The Old-Fashioned Comic Shop

I had to do some lunchtime errands in Burbank today and I visited the nearest comic-shop! The new books came out today, so at 2:00 I find myself visiting "Astonishing comics". I've been there many times and I am astonished at how horrible the place looks. When you walk in, there's a short wall almost blocking the door! It's a small place to begin with and the walkways are jammed with books, old and new. Gladly, I'm always able to find what I'm looking for. The worst part is that half the store looks like a neglected basement. Boxes, loose papers and I think also garbage! I can't imagine any excuse for it. The thing is that back in the 80s, most Comic Shops looked like that. At that time it was a fringe market at best and basements were the only place anyone could afford. Maybe I think that the owner should have more pride in his shop but I don't know his situation. I think that a Comic Shop can be as cool as any Barnes and Noble and a little effort can only help sales. Whew!
I can't wait until I open my own shop...And people can complain about me.

This afternoon

After work I stopped by the neighborhood CostCo, Warehouse store. I wanted to pick up a few steaks and they've recently started carrying some tenderloin that I have to recommend. Sometimes I worry that I may be eating to much red meat, but when the mercury hits triple digits, I have to fire up the grill. Also, I stopped by the comic shop today and bought an issue of Previews. Marvel seems to be reprinting some books from the late 80s in an essentials TPB. When it gets to the early 90s, I might see some royalties!

The weekend!

Here I am at another weekend and I am doing what I normally do. Working. I work constantly, but I try to mix up the routine by cleaning, shopping or BBQ in the backyard. I used to go out to a club or something, but I am saving money for the future. You may ask what I'm doing. Freelance on the side... Storyboard work...Laundry...Comicbook stuff.etc... It's just too exciting for words. I haven't even had time for WARCRAFT!

Goodbye Broadway

After my dinner Michael C., we walked to the Theatre that will soon house "Jersey Boys". After finding nothing there we went our separate ways! I took my sketch book and notes back to the hotel and resumed my nostalgic walking tour. I took the 4 train to 14th street and walked down Broadway to St. Marks place. I had to revisit the shops and hangouts that I remembered. Not to re-live, Just remember. The next day, Sunday, more walking! Bleeker street, West 4th St. The East Village. A quick shower and my flight home. I think that It's been so long since I'd been back to NYC I wanted to go everywhere and take mental snapshots of everything. If I wind up returning for more work, I'll relax and have new memories. I hope that's soon, because my legs are sore from all that walking!

Weekend recap

I got into NYC and I was exhausted! The red-eye flight was brutal so I left for the hotel for a nap. I got there at 9:00 and woke up at 11:30. I had enough time before my meeting to walk around Times Square and so I headed for the nearest comic shop. Midtown Comics on 40th St. to look for an old friend who's a manager there. He was not there on the weekend but his store looked great and was busy. I searched for my western book and it was kinda hidden. After I left, the walking tour began. I compared the Broadway of the 80s with the flat screen, tourist parade of today. I walked from 40th St up to 57th then returned south on 6th ave to Rockefeller Center. It felt like meeting an old friend who you loved, But the friend has changed. Grown older, richer. Better clothes and a strange accent. Anyway....More story to come. Take a look at these sketches!

Observations

I have been in NYC since Sat Morning and I've noticed that the homeless have returned and the parking meters have disappeared.

No sleep till Broadway

Earlier this month I was contacted by Michael C. He works for a theatre company that did some Graphic Design work for last year. It was a musical about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons called "Jersey Boys" that played at the LaJolla Playhouse near San Deigo. I was freelance then and I would travel down there every other week or so. It was pretty cool sitting in on rehearsals and working with the director, Des. When the play opened last September, I went to the premiere and the party afterwards. Open bar, good food, I met some groovy people. I thought that the play would be a success, but I considered it just another gig.
I almost... I mean ALMOST forgot about it.
Until Michael C. E-mailed me! The message went something like this: Hi Don, "Jersey Boys" is heading to Broadway and we would like you to draw some additional art for us. Are you available?
I would have to work around my 9 to 5 job but could I go to NYC expenses paid? The answer is yes. More to come from New York...

A Chance meeting

Yesterday I ran into an old friend in a Starbucks in Burbank. My friend Trish is a Writer and colorist and I've known her since I moved here in 1996. She looked good! I remember her different looks over the years and this current one works fine. I asked her what she was up to. Trish had finished her last day at Cartoon Network and was trying to get on another production. She's been working on comicbook outlines and cartoon proposals and being really creative. I include Trish in my list of independent women who inspire some of my own writing. I'm going to send her my book and I hope she likes it.

Self-Promotion!

I know that I have not been talking about my ongoing projects in this blog because I don't want to be Mr. EGO/I am so rad GUY. But I think that my Graphic Novel is really worth picking up. I've been getting good buzz and I'm working on a sequel! I tell you what! The first person that responds to this posting will get a free copy of Gunpowder Girl and The Outlaw Squaw!
Come on! That's a sweet deal.

Random Thought Dept.

I would really love to see the Mad magazine people put out a Treasury size edition of their best artists. Specifically Wally Wood! He was one of many top artists who took full advantage of the Black and White format. His stuff with Duo-Tone looks great and there is so much of it! I read that Mad is expanding, going after new readers. Why not open the vaults?

Accident Update

The other participant has accepted responsibility for the Accident and we are proceeding with the repairs as I write! I hope I can get my car back soon because this rental is truly bogus. Big, Clumsy and a Gas Guzzler!

Thursday Night

I have a cool new option for my Thursday nights! I usually work on my freelance work after my 9 to 5. But today I went to a weekly sketchbook get together in Burbank. I'm meeting new people and getting more of a life outside of the drawing board. Thanks to a groovy girl named Ratna who I met at the San Diego Con. I never knew it, but there seems to be some kind of underground sketch community! Maybe meeting in Libraries or at coffeeshops all over LA. Everyone there is really talented but for the most part younger than I am. Still in school or trying out for the animation studios. I'm just there to mellow out and sketch for a bit. Take a look at my sketch circle drawings!

What happened to KHAN?

So I call the head guy at MOONSTONE Books, Joe Gentile, to find out what happened to the first issue of Khan. I finished work on book one in Feb and finished penciling the second in June. Joe told me that there's a delay and the book won't hit the stands until later this month. It was not at the Chicago Convention or anywhere else over the weekend. I have to apologize to the bitter old comic book clerk! Y'know, I gotta be honest. I put a lot of work into drawing that book and to have this happen is disappointing.

One Moment

I was hit by another car while driving to work today. The car came from my left side from a Left side turning lane and really scarred my left side door front and back. It was a pain because of the repercussions. Now I have to do the whole insurance tango thing. Oh well, this is everyday life and at least I have my health.

Fun with Markers

I've been working on my portfolio and Resume over the weekend. There's been some really old artwork on my Madscience media website and I needed to update. So I've been searching for good pieces that represent my best work so far, and working on some new stuff. That brings me to Fun with Markers! I've been traveling with a pad and markers lately ready to sketch at a moments notice. I did some fast marker sketches on the theme of "girls in towels". Fun to do, but will it get me a job? Depends on who's looking!

Looking for Khan in Los Angeles

i paid a visit to my friendly neighborhood comic shop today. I found out that KHAN has not shipped! It could be just a bitter old clerk being funny, because the Moonstone website says it should be on the stands now. I must investigate!

Khan arrives in Chicago!

Moonstone books will premiere the first issue of Khan at the Wizard World Chicago Convention. It's a book I drew with Tom DeFalco writing. I wanted to fly to Chicago to help promote it but it would have been like a rush right after San Diego. It's in glorious black and white! I don't know Photoshop well enough to add the type of grey tone I would want and asking a friend to do it would be obnoxious. Besides, half the book takes place at night and if the "Cinematography" works, the book works.
You have to buy the book to see what I mean. In the night scenes I tried to have only one light source, like an open flame or something. I think I did an OK job with the art but I have yet to see what Tom wrote! I worked from a Marvel Style plot. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.
Hey! Take a look at some art from the book KHAN!

Recap of Events

Hey there. Since I am new to blogging and you may be new to me, I'll fill you in on my credentials! I started working in comicbooks as an intern in 1983. I started working for J. Romita Sr. in 1988. I got a job with Jim Shooter in 1990. Worked freelance for Marvel in the 90's, moved to Los Angeles in 1996 and did some animation. Did a book with Image Comics in 1999. And at the turn of the century, I started doing Advertising work in addition to the groundbreaking Anthology, Comiculture Magazine.

Along the way I picked up some knowledge, some advice and just enough skill to pay the bills. You can see my latest Graphic novel below this post and I'm adding another image. I hope you'll be interested enough to buy the book! Alright! More to come.

Sample Posting!

Hello! This post is a test by the webmaster (not Don)! But since you're reading it, you might as well check out the cover to Don's GUNPOWDER GIRL AND THE OUTLAW SQUAW! Now on sale at ACTIVE IMAGES