Support Graphic Samurai: The Art Of Denys Cowan On Kickstarter

Celebrating Five Decades Of Excellence

Denys Cowan is a comics artist and illustrator with fifty years in the industry and Michael Stradford is running a campaign to fund Graphic Samurai: The Art Of Denys Cowan through Gizmoe Press and here’s a few details…

“Denys is a master storyteller with a gritty style and feel that makes his art so unique.”    – Dan Didio

I’m Michael Stradford, author of Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan. I’m excited to share the first book on the career of an artist who’s been a working professional for nearly fifty years. I previously conducted a successful crowdfunding campaign last year for a graphic novel Fargo: Hell on Wheels by Howard Chaykin. The positive conclusion of that effort will inspire my company, Gizmoe Press to lead Graphic Samurai to a similarly successful result.

ALL ABOUT DENYS

Denys Cowan is a pre eminent creator of comic book universes (Milestone), memorable characters, an animation director and producer (Static Shock, The Boondocks) while showing his chops as an incredible storyteller in essential runs of legendary characters like Batman, the Black Panther, Deathlok and The Question. Through nearly ten hours of interviews (click the screen below for an excerpt), Denys discusses all aspects of his career as a young Black artist in Queens, New York who rose to be commonly regarded as one of the greatest African American comic book creators of all time and one of most highly regarded artists in the industry, regardless of his ethnicity.

Denys and I have been good friends for over thirty years. I continue to be amazed at the endless creativity, good humour and self-deprecation that he brings to whatever project (or person) that is placed in front of him. Having the good fortune to see so much of his art over the years, his wife Kathy encouraged him to make this book finally happen and she suggested me for the job, which I readily accepted, knowing the treasure trove of material that was available.

WHAT’S IN THE BOOK?

In addition to the comprehensive interview, we selected from over 2000 scanned images for inclusion in the estimated 250-page book. Countless samples of Denys’ art, including prelims, character designs, finished pages and projects that haven’t (as of yet) seen the light of day, as well as some of his earliest and latest designs are what awaits you!

His work with Milestone forever changed his legacy, because that work changed the medium of comics.” – David Walker

WHO ELSE IS IN THE BOOK?

Supplementing the book is a collection of insights from industry veterans who have worked with and/or admired Denys throughout his career. Some of the notable names include Bill Sienkiewicz, Dan Di Dio, David Walker, Butch Guice, Keith Pollard, Jimmy Palmiotti, a foreword by Howard Chaykin and many more.

Conceived by graphic designer Jason Medley, who started his career as a youngster in the initial iteration of Milestone Media back in the early 90s, Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan will have a look and style that complements the unique visual approach that Denys continues to hone and refine every day.

support the book here