Funny Lady

I found this video by Chelsea Perretti!
Watch it!

Work in Progress

I try to layout my fight scenes. They are usually brief, but with a lot of action. It's easy to get lost if you don't have a plan. In this scene, our hero is behind bars. And she is not alone!

Crimestopper!

I had no idea that Law Enforcement officers had computer technology back in 1971! I clipped the ad shown below from a LIFE Magazine and it looks similar to a modern Police cruiser. You could retrieve and send info to a database, but no email. I wonder, did all the cops have this?

I'll see you in Court!

I did my duty and sat in the jurors pool. There was a lot of waiting and a few annoying people, but it was pleasent enough. The best part was a short pep talk from a Judge. He spoke about the constitution and trial by jury and why it's important to serve. I agree. I was not selected for a trial, but maybe one day. I mean serve on jury, not as a defendant on trial!

My Back Pages

Anyone who has seen original comic art, may notice more original art behind the front page! I love discovering the unseen sketches. I'm posting some work found on the back of originals. One is by Bret Blevins and he gives a shout out to one of the MARVEL production guys. I don't remember the year, maybe '92 or so. The other is some sketches by John Heebink!

Early Work

Every artist has a really bad early job. This page is one of mine! An 8 page KULL Back-up story in The Savage Sword of Conan. It was normal for Editors back then to pair bad pencilers with excellent inkers and my job was inked by E.R. Cruz. He helped my anatomy and gave depth to my backgronds. I don't have any copies of my pencils, but I think my storytelling holds up well. I hate looking at my old stuff. I keep wanting to re-draw everything.


One more thing, When I started doing BGs for layton he promised that he would ink my first penciling jobs. He never did. The closest he got was this face. I think he got a hold of the story, and for whatever reason, returned it. I guess that's another story.

Tokyopop Rocks

I am posting 3 photos! One has Mike Wellman and myself. Mike wrote a story for Star Trek Manga and I drew a separate story for the book. I'm looking forward to the book signing tour in September! You can see that the convention was hot and I'm a bit sweaty.
I look better with Tricia Hale as I hold her book 'Grand Theft Galaxy'! I should also say that Steve Buccellato has his book out, 'Battle of the Bands'! So many talented people work for Tokypop!

Warm colors!

I found another example of a night scene done in warm colors! It's a photograph but I can see it being reproduced in photoshop. I am trying to color my own work(I haven't gotten past black and white tones yet), but I am keeping an open mind. What do you think?
EDIT_--I should have added this link to an earlier blog posting in April, where I talked about comicbook coloring. color!

Cat Sketch Fever

I am working on a project that involves Cats, Cats and More Cats! This is just a sample.

I can't resist a pretty face!

This is Laura Vandervoort! She will play Supergirl on the next season of 'Smallville'. I don't watch the show because I can't stand seeing Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen and all the other characters they crowbar on the show. Didn't Green Arrow and Aquaman appear on the show? Is Superman even in costume? Will this new Supergirl show up in costume before Clark Kent? Can't stand it!

The Rock is Burning!

I just noticed that movie star and former Pro Wrestler The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), is showing up at media events with burning people. Why are people setting themselves on fire just to meet him?

Westerns are BIG...On Cable TV

I love Westerns! I am still working on the sequel to my GunpowderGirl and the Outlaw Squaw, so I'm aware of the new western movies out there. A film called 3:10 to Yuma will be out in theatres soon. It stars Christian Bale and Russell Crowe and I can't wait to see it! But if I want to catch a new Western movie, all I have to do turn to the nearest Cable station.

Nice blog

I have been digging this blog lately! Check it!

My Favorite Splash

I have done my fair share of splash pages and there have been many artists I admire. This splash page from Web of Spider-Man #94 is a page I can't get over. Penciled by Alex Saviuk, It shows Mary Jane Parker alone in bed and almost falling out of her evening wear. You can see the old-fashioned lettering ON the artwork.

Every time I see Alex, I remember this page. He is the man!

Fan Convention or Job Fair?

Allen Gladfelter posted a comment on yesterday's blog. He wondered if anyone ever actually gets any work after attending a convention. I have a story about that. Archie Goodwin went to a convention, I think it was around Baltimore, and saw some pencil samples that really impressed him. He could not use him, but he recommended the artist to another Editor Carl Potts. The artist was Jim Lee and I remember inking the backgrounds on his first job on Alpha Fight.

My point is that someone with gigantic talent will get noticed, but it's like a lightning strike. These days, there are established pros hitting up the various editors and the newcomers may not get noticed at all. That's why I believe in drawing your own books and becoming a success independently.

I know that conventions are the only way for most people to have any face to face time with an editor. The only place to get a professional review of their art. But the first con was not a job fair. A bunch of geeky comicbook readers got together in the early 70s in a hotel lobby somewhere and talked about comics and sell some back issues. Maybe some invited guests like an artist or actor would show up.

I bring some samples everytime I show up at a convention because I don't have the face time with the editors that I used to have. Do I hope to get more work? Sure. I don't expect lightning to strike.