Bernie Wrightson

Joe Jusko 7/12/2017

THINGS IN THE NIGHT

Bernie Wrightson Tribute Book

Way back in 1998 Bernie and I collaborated on a series of Punisher covers for the Marvel Knights imprint, with Bernie penciling and me painting them up. On the surface, it seemed like a combination that shouldn’t have worked, but both of us were pleasantly surprised, and really happy with how they turned out. We immediately talked about doing something else together.

Over the next few years we started booking shows together so we could hang out, and thought that it would be great if we finally did a piece together that we could sell as a print. Bernie would draw part of it, I would draw the other part and then we would send it back and forth, with each of us painting a small section until we had a finished piece that was a true collaboration. One day I unexpectedly received a package from Bernie with a fully rendered tonal drawing of a bunch of patented Wrightson monsters circling a forest pool along with note asking me to draw in the girl that he had very loosely indicated.

Both of us got busy with a billion other things, and we never seemed to find the time to actually paint the final piece, a regret that looms large now that I know it’s a missed opportunity that can never be salvaged.

When I was told about the Tribute Book, proceeds of which were originally intended to raise money to help with Bernie’s medical expenses, but will now help his wife Liz in the aftermath of his loss, I immediately knew it was the perfect reason to finish this piece. As much as he worked in color, Bernie’s fame is in his brilliant black & white work, so I decided to honor my friend by acknowledging that.

It was a very emotional, but soulfully fulfilling couple of days, and I’m pleased to offer a new piece of Wrightson art to the world.

— with Linda Sebring Jusko and Liz Wrightson.