Thor #9 2021

Curator: Greg Hildebrandt's 2021 cover art for "Thor #9" uses acrylic paint to give us a new heroic vision of the Marvel character. What's your initial take? Editor: Wow, there’s something about this that’s so retro, and I mean that in the best way! It hits this sweet spot of comic book energy and fantasy art—the colors are just booming with power and hope, like peering into a psychedelic prophecy of muscle gods. Curator: The material choices contribute significantly, don't you think? The decision to use acrylics in a style that recalls both classic fantasy illustration and the vibrant colors of pop art is noteworthy. Hildebrandt navigates high and low art forms effortlessly. Editor: Absolutely. And you see how that power is communicated--like a musician riffing on themes. Those cosmic background swirls—they seem both infinitely vast and meticulously crafted, you can almost hear the chords from a heroic rock opera. That's some alchemical stuff turning mere pigments into anthems. Curator: Right, and looking at Thor himself, there is clear reference to the traditions of heroic figure painting. This pose—while standard in comic art—also ties into artistic traditions, particularly around depictions of idealized strength and, indeed, power. The printing process itself allowed for wider access to these images, shifting artistic consumption patterns. Editor: He looks so ready, posed at the edge of our worlds. But also look there beneath his boot – that gorgeous rainbow road fading back to the utopian skyline, It speaks to how artists are really builders. Greg and his brother Tim’s family legacy comes across. And to think these are materials we touch daily, remade as something grand. Makes you think about all the potential humming beneath the surface of our lives too! Curator: Hildebrandt’s “Thor #9” then becomes more than a superhero portrait. It showcases both process and intent: Acrylics, in this case, can allow not only artistic tradition but challenge us to explore avenues in our daily encounters, changing consumption. What’s more striking is how Hildebrandt bridges contemporary painting and accessible art—shifting power to the everyman. Editor: You know, looking at this closer… it gives me goosebumps realizing he really put so much into his craft. When do we pause in order to think, let alone marvel at acrylics on canvas – in a pop style no less—it feels like we should celebrate these comic images because this makes my inner child pretty excited!