So much to enjoy just casting your eye over in this piece. Not least the hat that pops at the top. There's something very satisfying to me about the stark white of the underside of the brim.

I also love that Wolverine is in his jacket here.

I knew for years that I wanted the panel right before he exploded - something that only a real fan would understand the significance of what's about to happen. But that published panel itself was not exactly exciting enough to warrant buying a commission over. It needed some sort of "oomph" that just wasn't in the original panel but at the same time doesn't alter the contents, and I just couldn't come up with a solution to that porblem.

So I shelved the idea for years.

Then, this commission popped up, and I had my "Aha!" moment. I honestly don't remember the full thought process of 12(!) years ago, but I have to think that the similar subject matter had me quickly drift to my shelved request and realized that the grey tones was exactly the missing piece needed to make it more tantalizing while still not altering the scene.

Happily, JB really took advantage of the grey tones by going  to town on the rendering of Heather's sweater - gaving it a lifelike texture that would not have been possible in regular ink.