Comic Artist Spotlight ~ Joshua Middleton
Comic book fans and collectors can be a fickle group. Take for example, Josh Middleton. An accomplished artist who’s been working steady in the industry for nearly 2 decades, yet is only now achieving “stardom”.
Recently, several of Joshua’s works have heated up on the secondary markets. When that happens it’s partially due to speculators hunting for said material. The other reason is he is just absolutely, positively, fucking killing it!
His recent works on DC’s Batgirl and Aquaman titles have been on fire and show no signs on slowing down. The image above is for the upcoming Batgirl #25 and is still 3 weeks away from release...yet is surrounded by plenty of buzz on the comic forums.
Love how he illustrates Poison Ivy. I’ve been more of a fan of that character in recent years as you could probably tell by my recent post here. https://steemit.com/sdcc/@blewitt/im-officially-in-love-2018-07-23-23-00-05
Awwwwwww Shit...It’s Shark Week!!!!
Josh first got his start in 2000 working for Cross Gen’s comic company penciling, Meridian. In 2002 he briefly worked for Marvel where he worked with Joe Quesada on NYX (introducing a little character known as...X-23).
In 2004 he left Marvel and signed exclusively with DC Comics where he has been pumping out beauty ever since.
Let’s take a look at some of these masterpieces....
The cover below was one of my favorites of his. It’s the cover to Batman #26 Variant. Once again, it’s featuring that amazing red head, Poison Ivy.
This is the cover to Batgirl #23. This book came out about 2 months ago and is already a $50-$60 book. Cover price was $3.99. That’s how in demand his shit is.
Expect to see the book below have some heat. It’s for Aquaman #39 and is the B Variant. It’s due out in 3 weeks. Reason it should have some heat besides it looking stunning are that the final art was NOT shown to retailers by the Final Order Cutoff which is the last time retailers can guarantee that they secure copies for the shelves. This will lead to under ordering and a mass of folks clammoring to snag it. It’s Batgirl #23 all over again.
This whole post could have just as good if it were solely my favorite image by him
♥️ Love his stuff. Some are good. Some are absolutely breathtaking. This is a beautiful piece.
Phenomenal roundup! Gotta admit I didn’t keep much of an eye on him. I was always drawn to his color palettes, but it looks like in recent years he’s really increased his illustration & painterly styles a lot!
You made me go pull a Meridian trade off my shelf. Had totally forgotten Middleton started that series. I just remembered McNiven’s (love his stuff!) run.
Dude. We were just having a discussion as I read your reply. My business partner was bitching how McNiven seems to be imitating BWS recently...then 10 seconds later I read you mention him. Eerie. Lol
Yeah Middleton is definitely a rising star and I believe he does his own coloring. Killer!
Wow is that Aquaman and jaws? @blewitt
Recently DC Conics has been doing these pretty awesome crossovers with Hanna-Barbera characters. This was the variant to the Aquaman Jabberjaw #1
Actually there is no word that can replace the work of art. I mean this is good art and I enjoy it. Pictures on the cover, will greatly influence
Yeah. In the comic world s cover can make or break that issue. Plenty of issues that nothing of any notable worth happens but it has a killer cover that people covet. Usually when that happens the book skyrockets.
I agree with you .. thank you for replying my comment.
No prob brother! If ya like comic and art...try out one of my contests I have going on!!!