Rhythm of the War Drums

Last week I got the idea for a story surround child soldiers.  This week, after spending time bouncing ideas around with my buddy Sal, I have decided that I'm moving ahead with that idea.  I am insanely excited about the potential and will be working on this in my spare time (meaning at night when I'm not drawing Wizard of Oz.)

I will writing it, and drawing some parts.  I hope to be able to convince some of my buddies in the industry to be apart of it and will also be reaching out to some new talent that I've been keeping an eye on for the last few years.  

I'm not going to say much as this idea is still very fresh and I'm sure like most things, tons of it will change during the process.  I don't know if this is even the title yet, but it really struck something in me today.  So, for now, this is the temp title.   

More later.

Scarecrow

I've started penciling pages and this book is just plain fun.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the book I'm talking about for those of you who don't know.  

I thought I could show you a few Scarecrow doodles.  At first i was drawing him with the typical pointed hat that you see him in all the time.  Then I was doing a few warm up drawings and trying to work out Dorothy's Uncle Henry.  The first drawing started off a little more burly in the beard area but I felt I hit something with the hat.  I loved the hat and decided that I was going to take it from Henry and put it on the Scarecrow.  I think this hat gives a little bit more of a clunky look and feels a little more blush.  Like the hat was filled with straw so to give it enough weight to stay on his head.  

Thanks to everyone who gave their support and came out to Emerald City Comic Con.  It was great meeting you all. 

Emerald City Comicon

Well, nothing the morning of my flight to let you all know I'll be in Seattle this weekend for Emerald City Comic Con.  It's pretty much the only show i'll be set up at this summer (how fitting since I'll be spending the summer drawing the Wizard of Oz.)  I don't know where in the convention hall I will be but I'll be there none the less.

For more info check out the ECCC site 

I didn't have any art ready so I've used Tim Sale's piece he did for the show.  

See you there.

Settled In

Wow, it's been a long break from the blog.  I am officially moved and not living in the city anymore.  So far things have been strange, but good.  It's quiet here and I find myself realizing how many little things I've missed about non city living.  Freshly mowed grass...that smells fucking good, right.  Seeing actual stars at night time is a shocker.  Everyone you drive or ride past waves like they're happy to see you.  People working in stores call you "sweety" and talk to you about their day.  Not needing to lock up my bike like Fort Knox.  Like I said...strange, but good.  

Now that I've got my studio up and running I started thinking about new ideas.  An image of a kid soldier was in my head and I wondered what I  could do with it.  Then the title "The War of Ages" came to mind.  I liked it and thought that it might be interesting to tell a story about a World War that puts children against adults.  Imagine the struggle for those children of cusp of adulthood.  Which side would they choose, or better yet, which side would have them.  A global Lord of the Flies.  I don't know, there may be something to it, and I'll spend the next few weeks thinking it over. 

enjoy.

s.

Done and Almost Gone

I finished the Marvel Masterpiece sketch cards today.  I did 20 but you'll only see 18 as 2 of them are utter crap.  These were fun as hell but tough little fuckers.  

For those who have asked, here is a list of the characters from right to left

Row 1

Spider-Man, Chamber, Mojo, Ghost Rider, Punisher, Doop

Row 2

Blob, Warlock, Super Skrull, Ultimate Thor, Kingpin, Phat

Row 3

Emplate, Hulk, Doc Oc, Storm, Cloak, Dead Girl

Almost gone.  I've got one more week here in Chicago and it's starting to hit me a little.  I'll be going to my last regular drawing night tonight.  I'll still come in a a few times a month, but I'll miss seeing the group once a week.  I'm sure I'll have one more mushy post before I leave so I'll save all my crying for that one.

Marvel Masterpieces Sketch Cards

You've seen some real masters rock out on these sketch cards over the last year.  Well, they've decided that they wanted someone who could destroy all those who came before him.  I accepted. 

Of course I'm kidding and crying inside that I have to try and match the level of my friends that have already killed these cards like Jason Pearson, Eric Canete, Chris Bachalo, etc.  Damn!  Thankfully I'm only doing 20 so right around the time I get the hang of it and quit fucking them up I'll be done.  Here are a few of the first round.  I'll try and post up a few more as I finish them.

Thanks to all those who bought and commented on X-Men: DWS #1!

X-Men: Divided We Stand #1 in stores now [UPDATE]

Run to your shop and pick up X-Men: Divided we stand #1, in stores today.  It features my story about New X-man, Anole.  Written and illustrated by me with Jean on the colors.  Hope you enjoy.

[UPDATE]  I'm going to add links to reviews of the book.  I don't usually do this, but I am very proud of this short story and am interested in what everyone is thinking about it.  Thanks to those that have commented.  If you find a review of this issue, please comment and post the link.  I will add it to the list.  It doesn't have to be a good review, I'll post any of them.

Reviews

ComicsBulletin

Popcultureshock

IGN

ComicNexus

Review Busters

iFanboy 

ComicBoards

AboutHeros

ComiXtreme

Commission Updates

[update]  This commission has lit the fuse... haha.  Thank you all for the kind words about the piece.  Due to the emails and the fact that I'm actually making a dent in this list,  I'm going to open the list back up.  Click here to go to the commissions page and get info on how to get added to the list.

Now, I'm going to give a list here so that if you are on the list already and have waited since the dawn of time for your commission, you will know I have you down and have not forgotten.

Aaron B.

David W.

Mike B. and John

John H.

You will be getting yours soon!

This is ink and watercolor on bristol board, 11 x 14.  I basically just loosely sketched the idea, inked it with brush and ink.  Then went in and did an ink wash to add value.  After that I decided to wash over that with a few greens and reds to give it a little life.  After that I gave it a little scratched effect with white colored pencil and a slight diffused feel with white ink and a tooth brush.