yet, but I was told I'm free to share it. Btw, I didn't do the logo, but I think it's great!
I just finished the cover for "Doctor Eldritch" #1, for an indy publisher. I don't know a lot about the comic. I just went with what the image the writer described. The book isn't out yet, but I was told I'm free to share it. Btw, I didn't do the logo, but I think it's great!
It's "Supergirl Week" over at the 13th Dimension. I decided to draw a new strip. Even though the ending is probably obvious, it was still fun to draw! 13thdimension.com/its-supergir...
MAD #600 comes out this Wednesday, June 17! The 13thDimension.com shared the full page 1 of my puzzle pages on their site. Hopefully this will whet your appetite to see page 2. Seek it out, if you dare!
I recently bought an all-red Spider-Man/Superman “blank cover” comic. It was all-red. Later I thought, “Spider-Man has a red spider-signal. That’s perfect! It will be available for purchase at Lilac City Comicon, June 6 & 7. Hope to see you there!
In the comics community, All Stars Comics #3 is a fairly famous image. Lots of parodies/tributes have been created over the years. With this latest commission, it was my turn! The request was to change certain characters and add specific dialog. Done and done!
My latest commission was to draw Spider-Man and Alfred E. Neuman on a blank comic cover. The patron asked for a "worry" theme. Clever. Btw, I accidentally got a small ink smudge on the back cover! I wasn't sure what to do, so I signed it.
I love how random my commission requests can be. Here's the cover to MIGHTY SAMSON #1, from 1965, redraw in a Simpsons style!
If I remember correctly, "The Prisoner" TV show ran in the late 60's. A couple of years later, "Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp" ran two seasons. Here they BOTH are mashed into one image. I get asked to do the craziest commissions (which I love)! He wanted it in B&W only.
Latest commission. I don’t think anyone has ever seen these characters together! Top to bottom, are Fat Man, Red Tornado, Bizarro Dr. Fate, Forbush Man, and Johnny Appleseed.
I've been a fan of the Inferior Five since I was a kid. Sadly, they've had very few appearances since the 60's. I recently had the itch to draw them, so I scratched it! I put them in an "Avengers Circle"!
Wonder Girl vs Mary Marvel, a commission I just finished. I'm not sure who would win!
This latest commission was a request for Green Arrow and Black Canary. I decided to draw a classic battle pose. Mostly. I can’t stop myself from doing such things.
Newest commission. The request was for drawing Superman and Lois Lane together. The situation was left up to me. 😁
I'm excited to announce Asterisk Watches is producing a wristwatch based on my popular "Happiness is Fleeting" art! The floating arm is the minute hand, while the hour is displayed in a cloud. So fun! Only a couple of weeks left on Kickstarter.
Happiness is Fleeting | New Asterisk Jump Hour Automatic
This unfortunate zombie has lost his balloon as well as a limb. Illustrated dial art by the uber-talented Kerry Callen.
kickstarter.com
Latest commission-- A take-off of the classic Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk treasury. Who wins?
I didn't spend much time on this, quickly pulling various things from the internet. But, I had to better envision the hat I dreamt about last night! (It had a generic alien, but I thought Marvin would look good.)
With so many classic characters falling into public domain lately, I'm surprised I haven't seen any used in advertising! I'll start to ball rolling--
The very first Batman comic I owned was The Brave and the Bold #68. Batman turns into “Bat-Hulk.” He’s suddenly bulky and has molten-hot hands! I’ve long held a fondness for him and had the urge to do a drawing. You can read a little more about it here- 13thdimension.com/bat-hulk-the...