The Honorable Mr. Sienkiewicz

For some reason I got to thinking about Bill Sienkiewicz today. For those of you who don't know, Sienkiewicz is an incredible illustrator, probably best known for his work in the comic book and graphic novel industry. But, if you're a Wu-Tang fan, you may be familiar with his illustration for RZA's first Bobby Digital album.


Pictured: Bill Sienkiewicz illustration of Tim Burton for Spin magazine.

Comic books really helped get me through the trainwreck that was high school, as I didn't prefer reality at that time (and I still kinda don't), and Sienkiewicz' art always inspired and amazed me. The detailed, frantic lines of his pencil were (and still are) like a rusty dagger puncturing your eyelid—so real, so vivid—capturing facial expressions like a camera lens with a dangerously imaginative, somewhat haunted memory. Or maybe I just admire his ability to see people for how they really are—complicated, savage, and unpredictable. Not that my nod of approval much matters to Mr. Sienkiewicz, but I'd like to say cheers.