The Whispering Dark – Comic Book Pinup 2020

This comic book pinup, by Robert Sammelin, uses striking lines and colors to tell a silent, yet powerful story. I can imagine Sammelin starting with a basic sketch, maybe feeling his way through the composition, figuring out the balance between the figure and the cross. I wonder if Sammelin was thinking about religious iconography when creating this piece? It feels like the body is transforming, breaking apart almost, while remaining fixed to the cross. What does it mean to be in a state of transformation? Is the figure dying or being reborn? I can see the tension in the lines, a struggle embodied in the jagged edges of the figure. The color palette is limited, which only adds to its intensity. The violet figure pops against the yellow background, making the scene feel almost dreamlike. It reminds me of the early comic book art I grew up with. There is an element of mystery here, with the artist leaving the story open to our interpretation. We bring our own experiences, our own stories, to the canvas.