Fables 36

Prelim:  5.5" x 6", graphite on bond
Final Cover:  13" x 15.5", Rives on BFK

It appears that James may have been using his initials on the shield in the prelim, but this was changed on the final cover.  The detail achieved through fine rendering is really quite impressive, especially on the shield and the goblin's tongue.

James' comments, from Wizard magazine #171 (January, 2006):

"I love poster art and integrating type into a composition.  Unfortunately, the printed version had to be modified to accomodate a promotion inside the book, and also because someone discovered that I had stolen a quote from 'Conan the Barbarian'."

Below is the text that appeared on the original version, but was later omitted and replaced by the UPC code in the published version.

"Then join the 4th Horde of the Empire's Army - travel to exotic new worlds, crush their people, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women.  In the process, you will introduce the Emperor's goodwill to uncivilized nations."

The original finished version of this piece with original text can be seen at www.jamesjean.com