Joe's AirForce: Graphic Novel Page (00)

By: Pepe Moreno, 1986

Title: "Joe's Air Force" (Serialized Stories and Graphic Novel), Special USA (Albin Michel Février (1986 France). Other publishers include 1984, Totain (Spain), and L’ Eternauta (Italy), and a few more here and there. 

Joe's Air Force and World War Two, above everything else, is one of my favorite aesthetics to draw and tell stories about. Despite being a horrific time in human history, as a kid, playing soldiers was like playing cowboys and Indians to me. The aesthetics of design driven by lethal necessity is extraordinary and fascinating in and of itself. I've always been fascinated by the machines of war, especially aircraft and tanks. While I can't often indulge myself in drawing these things, I know I could create something cool and special if given the chance. "Joe's Air Force" was a passion project where I got to draw what I loved, knowing it might be the last time... or maybe not?  The violence and sexual simplicity were basic entry requirements for readers in Europe, especially in France, at the time.

Hand-drawn black and white line drawing on paper (12 x 16)

Due to the circumstances of the publishing process, this work was drawn on paper (pen and ink) and later colored over a blue line. Both the blue line and the original are available for sale. Considering the unforeseen circumstances back then, the line work holds significant value as it embodies my true style—one of the traits I became known for.  

Limited edition, original reproduction Glicee Museum-Quality Print. Available framed or unframed, original size (16x20), and overblown poster size (20x30).