Kerry Callen
@kerrycallen
MAD contributor. Freelance illustrator.
Here's a fun commission. I was asked to recreate the insult drawing of the Thing as its own, physical art! The panel originally appeared in Fantastic Four #15, 1963.
I currently have a piece of original art, and print, up for sale on ebay. I'm looking forward to the new Spider-Man movie! But, I'm fairly sure this scene isn't in it. ebay.io/m/WMCv0d
Last week, I shared the cover I drew for Dr. Eldritch #1, an upcoming indy comic. The creator then commissioned me to color a back cover, using an earlier commission I drew last year. Done and done! (Do people still say that?)
Here's the promotional poster for FREESTATE COMICON in Lawrence, KS on Sept. 12. I based it on 1950's Blue Bolt #105 cover, by the great L.B. Cole. The old man I added is John Brown, a Kansas abolitionist from the 1800's. He's the official "mascot" of the con.
I just finished the cover for "Doctor Eldritch" #1, for an indy publisher. I don't know a lot about the comic. I just went with what the image the writer described. The book isn't out yet, but I was told I'm free to share it. Btw, I didn't do the logo, but I think it's great!
It's "Supergirl Week" over at the 13th Dimension. I decided to draw a new strip. Even though the ending is probably obvious, it was still fun to draw! 13thdimension.com/its-supergir...
MAD #600 comes out this Wednesday, June 17! The 13thDimension.com shared the full page 1 of my puzzle pages on their site. Hopefully this will whet your appetite to see page 2. Seek it out, if you dare!
I recently bought an all-red Spider-Man/Superman “blank cover” comic. It was all-red. Later I thought, “Spider-Man has a red spider-signal. That’s perfect! It will be available for purchase at Lilac City Comicon, June 6 & 7. Hope to see you there!
In the comics community, All Stars Comics #3 is a fairly famous image. Lots of parodies/tributes have been created over the years. With this latest commission, it was my turn! The request was to change certain characters and add specific dialog. Done and done!
My latest commission was to draw Spider-Man and Alfred E. Neuman on a blank comic cover. The patron asked for a "worry" theme. Clever. Btw, I accidentally got a small ink smudge on the back cover! I wasn't sure what to do, so I signed it.
I love how random my commission requests can be. Here's the cover to MIGHTY SAMSON #1, from 1965, redraw in a Simpsons style!
If I remember correctly, "The Prisoner" TV show ran in the late 60's. A couple of years later, "Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp" ran two seasons. Here they BOTH are mashed into one image. I get asked to do the craziest commissions (which I love)! He wanted it in B&W only.
Latest commission. I don’t think anyone has ever seen these characters together! Top to bottom, are Fat Man, Red Tornado, Bizarro Dr. Fate, Forbush Man, and Johnny Appleseed.
I've been a fan of the Inferior Five since I was a kid. Sadly, they've had very few appearances since the 60's. I recently had the itch to draw them, so I scratched it! I put them in an "Avengers Circle"!
Wonder Girl vs Mary Marvel, a commission I just finished. I'm not sure who would win!
This latest commission was a request for Green Arrow and Black Canary. I decided to draw a classic battle pose. Mostly. I can’t stop myself from doing such things.
Newest commission. The request was for drawing Superman and Lois Lane together. The situation was left up to me. 😁
Latest commission-- A take-off of the classic Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk treasury. Who wins?
I didn't spend much time on this, quickly pulling various things from the internet. But, I had to better envision the hat I dreamt about last night! (It had a generic alien, but I thought Marvin would look good.)
With so many classic characters falling into public domain lately, I'm surprised I haven't seen any used in advertising! I'll start to ball rolling--
The very first Batman comic I owned was The Brave and the Bold #68. Batman turns into “Bat-Hulk.” He’s suddenly bulky and has molten-hot hands! I’ve long held a fondness for him and had the urge to do a drawing. You can read a little more about it here- 13thdimension.com/bat-hulk-the...
I'm part of a Kickstarter campaign called ORPHAN WORKS. As the site says, “Cartoonists so often have unpublished stories sitting in their files. Now, at last, you'll get to see them too!” To give you a taste, here’s the first page of a story I contributed. kck.st/3LGXdwv Please check it out!
I received a commission request to combine several, let’s say…big-boned heroes into a group called “The Rotunda.” The person requesting wanted them rushing out a door. He included, “I was thinking it might be insensitive, but since I am on the rotund side myself, it’s probably ok.” Fair enough!
I recently finished this recreation of Adventure Comics #60, featuring a bit of an alteration. It was commissioned as a gift and includes an inside joke of "3-H". I'd tell you what the joke means, but I'm not in on it either!
I wonder if DC has never asked me to draw a comic because I do things like this for MAD. From "Things Superheroes Hate About Their Jobs" in MAD #47. On sale NOW!
Here's a sneak peek at the poster I illustrated for the Golden State Pinball Festival, coming in May of 2026. If you're a pinball fan, you may recognize a couple of the classic machines that inspired the art. The festival looks like a fun time! goldenstatepinball.org
This commission was a gift to an indy comic creator from a friend. "A variant cover for the relaunch of The CAUSE #1 — part of a nostalgic indie series." Here's a link to the book. My alternate cover won't be available until a undetermined later date-- kbtoysverse.com/pages/cause