Stan Sakai Benefit Auction!

Stan Sakai is one of my favorite cartoonists. He is not only highly skilled and talented, but a very kind man as well. Unfortunately, his wife Sharon is in poor health. Many artists have stepped up and contributed pieces to a benefit auction organized by CAPS (Comic Art Professional Society) to help the Sakais with their mounting medical expenses. I was glad to contribute this piece (of his signature character Usagi Yojimbo) which is now up for auction on eBay. Be sure to check out the seller’s other items as well. Every bid helps!

Mad Monster Party!

One of my favorite conventions returns to Charlotte, NC this weekend – Mad Monster Party! This is one of the most fun conventions around. There’s so much to do – fantastic vendors, a film fest, and tons of guests. This year you’ll find Elvira, Hulk Hogan, William Shatner, and so many more. I’ll be debuting several new prints and posters there as well. I hope to see you at MMP!

 

Moving Right Along

Thanks for checking out the blog. I’ve been busy making lots of new prints and working on a couple of other projects that I hope to talk about before the year is up. In the mean time, here’s a look at some of the new prints I’ll be offering this year.

Kickstarter Progress!

This is just a quick update for those that helped get our Kickstarter 110% funded. Everything is either at the printers or has been received! The stickers and membership cards are on hand and look great. The bookmark, print, finger puppets, and comic are all currently being printed. The advertised release date of November 2013 is right on track. While I’m waiting on the printers to work their magic, it’s been a lot of fun digging into your commissions. So far I’ve drawn the pencils for: Finn and Jake from ADVENTURE TIME, Bob Dylan, Bilbo Baggins, Hello Kitty, Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Iron Man, and a couple of the GLOOMY ROOMIES.

This past weekend I was a guest artist at the Burke County Public Library in Morganton, NC for their Star Wars Day event. I was outside under a tent next to the fine folks from Timmy Mac’s Comics and Collectibles. For three hours I drew non-stop free sketches. It was fun, and more than a bit draining. I really enjoyed seeing all the kids’ reactions to their sketches. Thanks to Chesley for the invitation.

Next stop: Comic Fest at Richard’s Comics and Collectables on October 26!

Thank You, Baltimore!

This was my third year exhibiting at the Baltimore Comic-Con. This show is always fantastic and keeps the emphasis on comics. You don’t find many actors and video game companies at BCC. It’s all about the comics and artists.

This year’s show was outstanding. The crowds were large and even though there were many more artists exhibiting than in the past, I still managed to do well. This was also the first show to debut my newest prints of Walter White (Breaking Bad) and a Minion (Despicable Me). Both got a great response from the crowd. The Minion was even the overall best-selling print of the show! I did a few commissions which are always fun. I drew my first Loki (THE AVENGERS), Mal from FIREFLY, as well as my first ink and watercolor DR. WHO.

This was the first show where I used my new vertical banner. I spent a lot of time looking at various options for banners and ultimately went with a blank, black fabric, velcro-acceptable one. It was a little more expensive, but it allows me to totally change the banner’s images from show to show if I so desire. I also am now using a  tabletop spinner rack as well.

As a comics fan, I knew going into the show that there were a few personal goals I hoped to achieve.  Joe Hill – easily one of my favorite short-story writers – has grown into a comics superstar with his creation of LOCKE & KEY among others. He was only signing for about an hour and half, and the line was huge. There was no way that I could leave the table for that long – even with someone else there to man it. A comics-retailer friend managed to get me a quick moment with Hill without having to stay in line. I had Joe sign my copy of his first comics work – Cemetery Dance’s GRAVE TALES. He also seemed to really like his Alpha-Sketch portrait I gave him.

On Sunday, there was a massive signing for the new Dynamite comic book called CRYPTOZOIC MAN by Walt Flanagan and Bryan Johnson. They, along with Ming Chen and Mike Zapcic, were there to meet and greet the fans as well as film an episode of AMC’S COMIC BOOK MEN. I got to meet them all briefly and was grateful for their reception of my art.

While the whole weekend was wonderful, the true highlight involved a certain samurai rabbit and his creator.  I’m thrilled to say that my art was chosen for inclusion in the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook! The theme this year was a celebration of the upcoming 30th anniversary of USAGI YOJIMBO. There were under 40 artists whose work was included in the hardback book. Stan Sakai – the creator of USAGI YOJIMBO, and a true cartoonist’s cartoonist – has always been a huge influence for me. His comics manage to be fun and interesting every time they leave the gate. Stan does it all – writing, drawing, lettering, and even occasionally coloring. He is a machine while keeping a human touch in all of his work. This was my first time meeting him. He was just as graceful and kind in person as he appears online and through his work. He even gave me a marvelous full-figure Usagi sketch inside of my copy of the book. This was truly one of the best artistic experiences I’ve had so far. I can’t thank Stan and the Baltimore Comic-Con staff (especially Marc Nathan, Brad Tree, and Thom Zahler) enough.

Next year, the Baltimore Comic-Con becomes a three-day show. If you’re into comics, I can’t think of a better show to try.

Next stop: Asheville Comic Expo on September 21!

Baltimore Comic-Con!

This weekend, I’ll be returning to one of my favorite comic book shows – the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’ll be debuting a few new Alpha-Sketch prints (like the Walter White and Minion seen below) and taking a limited number of commissions. Stop by table A-349 and say “hi.”

Kickstarter – 110% Funded!

Thanks so much to everyone that backed my Kickstarter. I’m happy to report that it was funded at 110%. All rewards should ship by November. I’m excited to get the new book in your hands!

Last 5 Days of the Kickstarter!

My new Kickstarter comic book project – OPEN MIC NIGHTMARE – is down to the final five days! If we can meet the funding goal by Friday afternoon, the book will be published, and backers will receive lots of fun rewards. We’re currently at 64% funded, and I’m very thankful for the support the backers have shown. Besides the book itself, there are lots of rewards to choose from like original art pages, custom commissions, an exclusive print, stickers, bookmarks, finger puppets, and more. If you have a moment, visit the project here and see if it’s something you can get behind. Thanks!

My New Book is on Kickstarter!

My new all-ages comic book – OPEN MIC NIGHTMARE – is on Kickstarter. If you’re interested in getting a copy and some of the fun rewards like original art, finger puppets, sketch cards, prints, stickers, bookmarks, and more, check it out! This is a one-shot comic, so you’re getting the whole story. If you’ve never used KICKSTARTER, it’s simple and secure. Check-out is handled through your Amazon.com account. Thanks!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/52273497/open-mic-nightmare-a-comic-book

Monstercon!

I’ll be keeping it local this Friday through Sunday with Monstercon! It’s pop culture extravaganza being hosted at Furman University’s Timmons Arena. In addition to vendors, artists, and authors there will be several notable celebrities like David Prowse (Darth Vader), Chris Sarandon (Jack Skellington), Alex Vincent (Child’s Play), and several folks from THE WALKING DEAD. 

I’ll be a guest of the Richard’s Comics and Collectables mega-booth along with Van Jensen (Pinocchio Vampire Slayer, Green Lantern Corps) and J Chris Campbell (Wide Awake Press, Neatobots….and the promo images on this page). 

Hope to see you there!