Hey everyone. It's been a while since I posted, so it seems like a good time to take a break from work and update all the readers!
Now that I'm done with Top Ten, I've stopped doing paying interior work for now. I've spent about two work weeks on a non-paying Bible story. Four pages, art and colors by me, story by Lowell Francis, and lettering by
Zander Cannon. It'll appear in a graphic novel anthology for the
Semana Negra de Gijón cultural festival in Spain, and in the US it'll be in the fundraising Hero Comics for the
Hero Initiative.
It was fun, but this being tax season, it'll be a relief to get a paycheck again!
Dang. I tried posting images but Blogger won't take them. They're up in
Facebook, and I'll try to get them into
MySpace later.
Beyond that, I'm also doing some covers for
JSA vs. Kobra. In discussions for my next interior project (not with DC or Marvel, very hush hush). And hopefully doing a small creator owned side project, again written by Lowell Francis.
Outside of work, I've started keeping a shopping list of comic books on my iPhone (Steve Jobs has changed my life!). Also, my friend Rose has started working at
Challengers Comics in Chicago, so I now have a shop I'll be starting a pull list at. Here's what I've been reading lately. In alphabetical order, with some comments:
Age of Bronze by Eric Shanower. A perfect comic. Beautifully and elegantly drawn: adjectives I don't usually apply to a realistic style. It gives the illusion of effortlessness. As an artist, I can tell you I've never seen anything so audacious.
The Boys. Not for kids or the easily offended. I got the second collection and was a little disappointed. It feels like the same joke being repeated, like a Lobo comic. If my friends like future issues I'll keep reading it.
Breakfast After Noon by Andi Watson. Still have to buy this one. I love Mr. Watson's work, but I haven't read him in years.
Cloak and Dagger. Hmm, can't buy this because it's been delayed.
Fables. Only comic what gives me withdrawal symptoms. Bill Willingham is the American Alan Moore, but less crazy.
Far Arden. Still have to pick this up. I read some online, but I dislike reading long form comics on a screen. I want the book.
Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas. The story's good, but I'm really reading it for the Adi Granov art.
Jack Staff. Best serial superhero comic published today.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910. LoEG has been great so far, so really looking forward to this.
Literals. DC seems to have dropped me off their comp list. So I'll have to track these down meself. It's Bill Willingham, so I'll do whatever needs be done.
North World. A swords and tee-shirt epic. I have a weakness for simple fast paced story telling. Not deep, but thoughtful and fun. Frankly, it's a world I'd love to live in.
Occasional Superhero. Not a comic, a $10 (cheap!) PDF memoir of a very messed up girl who grew up to become a DC editor. But she got better. Not for kids. Dark, bitter humored and honest. I'm not finished, as I can only handle so much at a time. Note that she changed some names. I'm trying to NOT guess who she's talking about.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Reading the first collection of Tania del Rio's work. Tania and her now husband were some of the star talents in the MCAD class I helped teach. She did good!
Scooter Girl and
Blue Monday. I used to read
Chynna Clugston's work regularly, and hope to start again.
Scott Pilgrim. Best general purpose comic in English.
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. The manager convinced me I should start reading this. Still need to pick it up. I do love the art.
Tiny Titans. It's hard to target kids without being annoying to adults. This comic is a little miracle.
Umbrella Academy. Weird fun. A tour through the absurd and fantastic. I've heard it compared to Hellboy, but it actually reminds me more of Sea Guy.
Vikings. Sold out, gotta track this down.
Watchmensch. I'll order this next time I'm in the shop.
Why I Killed Peter by Alfred & Olivier Ka. Again, I'll need to order this.
Wonderful World of Oz.
Eric Shanower can do no wrong!
