Hellboy (Columbia, 2004), Yasushi Nirasawa - Abe Sapien Concept Illustration Original Art. ...

Description

Hellboy (Columbia, 2004), Yasushi Nirasawa - Abe Sapien Concept Illustration Original Art. Dual headshots of Abe Sapien, gill-ridged and spectral, his semi-transparent flesh revealing sinewy musculature beneath an eerie, fish-like gaze. Known for Kamen Rider designs, Yasushi Nirasawa sculpts a bio-organic ghost-haunting, elegant, an evolution of the unknown. Abe Sapien is arguably the second-most recognizable member of the B.P.R.D. team, with psychic abilities and superhuman intelligence that make him essential in combating paranormal threats. Played by del Toro regular Doug Jones, Abe took his name from Abraham Lincoln after being discovered in a water tank beneath a hospital dated April 14, 1865-the day of Lincoln's assassination. He makes his memorable first appearance calmly reading four books at once while suspended in his tank, immediately establishing his intellect and mystery. Mixed media on paper with an image area of 10.5" x 6.5". Signed by Nirasawa to the right of the image area. Exhibits light handling. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

"Nirasawa-San and Terada-San took me drinking and bingeing on Sushi one fateful night in Tokyo. We went to a small, tiny restaurant owned, I believe, by Nirasawa-San's father. That night Nira-San gave me a few copies of his toy 'Jar of Pus', and we talked about them both concepting for Hellboy for a few days. Nira-San called dibs on Abe, immediately. Pieces done by short-term collaborators, like Terada-San, Jose Fors, or Nirasawa-San inspired us all. In my opinion, Nirasawa-San is one of the very, very greatest fantasy sculptors and designers in Modern Japanese culture." From the personal collection of Guillermo del Toro.

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