Publisher: Panini America, Inc. Client: Kobe Bryant Concept | Creative Direction | Illustration: Carl Braun Design Studio: Studio Aries Project Info: Panini had just purchased Donruss Trading Cards, where I headed up the Entertainment Division known as Score Entertainment. Panini brought with them an exclusive NBA license and wanted to sign Kobe Bryant as their official spokesman. I wanted to do something unique and created a comic-book-style page that showed Kobe deciding to sign with Panini America just after an emotional victory. The Half Sheet (8.5 X 11") is another creation of mine that allows comic book artists to sketch layouts at half the size of a normal comic book page (11 X 17") in half the time. I sketched out the Half Sheet, presented it to the CEO Mark Warsop and although initially rejected, I proceeded with the actual-size pencils. A day later I was asked if I could color the artwork overnight and get it lettered with a next day deadline. Yes I could, and did, and the rest is history. Kobe signed with Panini America!