Artist Spotlight: Miguel Mercado

Miguel Mercado is a Manila-based illustrator who’s created a collection of variant covers for Marvel, DC, BOOM! Studios, and Image Comics. Aside from his lifelong passion for comics and illustration, Miguel is obsessed with video games and fashion, which you can tell from his character designs. His painted art style can be described as a mix of Norman Rockwell and Paolo Rivera in how he stylishly blends realism with the fantastic world of superheroes. With titles like X-Men, Batman, and even the Power Rangers under his belt, Mercado is easily one of the most versatile illustrators working in comics today.

His distinct art style has also been getting recognition outside of comics. Wizards of the Coast has commissioned Mercado several times to create art for their flagship TCG, Magic: The Gathering.

Let’s look at some of the best work Mercado has put out in comics!

Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Zeb Wells (A) John Romita Jr.

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: Like something out of a Normal Rockwell painting, this cover shows how cute daily life is like for MJ and Peter.

Batman #100 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) James Tynion IV (A) Jorge Jimenez, Various

Published by DC Comics

Image: From Joker’s insane smile to Catwoman’s look of terror, you can find the full spectrum of emotions on this cover.

Darkhawk #3 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Kyle Higgins (A) Juanan Ramirez

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: Comic buffs will spot this as an homage to Todd Mcfarlane’s classic cover for Spider-Man #1.

Spider-Woman #5 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Karla Pacheco (A) Pere Perez

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: This cover is a perfect example of Mercado’s skills in painting superheroes, both in and out of costume.

Sweet Paprika #1 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W/A) Mirka Andolfo

Published by Image Comics

Image: For an artist known for his realistic style, Mercado also has a flair for painting fantastical characters.

Thor #12 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Donny Cates (A) Nic Klein

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: Jane Foster as the new Valkyrie is the embodiment of both power and beauty.

X-Men #12 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Leinil Francis Yu

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: Let this cover serve as a reminder that Psylocke is one of the strongest mutants out there.

X-Men #20 (Unknown Comics Variant)

(W) Gerry Duggan (A) Stefano Caselli

Published by Marvel Comics

Image: With the costume and iconic pose, this cover has Magneto in all his 90s glory.

Archie & Friends Travel #1

(W) Dan Parent (A) Various

Published by Archie Comics

Image: We see Archie and the gang snapping a pic by the Rizal Monument, a famous landmark in Manila, where Mercado is from.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1

(W) Jordie Bellaire (A) Dan Mora

Published by BOOM! Studios

Image: That one tooth tells you all you need to know what this comic book is all about.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #100

(W) Ryan Parrott (A) Marco Renna, Moises Hidalgo, Dan Mora, Hendry Prasetya, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Francesco Mortarino

Published by BOOM! Studios

Image: There are a few things as hype as seeing the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in full force.

Over the Garden Wall 2017 Special

(W) Jonathan Case, Various (A) Hannah Christenson, Various

Published by BOOM! Studios

Image: For fans of Over the Garden Wall, this is Wirt and Gregory like you’ve never seen them before.

Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1 

(W/A) Dan Parent

Published by Archie Comics

Image: In true Sabrina fashion, this cover has an eeriness to it that you can’t look away from.

G.I. Joe #245 (Yesteryear Comics Variant)

(W) Larry Hama (A) S. L. Gallant

Published by IDW Publishing

Image: Don’t let that small gun fool you. The Baroness is not someone anyone wants to mess with.

Lady Mechanika: La Belle Dame Sans Merci #1 (Yesteryear Comics Variant)

(W) Joe Benítez, M.M. Chen (A) Joe Benitez, Martin Montiel, Beth Sotelo

Published by Image Comics

Image: Take one look at Lady Mechanika and you know she means business.

Mercado’s ability to translate any character into his unique style makes his work such a joy to follow. If you want to see more, you can follow Mercado on Instagram and Twitter where he regularly posts his warm-up sketches and upcoming projects.