Raphael, The Smile Behind The Anger 2024
Title: Raphael – The Smile Behind the Anger
Dimensions: 11" x 17" (hybrid traditional + digital illustration)
Medium: Pencil and Micron pens on paper, digitally colored in Procreate
Artist: Samuel Dorando (Marked with the “SPD Symbol”)
Year: 2024
Homage: Frank Miller’s Wolverine #1 (1982)
Description:
This hybrid illustration by Samuel Dorando reimagines Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles through the iconic visual language of Frank Miller’s Wolverine #1 cover. First drawn traditionally with pencil and Micron pens, the piece was later digitally colored in Procreate, blending the raw grit of hand‑inked linework with the bold, modern polish of digital rendering.
Raphael lifts his sai in front of his face, echoing Wolverine’s legendary pose — but with a twist that’s pure Raph. His expression carries that signature mix of smirk and fury, the “smile behind the anger” that defines him. The swirling red‑and‑black backdrop heightens the intensity, giving the piece a noir‑charged atmosphere that bridges classic comic homage with contemporary style.
Signed with the SPD Symbol, this artwork stands as a striking tribute to Raphael’s attitude, Miller’s influence, and the timeless power of a well‑crafted homage
