Mystery the Magic Kitty
on May 25th, 2011J Michael Straczynski’s gorgeous kitty Buddy was the model for Mystery the Cat in The Book of Lost Souls, a graphic novel I illustrated for Joe at Marvel’s Icon line.
This is one of my favorite covers ever, and I can’t think why we weren’t allowed to make t-shirts of this.
I sold the original art and now regret it. I absolutely loved this cover. At least it went to a very appreciative home!
Joe uploaded a gallery of photos of Buddy, and posted the story of the kitty rescue here:
When I looked down the vertical tube, which had somehow lost its cap, I saw a kitten, maybe 4 weeks old, two-thirds of the way down the tube, where it had fallen. I reacted instantly and reached in to grab the kitten, shoving my arm into the tube as far as I could reach…and I could just barely touch fur. I tried to pull my arm back for another try…and found that I was stuck. Badly.
I believe Book of Lost Souls is out of print, but you can buy it in new condition it at Amazon from resellers at very reasonable prices. I guess I’d better get a couple for my archives!
And this story was so sweet it moved me into tears. I am so happy Buddy is one big and well loved cat.
I’d love for BoLS to come back again some day. Monthly or nice long GN, I’d be happy with either.
I agree it is a great cover – I love looking at all of the items on the shelves.. And thanks for the story about Buddy – it was very heartwarming.
I heard JMS tell the story of Buddy at the San Diego Comic Con a few years ago. It’s a great tale.
And I love this cover art too! Did not realize that Mystery was modeled by an actual cat (in the sense of a particular cat).. But I love your drawings of Mystery.
That story always makes me cry happy tears.