Cover Recreation Double Punch (pt. 2)
Here's the second of my classic comic cover double-punch!
This is a recreation of the classic Man of Steel #3. Crusader and Darkblade are replacing Superman and Batman, but the wildcard here is the DC villian Magpie who's been replaced by the villianous Fearleader. She's often mentioned (and is Chris Sims' favorite never-seen character) and one of these days may actually appear in a comic. We'll see.
I tried ti keep with the older, flatter coloring style where possible while still keeping some of the Love and Capes coloring style as well. I think it turned out pretty well. Click here to see it biggimized.
Too lazy to scroll to yesterday's link for how to order commissions? Here it is again.
The Girl Who Waited
It's an irritating truth that it's easier to place your friends and family behind other concerns. I've been working on client stuff and traveling and all that, so when my friend Jesse asked me to start off his new Doctor Who-themed sketchbook, it took way too long for me to get to it. But, three-and-a-half months later, I did.
There's part of the chain of events that works out, though. I felt I'd taken so long that I really had to up my game on the sketch.
The subject, which should come to no surprise to anyone who knows me, was Amy Pond.
I got to break in my new Copic markers on this one. I haven't done much with them in previous sketches, and I find I really like them. It gives them a lot of pop. I'd always had the idea of making Amy's hair the only color on the piece, but since the Doctor did such a great job describing how vivid a blue the TARDIS is, I scanned a rough and did a rare color test, to see if I should make the time traveling box blue. The tests are below. I leave it to you to decide if I made the right choice.
Click on anything for embiggimzation!
YMCA Illustration
While I was on my sojourn in Los Angeles last month, my rule of "The best way to get work is to leave town" came into play. I had the opportunity to create a cartoon for the Lake County YMCA for one of their fundraisers, illustrating people in one of those mobile closet-like things where wind blows and money (or, in this case, coupons) fly about for you to grab. Most of this was done remotely, with only the final touches being done once I was back in Ohio.
You probably can't tell, but there's a touch of Tim Burton in this. I'd just seen the Tim Burton exhibit at the LACMA and it influenced the way I constructed the characters.
It pays to be mobile!
Come to the Cabaret
In my work for the fine folks at Learn It Systems, I was called upon to design a logo for an event called "Cabaret: Tip Your Hat to Learning". I had two guidelines:
- Colors were black and red
- They wanted to see at least one version with a mortarboard morphing into a derby.
I went through five rounds of revisions before coming up with a final version. The final was set so that it could be used in color, black and white, and grayscale versions. You can see the process here:
The 2011 Amusing Little Christmas Card Post
Every year I do a custom Christmas card, and every year I print more than I use. So, I'm making the previous year's cards available for purchase. The cards are still pretty funny, and they're definitely different from anything else you'd be sending. Each card has a cartoon on the front, and a smaller folllow-up cartoon on the back.
Also, if you need envelopes for the cards, I can provide them, too. It'll be an additional $5.00 for 25 matching envelopes.
"LABOR" Christmas Card
Oh, you believed in elves? The inside of this car reads "Hope you and your inner child have a great holiday season."
Cards measure 5.5" x 4.25" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
"SCROOGE" Christmas Card
This Christmas card makes fun of the constant need to pardoy A Christmas Carol. As I writer, I took a pledge that I'd never redo this or It's a Wonderful Life. The only show that I thought did it really well was Married With Children. And, all that said, Doctor Who is doing it this year, and I can only assume it will be awesome.
The inside of this card reads "Hope you (re)make some great Holiday memories this year."
Cards measure 4.25" x 5.5" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
"REALITY" Christmas Card
This Christmas card takes aim at the reality show trend. The inside reads "Hope you have a REAL good holiday."
Cards measure 4.25" x 5.5" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
"BAILOUT" Christmas Card
Everybody gets a bailout, including Frosty, on this card. The inside reads "Hope your Holiday Season is crisis-free."
Cards measure 4.25" x 5.5" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
"SECOND CHRISTMAS" Christmas Card
After the first Christmas, how do you top that? The inside reads "May THIS be your best Christmas yet.
Cards measure 4.25" x 5.5" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
"SECURITY" Christmas Card
Border security becomes an issue for old St. Nick on this Christmas card. The inside reads "Hope your holiday joy isn't hard to find."
Cards measure 5.5" x 4.25" and fit into a standard invitation envelope. Click on the card to see the full art and back of the card.
25 cards for $15.00.
Run For Your Life!
I've been running late on my commission list. But how can you run late on a commission that involves the Tardis?
This commission, from New York Comic-Con, is of Amy and Rose from Doctor Who running into action.
And, because this can't be linked to enough, the Craig Ferguson Doctor Who Cold Open.
One… More… Con!
Just so you know, I'll be at the Long Beach Comic Con this coming weekend at booth #1907. Yeah, fifteen shows just wasn't enough. But sometimes the West Coast beckons. As usual, I'll be doing the signing, selling and sketching thing. I'll even have the new Love and Capes Long Beach print… and maybe some extra Columbus ones. Those Ohio State fans are ravenous.
But, for realz everyone, this is my last convention appearance of the year. If you want to see me set up at a show again, you'll have to wait until MegaCon in Orlando.
Spooky, Kooky and Sober
I recently got the opportunity to design some artwork for the Lake County Health Department and a local designated driver program they were advertising for the Halloween weekend in Willoughby.
I got to push past my normal style and again work in solid cutcolors. Thanks, too, to DK Photo for taking the picture of downtown Willoughby that appears in the background.
Mid-Ohio Con Report: Ooh, Ice Cream!
Remember when I used to write actual con reports? Yeah, those were good times.
I have to say, from what I saw, I was pretty happy with the new show. The show was packed tight with people and artists. I think the turnout of professionals and attendees surprised a lot of people. I'm sure bringing some big name guests like James Marsters and Adam West and Burt Ward helped a lot, but that's one of the things Wizard brings to the table. I had great traffic for the whole show and I sold a lot of books to a lot of people. That's what I ask from a show, and Mid-Ohio delivered that big time.
There were also a couple of little things that were pretty sweet. Battelle Hall had been redone and was pretty slick. The multicolored light ceiling was just a cool touch. And Wizard actually played music during the show.
It was great to see the previous owners there, too. They threw a VIP party on Saturday night that's a class event and a lovely touch. I'd love to see them remain a presence and continue the event. It's a very nice time, and a little unique among shows.
Of course, the best part of the show are my friends. I think all of "my" Mid-Ohio regulars were there which made me very happy. Mariann, Lisa, Carl, Sarah, Jeanette and more, it was great to see you all.
Although we did put a table at Jeni's Ice Cream between us. THat was pretty awesome, too.
I have to say, too, that I could not do this show (or many others) without my friends. I have the most incredible support network imaginable. When I forgot to bring copies of the second Love and Capes trade, my friend Dee offered to bring them down from Cleveland when she came down on Sunday. So I called my Dad who went to my house and pulled books for her and made the hand-off. When I thought I misplaced my keys,
No Mid-Ohio would be complete without the Dean to my Sammy, Paul Storrie. He's an essential part of the my Mid-Ohio. Sadly, our Bobby, Beau Smith couldn't make it this year. He better come next year, though, or there will hell to pay, and solitary Winchester tears shed.
I've babbled too much, so let me try to cap it here: Wizard Mid-Ohio isn't the same show it used to be, but that was such a special lightning-in-a-bottle time that nothing could ever recapture it. The new show went great for me and I think for a lot of other people. It's like getting together for Thanksgiving dinner at somebody else's house. The gang's still there, but the furniture is all different. It's still a wonderful time.
As long as they'll have me, I'll keep coming back.
Always Time for One More (Con)
Mid-Ohio-Con is wrapped up, and I'm heading home. But does that mean that I'm done with conventions? Heck no! I've still got one more show this year. I'll be at the Long Beach Comic Con in California, booth 1907, doing the whole con thing.
That also means (say it with me now) a new con exclusive print! This one was a touch different, since I put some fans into the crowd scene. That went pretty well, and maybe I'll do it again next year at another show. This print also showcases the Aquarium of the Pacific as the local landmark I highlghted.
Okay, full disclosure, I might be wandering Comikaze the next weekend, too, but I won't be set up. Comic conventions, I just can't quit you.