SONJA_90 minutes

Did you know that Red Sonja was created by an Italian comicbook writing and drawing team?

No, that's a lie. Don't believe a word of that. The only reason I bring up anything Italian is because right now, as I type this, LUCCA COMICS AND GAMES is going on full tilt, and damn it all - I can't go. Yes, it's true that I just got back from a whirlwind tour of comic conventions and I've said on more than one conversation since I've gotten home that a fifth convention would've probably killed me. But wouldn't it be an awesome way to 'go out' if I went in Italy? And at a comicbook convention where I couldn't understand anything, no less?! Ah... that would be awesome, I think? Maybe not.

So for now, I'll relegate myself to watching VIDEOS of everyone else's experience at Lucca (which closely resembles the cattle drive that is SDCC combined with the unnerving cosplay fervor of AX) and in the off chance that I'll somehow, someday, end up in Italy, I'm going to work on perfecting the one Italian phrase that I know will come in handy regardless of any situation.

"Dov'é il bagno?"

Hmm... come to think of it, would I really want to go considering that I despise the massive, border line uncontrollable crowds at SDCC? This may deserve more thought.

Nah - f*ck that. I'd go in a heartbeat. Have a great weekend everyone!

OZ AND ENDS_commission

This is an image done as an entry into a cool "Wizard Of Oz" themed sketchbook I got a chance to work on at the Boston show.

I'm sleepy now and I'll avoid trying to think in order to write something witty. I'll leave all of that to you guys.

PS - The preview pages for AMAZING SPIDERMAN #611 is up at NEWSARAMA. Check them out for yourself and read along as the fans riot. Hehe.

THE SPIRIT_commission

Let me preface everything I'm about to type by saying that I have no idea what 'cool' comic book art is. I don't know who is popular and why, and I can't say I've picked up a monthly book consistently going on about 5 years now. I'm an idiot at best. Take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt.

Anyway, I had picked up about two dozen books during my comic book convention marathon and after looking through them I walked away with the worst taste in my mouth. I was compelled (albeit shortly) to do a whole, long, ultra-opinionated write-up asking why comic books have a lot of vanilla ice cream looking art in them (more in recent days). After an hour of that, I realized I was tired of writing about how no one wants to address and take a chance on new blood whose works and styles have something to say outside of the status quo. That, and I just got plain sick of typing.

I deleted the entry but not before I copied and pasted it for a post later on down the line, for when I'm feeling my oats. For now, let me plead with as much heart-felt emphasis to the people in charge in some futile hope they can hear me and do something about it. Here is goes:


"Please, PLEASE - can we please stop putting vanilla ice cream artists on books that deserve better?"


Please? Thank you.


PS - By 'new blood' I'm not referring to me. I'm an old fart. Ask my friends; I tell kids to get off my gaddamned lawn. I also like The Spirit.

SCHENGEN DONE_commission

Today is the last day of my convention-ing. My compatriots and I head back home from the Boston Comic Con (BTW, the convention itself is a quaint show, but its size, venue, expected attendance are a great way for me to wind down from 4 weeks worth of hand shaking and commission drawing...whew!) and I swear it couldn't come any sooner. I'm tired, I've got a slight case of bronchitis, I'm on a steady diet of NyQuil, DayQuil, and Mucinex and I haven't run consistently for weeks now. I feel gross.

That's not me complaining, that's just how things turned out.

On the upside? Well, there isn't enough time in my early morning to tell you ALL of the cool things I've done this month. Also because forming a list of cohesive thoughts isn't difficult - it's an impossibility. Thank you, Robitussin DM! But I have been absolutely blessed with so many things this past month! I've met creators, I've read new books I never would've been exposed to, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - I met a a million and a dozen fans. And I don't care if I am sick - if it means I get to shake the hands and thank each and everyone who has shown me their support over this giant accident tha I call a career, it's well worth it. Thank you SO much to all of you who dropped by, said 'Hello!', 'I loved your work since the Verotik days, man!' I'll take all of that because it means the world to me.

We even got invited to go to an early Halloween party last night! What fun! And just as a pre-emptive strike/note; if there are those of you who happen to see some crazy person dressed in a full-on Scooby Doo costume who seems to resemble me, that's not me. I swear. You don't have proof. And even if you did, I'll deny it outright. Hehe.

Last, I want to give Jason Schachter my thanks. I've never seen a guy bust his hump in setting up my and Stephane Roux table, pimp our work, coordinate hotel rooms, play part-time manager, promoter, taxi service and personal assistant and not ONCE complain about it. Well...okay. Once. But everyone's allowed a moment to gripe, yeah? So this one's to Jay. Stop your griping.

Okay, that's all for now. I'm coughing up phlegm and I'm sure you wanted to read about that. Enjoy your Sunday everyone. I can't wait to get back home.

But for now, enjoy The Avengers.

THE BRIDE AND THE SHADOWCAT_commission

[*EDIT: The owner of the original 'Shadowcat' commission was kind enough to send me a high resolution scan which now allows me to upload and showcase a better quality image. Thanks, Colin!]

Today is the last day of my convention-ing. My compatriots and I head back home from the Boston Comic Con (BTW, the convention itself is a quaint show, but its size, venue, expected attendance are a great way for me to wind down from 4 weeks worth of hand shaking and commission drawing...whew!) and I swear it couldn't come any sooner. I'm tired, I've got a slight case of bronchitis, I'm on a steady diet of NyQuil, DayQuil, and Mucinex and I haven't run consistently for weeks now. I feel gross.

That's not me complaining, that's just how things turned out.

On the upside? Well, there isn't enough time in my early morning to tell you ALL of the cool things I've done this month. Also because forming a list of cohesive thoughts isn't difficult - it's an impossibility. Thank you, Robitussin DM! But I have been absolutely blessed with so many things this past month! I've met creators, I've read new books I never would've been exposed to, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - I met a a million and a dozen fans. And I don't care if I am sick - if it means I get to shake the hands and thank each and everyone who has shown me their support over this giant accident tha I call a career, it's well worth it. Thank you SO much to all of you who dropped by, said 'Hello!', 'I loved your work since the Verotik days, man!' I'll take all of that because it means the world to me.

We even got invited to go to an early Halloween party last night! What fun! And just as a pre-emptive strike/note; if there are those of you who happen to see some crazy person dressed in a full-on Scooby Doo costume who seems to resemble me, that's not me. I swear. You don't have proof. And even if you did, I'll deny it outright. Hehe.

Last, I want to give Jason Schachter my thanks. I've never seen a guy bust his hump in setting up my and Stephane Roux table, pimp our work, coordinate hotel rooms, play part-time manager, promoter, taxi service and personal assistant and not ONCE complain about it. Well...okay. Once. But everyone's allowed a moment to gripe, yeah? So this one's to Jay. Stop your griping.

Okay, that's all for now. I'm coughing up phlegm and I'm sure you wanted to read about that. Enjoy your Sunday everyone. I can't wait to get back home. Until then enjoy this Bride of Frankenstein and Kitty Pride image. Bad point and shoot cam and less than desirable lighting conditions make for awesome upload images!

ARTHUR & MING_90 minutes

[*NOTE: Please forgive the graininess of the image. Again, I am forced to catalog this image using my digital camera and its quality runs a poor second to an actual scanner.]

Have you ever walked into a place and realized you were late to the party? I mean, way late? Well, I just recently did - walked right in and stepped on a land mine. A land mine filled with cake and ice cream and party favors and birthday candles and funny pointed hats with rubber band chin straps. Actually... that's the neatest land mine anyone could ever step on, wouldn't it? I mean, "BOOM!" and all of a sudden it's an explosion of treats and happy emotions! I wouldn't mind the shrapnel from that land mine, is what I'm saying.

I digress.

I have a favorite artist/friend named MING DOYLE who I think is the definition of magnificent. I am an advocate for her work as much as I am an avid and vocal supporter of her as a person. That said, a few days (a week?) ago her birthday passed with nary a word nor greeting from me. Only recently after being informed by a kind individual, that this woman whose illustrations I admire and respect, did I learn that she got a whole year older and a whole year more powerful artistically.

This image is my small, belated birthday present for her and this entry in my blog serves as my weak way of apologizing for forgetting such an awe inspiring person on her most awe inspiring of days.

So, Ming? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Please find it within yourself to forgive me for such an egregious oversight and try not to kill me when we see each other this weekend, gal. I feel terrible.


And speaking of this weekend, and if I may tread on an earlier point in this post, take my advice don't be late to the party: Visit Ming (and her cohort KEVIN CHURCH at their AGREEABLE COMICS table at this year's BOSTON COMIC CON) and buy as much of her original artwork as she's willing to sell. I would even suggest that you empty your pockets. Ming's work is outrageously relevant and mysteriously competent beyond her annoyingly young age and I'm going to bet you can purchase some of her originals for a song. A really good song.

That is unless I buy it all for myself first.


Have a great weekend everyone.

AMIDALAS_commission

I was slightly confused as to which version of AMIDALA/PADME I was commissioned to do - action version or queen and country version. So, I did them both.

Neither are very accurate, costume-wise. I know this, you Star Wars fanatics. Put down the light sabers. I took some creative liberties because... well, quite frankly there was no way I could be bothered to look up the outfits and make them look exactly like the movie. I'm lazy, remember? So basically, the only way you know either one of these women is Amidala or Padme is because I just said so.

You're just going to have to take my word for it; it's really them them. Honest. I wouldn't lead you astray.

I promise.


Oh, BTW - If I haven't nauseated you all with the the fact that I'm going to be at the BOSTON COMIC CON this weekend, then let's make this the last effin' time I mention it. Okay, that's the last time. Thanks for tolerating my shameless self promotion. I'll see you all at the show.

WAIT! One last thing. I did an interview for THE SUN CHRONICLE, a Boston Newspaper. Thanks to Mike Gelbwasser for the interview and for all his hard work and patience in getting the article together. I am genuinely not worthy.

Okay...NOW I'm done with the shameless self promotion.

WHITE QUEEN_commission

Hey, I played the MEGA MILLIONS while I was here in New Jersey and guess what?!? I didn't win 200 million! How amazing is that sh*t?!

So instead, I'm going to continue to peddle my art wares at comic book conventions until they kick me out.

Also, sorry to keep these commentary posts so short lately. Although, I know there have been some of you who believe that I talk way too much on here and would prefer I just stick to posting art. Tough nuts - I'm gonna talk because I have the time. Except this time.

I've gotta get my phlegm-corroded lungs ready (and by 'ready' I mean take an overdose of MUCINEX to clear the bad boy out) for the last convention of the year. Watch out BOSTON COMIC CON; here comes the Eric Flu.

(**Note: I don't know why or how, but Blogger is washing out the saturation on this image. Ah, well. You can always count on technology to not work properly when you need it to.)

LOEG vs. THE MOLEMEN_commission

This is another entry in Emmy Award winning 30 ROCK actor SCOTT ADSIT's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen themed sketchbook.

There were a lot of mole men and it was a large sketchbook, so it took a bit of time. But if you're going to draw in a sketchbook which has Adam Hughes, Brian Stelfreeze, Stephane Roux et al - you'd better bring your A-game.

Or in my case (considering I'm not as good as any of those artists mentioned above) I brought multiple versions of the only game I've got: my C-game. And I decided to overwhelm you with useless details. Hooray! My apologies if it's not easy to see the image because the figures are so small, but point and shoot cameras aren't as good as studio scanners. My favorite part is doing the Invisible Man and his shadow. Do invisible people have shadows? I should've done more research.

Yeah. C-game. That's just how I roll.


PS - I'm still sick. I need chicken soup. Stat.

SUPER LOIS_90 minutes

SAM RAIMI has kooky ideas and tells silly, silly stories. I finished watching 'Drag Me To Hell' a little while ago and I walked away with thinking, "What the hell just happened right now?!"

It's probably because I was distracted and busy drawing this image, and I had to keep the volume on the television super-low because everyone in the house was still asleep so I couldn't really hear anything.

Yeah... let's say that's the reason.

MS. KYLE & MR. WAYNE_commission

It's finally over. Big Apple Comic Con is behind us and it's official: I'm sick as a dog. The cold weather, the heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday and the unhealthy diet didn't help a lick. Even as I type all of this, I am leaving all sorts of viruses on Jason's keyboard. I'm going to go rest now so I'll leave you with this commissions image.

BTW, in the past two weeks I've been living on bad (not to mention expensive) convention food. If and when I get home is there anyone out there willing to cook me a nice meal so I can feel like normal again? Anyone? Please? A cupcake? Anything?

Please?


Next up, BOSTON COMIC CON. Speak you all soon.

DR. STRANGE_commission

Nothing's better than watching the Sorcerer Supreme duke it out with a underwater fish thingee.

You know how I'd normally have something witty, charismatic, charming, etc. something-rather to say on here? Yeah - I'm all out. I'm tired, I'm starting to get sick, and I think (if it's possible because I love the idea of comics so much) I might be all conventioned out.

And to top it all off, Boston Comic Con is next weekend.

I wish Dr. Strange would cast some serious magical, citrus-y effervescent energy on me so's my fatigued body could wake up and feel better.

Anyway, enjoy the commission. I know I had a blast doing it.

FRANK & JOE_commission

Does anyone know the history of the YO-YO? Anyone? Well then, please read about this great, great toy that goes up and down! Yipee!

Normally, I'd have something a bit more entertaining to say, but I am so wiped from the first day of the Big Apple Con I can barely spell right, much less say something charming on this blog.

Okay, I'm off to bed. Tired. Two more days and I get to rest again until BOSTON COMIC CON.

Zzzz.....

VAMPIRELLA_commission

I'm at the BIG APPLE COMIC CON tomorrow and you can find me at Artist's Alley table 3010. Again, please help out my plight by dropping by and maybe getting a sketchbook or two. Or maybe even a commission!

Until then, here's Vampirella complete with Dracula in the background! Hooray!

WONDER WOMAN_commission

My lack of recent posts is due to the fact that I am doing conventions back to back to back. Please refer to an earlier post to see which conventions I'm attending this month. I've been drawing, obviously - but I just haven't been able to post anything up.

So, in order to remedy that, here's a Wonder Woman I did at this past Baltimore Comic Con; a show which was fun as all get out and I even got a chance to meet some really good people to boot! I met one person in specific that just blew my socks off and I'll go into detail about them once I have free time (read: you'll never read about it because I never have free time).

Anyhoo, this image is sort of an homage to the WONDER WOMAN #1 cover from way back when. Sort of. Yes, yes... I know it's not as good as the original, but that's for a whole other post all together. For now, I just wan to tell you guys that STEPHANE ROUX and I will be appearing at JIM HANLEY'S UNIVERSE in Manhattan today between the hours of 6-8PM. Please click on the link for more information.

And if that wasn't enough, we are also going to be appearing at this year's BIG APPLE COMIC CON this upcoming weekend. If you can spare the time, please come to the show and drop by our table. We have goodies that will tantalize your eyes and feed your soul. Well, maybe. But... BUT... we will have MR. JONBOY MEYERS in tow as an unscheduled guest traveling with the SCHENGEN TOUR 2009! Won't you make him feel at home by visiting our table(s)?

Thanks in advance, everyone. Have a great week and I hope to see some of you soon.

SPIRAL_commission

Today is Sunday, last day of the LONG BEACH COMIC CON. I've been very fatigued and haven't slept well. Technically, my body thinks convention season has since passed and that it doesn't have to worry about the crazy hours I keep when I have to do a show. "Lies, " says my poor tired bones! Thank goodness that this venue is closer to home.

But soon... oh, soon...

Anyways, here's one of the three commissions I took all weekend. Compare that tally to STEPHANE ROUX's fifty bazillion commissions and you'd think that all I did this convention is fluff off and stare at hot convention babes for three days. And you'd be right. Because I'm scum.

Nah. That's another lie. I'm just tired and talking crazy. Enjoy.


PS - If you've dropped by or will drop by my table this convention, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you as directly as this electronic entry will allow. I appreciate your patronage and support, I am inspired and encouraged by all of your kind words, and I am humbled that you all pay attention to the stupid things I put to paper. Thank you all.