Description: Black lines of the Donkey Kong arcade flyer and poster.

Based on a sketch provided by the commissioning firm, Dentsu, and on the side art of the cabinet, Cabarga perfected the characters.  He took inspiration from the style of Popeye for Mario and Brutus for Donkey Kong.  Once the scene was composed, he brushed the black line, correcting it with almost imperceptible strokes of white.  Approved by Densu, it was photographed and copied onto transparent paper to be superimposed on the color created separately.  The colored part was, at the end of the commission, purchased by Dentsu while the final black line, the first official appearance of Mario and Donkey outside of Japan, remained with the artist. Fun fact, Cabarga thinks that he has also be the first to add gloves to Mario’s hands.

Year: 1981
Medium: Mixed Media on transparency
Image Area: 33 x 43.5cm
Image Source: Original
Condition: Perfect