Golden Apple Wednesday

These signings just keep getting better and better! Wednesday's are usually busy at Golden Apple Comics and last Wednesday was no exception. Not only did the usual gang of Star Trek Panelists show up, we were joined by a bunch of Tokyopop staffers. Mandy W. from artist relations and Rob Tokar the Editor in Chief! GA had been promoting the in-store signing for a while and they made us feel very welcome. By that, I mean they had beer, wine and pizza for us!

Are you reading this blog but not going to the signings? Shame on you! You still have a chance to hang out with us this coming Sunday at the West Hollywood Book Fair! I will give you a big friendly hug!

Sketch of the day!

I did some quick character sketches for a friend. So there!

The Saharan Motor Hotel

TOGA!

It's not October, but I am wearing a costume. I went to a birthday party last night in Bel-Air where the theme was Toga party! If you did not wear a toga, the host would wrap a bedsheet around you. As the party started rocking, more people showed up in street clothes. I guess they ran out of bedsheets. Some people just can't hang. I loved it and had a great time!

Mike Wellman Rules!

As the Head honcho of The Comic bug in Manhattan Beach, Mike can walk into any Comic shop without fear. This past Wednesday at the Star Trek signing at Meltdown Comics, he did exactly that. Then he got a beer. You can meet Mike and myself at Golen Apple Comics Sept 26th @8pm!

The week that was!

I can't describe this past week. Let's just say that I have been on a roll professionally, and personally. A high point was the signing at Meltdown Comics on Wednesday. I left the earlier baggage behind and had a neat time at the signing. I saw a copy of Comiculture Magazine in a display case and thought how cool it was. It was the cover I painted, so I was stoked.
There were cool fans and wine to drink. This was a little better than the previous week and I think next Wednesday will blow up!
Golden Apple Comics, here I come!

Meltdown on Wednesday

Am I being two-faced by appearing at a signing at Meltdown Comics tommorrow? I think maybe so. I justify it by saying that it's just business. When I get pissed at something,(or someone)it's the end. There are times where I have second thoughts about my actions. Maybe I made a mistake and I'm in the wrong. I also realise that I may be the only one with a problem and Meltdown does not know I exist. In this case, I am in the right. Screw Meltdown Comics...save me a seat tommorrow!

Broken Home

These apartments used to be homes for a dozen people. I never lived here, but I'll miss it all the same.

Tear it Down

Ever wonder what it's like to live next to a condemned building? Let me run it down for you.

Neighbors Leave-A year ago I had a conversation with a woman next door. She got a notice that she had six months to move out. When you first hear that you might get nervous, and wonder if you are going to become homeless. You could wonder if you could find another place in the area for the same rent. From next door, I noticed fewer cars parked next door and unopened junk mail at the doors.

Vandals Arrive-The signs start pilling up. Piles of junk mail, Phone books, no cars in the garage. One guy tags a wall with Graffiti and the word get out that a place is empty. By law, a building owner is supposed to board up a apartment scheduled for demolition. But they don't want to spend the money if they are tearing it down. I noticed new graffiti all thru the spring. The garage turned into a try-out canvas for a few B-list artists from the high school next door. On my days off, I would see truants hang out. No big deal. Abandoned apartments may be a cool hide out for kids these days. Until new tenants move in.

Homes for Homeless-I noticed graffiti outside a second floor balcony and broken glass from a front door window. A few more entered apartments and a call to the police. This part of LA is teeming with homeless persons. Once I heard laughter and a radio coming from a supposedly empty building, I knew that things were worse. Most of the units now had people living there rent free. That went on for 3 weeks.

Tear it Down-Demolition workers move in! Homeless move out. Overgrown trees are chopped down, yellow tape and notices are put up. The sounds of breaking glass and falling wooden beams. Just in time football season. I was told that it would take a week to tear it down in full. I hope to be at work when the heavy equipment shows up.

What Next-I think a developer will put up twice the units in the same space. What else?

Saga Motor Hotel

Yesterdays video was rather pixelated. This one is a bit clearer!

Live from Pasadena

This was the first event promoting the new Star Trek manga! It's the new anthology book from Tokyopop and we a re signing at the Comics Factory in Pasadena! I show up a little early for the event and I have a chance to give the location the once over. It's a great location with a lot of space. Well lit and Clean. There were five of us meeting the fans, Mike Wellman, Christine Boylan, Wil Wheaton, Luis Reyes from Tokyopop and myself. It was a humble turnout to be sure, but we may get some sweet coverage from Star Trek.com. We signed some books for a future promotion.


Two things worth mentioning; I was the only artist there, so I did some quick sketches of the Enterprise with every autograph. Come to the next signing and get a bonus sketch! This was the first time I spent any time hanging with W. Wheaton. Nice guy.
A bunch of us went to an Irish bar he hangs at after the signing. We had some laffs.

I think the next signing will rock the house! I will be at Meltdown comics on Sept. 19th! Come on over and I will tell you why Star Trek rules and why Meltdown Comics sucks!

Today I Sign!

I will be at the Comics Factoryin Pasadena today at 7pm! I will sign copies of the new Star Trek manga out right now! I don't do that many in-store events, so I am looking forward to it. Bring any book you want and I will sign it!

Star Trek Manga

I have blogged about it and now it's here! The newest Star Trek Manga will debut this Wednesday and the west coast signing tour will soon begin. For more info, visitTokyopop.

Sketch of the day!

What is the Sketch of the day? I am trying a Manga-type of style. Different proportions, something new.

A Good Day

Today is my Birthday and I am celebrating with a few friends!
By the way, this image has been retouched...

Then and Now Pt. 2

This is a page from an issue of Power Pack. A MARVEL comicbook about four kids with super powers and they keep it a secret from the parents. I never understood how they would pull that one off. I enjoyed the book and I was able to work on a number of issues in the early 90s. I inked this page and the penciler was Steve Buccellato!

One of the things I noticed was my brush line. I controlled the thickness of the line, but I used too much brush. Steve had an exciting layout, but I may have muscled out Steves style. Sorry man.

Then and Now

I created a book called Forever Amber around 1999. It was my first time writing and drawing and original character and to be honest didn't know if I could pull it off. I gained a lot of experience on the editorial side and with writing as well. I had some positive reviews and if you are interested in reading the entire 4 issue series, The good people at Comiculture.com could help you out. As I look at the book now, I just want to redraw everything. I started drawing it while I had a day job at Sony Animation in Culver City and sharing a studio in Marina Del Rey. I might have been in a rush to finish it.

Anyway, I am posting the cover to issue 3. The character Amber has problems with her boss and she has been double-crossed. I think that shows in the cover. I think the art holds up, but if I had to change anything, I would get rid of the rolodex on the floor. It's supposed to be a near future setting and it is certainly out of place. My friend Steve, who colored it told me just that and he was right. Like I said, I was learning.

Mark Gruenwald

My Good Friend Mark Gruenwald died 11 years ago. He was funny, Creative and very, very talented! I wish he was still here.