Theory of Relativity: Varying Art Sizes in Border Worlds Through the Ages!

I began experimenting with the size of my original art in the 1980s, particularly in Border Worlds, and the tradition (or indecision?) continues into the twenty-first century. The image below is a good example: on the left, an 11" x 17" original (10" x 15" image area), the size I started out with in Megaton Man in the mid-1980s. which would reduce to about 60% at printed size; in the middle, the cover to Border Worlds #1, 11.5" x 14.5" (8.5" x 13.25" image area), for a 77% reduction, as shown; and my current practice, 11" x 14" (9.5" x 12.5" image area), a half-page tier that will reduce to under 50%. I did at least a couple issues of Border Worlds at 77% and contemplated going "twice up" (50% reduction), but at the time found it unwieldy. Obviously, the larger the art, the greater reduction, and the more the detail will tighten up and the less obvious will be the rough edges. Also, the easier it is on my aging eyes and wrist! (The half-page tier also makes it easier for me to reach the top of the art, Mr. Drawing Board Belly!)

A pin-up for the Amazing Heroes Swimsuit Special circa 1990; the cover to Border Worlds #2 (1986; "Worlds" was reversed out at the bottom of the design in the printed version); and a half-page pencil rough from 2015.

The Dover collection of Border Worlds (coming in Fall 2016) will include all of the Megaton Man back-up features, all eight issues of Border Worlds (including Marooned #1), and 30 pages of new material that I am currently producing, as well as several unpublished covers and extras. Not only will all these variously-sized originals appear side-by-side, but also the compendium of stylistic influences, from Moebius (Jean Giraud) to Wally Wood, and film designers such as John Dykstra to Ron Cobb (Star Wars and Alien, respectively), to say nothing of the influence of Lost in Space, Star Trek, and black and white art films such as the Cinemascope Woody Allen film Manhattan, magazine layout design, and everything else. Trying to match any of that at this point with my new stuff is mathematically impossible, so I can only do my current thing and hope for the best, but it is an incredible and unexpected opportunity to add to the mythos in middle-age! It will be interesting to see how well it all hangs together!

The ladies from Border Worlds #5 (one of the issues drawn at 77%) make a curtain call in the new segment I'm creating for the Dover compilation of Border Worlds, coming in Fall 2016.

If you would like to own an original drawing of Jenny or any of the Border Worlds cast, please visit the Don Simpson Commission Art Price List page and contact me!