May 10th, 2013 
Steve Czarnecki 
Paul Shipper’s Rocketeer
We recently announced that Beyond the Marquee‘s co-founder Jon Donahue was going to be working soon with popular New Zealand illustrator Paul Shipper on a newly envisioned fan poster for Cloud Atlas and we’re excited to share those updates with you soon. In the meantime, Paul has been busy not only working on personal projects, but also for projects commissioned for various galleries, shows and events around the world, and his latest piece of “the Rocketeer” is clearly a MUST HAVE! Our readers know that some of our staff’s fan favorites range from Doctor Who, Back to the Future, Star Wars, Disney and the Rocketeer, so you know we’ll be adding this to the walls of the BTM offices very soon!!! Note: this run of 18 x 24 Giclee prints are a Limited Edition of ONLY 100. Created for the “Righteous Rides…And the Dudes Who Drive Them!”, a show focusing on prominent characters of fiction and their often creative ways of getting around, Paul’s creation was featured in the Hero Complex Gallery which debuted the show last week here in Los Angeles. If they aren’t sold out by the time you’ve finished reading this post, take out word for it, they soon will be. Click ahead to see some of Paul’s other Rocketeer sketches and illustrations as well as the link to the gallery store where you can purchase this amazing original art work HERE
I’ve been a huge fan of “The Rocketeer” since it hit the movie screen and then found out about Dave Stevens’ amazing artwork after that.
I’ve wanted to create a poster for “The Rocketeer” for years. I used to draw the character all the time when I was a kid. The fact that it is set in the 30s appealed the the Indiana Jones fan that I am and so the Rocketeer has had a place in my heart ever since. I was asked to do a piece for a show a while back and I instantly thought of the Rocketeer. I even did sketches, but I was pipped to the post by another artist so I had to shelve it. Then recently another show was coming up that sparked “The Rocketeer” off in me again and I got in there this time!
The back story of how the rocket pack came about is something that I love about the story. Howard Hughes invented it and I wanted to show that in the artwork so the actual Blu prints are contained in the background along with the awesome promotional book cover that heralds the announcement at a forthcoming Worlds Fair.
I wanted to pay a little homage to one of Dave Stevens drawings that was on the back cover if the Rocketeer comic that I have, it’s in a sepia tone which is the reason the final art is that way.
While working on this, as I do with all my work I was listening to soundtracks. And let me tell you James Horner’s awesome score was on repeat nearly the whole time.
“Recent Character Study / Prep work while watching the film with my daughter – Drawn on my iPad” – Paul Shipper
Concept Thumbnail Ideas for the first show Paul concieved a Rocketeer theme poster for
“An old pencil drawing (1991?) (from when I was at School) based on the Dave Stevens Back Page artwork from the comic” – Paul Shipper
A Very Rough Comp Layout Sketch for the recent Rocketeer Artwork
Paul Shipper’s Final version of The Rocketeer
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I am in possession of a 1991 Rocketeer poster or sketch which I believe John Mattes did. This item does not have any words on it at all, I believe it is one of his unfinished works. This was givin to my brother years ago out in Hollywood Ca. I hope you can give me an idea on what it is worth.
Thank You