Back to Greenpoint!

I lived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 1990. I did a lot of background work with inkers and the occasional rush job for Marvel. I shared a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment on McGuinness Blvd with two other guys starting out in comics. In fact, the entire nighborhood was peppered with Marvel staffers and freelancers! Everyone from the old crowd has moved away, including me, but I'll never forget the small comic book community I was a part of in Greenpoint.

So that was then... What's the place like now? I did a walking tour of the old nighborhood and found out a few things. Greenpoint was and still is a Polish nieghborhood. Old washed up guys, young immigrants and ethnic shops. There are more young professionals in from Manhattan and a lot of high-end construction to house them.

I thought I would see more high end shops along the main avenue. Nope. The same old tacky shops. It looks like the action is further south near Williamsburg. I walked from the L train station north to my old apartment on McGuinness Blvd. Then back down to the derilict waterfront. It was such a nice day, I enjoyed the walk and the trip down memory lane.

On the train back to Manhattan, I wondered if I would ever move back to Greenpoint. Probably not. There's a few things that's missing. A good comic shop, a really good Restaurant/bar and some excellent friends.

I've won my bet!

Yesterday The New Orleans Saints won their 8th game of the 2006 season. That means that I have won my bet with my friend David! He didn't think that team could win that many games in a 16 game season. I believed in The Saints because they have a great Quarterback and a talented new running back! If The Saints make the playoffs, It will be icing on the cake!

I love NY

Where was I all weekend? New York City! It was a beautiful weekend with nice weather and cool people. I flew in on a Thursday night and made it into the city Friday morning. I know that I'm leaving out details...maybe this video will help.

Leisha Hailey

She was in a band called The Murmurs that had some good songs. The band broke up maybe six years ago and Leisha Hailey started acting! I remember her doing a bunch of yogurt commercials and a few years ago, she started acting on the L Word. The photo on the right is from a recent charity event>

Kolchak Art

After a few delays, I have begun to ink the third issue of Kolchack the Night Stalker! At the beginning of the issue, I sketched out the opening fight scene. I've posted a panel from start to finish. Well...just without color.

Thanksgiving BBQ

I decided to barbecue this years turkey. How can you do such a thing you ask? First I did some research, and the NYTimes has some great articles on BBQ Smoking. I love to grill and this presented me with a challenge.

It turned out GREAT! I brined the bird the night before, and left it in the fridge to marinate. I stopped by a local lumber yard for some Oak wood scraps( they had plenty!) and made sure I had enough charcoal. The cooking done by the smoke, not the heat. I soaked the wood in beer to give it a nice flavor. The coals can't be too hot. I made sure to watch the coals and kept the lower vent closed.

The turkey was tasty, juicy and had a easy smoky flavor. It took as long as a conventional oven, so if you have a back yard, I recommend smoking your holiday turkey!

Comicraft Fonts!

I read this article at NYTimes.com and I thought the idea of public toilets in Times Square an idea whose time has come. Then I checked out the font inside the toilet! Comicraft strikes again!

Spotted at the Comic Shop!

I don't visit Hi Di Ho Comics as much as I used to. It's close to me in Santa Monica but I do most of my purchases in Burbank. Anyway, I noticed this cool Comiculture poster behind the counter at Hi De Ho. Has it been five years since the first issue of the magazine?

Is he Mr. Sinister?

I came across this article in the latest PEOPLE magazine. It's about Michael Jackson and his new concert wardrobe. I'm no fashion expert, but who' designing his out fits? Morbius?

Golden Art

This is a page drawn by Michael Golden! It's the cover of The 'NAM issue one and it's excellent. Really exciting and detailed!

The Pubic Domain

I just read an article in Advertising Age about a new product. Ad Age covers the industry of mass consumption. The tactics of selling products. That being said, how do you sell hair color for the pubes?
Who are you trying to impress with your auburn privates? If you are married, would your husband (or wife) go crazy over a different color? Are you ashamed of your gray?
It seems that older women are interested in the product, so the baby boomer generation has some strange priorities. Is this something that interests you? VisitBettybeauty

Superman on DVD

Superman Returns will soon be available on DVD.I was disappointed with the new Bryan SInger version of the DC Hero. Too much Jesus allegory, Lois Lane was too boring and Superman has a baby out of wedlock? No thanks. Instead, I recommend you purchase the Richard Donner, Director's cut version of Superman 2. Exxcellent acting and a much better Lois in Margot Kidder.

Comics are Everywhere!

This is a photo from VOGUE Magazine. It shows the model Shalom Harlow (Great name) reading a comic book and being shocked over it's contents. I remember that issue of She-Hulk that she's reading. It wasn't that shocking.

My Powerbook

I owned a Powerbook and it looked a lot like this one. I bought it second-hand from my friend M. Heisler maybe 15 years ago. He upgraded to a new one and I tried to get into the world of computers. I never really used it fully. Not enough memory, no internet access and low battery. All kinds of reasons why I didn't use it. Have Powerbooks changed since then?

Sketch of the day

And what is the sketch of the day?

Previews AD

The first issue of my Kolchak run has been solicited in the NOV 2006 issue of Previews. That's cool. I am keeping to a monthly schedule so I don't blow my deadline. The only thing that pisses me off about the ad is the credits. I don't want to come off wrong, but I am at the bottom of the Ad and I'm the friggin' artist!
Take a look at it. David Michelinie is the writer, Bob Layton did the Cover and I penciled and inked the book. I know those two are more well known, but at least mention that I drew the damn thing.

What's a Mom-tini?

I recently read an article on suburban moms who get together for playdates. Not such a big deal for a few women and their children meeting at someone's home for recreation and socialization. The twist on this article was that it's a Happy Hour playdate. The kids play in a backyard, a safe environment, while the moms shake a few cocktails. Maybe a bottle of wine to take the edge off?

Hey, I've got nothing against Happy Hour and I have heard more than one Stay-at-Home mom complain about the lack of adult conversation. But is it safe to drink while parenting? I'm not a parent, so maybe I don't get it.

I read the article on the NYTimes website.Click Here

Pop Culture Quiz

In the back of this weeks Entertainment Weekly, there a pop culture quiz! It's about comicbook characters in the movies and TV, so I was eager to try it. I got 8 out of 10 right. It was nice to test my knowledge, but there was no prize.

Web Surfing

So I have become a hot-linking freak! I want to visit the sites below to find your next favorite website! I have checked them out and they are age appropriate and fat free. If you already know these sites, suggest another one!

cinematical.com
Sachsreport.com
myopenbar.com
Today'sinspiration
illustrationArt

Saturday Meeting

I had my meeting on Saturday and I got there a little early. I had a chance to see some of the rehersal and it was great! I must say that there are some new actresses that are really beautiful! But anyway, I need to create more artwork for the Broadway show. I wish I could elaborate, but I can't. How boring.

Travel video

I am back from my trip to NYC and my meeting with The Jersey Boys Production Staff. I am so Busted up from the return trip and what I have to do today, i will save the story for another time. Instead, look at this!

I hate flying

So here I am back in New York City. I got a call last week from the Jersey Boys AD asking if I could fly to NYC. The show needs some more artwork(different artwork) for the show. This is neat! The Jersey Boys job is like a gift that keeps on giving.

Early November is a good time to visit Broadway. Not too chilly and right before the Holiday rush. I admit that the one thing I could do without is the cattle drive style of flying. I took a red eye flight and did not sleep a wink. My knees hit the forward seat and my neck hurts. It's morning and I'm a bit dopey and a little cranky.

And another thing...Did you know that the NY Marathon is this Sunday? There are hundreds of international runners training in the streets! Waving flags and all sorts of stuff. Finding a hotel was an effort, but the JB production office found the MUSE Hotel

I have yet to check in. Stay tuned for my review.

Smallville

If you haven't checked out my TokyoPop Blog, this a neat time to do it. I have made a few comments about the Smallville TV show. The bottom line is that I don't see what the big deal is with the show.Click Here

Halloween Past

I did not wear a costume this year. But there was a time that I would shock and amaze everyone with my Joker outfit!

Neal Adams

While reading Creativity Magazine, I caught this AD for Cougar Paper. If you have ever wondered what Neal Adams is up to, he is still doing advertising work! As for the drawing, it's printed on card stock paper and the colors were really nice.

The latest Variety

In the Oct 23-29 issue of Variety magazine has a Virgin Comics preview issue with it. It's sure to be read by the Hollywood ruling class, but it's not so hot in my opinion. The book says director's cut on the cover but it's censored on the inside. It's a 9 page preview, so maybe the full length book is much better.

Bill Sienkiewicz Inking

I can remember working in the Marvel bullpen in the 80s and watching Bill Sienkiewicz Ink a cover for ROM the Spaceknight. I think I was an intern at the time. He was really cool and he did not mind us watching him work. He even said a few words. "I try to keep my lines real loose. Like I almost don't care."

I'm sure he cared, but he did have a real fluid line. At one point in the early 90s he started inking other artists. People like Sal Buscema and M.C Wyman and many others. He is such a great artist he takes your pencils to another level but he never inked my stuff. Maybe one day.

The two pieces of art is from the early 90s and the BLAZE cover was penciled by Ron Wagner

The art of TOM GRINDBERG

I am a big fan of Tom Grindberg and I've inked him many times. He has penciled in a variety of styles and he is really talented. He did have a bit of an ego and I remember him thinking that the powers that were in charge at Marvel at that time had something against him. I don't know about that, but the guy had talent. The art is page one of Cosmic Powers and It shows THANOS noticing a surveillance camera in the middle of a battle.

Janet Jackson

I caught this photo of Janet Jackson while surfing the web. She's wearing a beautiful kimono during a press conference in Japan. I tried drawing an outfit similar to this years ago and I could not come close. I wish I had this shot as reference.

Photos with Boxers

I have noticed a sorry trend. Every time I see Muhammad Ali photographed at a charity event he is usually posing with the sponsor or another celebrity. Hey, if I was at an event I would want a snapshot with the champ. But why is everyone trying to punch the guy? Is it necessary to pose with some girls fist in your face? I promise that if I ever meet The Greatest of ALL Time, I will simply shake his hand.

More Kolchak color

This is another page of color from the book I'm working on. By the way, the excellent color art is courtesy of Monica Kubina!

In search of...

Have you seen this man?

More Kolchak

I am still working on the Kolchak book! It's the third issue and I have some pencils to put on the blog!

Toth Talks

www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77013&highlight=toth

If I knew anything about html you could just click on that web address and you would read a savage art critique by Alex Toth.

I had a chance to meet Steve Rude at the San Diego Comic Con this year. I bought his latest sketchbook and told him that I was fan. As I left, another fan asked why he would not show up at the Alex Toth tribute the con was holding. Steve said that he didn't have much to say. He could only recommend his art because Toth was such a miserable person. I am paraphrasing here, but I got the impression that there was no love lost. I thought that was strange because Steve Rude has done so many Hanna-Barbera characters for comics, like Space Ghost and Jonny Quest. Characters that Alex Toth had a hand in creating.

Toth critiques the first issue of Jonny Quest, drawn by Steve Rude in 1986. Published by COMICO. Toth's comments on the first 12 pages of the book and he does not pull any punches!
He chides him for his lack of research, his poor composition and storytelling. After reading the review, I agree with Toth. His observations make sense and I wonder how he would have interpreted the same script. I don't know how Rude reacted to the review... But it puts the comments he made in San Diego in perspective.

Before he died, Alex Toth evaluated his own work and you can see his self-critiques at www.tothfans.com.

Sketch of the day

What is the sketch of the day?

Kolchak in color

My MOONSTONE book is staring to come together. The first issue will hit the shops in January and I have a page of color that I can share with you. In this page, Kolchak is arguing with his boss. I think he is always arguing with his boss!

Super Sketches!

It's always great to see how other artists work. You can see Jerry Ordways' skill as he does these cover sketches.

Comicraft gets around!

I had a conversation with R. Starkings at the SDCC earlier this year about the ubiquity of his fonts. I see his work on billboards and cereal boxes and it's cool! I took this photo in Vegas. This is the kind of peppy font that gets me in the gambling mood!

Day trip to Vegas

I took the day off and caught the 8:15 flight to Las Vegas! Wednesday's are the best time to go to sin city and it was a quick trip, only six hours. I took a cab to the MGM Grand and did well with blackjack. Stayed there for a while and walked to the Paris casino. I did well at both places! Walked back to MGM for the tasty buffet and the tasty craps table! I caught the 3:00 flight back to LA. Ahh. Such a nice way to spend the day!

Hey kids! Let's Sketch!

I have been doing a lot of sketching lately...and this is the sketch of the day.

Some strange drawings

My previous post was about my new Tokyopop blog and how I'm trying some kind of manga style. It seems a little awkward to me, but I've given myself the challenge. I tried something like this years ago but did not stick with it. Four pages of sequential sketches. It's a slow moving story about a girl and an empty subway station.

I like MANGA!

I have a new blog at TOKYOPOP.com! I am joining all the cool young kids who blog and post photos and chat on the forums! The site is cool and it's growing. I plan on posting some sketches on it.

www.tokyopop.com/Koumorisan/blog

Superman Covers

I am a fan of BACK ISSUE magazine! It's a fan mag devoted to comic books of the 70s and 80s and that's an era I am familiar with. I met the editor of BACK ISSUE, Michael Eury, at the SDCC and asked him about the proposed book on Michael Golden. He admitted that there was one planned, but since the artist was somewhat "mercurial", progress was slow.

I've loved the art of M. Golden since high school and I have tons of photocopies of his original art. I sent several scans to Back Issue but I forgot to include these covers done in the early 90s. They were for SUPERMAN and not sure they were ever published.