Is this Mignola sketch for real?

**heavyhand** · 06-06-2005, 01:08 AM

Saw this on ebay. Someone is trying to sell this sketch of Hellboy by Mignola.
Sure it looks like a Mignola Hellboy, but to me it doesn't look like the real deal.

The signature itself is a bit wonky, the date box is funny looking. The drawing looks "off" to me...especially the smoke behind him.

Is there anyone who can verify this drawing?

click me

**Ivar_L** · 06-06-2005, 01:41 AM

I'm sure it's not real, all details and linework are way off. I think I've seen a picture quite similar, but the closest I found at the moment was in The Art of Hellboy book on pages 84 and 86... Left wing is almost the same.

**Nick W** · 06-06-2005, 05:34 AM

I thought the same thing (the face, sig & date) so I asked CBM. She talked to Mike when he got back from WW Philly & yup, it's real. I guess he was just changing things up.

NW

**Gene Poonyo** · 06-06-2005, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Nick W

I thought the same thing (the face, sig & date) so I asked CBM. She talked to Mike when he got back from WW Philly & yup, it's real. I guess he was just changing things up.

NW

Nice gumshoe work, Nick.
Wonder Con, baby...

**jscott** · 06-06-2005, 05:56 AM

That's authentic? Even the signature's strange...when he completed work in 2000, it was always an empty "date box".

But if it is, it is then. Crazy.

**Poe Ghostal** · 06-06-2005, 06:12 AM

Isn't there a con sketch very similar to that in the Art of Hellboy? I remember the little wings.

**Jakob Westman** · 06-06-2005, 07:10 AM

Odd.
I could've sworn it was fake.

/ Jakob

**hellboyone** · 06-06-2005, 08:06 AM

I'm not convinced...

Didn't Mike sign all his 2000 sketches with a blank box under his signature? I don't remember ever seeing them with double zeroes. Head's huge. Horns are way off. Sloppy sig. I think this auction needs re-examining.

R.

**fitzroy** · 06-06-2005, 08:14 AM

I've got to say, I'm not that convinced either. It's just 'off'.

**citymadeofash** · 06-06-2005, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Nick W

I asked CBM. She talked to Mike when he got back from WW Philly & yup, it's real.

Originally Posted by hellboyone

I'm not convinced...

hahah... even when it's straight from the horses mouth, there are still some non-believers :p Oh well, I'm inclined to believe it if Mike says so.. I mean if anyone could confirm or deny, surely it would be him! Plus, we are all avid fans of his work, and as such expect work of the highest quality (because, well, HE's JUST THAT AWESOME!) but everyone's got off days, perhaps this was just a quick sketch, hence the quality of the drawing

**SpydaWeb** · 06-06-2005, 08:15 AM

I too thought FAKE immediately. If it weren't for the CBM stamp of authenticity I'd never believe it.

Even with the variations I've seen Mignola do, It still looks Mignola. This looks like immitation. Ah well. Goes to show no-ones an expert.

**Poe Ghostal** · 06-06-2005, 08:22 AM

Nope, no one is--except MM, who says it's his, and that's good enough for me.

**Gene Poonyo** · 06-06-2005, 09:00 AM

Hey people- The same seller is causing the same kind of confusion over at Adam Hughes' yahoo group. He is selling a Wonder Woman sketch that might not be genuine. Could be a trace...

**morna** · 06-06-2005, 09:11 AM

strange... the thing that looks un-Mignolaish to me is the smoke/cloud behind him. It's way too roundy. Mignola tends to draw in planes. But there you go I guess he was feeling all curvy that day???

edit: look at the top of HB's head but what I think is even more alarming are the lapels of his coat - way too roundy!

very odd