CGS Super Show Sketch Cards

Okay, I was going to participate in the CGS Super Show sketch card exchange. I even whipped-up six cards based on songs and artists I heard on my iPod. I attempted to draw all the folks from memory without using reference, with obvious results. Unfortunately, I forgot all about the exchange while I was at the show. My soft-minded oversight is your reward.



FYI: Ramones, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush, Devo, Cheap Trick (Rick Nielsen), and ELO (Jeff Lynne).

(Drawn on trimmed Bristol board using a wide variety of pens and markers.)

Isn't That Precious?

An "Oscar" Awards quicky...

Well, it made me giggle.
(Sharpees on scrap paper and scanned, quick and dirty)

Funny Money

So, I get this dollar bill in my change at lunch today...



...needless to say, it made me laugh like a ree ree.
Note: I in no way condone or endorse defacing legal tender, but that was comedy gold.

(Sharpee on a U.S. dollar bill)

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

Remember the old Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom? Well I do! The thought of Jim giving a wild gorilla a rusty trombone made me laugh. This is the first thing I've been able to draw in WEEKS. Hopefully I'm getting my touch back.
(Sharpee on scrap paper.)

Remembering Apollo 11 - July 20, 1969

I fondly remember those heady halcyon days of manned space flight. I spent hours in front of the TV watching and recording on cassette tape each and every manned flight. I was hooked on space and gobbled-up anything relating to rockets and space flight. I had inherited a deep love of science from my parents and an equally deep love for science fiction from my aunt. Being artistically inclined since I was young, I constantly drew rockets and spacemen and eventually bought comic books and magazines related to space. All those passions remain strong to this day.

With full knowledge that today would be 40th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon, I read four different spaceflight related graphic novels on my recent vacation. Here's a brief look at each.


LAIKA written and Illustrated by Rich Abadzis

Laika is a well-written and beautifully illustrated story about the first living creature launched into space, a small dog named Laika. The story blends a factual story with a fair amount of emotional fiction. We follow the dog Laika from the streets of Russia to her capture and training as a cosmonaut. To move the story along, we also follow the intersecting lives of Korolev the Chief Designer and Yelena, the Lab Tech in charge of Laika. Like Old Yeller, it's a sweet yet eventually sad story about a dog.


FIRST IN SPACE written and illustrated by James Vining

First in Space is the enjoyable story of Ham, the first American chimp in space. The story is written and solidly illustrated by James Vining, and this is his very first published work. The story, like that of Laika, is based on actual events and characters with a dash of fiction for emotion. We follow Ham through training through his eventual historic space flight and to his final sad days in the National Zoo. It's obvious the story was written and illustrated with a younger audience in mind, but it's still an enjoyable read for older folks too.


ASTRONAUT DAD written by David Hopkins and Illustrated by Brent Schoonover

Astronaut Dad is the first volume of a two volume story. Deftly written by David Hopkins with great comic artwork by Brent Schoonover, the story is a tense, emotional and sometimes dark soap opera. It follows the lives of three NASA families at the height of the space race in the 60s. Think of it as a combination of The Right Stuff and The Wonder Years. It's a thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age story (in more ways than one) and I'm looking forward to the second volume.


T-MINUS: THE RACE TO THE MOON written by Jim Ottaviani and illustrated by Zander and Kevin Cannon

The final book I read was perhaps my favorite of the four. T-Minus is a compelling work of historical fiction about the Soviet and American space programs. Jim Ottaviani, a former nuclear engineer, writes an interesting fact-filled story about the space race from the days of science fiction (Verne, Wells, Tsiolkovsky) to the age of science fact (Goddard, Von Braun, Korolev). The story is seen through the eyes of Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Designer and though C.C. and Max, two of NASA's engineers. The retro artwork by the brothers Cannon is solid and fits the time frame of the story perfectly. T-Minus is loaded with facts and details that even the most ardent space fan may not have known. An interesting device used in the design in the book was adding launch attempts in the outer margins, complete with mission details and illustrations. A very nice touch. I'd recommend this book to anyone with the slightest interest in spaceflight and 60s history.

All in all, all four books were thoroughly enjoyable reads that helped bring back some of the thrill and excitement of the golden age of space travel.

Urine Trouble!

This just happened to me here at at work . . .



It struck me as so odd and made me so uncomfortable, I had to immortalize it on paper.
(Copic Multiliner brush pen on scrap paper.)
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Now playing: Episode 600 - Nuff Said
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Welcome to Macy's

Friday silliness!
(Sharpee on scrap paper, fast 'n' dirty!)
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Now playing: 11 O'Clock Comics - 11 O'Clock Comics Episode 62
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Captain America . . . #600 with a Bullet!

Yeah, I know. I haven't been posting here to the blog. It's my own damn fault. Hopefully this bit of goofiness will smooth things over. While on the phone discussing Captain America #600, I started doodling at my desk with the tools at hand. Here's the result (at least it made me chuckle.)



Not bad for Sharpees, Highlighters, colored editing pencils and a scrap pad.
Kinda Paul Popey. Enjoy!

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Now playing: 11 O'Clock Comics - 11 O'Clock Comics Episode 61
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Freking Sweer!

When one door closes, a trap door opens! After the untimely demise of Comics Now! magazine, I was offered the chance to become the official artist for the Freking Sweer comic strip over at Comic Geek Speak. I already was the unofficial artist on the strip, but now it's my baby. Check it out, I'll have an update at least once a week. You can find the strip HERE

Comics Now Takes The Eternal Dirt Nap. RIP.

Sad News. Comics Now! Magazine is officially no more. It was a fun ride. Hopefully the fourth issue will surface somehow, I have my toes crossed. I have some other stuff in the works, so keep an eye out on this space for more details. Thanks to Bryan Deemer for the opportunity and to the guys at Ape Entertainment and the entire staff of the magazine. Lastly a big thanks to you for stopping by and giving our little dog and pony show a try! See ya in the pixelated funny pages!
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Now playing: Webcomics Weekly #57 - Live at NEWW
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A St. Patrick's Day Greeting From My Friend Scott

My friend Scott sent me one of those wacky custom JibJab Flash greeting cards. He customized it with some of our favorite characters, Paulie Walnuts, Eddie Van Halen, Captain Kirk, Rip Taylor and myself. Because it's so frightening, it's funny.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

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Now playing: Comic Geek Speak - Episode 591 - Talking Original Art
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New (Old) Light Table!

Hey kids! Uncle Marty managed to grab an old surplus light table from the place where I work. The company has gone totally digital, so we no longer need an offset stripping department. When the Facilities department made these babies available, I jumped on it. This thing is GINORMOUS and is 100% steel and glass. Now all I have to do is find a spot for it. Oy!

New York Comic Con 2009: The Pictures

I brought my camera along again, and once again I forgot to use it most of the time. Here are some of the images I DID manage to shoot this time around.



A shot inside our hotel in downtown NYC. Vince is saying "Hello". Those wacky Eye-talians. Note the GINORMOUS bottle of Jim Beam.



The view out our hotel room window. I shot it in hopes of seeing Spider-man swinging by or getting a shot of Daredevil kicking ass. No such luck.



Walking to the Javitz on Saturday. That's Vince, Mike, Tiki and Wood.



In the Javitz headed towards the upper entrance to the Con floor.



In the subterranean general admission queue. It may look like Wood is standing in the middle of a rushing river of comic fans, but the line wasn't moving THAT fast.



Tiki Tim and Vince at the bargain boxes.



Wood digging through some bargain boxes.



The CGS booth is jumping. Pants, Murd, Shane and Tiki chat while Andrew Charipar takes care of business.



Murd and Andrew gleefully man the CGS booth. Pants is bending down in front of Adam for some reason.



What would a Con be without the boys from the Raging Bullets podcast?



The Podcast Arena is BUSY. Pants, Bryan and Peter at the booth. Danielle is busy doing a sketch.



Wood, the ever lovely Pat Loika, Vince and Mike. Shocking!



Danielle Corsetto chatting with a fan. I'm very good at capturing people with their eyes closed.



Vince, Julian Lytle and Tom Katers winding down at Stitches on Saturday night.



Tiki and Wood corner Mike Norton at Stitches. Oh yeah, one of the 2000 Jokers at the Con was there too. Didn't see a single Rorschach at the bars. Hrmmm.



Julian, Tiki, Mike Norton and Vince at Stitches. Yes, that is a mirrored disco ball on the ceiling.



Sunday morning and we're checking out. I thought it would be a nice bookend for this group of photos to end it the same way it started...with someone saying "Hello". In addition to being very good at capturing people with their eyes closed, I'm also very good at taking photos of people flipping me the bird. Thank you Mike.

That's it for NYCComicCon 2009.

New York Comic Con 2009

I have returned. It was a long weekend, interrupted by moments of joy and glee, but still LONG. I'm getting too old for this stuff . . . OY! My feet ache, my legs ache, my head aches, but all in all I had a swell time. When I get out of the ICU, I'll post some comments and photos from the con. Stay tuned.

Comic Geek Speak The End

In celebration of the Comic Geek Speak Super Show in 2008, CGS forumite Harold Jennett put together a comic book to mark the occasion. More than a dozen members of the CGS forum lent their artistic, writing and editing skills to tell the strange tale of the CGC podcast mascot, the Puppet Rios. Here's a sample from my pages.



If you're interested in seeing more, you can order your very own copy of Comic Geek Speak The End at IndyPlanet. It's fun with a capital F!

Short Stack #2

Angry Gnome Comics publishes a horror anthology called SHORT STACK. It's a series of two page horror stories. Shawn Shawn Gabborin, the chief cook and bottle washer over at Angry Gnome offered me a script to illustrate called Twins. He didn't have to ask twice. Here's a couple panels from the issue.




The big guy is a self-portrait, the little fella is based on my buddy Vince B.
If you're interested, you can order the issues from Angry Gnome or from IndyPlanet.
Each issue is a bloody good time!

Madman Christmas Sketch for my LCS

I did this quick sketch of Mike Allred's Madman as Santa on the back of one of my Christmas cards for Dave and Matt down at my local comic shop, COMICS ON THE GREEN.
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Now playing: The Beatles - Christmas Albums.mp3
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My Department Christmas Card 2008

Every year I make a batch of custom Christmas/Holiday cards for my coworkers.
Since I work with an editorial staff, I used that fact as the theme.

The outside


The inside


I make the original drawings, scan 'em and lay 'em out in CorelDRAW.
I print them out on a laser printer and then hand color each.
If you want a PDF of the card, click the link below.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vv6oki
I'll post my annual card for the Geeks over at CGS a bit closer to Christmas.
Stay tuned!
(Pen and ink on smooth Bristol, scanned in Photoshop, edited in CorelDRAW, printed on buff card stock and hand-colored with markers)
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Now playing: Comic Geek Speak_Episode 559 - Top 5 Christmas Comics.mp3
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Batman Paintings

My wife asked me to do a couple Batman drawings for the seven year old son of a guy she works with. He already had a Batman theme for his bedroom, and he liked the Animated Batman more than the darker movie Batman. I decided to do the illustrations as paintings. I haven't set a brush to canvas in ages, so it did take some time to shake off the rust. Luckily, I found canvases on sale at the local art supply store. I stayed close to the Bruce Timm style Batman.

First, a close-up of the Batman. I'm very happy with this one.



Next, Batman fixing to throw a Batarang. There's some wonky stuff going on there, but the kid loves it.



They're not masterpieces, but they're not bad for being out of practice since the 80s.

(Gesso and acrylic paints on pre-stretched canvas)

I Don't Like Ike

My thoughts and best wishes go out to all involved, but this was the first image that popped into my noodle when I say this exact headline on CNN.com . . . TEXANS FLEEING IKE

(Sharpee on scrap paper)

Grendel and Kevin Matchstick (Mage)

Here's a scan of my long-delayed "Secret Santa" sketch for Damian Smith, Lord Shaper on the CGS forum. Shaper requested a sketch of Grendel, I decided to spice it up with the addition of Mage; another Matt Wagner character. I did a few rough sketches in anticipation of doing a cleaner final. I actually liked the roughs better, so I went in that direction. I hope it was worth the wait. Damien co-hosts a podcast called KRYPTOGRAPHIK. Check it out HERE.
(Brushpens, Micron pens and Sharpee on smooth Bristol board.)

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Listening to: The Motels - Suddenly Last Summer
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Dwight Howard Who?

A thank you sketch for Chris Murrin for all the hard work he did editing the CGStories comic. Chris works on Fox Sport's Best Damn Spots Show Period and collects sketches of Mr. Mxyzptlk. After seeing the slam dunk contest at the NBA All Star game this year, I thought this would make a perfect sketch.
(Brushpens and Micron Pens on smooth Bristol board.)


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Listening to: The Dickies - Stukas Over Disneyland
via FoxyTunes

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2008

All the blessings of ol' Saint Patrick be with ye on this fine day.

In addition, the blessings of St. Jack, St. Will, St. Wally, and the inky litany be on ye.

May your pull list always be full.
May your life be long and your long boxes even longer.
May you wake every morn to new comics smell.
May your "to read pile" always be one comic too many.
May your future be the best Con imaginable, with your name atop every sign-up sheet on artist's alley.
May ye be in heaven a full hour before the devil knows you've been bagged and boarded.



Have a great day and UP THE REPUBLIC!

What the hell is all that crap on your bulletin board?

Since my days as a young lad, I've had this compulsion to cover my bulletin board with things I find interesting. I did it in my room at my family homestead and I've continued the practice at every place I've worked ever since. There's found stuff, used stuff, important stuff, goofy stuff, lots 'n' lotsa stuff. I get this Zen thing going and I add, remove, and move stuff to match my mood. It's a constant work-in-progress. Here's my current bulletin board.



If you're the slightest bit interested, here's a list of the stuff on the board:

• a bamboo back scratcher (used quite often)
• a faux dealer's name tag for a fictional Indian Casino (Hello, I'm Marty Thundercloud)
• a Xerox enlargement of a Drew Friedman cartoon of Tor Johnson from an old punk magazine
• a photo of me in my Central High School marching band uniform (with drum!) from 1979
• a 2000 visitor's pass from Colonial Williamsburg
• a blinking lapel pin from a former employer
• a homemade wooden Christmas ornament of a former boss
• a baseball glove key chain
• a Coconut Monkey insert from an old PC Gamer magazine
• a Church of the SubGenius informational pamphlet
• a personalized card from the defunct Spacemon CCG
• art inserts from the Captain America and Bucky Marvel Legends figures
• a das ArtWerks company card
• a plastic sheriff's star
• a photostat of Pinky Lee
• an Elvis Christmas ornament (dressed in gold lamé)
• a cardboard pirate eye patch (with elastic string)
• a photo of my old fire-damaged archiver's desk (insurance photo)
• 2003 NRA membership card
• my Spacemon name tag from the 2002 NY Toy Expo
• a faux I LIKE IKE button
• a Yukon Cornelius key chain
• a Jim Benton "Bunny" postcard
• a Nexus meets Madman promo poster (art by Steve "the Dude" Rude)
• a news photo of Teddy Kennedy yelling
• a Mister Coffin "Wacky Packages" sticker
• three Mike Mignola Hellboy coasters
• an Alex Ross art card insert from the Unbreakable DVD
• loose desk calendar pages
• a news photo of former PA Governor Dick Thornburg watching a kitten fall off a desk
• a post-it supposedly written by Bela Lugosi
• two American Legion lapel poppies
• three Evan Dorkin Milk and Cheese coasters
• a brown bag from a local Chinese restaurant with "Free Soup" written on it (long story)
• a Frank Miller That Yellow Bastard promo poster
• a Jim Benton "Just Plain Mean" postcard
• a Yoe Studios business card (with attached safety pin)
  
• a Christopher Walken Halloween mask
• a small American flag
• a stuffed paper Christmas partridge covered in colorful sequins

Happy Birthday Billy

I was asked to do a card for my nephew Billy's birthday this week. I was given free reign to do anything I wanted. Thanks to recent events, I got my gag.
(Pentell and Micron pens and brushpens on bristol and colored with markers.)
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Listening to: Iggy Pop & The Stooges - No Fun
via FoxyTunes

Captain America?

As a huge fan of funny books, especially funny books featuring Captain America, I have a small collection of Cap figures on my desk at work. Just before Christmas 2007, I found a neat little plush Captain America at the local Target store. The little guy has been sitting right beside me ever since. I was glancing at him during lunch today when something disturbing caught my eye.



Yikes. Izzat a cameltoe that I see?

T-Shirt Week #5: CON! Unused CGS Tour Design

The guys over at Comic Geek Speak held a competition recently to design a shirt they can wear to comic conventions around the country for 2008. There were many good entries. I decided to go off in an odd direction when I was yelling the word "con" at home. It immediately reminded me of Captain Kirk in The Wrath of Khan movie. My design was born.



Some understandable legal concerns removed the design from the competition, but I still like it.

(Photo adjusted in Photoshop, converted to vector and imported into CorelDRAW for text and layout.)
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Now playing: 40Kradio_episode02
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T-Shirt Week #4: It's Cool to be a Viking

This was the design that replaced the first two entries. It was aimed at the general school population. I removed the instrument and music cleft and substituted a 'hang-loose" sign and a RHS tattoo. The shirt was printed in dark navy ink on red t-shirts, the school colors for the Riverside Vikings in Taylor, PA.
(Micron pen and brushpen on drawing paper, scanned in Photoshop and imported into CorelDRAW for text and layout.)
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Now playing: Web Comics Weekly - EPISODE24 - Working Space
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T-Shirt Week #3: Band is Cool Shirt

My niece Sara asked me do do a design for a T-shirt that her high school marching band could sell to raise some money. She wanted to push the point that band is cool. As a former band geek myself, I accepted the task. The mascot for Riverside High School is a viking, so I did the design based on that.



I also did a female viking to keep my options open.



The officials at the high school liked the idea. They liked it so much they decided to delete the band element and do a shirt that could be sold to benefit the entire school.

(Micron pen and brushpen on drawing paper, scanned in Photoshop and imported into CorelDRAW for text and layout.)
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Listening to: Webcomics Weekly - EPISODE25 - COLORIZE!
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