IDW Publishing Forums

[rqatkins]

With all three of these posted, I wanted to show the combined art for the covers for these issues. I noticed there were questions as to why certain characters were on the covers to certain issues.

When I did the cover it was meant as a large collage of nearly all the IDW versions of the characters we've seen so far. I couldn't quite fit in everyone. But still it was a fun effort to work on these characters I've had a chance to redesign or introduce into the IDW GI JOE-verse.

I was given pretty much free reign on what characters to show, and John and Carlos were both very supportive all throughout as I turned these in. It was tough on Simon Gough our colorist, because I was getting these in right on the cusp of the deadline and he had to color them as they came in separately instead of all together. (which would have been much easier on him) He's a trooper though, and I think he did a bang up job, especially considering how quick he had to turn it around.

I knew these were going to be split over the three titles, but I didn't know which cover would be put on which book. So I did my best to include both Cobra and GI JOE characters scattered throughout, (i.e. why Chuckles is on the first cover instead of the second) While these would be put on separate issues, It was always my intention for them to be seen together as I have them here.

Here's my black and white line art for the combined cover:



And here is the full colored version by Simon and myself:



I've been posting a running commentary on my process for this cover starting with the layouts through the colors. You can find it on my blog here:

http://robertatkinsart.blogspot.com

It was a landmark effort (for me anyway) that I thoroughly enjoyed as it fell right on the 4 year anniversary of when I started GI JOE with IDW back in the summer of 2008. Since then, this marked my 60th consecutive cover, and I put everything I could into it.

Thanks again for all the support on the boards. I don't have as much time as I'd like to be in the conversations and commentary more, but I do make sure to swing by and lurk. I appreciate all the kind words, and even the critical ones. It helps me be a better artist. I know I can't please everyone, but it won't be for a lack of trying.

[Torpedo]

Thank you for posting this! I've been waiting for someone to post all three covers combined without the titles/text. Terrific work!
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Author of Mr. Smartass, available for Amazon's Kindle, iPad/iPhone, and other e-reader devices and apps.

[abner419]

Awesome work Mr. Atkins!!!

[ER]

Fantastic to see - thank you for posting!
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30 Years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero! 1982 - 2012

[Torpedo]

Who are the other guys behind Mutt and Dusty on the Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow cover?
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Author of Mr. Smartass, available for Amazon's Kindle, iPad/iPhone, and other e-reader devices and apps.

[Mamu_Nestor]

Cool.
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Author: Karate is Self-Defense Available at Amazon.com. Kindle Version Coming Soon.

[rqatkins]

Behind Mutt and Dusty is Hot Sauce and Hit n'Run. You can find out more about Hot Sauce and why him and Hit n' Run are included by checking out my blog post here:

http://robertatkinsart.blogspot.com/2012/09/gi-joe-snake-eyes-17-cover-inks-part-3.html

[Mamu_Nestor]

[Torpedo]

Thanks for the answer, Mr. Atkins. And thank you just as much for including my three favorite Joes, Torpedo, Gung Ho, and Snow Job!
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Author of Mr. Smartass, available for Amazon's Kindle, iPad/iPhone, and other e-reader devices and apps.

[ER]

Loved reading about Hot Sauce - very cool how the character came to be!
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30 Years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero! 1982 - 2012

[Firefly87]

Any chance that can be turned into a poster?