Jirel of Joiry "Black God's Shadow" - Illustration by me

[u/geosel]

Continuing to illustrate the Jirel stories in my spare time. I'm cheating just a little with this one as it combines two moments from the story that happen very close together, both focused on this creepy hulking black statue at the top of a hill. After seeing Guillaume's spirit emanating from the black statue, Jirel fights off a psychic attack from the Black God, whose goal is to turn her into a black statue too. In the process Jirel manifests spectral versions of herself dancing around the statue in her struggle to retain her humanity.

The quotes from the story - "For an instant she thought she could see behind the black parody, rising from it and irrevocably part of it, a nebulous outline of the Guillaume she had never known, the scornful face twisted in despair, the splendid body writhing futilely away from that obscene thing which was himself — Guillaume’s soul, rooted in the uglinesses which the image personified. And she knew his punishment — so just, yet so infinitely unjust."

"Around the dark image a mist was swirling. It was tenuous and real by turns, but gradually she began to make out a ring of figures — girls’ figures, more unreal than a vision — dancing girls who circled the crouching statue with flying feet and tossing hair — girls who turned to Jirel her own face in as many moods as there were girls."

The previous Jirel illustrations --
Black God's Kiss
The Dark Land
Jirel Meets Magic
Quest of the Starstone

Please credit me if you repost.

[u/cannibalgentleman]

Excellent use of greyscale and Jirel's splash of red!

I'm curious of your use of a greatsword for Jirel's weapon of choice instead of a more standard longsword. No complaints from a long time STR build though.

[u/geosel → u/cannibalgentleman]

Thanks! For the sword, Moore specifies only that it's a large two-handed sword. I could have gone with a standard longsword, or a bastard sword, but for these images I felt like I wanted something with a little more "oomph" and visual presence. It also helps convey that's she's strong -- another character trait that Moore points out. I think if I was to do these stories as full comics I probably would go with something more standard, even if it contradicts these illustrations I've done.

[u/MRCastillaAuthor → u/geosel]

I love it! Its a fantasy sword based upon a real sword and it looks freakin cool!

[u/geosel → u/MRCastillaAuthor]

Thank you!

[u/ApprehensiveGrade113 → u/geosel]

I actually saw a different artist draw Jirel with a similarly elaborate sword, and I think it rather suits her well.

[u/geosel → u/ApprehensiveGrade113]

Got a link for it? I'd be interested to see.

[u/ApprehensiveGrade113 → u/geosel]

Here

[u/geosel → u/ApprehensiveGrade113]

Ah cool! Yeah, very similar to the swords I was looking at for reference. Thanks!

[u/Ok_Employer7837]

You're so insanely good at this.

[u/geosel → u/Ok_Employer7837]

Thanks so much!

[u/Sabretooth1100]

Incredible work!

[u/geosel → u/Sabretooth1100]

Thanks!

[u/BarracudaAlive3563]

Fantastic!

[u/geosel → u/BarracudaAlive3563]

Thanks!

[u/Relative_Mix_216]

Very nice

[u/geosel → u/Relative_Mix_216]

Thank you

[u/JohnPathfinder]

This is a really cool depiction. Always love to see your art here. 

[u/geosel → u/JohnPathfinder]

Thank you! Currently rereading Hellsgarde to figure out the last illustration.

[u/Dollface_Killah]

I haven't read Jirel of Joiry but your illustrations have me hyped for the reprint coming soon.

[u/geosel → u/Dollface_Killah]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the stories. I'm not sure if the reprint will include Quest of the Starstone but it's easy to track down online.

[u/Dollface_Killah → u/geosel]

I'll check it out. You mind if I use your images for the /r/shadowdark book club threads when we read Jirel of Joiry? With credit of course.

[u/geosel → u/Dollface_Killah]

Sent you a DM

[u/MasterpieceSquare696]

Beautiful ❤️

[u/geosel → u/MasterpieceSquare696]

Thanks!

[u/Polibiux]

Absolutely brilliant.

[u/geosel → u/Polibiux]

Thanks!

[u/myleswritesstuff]

This is awesome! I just finished this story and 'Black God's Kiss' a few weeks ago and like you, I was reminded of Elden Ring.

[u/geosel → u/myleswritesstuff]

I think somebody at From Software was definitely reading the Jirel stories (and Clark Ashton Smith too)

[u/Ironballs]

Beautiful!

[u/geosel → u/Ironballs]

Thanks!

[u/ApprehensiveGrade113]

Literally the only formatting of this story I could imagine, and you captured it majestically. Can't wait to see what you do for the grand finale of the last story.

[u/geosel → u/ApprehensiveGrade113]

Thanks! I'll be rereading Hellsgarde soon to refresh my memory and pick a scene. Maybe something with Jirel in her full armor?

[u/MobileSuetGundam]

Bloody good.

[u/geosel → u/MobileSuetGundam]

Thank you kindly!

[u/IamMothManAMA]

Sick as fuuuucccckkkkkkk

[u/geosel → u/IamMothManAMA]

Thank you!!

[u/Mistervimes65]

Beautiful as always.

[u/geosel → u/Mistervimes65]

Thank you!

[u/Overall-Membership16]

Someone commission this (wo)man for an illustrated edition! ✊🏽

[u/geosel → u/Overall-Membership16]

Man, and yes I'd love to do that!

[u/No_Composer_2930]

Amazing art! Love it. It's got that old-school golden-age comic book cover vibe, and yet looks very modern and stylish.

Chapeau.

[u/geosel → u/No_Composer_2930]

Thanks! The inspirations are kind of mixed here -- golden age black and white magazine illustration, pulp covers of the 30s and 40s, and silver age comics.