Iron Man

The Iron Man Movie has premiered in Australia and South Korea. I Hope it shows up here soon.

Tax Time

It is getting close to the tax deadline and I have been noticing the commercials. Is it some kind of holiday? There are Tax Time sales and specials, as if this is a good time to spend money. Not cool. I say save your dough and spend your cash on the next holiday... The 4th of July!

Next Generation

I am working on the newest Star Trek job! It's a Next Generation story and i get to draw Jean-Luc Picard and Deanna Troi! I am posting some layouts and still working on the likenesses.

Bad Cover

This is the new cover format for The Fantastic Four. This issue is the third with this format and I hoped that it wouud grow on me. It has not. I think the guys at Marvel are going for a magazine format, but the result looks boring. I bought the book because of Bryan Hitch, the penciler, but I have to say something about this ugly cover. Take a good look at the cover posted and follow my points.

A- The Fantastic Four logo looks like Fantastic 'A'. And it's been white on a dark BG for three issues now. One of the reasons for having a readable, open logo with different colors each month, is that it lets the buyer know that this is a different book from last month.

B- These days, you rarely see a word balloon on the cover. I think that a sensational piece of dialogue on the cover can get people excited about the interior, but it looks like nobody remembered how to do it over there. "Cap, please! Don't kill us!" are you kidding? I would imagine The Thing saying something a bit more heroic. To be honest, I really hate that dumb balloon. Check out a cover balloon from the 70s. The Golden Age of cover copy.

C-The Thing with chicklet teeth. Ugh. The teeth make him look like a muppet. I perfer the classic look.

D- Exciting copy can add a lot to a cover. This boring type is just information.

E- Finally, this book is rated Tplus. I guess a kid under 13 should not read The Fantastic 'A'. That is too bad.

I bought the last 3 issues of this book so I am as guilty as they are.

itunes envy

I am so jealous of everyone with more songs on their ipod than I do. I love when friends send me mix CDs. I try not to go overboard with buying songs, but I might have to go on a spending spree soon.

Passport

I took the first step in renewing my passport. The photo! I bought 2 regulation snaps at the Burbank Costco and I will now go to the local Post Office to take the next step. I would post the shot here, but I think I look like a corpse.

More Home Improvement!

The appliance installer came by Thursday and spent 3 hours in my kitchen. It was time to replace the oven, the stovetop and the overhead fan. Gosh! The old oven must have been installed in the Nixon Administration.

The new one freaked me out because of it push-button ease. Instead of checking the pilot light and twisting the plastic nob to ignite the broiler, I can now press a button! My food preparation has gone from Analog to Digital.

I am happy to see these improvements. Let the landlord fix the place up while I'm still living here, instead of when I move out!

Injury

I was struck in the jaw by a big forward at Thursdays' basketball game. It kinda re-aligned my bite and I was kinda concerned. Concerned enough to spend 3 hours in the ER and get X-rays made. I am told that it could be no more than a jaw muscle strain and there was no fracture visible on the X-ray. I should expect soreness in the days ahead.

By the way, we lost our third game in a row. :{

Stan Drake Photo

Stan Drake was a great artist and I did backgrounds for him way back when. I am familiar with his work, but I never knew what he looked like until I caught this snapshot. He is the guy in the sport jacket.

Spring Cleaning

This morning, I went to the parking lot sale at Hi Di Ho comics! I bought 25 comics for $5.00, 2 magazines for 50 cents and 2 hardcover books for $3.00 each. Nice stuff too! I showed up at 11:00 and there were people already going through the long boxes. Maybe 30 people. I wonder if as many people will show up when I sell my books?

Team Photo!

I brought my Camera to our second game as a team! We are called the 'BATS' ( I can't remember why) and the uniforms are cool. Even with the snazzy outfits, we lost the second game by two points. Back to the drawing board.

More Star Trek Stuff

I am finishing up the latest Star Trek job!

It's Early

I woke up a little too early today. They say the early bird gets the worm, but I don't think the worm cares.

Let's have some laughs

Before I became an old fuddy-duddy, I used to go out drinking with pals. These two shots are from a Halloween get together in NYC. I am sure it was at a bar near MARVEL in the East 20s. I remember the night and I miss the MC Jacket. The guy in yellow is my friend Vince and the head in the lower photo belongs to Kevin Tang.

Fun with a brush!

I don't take time to sketch as much as I used to. When I travel and I'm waiting for a plane or if I'm hanging in the hotel room, I'll draw some thing and maybe send it as a postcard. I love getting postcards! Anyhoo, when I am inking I use a piece of bristol paper on the side to prepare my brush. I some times do a sketch or two there.

The Athelete

I played Basketball with Brian and the others last night. I don't really feel so excited over it now. I thought I would write about it at length but i am not so wild about it. Maybe once I get more playing time. Till then, read an earlier post about it.

More Cat Stuff

This is a funny photo of a little boy and a big cat. It's from the book 'Dancing with Cats'.

Ego Surfing

I typed my name into the Yahoo search engine today and this credit list came up. It's a partial list but at least I'm there.

Magical Castle

I visited the Magic Castle with a group of friends last night! It's a mansion in Hollywood that I have passed by many times but never considered going into. I admit that it was such a blast, I will recommend it to everyone! So much fun! The original building was built around 1908 and it looks like they kept the original furniture. We did a lot of walking to the various rooms where you could see shows in progress and all the performers were highly skilled.

The high point was watching Brian Gillis work his magic in the close-up gallery. He did some excellent card tricks in a very intimate setting and I really tried to watch his hands. Amazing. Everyone there was really amazing. I always thought that the best magicians went to las Vegas because that's where the money is. I was wrong, the best guys work at the Magic Castle.I could not bring a camera into the building. I guess they are worried about the tricks getting out. I would have loved some card trick video.

Cat Stuff

I am always on the lookout for Cat reference. I guess when you draw a book about cats, you keep your eyes open for things you can use. I found this shot in a magazine. What is going on?

Storyboarding

This is a recent storyboard I did for a client I can't name. Someone else did the color. It's good but I really need to start coloring my own stuff.

Little Grey Cat

I am posting a page from my upcoming Cat book with Grey tones added! It's exciting to see. I wonder where the Editor will put the dialogue, but so far so good.

Acclaim Comics

I inked XO Manowar for Acclaim Comics in 1998 and 1999. I really loved working over Scot Eatons' pencils! His stuff was really strong and he was a good guy. I am showing the cover to XO issue 17, Volume 2. The cover published was not the original one. I inked both and I prefer the first.

Heart Work

This is an old job. I had to sketch and then paint an Iceberg in the shape of a heart. I was an AD for a heart medication and the Art Director wanted a watercolor look for it. The job was maybe 7 years ago and I don't know it turned out.

Cat Cover Results!

To those who voted, thanks for caring! The cover chosen was.... Number 3! There were some changes and even though I drew the cover with the corrections added, I may yet have to change a few things.

Have a Cocktail!

I know that when a beverage company comes out with a new product, they would create a new cocktail to feature it. I remember having cheap drinks at many a promotion sponsored by a liquor company.

So when I came across this old AD for Smirnoff Vodka, I was surprised. The Vampire Gimlet! Were they trying to sell drinks to goths? How do you promote such a creepy drink at the bars? Did it go over big around Halloween? I have never heard of this drink and I am fascinated.

Cat Cover!

I've submitted four cover layouts for the next Warriors book. Which one did the 'Powers that be' choose?

Neighborhood Watch

One of the interesting things about working freelance is that you get used to the rhythms of your neighborhood.The same cars that park in the same place, when the neighbors do the sweep the porch and that kind of thing. Yesterday, I noticed a summons on the gate in front of the empty lot next door. That empty lot has caused nothing but trouble. I have blamed the rat infestation on the lot and the owner does not show any interest in cleaning it. I hope whomever owns the property, gets arrested.

But getting back to the rats. I have put traps outside and they are working.

False Alarm

I got a knock at the door on Friday. I opened it to find two detectives and one of them had a subpoena for me. What? Right away, I thought that there must have been a mistake. After calling the contact coordinator that day, she wanted to double-check and get back to me on Monday. False alarm! I had never seen any crime and it was a mistake. I'm happy not to take to whole day for nothing.

Cat Sketch Fever

I have not posted in a while. I have been busy with work and when I am not working, I am busy with other things. I have started on the second issue of the Warriors Cat book! I think everyone will like the first issue when it comes out this fall. So take a look at a couple of layouts!

More Star Trek Stuff

I'm still working on the latest Star Trek story! Hope to be finished soon.

Transformer Chatter

I have read Steve's blog and Simon's blog and I like the various comments on the page I inked.

Basketball Monday

I got into an argument with a guy tonight. I guess with all the testostorone flying around it was bound to happen. I am still learning the game and everybody loves to hand out advice and I am a little annoyed.

OK! Leave me alone! It's not my ball, but I'm taking it and leaving anyway. I have a low tolerence for nonsense!

My View

I am working at home these days which means my view changes very little. I don't mind it. I joked with a friend recently that I could be happy here under house arrest. Six months staring at the same walls? No problem.

My drawing table faces my tiny front yard and the wooden wall that protects my privacy. It was bare when I moved in and I quickly put my mark on it. Any poster I can get my hands on will make it onto the wall. The line up usually changes with every rainstorm as the paper shreds, and there have been a nice mix. Every time I look up from the drawing board, there's something nice to see.

New Music

A special shout out to Babyphat523! When I mentioned in an earlier blog that I really enjoyed getting mix tapes and CDs from friends, she sent me one! Really good music that's on regular rotation in my car. I also got a package of CDs from Marie, a variety of great music! Thanks!

My Gift

My girlfriend got me a gift for Valentines Day. This is a first! We are both coffee drinkers and she kind of surprised me with coffee, a pair of cool mugs, a bottle of Hazelnut syrup and a card. That's cool. She's the best.

Even more Cats

I am working on the Warriors Inks right now. Getting close to finishing!

Everybody call San Diego!

I can't take the yearly San Diego hotel drama. But luckily it turned out well for me today. I got nice room really close to the con so I won't gripe about it. Instead, check out a previous post.

Footwear

It's been a long ting since i've bought High-top Sneakers. When you have a size 14 foot, your options are limited. Except when it comes to Basketball sneakers! If I wanted to continue playing basketball on Mondays, I knew I had to buy appropriate footwear. The blisters I got last week were murder. So I bought a nice pair of Addidas shoes on Saturday and I broke them in over the weekend. I think my game improved! Thank you footwear!

Giants

I am really happy that the NY Giants won the Super Bowl yesterday. The team had a slow start to thier season but kept fighting and beat Dallas and Green Bay on the road. I love watching football and the only thing that will keep me from going crazy until September is... Nope. I'll just go crazy.

Ready for The Summer?

The January 21-27 issue of VARIETY has a list of movies coming out this summer. Many of them are either Comicbook or Sci-fi based. I think that's great! It's an inspiration to all the Comic creators out there with an idea. I say that because there are dozens of talented creators out there (Including myself) ,who are drawing the next great graphic novel that could be turned into a screenplay.

These dates are subject to change, but you should plan your summer around these movies!

Color Cat Cover!

This is the cover to my cat book. As you can see the official name is Warriors, Tigerstar and Sasha. When you look for it in the Fall, look in the Manga section of the bookstore. I will see about getting my name on the cover. After all, I drew the darned thing.

Still Sore

So it's two days after my Basketball game in the valley and my legs and lower back is still sore. The blisters on my feet are not as painful and I have stopped coughing. I think all the running up and down the court taxed my lungs. I should be recovered by Friday!

Basketball

I am not a big athlete. I may be tall, but I spent my youth at the drawing table, not the basketball court. As I got older, I would play around with a basketball. I tried to get into a pick-up game once, but I sucked. The last time I played basketball, it was with a girl. And I lost.

So when I got a call from my friend Brian, I was a little surprised! He wanted me to be the sixth man on his over 35 league despite my loss. I am worried about my tender fingers, but I agreed to play. Brian called me this morning about a game tonight in the valley. Short notice, but I did it.

I was kinda rusty at first but I improved. Everybody was encouraging and I made it through 2 hours running up and down a court. I also got a few blisters on my feet. I could do this again, once my feet heal up.

Cat Pages

Two pages of Cat pencils. I am twenty pages from finishing the book!

Trek Layouts

This is a page from the Star Trek layouts I've done. Pencils soon.

Now and Then

I found an old snapshot of myself while digging thruogh some old photos. I really miss my old MC Jacket. I used to hang out in the East Village and hit the bars in the early 90's in that Jacket. Oh well.

Cat Sketch Fever

I did a few Cat sketches yesterday. I think I need to offset the gruesome mouse photo with some crowd pleasing Cat stuff.

Of Mice and Men

I have complained before about how the neighborhood has gone south. The busted sink, the construction next door and whatever else. The fun continues with a mouse problem. I walked into the kitchen one night and scared a rodent. I acted immediately and got some traps. I told Mr. Landlord and he wanted some proof before calling the exterminator. I guess he did not want the Board of Health calling him.

So anyway, I baited the trap with Peanut Butter and Almonds and left it overnight. When I woke up in the morning the deed was done and I got evidence for Mr. Landlord.

This was the first mouse. A second critter showed up after this one was trapped and ate the bait. I caught the other and all is well.

Home Improvement

My apartment building is a little worn down. I need all kinds of renovations but the landlord will wait until I move out. Certain things he can't ignore like a beat down kitchen appliance, he will repair. My kitchen faucet has been leaking for a long time. So last week, Mr. Landlord sent a handyman to replace it. Neat!

Cloverfield Review

I saw the new movie Cloverfield last night and there are spoilers ahead!

It's basically a monster movie where New York is destroyed. Not too gory, but there's a lot of nauseating camera moves. Rob, Steve and myself caught the film in Culver City and then walked to Saints and Sinners for some obscene drinks.

As for the movie, I recommend it!

More Star Trek Stuff

If you have ever watched the TV series, you know that Captain Kirk and his crew loved to explore new worlds and get into adventures. The sets were really cool and exotic looking! Many such sets are built at the Star Trek tour. I Rob and I sat in the Captain's chair and I tried jumping through the time portal. Nothing happened.

Trek Exhibit

It reminded me of the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas, but there was an open bar and appetizers! Rob, Luis, Claire and myself attended the opening night at the Dome in Long Beach. I enjoyed the event and loved seeing the costumes and hanging out with friends.

Star Trek-The Tour

I have just returned from Long Beach and the opening night of Star Trek, The Tour. It was a red carpet event to promote the new attraction that's a stones throw from the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. It was really neat! Lots of models of space ships, Show trivia and info, interactive rides and even a celebrity or two. I am past my bedtime so I hope I am making sense.

I think I will post some video and elaborate later.

Reference and how to get it

I read a lot of magazines. I also love to cut them up for my reference file. My local comicbook shop sells packs of STARLOG back issues for a great price, and I go through them for STAR TREK ref. Not only Trek photos, but all kinds of Sci-fi photos! Ithink every one should have a reference file.

Music Lover

The last time I got a music CD from Marie was in 2000. A bunch of Country-esque tunes that I really enjoyed. Nice!

Music Lover

Everyone is passionate about music. I sent a CD of songs to my girfriend and I think it's the best CD ever made! Here is a list. Do you know these artists?

What wedding?

I just heard Joe Quesada on the Howard Stern show talk about the recent Spider-Man storyline. I have not read the comic, but the latest issue of PEOPLE Magazine mentioned it.
Joe spoke for about maybe five minutes and it made me kind of sad. He said "MARVEL made the mistake of marrying him off" and he was "Much more exciting as a single character". Did they run out of stories to tell? When I read the magazine article I wondered how they would address the last 20 years of continuity. Joe also said that "There was a wedding day, but the marriage didn't happen." Oh boy.
I remember the 'Wedding day' and it's horrible to know that the last 20 were almost meaningless. To see photos of the reception, check out a previous post.

Mix Tape

I sent a mix tape to my girlfriend this afternoon. I turned her on to some new music when we were driving and I wanted to share. I love music! When I was growing up in East Flatbush, I spent hours at the drawing table listening to the radio. I developed a love for medodies and beautiful vocals. I am thinking of my girl right now. (Sappy sigh)

My friend Marie sent me a couple of compilation tapes and they were great! She was big into music before she started to travel the world and she has really good taste in music. I remember how great it was to hear a new song and want to find out more about that artist. I am happy to share that experiencewith someone new. If anyone out there would like to send me a cool mixtape, let me know!

A Photo from Anime LA

This is a candid photo from the Tokyopop panel at Anime LA. I shared the table with Tricia Riley Hale and Steve Buccellato. Not picured is Wes Abbott the creator of 'Dogby stands alone'. It's a really good book that I am reading. By the way, I'm the one in the photo that has his head to the camera!
Photo courtesy of S. J.

Anime in Burbank

I attended the Anime LA convention in Burbank yesterday! Tokyopop sponsored a panel on Manga in I was a part of it. I talked about my upcoming Warriors book and enjoyed people watching. I think I like the smaller, hotel conventions. So many cool people in costume and lots to see.

Star Trek...Once More!

I got the script for my Star Trek story! It's written by David Gerrold! The writer of the Trouble with Tribbles episode. This is for the next Star Trek Manga from Tokyopop and it should be on the shelves by June. Wish me luck!

New Year Video

It's dark and my voice is annoying, but it was a good time in Clancy's Bar in Long Beach. Many Thanks go out to Shawna and Jazmine!