Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Mon-El in Space


Mon-El, whose real name is "Lar Gand," is a character in DC Comics' Superman universe. He has also been a member of the "Legion of Super-Heroes" and later on, the "Justice League." This character started off as a possible older brother to Superman, and later was re-introduced as a possible relative of Superboy. But the character was revealed to come not from Superboy's Krypton, but another planet called "Daxam." He had superpowers like Superboy, but unfortunately he was vulnerable to lead poisoning and couldn't survive on Earth without taking a special serum for it.  Mon-El, who wore a spiffy red and blue military-style tunic, boots, and cape, went through a dizzying series of changes over the years, including dying a number of times. I've always liked Mon-El, since he didn't have the messianic image or world-saving burden of Superboy or Superman. I depicted him here enjoying a flight through space, unbothered by lead or super-villains. Superheroes gotta have fun sometimes, too.

"Mon-El in Space" is acrylic on illustration board, 5" x 8 3/4",  February 1986.

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