Terry and the Pirates Commission by Tillie Walden

Great things can come in small packages. I set this commission up with Sean from Athenaeum Comic Art less than a month ago and it arrived today. Great communication, service and packaging/shipping. I had seen an image of it before it arrived and couldn't wait to open the package. Tillie doesn't do commissions but decided to accept a few and with Sean's help I got one of the spots. I asked Tillie to do a Terry and the Pirates themed piece and wanted to make sure the Dragon Lady was in there. This is what Tillie came up with and I think it is stunning and over delivers which I am not complaining about. So much of Tillie's style, aesthetics and personality come through while still remaining very respectful and faithful of the source material. There is so much for me to love here including the dreamlike Sunday format that underlies the piece with clouds and sky that are hallmark Walden art. The use of silhouette and lighting as bookends to the strip is perfect. A young Terry running down a hill mirrored by a him swinging in the opposite corner of the piece and breaking panels is one of the things I like about Tillie's work, the flow of elements from one panel to another and how the overall design of a page blends panels. The inspired part for me are the main characters including an older Terry in his aviation attire, Pat Ryan with his pipe, the Dragon Lady, Burma and of course the young April Kane. The choice of colors and costumes really make the piece stand out. There are other little things like the logo and Tillie signing in a box and style like Caniff that add to the piece's charm. The piece is 9 x 12 but feels a whole lot larger.