TREK TRIPTYCH

Comic Book Cover Art, DC Comics, STAR TREK. Pencil, Ink, Brush, Pen, Opaque gouache.

With a 3-issue story arc featuring a flashback account by Commander Chekov, I elected to do another series of linked cover images, this time as a three-part "triptych." After collecting each issue, the comic book fan could lay the issues side-by-side in sequential order and behold the full image. The essential thing I had to keep in mind was to make each individual cover design still work independently.

My favorite element is the vintage ENTERPRISE.

Interestingly, Paramount execs headed me off on the image of Kirk in distress, appearing to scream.  They figured this was too unflattering for the character, and for Shatner. Despite my relating the fact that my reference was derived from an actual still from The Gamesters of Triskelion, I was urged to replace the image with something more "dignified."  This is so ironic, since Shatner is so well known for acting rather broadly, and to this day does everything to discard his dignity!  And let's not forget his screaming rant in The Wrath of KHAAAAAANNNN!!! Or his wonderfully campy musical albums.

My editor also had me "adjust" McCoy's mouth to be more "keyed back" and neutrally eye-pleasing.  Whatever. Nevertheless, I present the original "embarrassing" images here, unaltered. But this is from a very bad photostatted copy. My apologies for the poor line quality.