Anyone familiar with the City of Heroes character art scene knows Graver , one of the 'big name' artists and a legend, too. His work is just extraordinarily sensitive and beautiful, and I was thrilled to be able to squeeze onto his commission list. I just knew his watercolor style would be perfect for a couple of my girls, and the first is now here.

I just knew he'd bring real emotion to a depiction of Ms. Afterburner, and Graver chose to show her as 'negative space,' which speaks volumes. In many ways she's just 'not there' anymore, as her thoughts turn from Earth to the cosmic realm. He really gets the characters he portrays, and Athena is no exception. I think this piece lays out her isolation and incredible loneliness, while still hinting at the power that lies within her. Yet she still seems ethereal, delicate as the tenuous threads that bind her to her life among humans.

Another thing I love about this is that it really bring to mind the classic sci-fi book covers from the Fifties and Sixties that I used to love seeing on the shelves. Back when I was a kid, we didn't have the huge sf/fantasy selection we have now, so I'd peruse used bookstore shelves, intrigued by the arty, fascinating covers of the books there. The style here really brings those memories back, and I can totally see this on a shelf with some cryptic title. The good ol' days!

Thank you, Graver, for creating this lovely piece of art, and for imbuing it with such emotion.

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