Guess what the Postman delivered today? #12

Searsons Greetings to one and all! I hope you all had a wonderfully Searsious Christmas and a Searstastic New Years!
My previous post about some Bart Sears Trading Cards was deliberately put up when it was, becuase I knew that a brand-spanking-new Bart Sears card was on its way to me.
And it arrived on my doorstep this morning.
But the backstory first...
In early December on Facebook, a lovely fellow and fellow Searsian, Nathan Ohlendorf, posted that "For those of you who are interested (and it should be all of you!) the FIRST promo card for FEMFORCE is now available and it is by BART SEARS!!" Needless to say, I contacted Nathan and sent him a SASE and waited for the card to arrive. And here it is, both front and back side-by-side...

And the best thing is, it only cost me a few stamps!
So this is the first Bart Sears trading card to be produced in the better part of half a decade, and you'd have to go even further back to 1997 to find a card that Bart produced the artwork specifically for! So it is a great day, indeed.

And the even better news is that Bart produced the artwork for 2 cards from this 50-card FemForce set, so there is the regular version of this Jet Girl card to get, plus a different one. I'm excited by it, I can tell you!

And it would be wrong of me not to thank Nathan for not only commissioning Bart to do the artwork, not to mention actually producing the card set, but especially for his and the folks at www.sadlittles.com
for generously giving these puppies out free of charge. Splendid folks, them.
So go check out their website, and send your own SASE to avail of this fantastic promotional offer too!

Bart Sears Trading Cards #2

Back in September of 2009, I did a little post on some of Bart's Trading Cards. And since I recently scanned in all of the cards that feature Bart's artwork, I thought it might be fun to share with you some more of them right here and now.
So let's do it!
I'll try and be less wordy this time around, and just let the cool artwork speak for itself.

So, I thought I'd start of with the three cards Bart created for the Creator's Universe set back in 1993.

As you can see, they all feature characters from Ominous Press, and all are inked by Bart too. I've put in the original art for these cards as well, just to show the complete images, minus the rather butcher-like cropping that goes on in the final cards.

Next are some cards from one of my favourite sets featuring Bart's art, Monumental Overpower!


And here's both the original art and final card for Starro, from the series 'DC Cosmic Cards '93.'

And finally, here is both the front and back of the 'Winter' card from Wildstorm Set 1.

And there you have it, I kept my mouth closed as promised. There are still plenty of cards to show you, and I promise I won't make you wait another 15 months for the next batch!

My Bart Sears Card Collection- COMPLETE!!!

First off, allow me to apologize for not posting here in a while. I've been as busy as can be lately and haven't been able to find the time or energy to put up anything new.
My Bart Sears collecting has been on the light side recently as well, but not completely without anything arriving on my doorstep.
I recently managed to get my hands on another copy of Bart's Cremator #1 cover, which was quite exciting, as it is so very hard to come by these days. As you may have read in my post dedicated to this cover, it is my favourite single piece of Bart Sears artwork, and it felt great to give the new copy the proper laminating treatment it deserves.

I also finally got my hands on this, just last week-

There is a story behind this Overpower Magneto card, a card I've been looking to get a hold of for a very long time. But I wasn't always looking for it, because, back in the late 90's, I actually did have a copy of it. I knew that Bart had done some cards for the Monumental Overpower expansion, but I wasn't absolutely certain if he'd done anything for the other sets. So I grabbed anything that looked even remotely like Bart's work from a comic shop that had a sizable number of the singles from most sets. This card was included in that list.

When I got the cards home, what was first noticeable was the difference in artwork from the two sets Bart produced cards for. The Overpower base set used a colouring method very popular at the time which was essentially paint by numbers with a heavy dose of airbrush. The Magneto card is a perfect example of this, where there are no traditional comic ink lines. Rather, the artist wouldn't even use ink, and would simply draw detail outlines, leaving blacks open and no rendering, see Bart's Overpower Thor card for a better idea of what I'm getting at.

So anyway, after some consideration, I came to the conclusion that Bart did not do the Magneto card, or the Thor card, rather that some inhouse Marvel artist had probably tried to make the art look like it would be Bart, maybe they were even a fan of his! I must say at this point that I was not in contact with Bart by this stage, though I really wish I was. Because, not long after making contact with Bart, he mentioned that he had done the artwork for those Magneto and Thor cards, not to mention the Deadpool one. I rushed back to the comic shop, only to find that they had recently sold their entire collection of Overpower cards to some guy! And so my quest began.

But I now have all of those three cards again, and the purchase of that Magneto card also means that, to the best of knowledge, I now have every Bart Sears trading card in existence.

I thought it might be a good idea to actually list all of the Bart Sears cards in existence, taken straight from the Bart Sears Checklist. So here we go...

#	Details	Company	Year
#1	DC Backing Boards Series 2- Card #50 - r: JLE #1 cover	DC	1989
#2	DC '92 Series 1: #45- Doctor Light	DC	1992
#3	DC '92 Series 1: #47- Elongated Man	DC	1992
#4	DC '92 Series 1: #62- Metamorpho	DC	1992
#5	DC '92 Series 1: #69- Peacemaker	DC	1992
#6	DC '92 Series 1: #154- Invasion! Card A	DC	1992
#7	DC '92 Series 1: #155- Invasion! Card B	DC	1992
#8	DC '92 Series 1: #156- Invasion! Card C	DC	1992
#9	DC Cosmic Cards '93: #124- Despero	DC/Skybox	1993
#10	DC Cosmic Cards '93: #125- Starro	DC/Skybox	1993
#11	DC Cosmic Cards '93: #143- Eclipso	DC/Skybox	1993
#12	X-O Manowar & Turok Promo card - r: X-O #14 cover	Valiant/Upper Deck	1993
#13	Turok Dinosaur Hunter Mail Away card - r: Turok #1 cover	Valiant	1993
#14	Turok Dinosaur Hunter Promo card - r: Turok #1 cover	Valiant	1993
#15	The Dark Phonecard - r: The Dark #1 cover- 500 made	Global Link	1993
#16	Creator's Universe: Pheros Promo card	Dynamic Ent.	1993
#17	Creator's Universe: #60- Pheros	Dynamic Ent.	1993
#18	Creator's Universe: #87- Thrashur	Dynamic Ent.	1993
#19	Creator's Universe: #97- Wolfhound	Dynamic Ent.	1993
#20	Valiant Era 1: #73- X-O Manowar - r: X-O #14 cover	Valiant/Upper Deck	1993
#21	Valiant Era 2: #154- X-O Manowar - r: X-O #15 cover	Valiant/Upper Deck	1994
#22	Valiant Era 2: #230- Turok 1 - r: Turok #1 cover	Valiant/Upper Deck	1994
#23	Valiant Era 2: #231- Turok 2 - r: Turok #2 cover	Valiant/Upper Deck	1994
#24	Conan Chromium 2: #13- Pin-up 2 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#25	Conan Chromium 2: #26- Pin-up 5 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#26	Conan Chromium 2: #42- Pin-up 3 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#27	Conan Chromium 2: #58- Pin-up 6 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#28	Conan Chromium 2: #67- Pin-up 1 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#29	Conan Chromium 2: #82- Pin-up 4 - r: Conan Portfolio 1 image	Comic Images	1994
#30	DC Stars: #21- Metamorpho - r: DC '92 Series 1 card	DC/Skybox/Wal-Mart	1994
#31	DC Stars: #22- Elongated man - r: DC '92 Series 1 card	DC/Skybox/Wal-Mart	1994
#32	DC Stars: #35- Peacemaker - r: DC '92 Series 1 card	DC/Skybox/Wal-Mart	1994
#33	Dark Horse- Comics Greatest World: #27- Titan	Dark Horse/Topps	1994
#34	Wildstorm Set 1: #22- Winter	Aegis Ent.	1994
#35	Hero Special Editions #3- Violator - r: Violator pin-up	Todd McFarlane/Hero	1994
#36	Violator Green Card - r: Violator pu - came with Violator figure	McFarlane Toys	1994
#37	Marvel Overpower: Deadpool- Super Spy	Marvel/Fleer	1995
#38	Marvel Overpower: Magneto- Repel Object	Marvel/Fleer	1995
#39	Marvel Overpower: Thor- Protect Teammate	Marvel/Fleer	1995
#40	Spawn Chromium: #64 - r: Voilator #1 cover	Wildstorm	1996
#41	Spawn Chromium: #65 - r: Violator #2 cover	Wildstorm	1996
#42	Monumental Overpower (MO): Adam Warlock- Soul Gem	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#43	MO: Alpha Flight- Guardian	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#44	MO: Captain America- Sharon Carter	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#45	MO: Henry Pym- Ultron 1	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#46	MO: Hydra- Madame Hydra	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#47	MO: Inhumans- Triton	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#48	MO: Serpent Society- Diamond Back	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#49	MO: Serpent Society- Sidewinder	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#50	MO: Shi'ar- D'ken	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#51	MO: Silver Surfer- Shalla Bal	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#52	MO: Starjammers- Corsair	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#53	MO: Power Card- Energy 8- Dark Phoenix	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#54	MO: Power Card- Strength 6- Thunderbird	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#55	MO: Universe-Teamwork- Black Bolt, Gorgon & Medusa	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#56	MO: Universe-Teamwork- Firestar, Nova & Namorita	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#57	MO: Universe-Teamwork- Supreme Intelligence, Ronan & Kree	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#58	MO: Universe-Ally- Wyatt Wingfoot	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#59	MO: Mission- Fatal Attractions: Misguided Efforts- Rusty Collins	Marvel/Fleer	1997
#60	Marvel Premium X-Men '97 Timelines: #73- Black Knight	Marvel/Fleer/Skybox	1997
#61	Marvel Premium X-Men '97 Timelines: #74- Constrictor	Marvel/Fleer/Skybox	1997
#62	Marvel Premium X-Men '97 Timelines: #76- Kane	Marvel/Fleer/Skybox	1997
#63	Marvel Premium X-Men '97 Timelines: #77- Rama-Tut	Marvel/Fleer/Skybox	1997
#64	Marvel Premium X-Men '97 Timelines: #79- Stryfe	Marvel/Fleer/Skybox	1997
#65	Zoom Suit Promo Set 1: #2 of 7- Zoom Suit #1 cover	Superverse	2006
#66	Zoom Suit Promo Set 1: #5 of 7- Zoom Suit #2 cover	Superverse	2006
#67	Zoom Suit Promo Set 1: #6 of 7- Zoom Suit #3 cover	Superverse	2006
#68	Zoom Suit Promo Set 2: #4 of 9- Zoom Suit #2 cover	Superverse	2006
#69	Zoom Suit Promo Set 2: #7 of 9- Zoom Suit #3 cover	Superverse	2006

I have a new shipment of Bart Sears comics on it's way as I write this, and I'll be doing a full write up of everything in it as soon as it arrives, so come back soon!

Bart Sears Trading Cards #1

One section of the vast Bart Sears collectible library that I feel warrants a much needed closer look on this blog is Trading Cards featuring the art of Bart Sears.

By my reckoning, there are a total of 68 Trading cards featuring Bart's art, most of which are from the early to mid-90's, back when it seemed every man and his dog had a card set out. This may not be the actual total amount of cards featuring his work, I still have a few to track down, including that pesky 'The Mask' card, which I still to this day do not know for sure if it exists.

While Bart never managed to get around to having his own card set (oh, what a dream!), he did contribute to a fairly diverse range of card sets. Many of the cards featuring his art actually take previous artwork from other places, be they the Conan 2 cards that reprint Bart's first portfolio, to the most recent cards, for Zoom Suit, which reprint Bart's cover for the comic of the same title.

So join me as we take a stroll through the Bart Sears Trading Card Gallery.
Many of the images I put up on this Blog are done so with the express intent of showing all of you that look here some of Bart's lesser known work. Sure, it looks like I'm showing off, but it really is a case of me wanting to share with you all some of the great, if not well known, art Bart has produced over the years.
And this first set of cards is no exception.

I got my hands on the 'Marvel Premium X-Men Timelines '97' set of cards on the 19th of January, 2000. One of the first things I noticed was that none of the cards had the artists responsible credited anywhere on the cards that I could see. This is going against the grain somewhat, as all other cards of the same ilk always used this practice. The only other noticeable one not to being the Marvel Overpower cards. So anyway, usually this would not be a problem, as I can normally spot an authentic Bart Sears piece a mile away. And this was certainly the case with the 5 cards that were indeed created by Bart. But I initially had something like 8 cards picked out as possibly being done by Bart. There were a few cards that I just didn't know if Bart did, all of them being part of the Techno-Wonders sub-set that the cards I definitely knew Bart did were part of.

As it turned, those extra couple of cards were not done by Bart, as confirmed by him later, and the number of cards actually done by him for this set is 5, the 5 I knew for sure he did initially.

And here they are-

I know, I know, they don't quite look like Bart's work. Some of the colouring is a bit funky in places, but rest assured, they are definitely by Bart. Well, the pencils are anyway-

If you look closely at the pencils in relation to the final cards, you may spot a few 'alterations.' Most obviously is the Rama-Tut card, where the final card has the figure much enlarged. But perhaps more interestingly is the Black Knight card, where the final artwork has removed the sword from his right hand and put it in his left.

Another cool card set, that is rather tough to track down these days, is the DC Stars set sold exclusively through Walmart back in 1994. Basically, these cards were taken directly from the DC 1992 Series 1 card set, with the images resized and that unapologetically early '90's border added.

Although Bart produced artwork for 7 cards from the original set, only these three characters from those 7 were reprinted in the Walmart set, which was only a set of 44 cards, 1 checklist and some promo and chase cards, whilst the original set was much larger.

The final card I'll share with you today is Bart's only card for the 'Dark Horse: Comics Greatest World' set.

Here it is-

I mentioned that it is Bart's only card from the set because, interestingly enough, this card image made it onto one of the packaging wrappers for the cards. This is interesting because this is the only time Bart's art has appeared on a card wrapper.

This is just the first step into the Bart Sears Trading Card Gallery, there are plenty of nooks and crannies to discover yet. So check back soon for more Bart Sears Trading Cards and insight into them.

See you all soon.

Bart Sears Rare Finds #2

Well, I'm on a roll, now. So here's a couple more rare finds for you all.

I'm sure you all remember Bart's run on Eclipso back in 1992. He did the two Eclipso Specials, and the first three issues of the ongoing series that followed. But there were also a few pieces of memorabilia that were released too.

There were two Eclipso posters put out and they look like this.

The one on the left is made of a heavy duty card stock and the diamond in his hand is one of those prism hologram things that was so popular in the early '90's. I've only rarely seen this poster for sale, and I didn't get my hands on it until Bart gave me it on my second trip to Florida.

This next item is a small poster which I assume was meant for stores to display as a sort of promo piece. I got my copy of this off Bart again, though I have seen it go up for sale every now and then.

Next up is an actual advertisement that ran through the DC line prior to the Eclipso Specials, with art produced specifically for the ad. I've yet to scan the actual advertisement, but here is the black & white version, minus all of the text.

Kinda reminds me of Bart's poster for The First, well, no, it doesn't really remind me, it's almost exactly like The First poster, just 10 years older.

Next is the Eclipso card, from the DC Cosmic Cards set of 1993.

Sorry about the scan, it's a very dark card. Bart did three cards for this set, all of them bad guys - Eclipso, Starro and Despero.

Another item that was more for the comic shops, is the Eclipso shelf card.

As you may be able to see, the image of Eclipso is taken from the prism poster above, with a bit of cropping involved. Basically, the shelf card sits behind a stack of comics, with Eclipso popping out of the top. Pretty cool, eh? This is another item that is super rare, I don't think I've seen it since I bought it, back in 2000.

Last but not least, is the Who's Who Eclipso pin-up.

This cool image is from Who's Who in the DC Universe #13, from October 1991. 'Tis nice.

So there you have it, the full list of items featuring Bart's rendition of Eclipso. It's a fun portion of Bart's career, I think, where he really could let loose with his style, and be quite dark.

I'll have a look through my collection and see what other full sets I can show.

Until next time...

Guess what the Postman delivered today? #3

A few weeks ago, I found a cool site called Trading Card Central. TCC is basically a trading card site, with message boards where people can list the cards they have or want to trade or sell.

I was on a hunt for the few Marvel Overpower cards Bart did that I still needed and came across a member that had a whole stack of Overpower cards.

I contacted the member in the hope that they both had any of them, and would be willing to sell them to me. The member, Rogue, got back to me and said that she did have a few of the cards I needed. I said "Great! How much do you want for them?" She replied that she couldn't accept any money for them and would be happy to send them out to me. Can you believe that!?!?

So, a week later, on the 15th of August, I got the envelope in the mail and there they were, in crazy mint condition, Deadpool and Thor.

And for those of you that don't believe Bart did the art for those cards, here are his pencils, the Thor one owned by me, tee-hee.