The Marvel Art of Tyler Kirkham

 

Clover Press publishes beautiful art books and original comic series. Here's their latest project:

 

 The Marvel Art of Tyler Kirkham

Whether its Spider-Man swinging through New York or the Mandalorian in a galaxy far far away, artist Tyler Kirkham has touched every corner of the Marvel universe. Now Clover Press will collect Kirkham’s most beloved Marvel artwork in The Marvel Art of Tyler Kirkham, which is currently available for pre-order via Kickstarter. This is the latest edition in Clover Press’s The Marvel Art of… line, which has featured legendary artists including Mike Allred, Russell Dauterman, David Mack, and more. The high end coffee table art book is an unforgettable celebration of Kirkham’s unique, eye-catching artwork.

 

 

 

 

With a distinctive style that combines intricate linework and vibrant action sequences, Tyler Kirkham's work has garnered widespread acclaim across the comic book industry. Kirkham’s interior art on series like Mike Carey’s Ultimate Fantastic Four, Greg Pak’s  X-Men: Phoenix Warsong, and Stuart Moore’s New Avengers/Transformers brings beloved comic book characters to life. And his iconic covers for series like Nick Spencer and Marcelo Ferreira’s Amazing Spider-Man, Charles Soule and Steven Cummings’s Star Wars: Crimson Reign, and Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s Venom, defines them with striking and iconic cover illustrations that set the tone for fan-favorite stories.

 

 

“I am extremely excited to announce my official art book with Marvel comics and Clover Press,” says Kirkham. “It represents a comprehensive collection of my artwork for Marvel over the years, encompassing hundreds of covers and interior pages. I'm honored to have a book of this scale and quality coming out and I can't wait for people to see it!”

“I’ve been a fan of Tyler’s work since our days at DC, and have marveled at what he’s accomplished in the years since,” says Publisher Hank Kanalz. “He continues to top himself with his ‘Battle Damage’ covers and more recently his homage pieces. THE MARVEL ART OF TYLER KIRKHAM tracks his growth as an artist, and collects so many pieces in one volume – not to be missed by any Tyler Kirkham collector!”

 

 

In addition to the stunning 200-page 9" x 12" art book, The Marvel Art of Tyler Kirkham Kickstarter campaign will feature collectible 11" x 17" prints, stickers, and more to celebrate Kirkham’s prolific career, featuring some of Kirkham’s classic covers and comic pages alongside rare and never-before seen pieces. 

Fans can support The Marvel Art of Tyler Kirkham on Kickstarter. For more updates, follow Clover Press on Blue Sky, Facebook, Instagram, X, and  YouTube. 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT CLOVER PRESS Headed by IDW co-founder Robbie Robbins and former DC executive Hank Kanalz, Clover Press publishes a wide variety of collected and original content ranging from re-mastered reprints of classic newspaper strips to horror graphic novels, and high-quality art books. Clover Press is working with a wide variety of creators including Kevin Eastman, Steve Niles, Gabriel Rodriguez, Ruben Bolling, Richard Bennett, Ray Troll, John K. Snyder III, Stewart Kenneth Moore, Aron Wiesenfeld, David Mack, Alex Maleev, David Nakayama, Russell Dauterman, Michael Allred, and more.

 

Thanks to Clover Press and Superfan Promotions for sharing this announcement with us.  

 

Destro #2 Review

 

Writer: Dan Watters

Artist: Andrei Bressan

Colorist: Adriano Lucas

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Andrei Bressan & Adriano Lucas; Riley Rossmo; Nikola Čižešija; Jeff Spokes; Yasmin Putri; Tyler Kirkham

Publisher: Image

Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 17, 2024

 

Destro’s concern for Darklonia reawakened when he realized he could profit from controlling the beleaguered country. Now, he can market MARS’ weapons without governmental interference as his cousin rules the coastal European state. But Xamot and Tomax view Destro’s investment as an opportunity. Their company, Extensive Enterprises, can attack the unrecognized state without angering the international community. Will Destro’s investment in Darklonia drive MARS into bankruptcy? Will the stresses of war break Destro’s sanity? Let’s strap on our armor, load our weapons, march into Destro #2, and find out!

 

Story

The attack in Darklonia occurs at a crucial time for MARS. Destro has secured an exclusive supply of Energon from Cobra Commander. Destro tantalized buyers at the arms fair that officially wasn't happening with military inventions that technically didn't exist. But Extensive Enterprises dispelled Destro’s aura of invincibility by deploying drones using cloaking technology that shielded them from MARS satellites.

 

Xamot and Tomax value people over technology. They focus on training their Crimson Guard and hire engineers to steal and recreate others' inventions. They wield an army of ruthless soldiers who prize reliable people as assets and liquidate liabilities. In attacking the Darklonian arms fair, they reduce demand for MARS weaponry and stand ready to deploy their Crimson Guard mercenaries in any conflict.

 

Dan Watters illustrates the similarities and differences between Destro and his adversaries in Destro #2. Destro may have smiled when he realized he was at war, but he’s angry now. Xamot and Tomax surprised and shamed him. The surviving buyers will return home with reports of deaths and a billion dollars worth of destroyed MARS weaponry. Xamot and Tomax claim Destro made a false flag attack on the Darklonian arms fair. Why shouldn't buyers believe Destro attacked the event with combat drones? Extensive Enterprises deploys Human power, while MARS sells the machinery of war.

 

Worse, Destro deployed his experimental Battle Android Troopers in the Darklonian attack using Cobra Commander’s Energon. Destro added insult to injury by insisting that he determines what he does with this limited resource. This unprovoked war risks exposing his secret "game-changing" power source to his competitors and losing his privileged relationship with Cobra Commander.

 

Art

Fires burn outside the crenelated stone walls of the former prime minister’s castle as Destro addresses his troops. Andrei Bressan shows Xamot and Tomax brief their legions inside their sleek modern building. While hundreds gather between fencing and tanks in Darklonia, thousands fill the vast interior of the Extensive Enterprises New York City headquarters. From a rubble-strewn cliff overlooking the ocean to harsh, snowy Scotland, Destro argues, attacks and communes. Yet Xamot and Tomax's expressions reveal a determination to win that rivals the man in the iron mask in Destro #2.

 

Yellow and orange flames choke the Darklonian air with gray smoke while Extensive Enterprises stands undamaged beneath bright blue skies. Adriano Lucas reminds us of the stark differences that divide the US political battleground as the rival leaders address their seas of green or red followers. Yet Lucas hints the two sides are not as different as they seem, as Crimson Guard fight amid the greenery of a training ground, and Destro’s wide red collar surrounds a silver face that reflects his soldiers' green uniforms.

 

Rus Wooton orders readers into Destro #2 with large uppercase black lettering in white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Wooton shows how business leaders conduct war, or warriors conduct business, as words embolden for emphasis but never swell or shrink. Sound effects help readers hear explosions knock Crimson Guard off their feet as Assault System Pods send MARS aircraft crashing. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Destro and his rivals Xamot and Tomax believe war refines the Human species and the most adaptable players survive. But Xamot and Tomax inspire others, while Destro values property over people and communion with the dead over the camaraderie of the living in Destro #2.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To view more cover art see my review of Comic Book Dispatch.