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GI JOE Origins cover 20

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I think this is going to be one people either fucking love or fucking hate.

This cover is for a storyline takes place in Bangladesh. It covers how Cobra recruits it's soldiers from impoverished nations. My editor asked me to do something along the lines of a propaganda poster. The WW2 type of posters have been done to death so I wanted to find something different. I remembered seeing a book on Propaganda art of China and I did some research. What struck me was the creepy happiness of the art. It's all designed to show how wonderful life in China is. There's a variety of styles to the art, but it all shares a bright color palette. I thought that might be a interesting take on Cobra, and how they recruit soldiers, followers. I really have to thank my editor, Carlos Guzman for trusting me to do this. When you have an editor that gives you room to try things out of your wheelhouse you really have to appreciate that level of confidence and faith.

So, about this image. The flowers in the background are all native to Bangaladesh. The writing at the bottom translates loosely to "PRAISE TO COBRA" in Bengali. This was one of the more difficult covers I've done. I wanted it to look crudely painted, but not badly painted. I must have at least 20 different versions of the kid's faces.

By the way this cover is why I made this: [link]
Image size
659x1000px 1.1 MB
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Puppetcancer's avatar
"The WW2 type of posters have been done to death so I wanted to find something different."

I agree with your line of thinking. (and for as disturbing as the cover is, I'm still glad Mr. Guzman supported you on following through with this version.)

" I wanted it to look crudely painted, but not badly painted."

This is the first time I've seen a professional artist mention that dilemma here on DA. It is really difficult to make it work within that desired middle ground. Too much one way and the client thinks the artist lied on his resume. Too much the other way and the artwork misses the point of what it's supposed to be based on. I have a lot of respect for artists who decide to try and walk the tightrope between those two extremes.