Howdy everybody,
Here’s my second cover for The Last Unicorn series being published by IDW. The second issue had a lot more to go on than the first issue, not to mention it was about more than introducing the characters, so I had a chance to put more of a narrative into it.
The crux of the story involves a traveling freak show of sorts, lead by the evil witch Mommy Fortuna and her bumbling wizard manservant, Schmendrick.
I didn’t have any reference to go on for Mommy Fortuna, who likes to collect strange and exotic animals for her show. I envisioned her to be adorned with jewelry of all kinds, flowing silk and velvet. In my mind, I was thinking of a “glamorous” version of the “trash lady” from Labrynth, but I’ve been told by more than one person that she reminds them of the old witch from Spirited Away, who I agree she does resemble.
Anyhow, after I finished the initial sketch, I showed it to a colleague of mine, Joe Suitor, who suggested that I enlarge the Unicorn. Initially I resisted, but he was right, so I went into Photoshop to do the dirty work before taking it to inks.
Thanks for reading!
Frank
15 Comments
Add Yours →Wow, a beautiful illustration! Love the angle and the crazy looking sky. Did you resist looking at the animated version from the 80s before doing these covers? I don't remember it that well but I remember the Mommy Fortuna character as this scary little crone. It probably wouldn't look so good if I saw it today but your version of the character is still managing to give me the creeps!
Thanks, Leighton.
As of this point in time, I still haven't seen the animated version, even though I've heard it's quite good.
Because the comic is independent of the movie – it's based on the book – I've tried to base my ideas on what I thought the book communicated.
That said, I'll probably be watching the film soon.
f.
nice one! i like how you colored this
OH MY GOODNESS.
The Last Unicorn was my favorite fantasy novel in adolescence, and this illustration is AMAZING. This is the first I've heard of the comic, but I couldn't find it after a (very cursory, admittedly) search on Amazon.
Love your work as always, but I'm especially fond of this piece!
Oh my good god, this is ha-mazing!
– Geo
LOVE the composition on this one. Your work always has an unusual camera angle that really draws (ha!) viewers into the piece. This one works especially well!
Great use of color too. Thanks for showing the preliminary sketches as well as the pre-ink roughs. It's inspiring to see the process you use!
Shep
Nice composition Frank, I love triangles.
Frank, you are a gangsta.
AWESOME!
great works!
Awesome!
the only word i can think of that accurately describes how i feel about this image is
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Hehhe very nice thinking taht is a great refrence.
Very nice work.
Caught this cover over on Chris' blog. Love your work! Cheers
Wonderful…as a kid I watched the movie nonstop, this captures the essence of the scene, but from a more dramatic angle. Well done!