Category Archives: New York in the 80s

Printmaking at Parsons, Fall 1986.

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Starfire etching by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum Fall 1986 detailI didn’t want to take printmaking.

I considered it a waste of time, because I didn’t intend to be a fine artist who made prints; I was going to be a comic artist, whose artwork was sent to printers!

But it was required, so I made superheroine prints!

Scarlet Witch lithograph by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum Fall 1986This lithograph of the Scarlet Witch is very gothic!

I was 19 and very sad, but also even then Wanda was a tragic character..

Warrior Woman lithograph by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum Fall 1986I was absolutely just meeting the requirements in this last litho.

It is 100% phoning it in. I did like the print shop, which was a world of its own with so many arcane processes and chemicals, and the print teacher, who always smelled like the garlic he was taking against a parasite infection he’d gotten in Belize.

I just didn’t like all the hassle involved in printmaking! It is such a goddam pain. Even then, at 19, I had limited energy and couldn’t tolerate the rubbing of the plates. Nothing looks like a hand-pulled print, though.

As far as I know, these were the first fine art prints ever made of Kory and Wanda!

I hand-colored a few of the Kory etchings with Dr. Martin’s dye, just her golden skin, green eyes and orange hair I think. I gave one to Marv Wolfman at San Diego in…’90 maybe? As a thank you, for all the Titans gave to me.

These prints had never been photographed; until now, no record of them existed – if we had a fire or flood they would just be gone forever.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to take time to document my art archives.

My earliest superhero drawings!

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Buy or Die drawing by Rachel Ketchum aka Suzanne Forbes fall 1985Just a bunch of drawings from around 1985 to 1992, when I was working to become a comic book artist!

Wolverine and Kitty, with Letratype, for a flyer for my friends Chris and Gary’s comic book store in the meatpacking district. Late 1985 or early 1986.

Koriandr by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum Sketchbook 1985 Kory editKoriandr, Dec. 27 1985.

This was the first comic drawing I did that I felt was successful.

Namor and Marrina by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum probably 1987The Sub-Mariner and Marrina!

With an attempt at color. Around 1986 or 1987.

Cloak and Dagger by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum probably 1985Cloak and Dagger, around 1985.

Another pin-up that I felt good about, early on.

Betsy and Ororo by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum probably 1986Ororo and Betsy, pre-problematic transformation.

I loved Betsy’s original costume. Around 1986.

Jean and Rachel by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Ketchum probably 1985Jean and Rachel, circa 1985.

The text says, “Every mutie has a mother who loves her”.

Roy Harper aka Speedy by Suzanne Forbes maybe 1992My boy Roy Harper, from 1992.

 Not long before I actually broke into comics. I loved Roy as a character so much. 

Roy Harper aka Speedy by Suzanne Forbes maybe 1992

Imagine, a boy superhero who’d been a junkie on the street, like me!

Comics were wild in the ’70s.Vampirella by Suzanne Forbes working as Rachel Forbes probably 1998

Vampi, 1998.

After I’d left comics and moved to California, there was a very brief period when I considered going back into the industry, and I think I applied to whoever had the Warren properties at that point. I actually would have loved to draw Vampi, but even then I knew I didn’t really want to draw comics anymore.

Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted to draw is people. 

I finally figured that out in the Oughts, and I’ve been full of purpose and certainty ever since. But even though working in comics wound up being really complicated and mostly messed up for me, I’m always grateful for the joy superhero comics gave me, in the ’80s.

Most of these drawings had never been photographed; until now, no record of them existed – if we had a fire or flood they would just be gone forever.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to take time to document my art archives.