dark knight... and other stuff

so, one thing about the bosstones performance the other day i forgot to mention was straight outta "spinal tap"... during the final song of the set ("let's face it"...?), the bosstones dropped the banner with their logo on it to reveal a banner of barack obama... or at least, it would've, if one corner of the banner hadn't gotten stuck and hung up, half obscuring obama, no matter how hard the crew tried to pull it loose (and oddly, the up-until-then-very-enthusiastic crowd booed ... pretty loudly. go figure)...

both bands put on great shows (if i had to choose, i'd say i dug the bosstones better, but that's me... but clearly a lot of folks were there to see the dropkicks tear it up ... heck, to a good chunk of the audience the bosstones would be classic rock... ugh)...

and besides that show, it's been work, work work (mj and haps are chugging along) ... oh, and running up to the imax theater north of boston to see the preview of "the dark knight"... wow. i've certainly made no bones about my dislike for plenty of the first movie, but this was in a whole 'nother class. fantastic, brutal, thrilling, chilling, action-packed, poignant, character-driven, perfectly acted... you name it. practically everything was note perfect - the batman, harvey dent, gordon, the joker...i won't spoil anything, but man-o-man, was this the movie i was hoping to see... (and believe me, i wasn't expecting it to be as good as the hype)... and in imax, it was even more intense (not to mention the fact that this imax theater has subwoofers in the seats so you could feel the tumbler roaring down the streets of gotham)...

so, in keeping with the dark knight, here's the second mini-comic for general mills... (after seeing the movie i'm kinda surprised they wanted these as cartoony as they did... )

catching up...

well, figured it's been a while and wanted to post something...

on the work front, issue 2 of spidey loves mary jane is all wrapped up and working hard on issue 3... (in an amusing - to me, anyway- press release about an alternate cover to #1 by adrian alphona - who was the artist originally lined up for this book - i'm a "rising star"... who knew?)

issue 4 of the haps is well underway - issue 3 should hit shops THIS week ...

the dc licensing job i've had lined up for months is all done (phew - not that most folks'll see it... it's a custom justice league (animated style) comic for conedison - a NY power company - to hand out to kids in the NY school system about energy conservation and the like...)

wading my way through commissions (and sketches that didn't get done in charlotte)... here's a canson piece that took some time to get done...



so, besides work, saw hellboy 2 the other night (wow, great looking film... quite a departure from the first, storywise, but a lot of fun... can easily see why guillermo is a perfect fit for the hobbit movie next)...

went to mccoy stadium in pawtucket last night to see the mighty mighty bosstones and the dropkick murphy (great sets... but pretty bad sound for both bands)...

catching up on mad men on dvd in time for the premiere of season 2 later this month...

i'm sure there's more, but i've got work to do (clearly!)...

up next, more dark knight min comic stuff!

-c

back home...

okay, so it's been almost a week since coming back from charlotte and i'm finally getting back into my grove (and getting over the convention "ick"). it was a great (albeit bittersweet) weekend for us ... i sold art, sketchbooks and sketches all weekend, todd and i managed to sell more than a few comics and t-shirts... and we got to meet a buncha the board regulars in person for the first time (or in a few cases, find out that folks we've seen at the show for years were posters). we spent quality time with good friends old and new (matt and suzanne christian, mark waid, scott and gino, jeff parker, nick cardy, kelly yates, chris kemple, the case family, karl kesel and myrna... to name a few) - and since our better halves went to the show, we were able to go out together at night and talk and laugh for hours (and the ladies went to get manicures and drinks while we were at the show, so it was a win-win)... we reminisced about 'ringo without getting too maudlin (but his absence was definitely felt all weekend, sometimes like a punch to the gut when you weren't expecting) and managed to get the sketchbook together and raise money for the ASPCA in mike's name (you DO know all about the sketchbook, right? if you don't, check out todd's blog... and while you're there, read about to show in todd's words, too)...

but now i'm home and working hard to get everything done on time, so it's back to work...

-c

just read about michael turner's untimely passing from cancer at the age of 37!... while i can't say i was ever a fan of his work, i did respect the hell out of him as a person for how he managed to fight until the end... and it's a tragedy he died so young. damn.

heroes con 08...

okay, so i'm hard at work getting everything ready for my trip down to charlotte for this year's HEROES CON... a show i've gone to almost every year for the last decade or so (didn't get there the year john was born... thought leaving a 2 week old at home'd be a bit much), it's become a favorite. this year's gonna be different (and not just because todd and i will both be bringing our significant others)... it's the first year without 'ringo. it became just as much of the tradition for todd and i to head down early and spend time with mike, and every year we'd get our tables next to each other and hang out all weekend... as weird as it surely will be, at least we know we'll be able spend time with mike's brother matt, who'll be at mike's usual spot (and i couldn't think of a better guy to be there)... matt's gonna be set up to promote...

the mike wieringo scholarship fund

and without further adieu, here's the press release...

Mike Wieringo Scholarship “The ‘Ringo” Announced

Wieringo’s Friends and Family to Host Special Fundraising Booth at Heroes Con

CHARLOTTE, NC (June 6, 2008) When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator – it lost a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help keep his spirit of generosity alive.

Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the ‘Ringo is designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah College of Art and Design or SCAD. Domestic and international students with have a minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and display a serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The scholarship will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is renewable for up to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet the criteria.

The recipient will be chosen from three finalists determined by the college in a portfolio review by Matt and Suzanne Wieringo, along with a rotating group. The ultimate goal for the ‘Ringo is to raise enough funds so that it can cover a full year’s expenses at SCAD, approximately $30,000.

Toward this end, a table staffed by Mike’s family and friends will be set up in his traditional spot in Artists Alley at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC. Heroes was a big part of Mike's life and career, and was the industry event he most looked forward to every year.

The table will raise funds through donations and the sale of remaining copies of Mike’s sketchbooks, copies of comics featuring Mike's work, selected pieces of Mike's original artwork, sketches by Mike's friends in the industry who will be appearing at the booth, and items donated by other comic professionals. Pros appearing include Jeff Parker, Rich Faber, Craig Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Mark Waid, Richard Case and more to be announced.

“SCAD is one of the most impressive programs in the world to focus on the medium of comics,” says Jeff Parker, creator of The Interman and Agents of Atlas, who worked with Mike at Artamus Studios. “I'm pretty sure Mike would have loved to have attended such a place in his student days. It would make an excellent legacy for him if we can grow the Ringo scholarship into a launch pad for the future greats of comics.”

Despite his success on such books as The Flash, Fantastic Four and his own creator-owned Tellos, Mike Wieringo never forgot what it was like to be a struggling creator. For many up-and-comers, Mike served as a mentor and friendly voice, whether it was providing free covers, advice, or just the encouragement to keep going.

With your help, the Mike Wieringo Scholarship can continue to grow and help a new generation of creators get the training and connections they need to start their careers. Mike’s talent, enthusiasm and generosity inspired many in the comics industry to be their best as both creators and as human beings. With your help, Mike will continue to be an inspiration for creators in decades to come.


look forward to seeing folks there!
-c

okay, so while i'm here, i might as well show some art right? here's the original line art for the scarecrow cover i showed last time... (to keep with the cover design of the other two, i added a second element behind the main character... but after a few tweaks, it was decided that a screaming-nasty-smoke-bat-monster might be too much for a box of cereal...)

dark knight!

okay, so word on the street is that the custom comics i did to tie into the new batman movie are now showing up in general mills cereals (bill found his in cookie crisp!)...

i did these way back in the end of last year and kinda forgot about'm since i couldn't show'm to anybody ... there's three different mini-comics (cute at only 4"x4" with 4 pages of story)... i did all three covers and the stories in 2 (my man pop mhan did the third and the activity page art)...

found these scans on-line.. here's the first one and the cover...






-c

(well underway on spidey-mj 2, working on haps 4... and another custom job for dc... sleep? what's that? luckily, i'll be able to get some sleep in charlotte, right? )

spidey loves mj!

okay, so i'm hard at work on issue 2 of spidey loves mary jane and just wrapped issue 3 of the haps (our lead story is 14 pages - we meant to go 12, but it just wouldn't stop! - with 2 killer back-up stories by tad stones and new proud poppa kelly yates!) ...

now that it's listed in previews, i guess it's real... "spidey loves mary jane" starts august 6! the stories by comics legend terry frakkin' moore are a LOT of fun (and it's cool that while it's a marvel comic and it's spider-man!, it's not all superheros and fights... spidey is just a supporting character in tmj's teenage world)... here's the colored page that ran in previews... (again, i'm going with a fun, bouncy open animated style 'cause it fits the feel of the story... and the colorist just knocked it outta the park)...



-c
can't believe we've gotta wait until next year for more lost! (what a great finale...)

luchadore!

okay, joe, here's a new update for ya...

so, todd and i got our copies of haps #2 when we got back from seattle (a GREAT show out west... sold a lot of books, did a lot of sketching, talked with a lot of perhapa-fans, and had a great dinner at ruth chris' with jeff parker, matt maxwell, karl kessel, and todd... and i even managed to get out and see speed racer - despite the critical thrashing it's gotten, i really enjoyed it- fun, fast, colorful... and even a positive message) and the book looks great (oh, poor karl).

working hard on wrapping up issue of the haps 3 and issue 2 of spider-man loves mary-jane... and hopefully getting to a few of the commissions waiting patiently.

not much to show, but realized i still haven't shown these spot illos for wwe kids magazine (for an article "is you teacher a luchadore?") a fun job.




okay, gotta go do some yardwork!
-c

my how time flies!

been almost a month with no posts... you'd think i've been busy or something...

so, as y'all know, todd and i are hard at work on the just relaunched perhapanauts over at image... response has been great so far (we sold out of all the books we brought to the nyc convention last month and had folks clamoring for more), issue 2 is at the printer, 3 is well underway...

but besides all the work going into the production of the 'haps, i've also been spending just as much time on my other project, which was announced at that nyc show as well... i'm drawing (pencils and inks) the new, terry moore scripted run on spider-man loves mary jane! issue 1 is gonna be wrapped before i head to seattle for the emerald city convention this weekend... and then straight onto number 2 (all the while keeping the 'haps moving along as well)...

commissions are still in the queue and hope to get to the last few waiting real soon.

i did get the chance to run out and see iron man the other night... loved it. thought it hit all the right notes and the cast was great. easily one of the best superhero movies i've seen.

as for tv, can't believe we're in the home stretch for the "regular" season - battlestar galactica and lost have REALLY gotten a sense of urgency now that there's a definite end planned -which makes for great tv. still enjoying the nbc comedy block (milf island on 30 rock? priceless.)

okay, back to work!
-c

oh, since you've been so patient, here's some new art... the "not quie final but you get the idea" cover to haps 5...

back to the future...

okay, so after that brief look back at some early stuff (there's more on the way... some old samples, early jobs... maybe even pogs... you name it!), it's back to a recent commission... of phantom girl from the legion of super-heroes... (not quite the animated style... but my take on the design)...



-c

the saturday morning comic!

okay, after mentioning it the other day, i went and dug out a copy of "the saturday morning comic" from marvel back in 1996 (and my first published comics work... so that THAT, impulse!)...



created as a tie-in to the "altoonative rock for cartoon lovers" cd (their words, not mine), the comic follows the record producer and a "john smith" from the future, and the duo track down all the acts on the cd (matthew sweet, liz phair, the ramones, the violent femmes, helmet, butthole surfers, reverend horton heat, collective soul and more) and have'm record covers of saturday morning cartoon theme songs before some bad guys from the future... do something (didn't really re-read it, just flipped through it quickly)... so i can't say much about the story, but it did have some great fun art from tim sale, steve lightle, trevor von eden, steve leialoah, pat oliffe, tom morgan, rick parker, tony salmons, rick geary, chris bachalo, kieron dwyer, neil volkes, chris moeller, michael avon oeming, steve yeowell, klaus janson, steve purcell, bob fingerman, mike zeck ...and me. (kinda crazy all the talent dana moreshead lined up for this book... and then threw me in. go figure... but thanks again, dana!)

so, without further rambling, here ya go...



-c

when pulling out this page, i found a SLEW of old sample pages and tryouts from way back... might haveta scan'm and post'm from time to time.

x-men: first class 10

okay, so a quick one to let you folks know that my first "real" marvel comic came out this week*... i'm pleased with how it turned out (and clearly my editors were too, since it led to my new gig)... and the colors by emily warren are just beautiful (always funny to see folks other than rico color my stuff these days... luckily, i've worked with talented folks like lee louridge, rico and giulia brusco... and now emily)... and of course, jeff parker's story is pretty swell, too. so go buy a copy.. or two.



-c

*my first published work at marvel was WAY back before impulse - 1 page in a comic based on a cd called saturday morning hits (covers of cartoon theme songs by alterna-folks like the reverend horton heat, liz phair, matthew sweet, helmet and more)... my page was for fat albert and the cosby kids, covered by a band called dig... and again, i have a big thanks to dana moreshead for that one (besides an unknown like me, there was some crazy talent involved - cover by bill sienkewicz, pages by chris bachalo, tim sale and a bunch more... gotta dig out my copy)

still drawing away...

so, x-men first class comes out this week... had a great time working with our pal, uber-talented (and omni-present these days) writer jeff parker... with any luck we can find time to do more together in the future... but can't imagine taking on any more work for the time being... yikes, i'm busy!

over on todd's blog we'll be posting about some of the promotional perhapa-onslaught we're planning for the convention season (only 25 or so days until the nyc show?!)...

in the meantime, here's another commission i finished recently... (unfortunately, this is one of those that fell through the cracks since last heroes... d'oh! sorry this one took so long...)



-c

the shadow knows...

okay, as you can guess, things've been just crazy busy... and there's no sign of letting up for the foreseeable future (not that that's a bad thing)...

besides all the work going into the extra long story in the 'haps annual (now out), the x-men: first class 10 (out next month) getting the final, lettered issue 1 of the haps off to image last week, jumping onto issue 2, working on a special 5 page 'haps story - and cover- for an image compilation/sampler (more on that later), t-shirt stuff and promo stuff for the upcoming convention season, and gearing up for a 5 issue series over at marvel (pencils and inks! more on that later, too)... i've managed to get to a few commissions...

so, here's the shadow.



whew, i'm tired just thinking about it all. but i've got more work to do tonight...
-c

a quick hellboy

so, this one's for nick, who was kind enough to snag me one of the hellboy prints mike mignola had for sale at wondercon last weekend..



other random bits -
-feedback has been pretty good on the 'haps annual (now at image!) so far... and i think folks'll dig the on-going as well...

-speaking of which, i'm working hard on wrapping up issue 1 and and jumping onto 2 (and a few other 'haps things we'll announce when the time is right)

-got a few fun discussions going about dream cover artists and possible drawing jam over at the 'haps board

-starting to line up some great guest cover and/or back up story artists for upcoming issues (who may or may not be on that list)

-a few folks had asked... the harry potter/ron/hermoine canson pieces are up for sale (as a set) over at serendipity art sales (almost done listening to the deathly hallows - think voldemort is gonna have to be next in the series of sketches) ... oh, and the x-men-first class art'll be up there when the book is released next month!

-on a COMPLETELY unrelated note, i'm still appalled by a telemarker, who called (on a sunday afternoon, no less) to get me to renew a magazine subscription... when i politely interrupted and told her i still had over TWO YEARS on my current subscription, she snidely snapped "well, thanks for at least listening to what i had to say" ... before hanging up... when did this become acceptable? no wonder i don't answer out of area" calls any more... sheesh.

okay, back to work before i haveta pick up the boy at school!

done!

finished up the inks on the x-men first class gig earlier today... and to celebrate, here's a sneak...



lessee, besides that... oh, yeah...

the perhapanauts annual is out on stands! (and some stores might have even ordered enough copies to have an extra on the shelf...) still haven't seen in in person yet (my local shop DID order 10 copies, but diamond figured they'd rather have 10 extra copies of rex mundi instead...d'oh!)


didn't pick up much at the shop, just ed's hulk book and the avengers classic with that SWEET art adams wonder man cover. (and be sure to check back here or todd's blog on friday to see art's AMAZING cover for 'haps 1... still can't believe how amazing it is... ) i was telling todd earlier today that avengers 9 was the first "expensive" back issue i ever bought growing up (and come to think out it, probably the only one). back in the day, my pal fred and i would have our excursions to ac bookworld in fall river, ma... and since we needed a ride to get there, it was a big deal... we'd save up to pick up books (he was the x-men/alpha flight guy, i was always leaning towards the avengers)... being a big beast/wonder man fan, i was dying to read his first appearance (having read the stuff where he came back), so i saved up the then outrageous amount of $20 to buy it...


well, back to the haps!

-c

work. work. work.

well, should have issue 10 of x-men: first class all inked up by next week (woohoo! i'm pretty excited about this book... hope you folks dig it), and work on the 'haps keeps chugging along as well (and i'm REALLY excited about this book, too... the annual hits stands in a few short weeks).

did manage to get a fun commission off the list ... a redo of the cover to fantastic four 1...



over at the 'haps message board, i started a post about favorite artists... instead of repeating myself here, head on over and chime in, if you're inclined...

back to inks (but man o man, lost was good tonight, eh?)
-c

new 'haps website is live!

just to let folks know that our new and (most definitely) improved PERHAPANAUTS website is live.

check it out, will ya...

-c

two posts in one week?!

crazy, i know...

so another quick one... todd and i are pretty darn excited about our ALL NEW fancy pants website, which goes live on monday, in anticipation of our image relaunch in february...!

our man kieran chapman put a lot of time into making it a great site with lots to see (and poke around and find)... so head over on monday and check it out.

and in honor of our new home at image, we're doing new butt cards, so make sure to get one when you see us at a convention this year...



well, back to work...

-c

cruising right along....

so, work is well underway on issue one of the ON-GOING 'haps series... as well as the x-men first class fill-in (should be starting to ink it later this week!)...

a few freelance jobs have been taking up what little free time i've got left, so i'm gonna keep it brief... still hope to catch cloverfield, got a big kick out of this week's simpsons, about 2//3 through harry potter and the order of the phoenix audio book, finishing up season 4 of the shield on dvd (really holds up well on repeat viewing with all the slowly developing sub-plots and character arcs... but it's ultimately got to end badly for vic on his quest for redemption this final season... right?)... presidential campaigning is already ugly...

and then there's a football game this weekend... should be good.

anywhoo, without much else to say, here's the mock-up for the cover to 'haps #2, out in may (should be in time for the emerald city show!)... one the perks of having your own comic? not only can you put yer name on the cover, but yourselves, too!)



-c

meet the ... gorillaz

okay, another quick one... this is a commission that came down the pike a while ago and i forgot to post it here for your viewing pleasure, faithful readers...





when trying to figure out what to do with them gorillaz, all those early beatles publicity shots just popped into my head ... and i figured what the heck. (oh, and the request asked for skulls, too... hence the patterned suits... which worked out well)... luckily, the buyer dug it, too.

lessee, what else is going on... made sure the haps annual is all turned in to the fine folks at image, hard at work on issue 1 (and the upcoming covers... so don't be surprised if you get a sneak of #2 this week)... x-men first class is cruising along nicely as well...


besides that, working on some fun side stuff (toy design concepts and the like) and a batch of indiana jones sketch cards... whew.

well, i'm sure there's more to write about, but the pats/chargers championship game starts in 5... catch you later.

-c