Michael Wm Kaluta has been associated with Madame Xanadu from her first appearance in Doorway to Nightmare No. 1 in 1978.
In addition to the five Doorway covers and a Madame Xanadu one-shot that make up the character’s early appearances, Kaluta also contributed a pin-up to 1982’s DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest No.20.
The art is well-suited to being turned into a half-page ad for the return of DC’s anthology line. Colour and layout by me.
DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest No. 20 cover by Joe Orlando.
The published pin-up in the digest.
Scan of Kaluta’s original art.
New colour.
House ad layout.
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I asked Michael back in the early 90s – he didn’t recall. One theory was Madame Xanadu’s appearance is based on fan Jo Jensen.
Ah well.
I don’t… recall… asking about the origin of Madame Xanadu’s look, Sparky. But thank you for the new info. 🙂