The Pathetic Sharks 1992 VIZ Comic Calendar original art by Lew Stringer
If you’re a VIZ fan, or know someone who is, there’s an opportunity to buy a piece of original Pathetic Sharks art by top cartoonist Lew Stringer on eBay right now.
On offer direct from Lew himself is his original, large, signed artwork for the December page of the 1992 VIZ Comic Calendar, measuring 460mm square.
Featuring “The Pathetic Sharks”, it’s drawn on Bristol Board with black ink, watercolour, and Caran D’Ache colour pencils.
It’s no surprise bidding has already reached over £100 – this is a unique piece of cartoon art and the last full colour Pathetic Sharks art Lew has left to sell, which makes it very much a collector’s item.
“The Pathetic Sharks” (Carcharodon Patheticus) have been spreading apathy in VIZ for almost as long as the adult comic has been published. They’re much feared – not for their ferocity, but their mind-numbingly boring and pathetic behaviour and conversational style. Instead of hunting for prey, they ask people on the beach for crisps, ice cream and toffee, except for one shark who claims to be “lactose intolerant”!
Viz Presents The Pathetic Sharks Bumper Special 1991. Image courtesy Lew Stringer
The strip spawned its own one shot all-new special back in 1991, the Viz Presents The Pathetic Sharks Bumper Special, featuring new strips and a cover by Lew, plus new “Felix and his Amazing Underpants” stories by Bambos Georgiou, who also collaborated on a five page Sharks story with Lew.
• Check out this original Pathetic Sharks art by Lew Stringer here on eBay – and don’t forget his Combat Colin and other great comics are available here on his official web site!
UPDATE: The art sold for £365
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
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