Category: Comics

Mitch Byrd, Tampa & FX

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I posted the Mitch Byrd sketch I got at MegaCon. Pretty nice, huh?

love Mitch’s art and am surprised we don’t see more of it in comics and on-line. Mitch said he doesn’t do anything with a computer and any of his art on-line was put there by someone else. If you ever get the chance to see Mitch at a show, don’t miss it. His portfolio is amazing. He’s a very humble person and such a talented artist. I hope that my first Mitch Byrd piece is not my last.


Tim Gordon’s Tampa Con is quickly approaching. It’s Sunday, March 22nd from 10am – 4pm. The funny thing is the con is now in Largo. I haven’t been to the new location, but am thinking about making the trip on the 22nd. My wife and mom would like to go down that way to visit a family member and I could be dropped off at the show. LOL. It could work. Hmmmm…. Here’s a link to the show [link] of you planning to attend?


FX is the con that I’m really looking forward to. There are a ton of artists planning to attend. I haven’t been able to talk my buddy, John Beatty, into going so it looks like I’m going to have to do this one solo. The guest list is just too good to pass up. Funds are tight, but I have to work this con in. Here’s the link [link] who’s with me?


Mood: Joy
Listening to: Groove Line by Heat Wave
Reading: Another Life by Andrew Vachss
Watching: Babylon A.D.
Playing: Internet Spades
Eating: Spanish Omelet
Drinking: Vitamin Water

The Rocketeer is Coming Again!

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IDW Publishing recently announced that in October they will release two editions of Dave Stevens’ “The Rocketeer.” Both editions will feature all of Stevens’ Rocketeer material in a single volume [recolored by Laura Martin — the colorist that Stevens handpicked].  The project’s editor, Scott Dunbier said the deluxe edition will be:

“Oversized, about 8 x 12 inches, and loaded with unpublished Dave Stevens Rocketeer art. There will be tons of drawings, sketches, cover roughs—100 pages of them! How’s that for the ultimate Rocketeer collection?”

Pretty good, I’d say.

Dave Johnson & Howard Chaykin Pull No Punches

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It’s no secret that I’m a Dave Johnson fan.  It’s no secret that I’m a Howard Chaykin fan.  Up until today I did not know that Howard Chaykin is a HUGE Dave Johnson fan.  At WonderCon this past weekend Chaykin helped moderate a panel along with and about Dave Johnson.  As you can imagine, it was insightful, funny, informative and pulled no punches.  Here’s a taste from a CBR.com report:

Chaykin: . “Dave is consistently the finest cover designer working in the field today. He finds the bridge between the intellectual and the emotional.”

Johnson {when he was praised and not fired after submitting a radical cover): “I realized I just had to be fearless (when creating a cover).”

Johnson (on his influences): “John Byrne, Michael Golden. Byrne is a total *******, though—I met him once and I vowed never to do that again.” Chaykin chimed in again: “The good thing about Byrne is, as long as he’s alive, you know you never have to be the most despised man in comics.”

The piece by Dave Sikula is really well written and informative.  It goes on to tell how Steranko vindicated Johnson after he was over-ruled by an editor, why it’s tough to be the cover artist for Eduardo Risso, what Byrne, Art Adams and Michael Golden have in common, how Johnson approaches covers and much more.  You can read the whole piece right here.

The Last Days of American Crime

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It was nearly six years ago when I first posted about, the very talented writer and artist, Rick Remender.  It’s funny to note, that even in that very first piece, I was excited to hear about Rick’s proposal for “The Last Days of American Crime.” As the years have rolled by Rick has gone on to write, draw and create some really cool comics [Fear Agent, XXXombies, etc.], but it has always been “The Last Days of American Crime” that I’ve wanted to see.

The great news is the wait is almost over. “The Last Days of American Crime” will debut later this year in a three issue [48 pages each] mini-series with art by Greg Tocchini.

MegaCon Report

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I made it over to MegaCon yesterday. I got to touch base with John Higashi, Hal, Matt Haloub, Andy Smith, John Beatty [with Bob McLeod and Jason Sobel at the tables on either side], Mark Dail, Pat Broderick, Mike Kott, Joe Pekar, Derek Donovan, and Jimmy Sanders. I split the day between hanging out at Beatty’s table [he got me in on a guest pass] and walking the show with Hal. It was a really enjoyable day.

I picked up two pieces for my Stallone collection. Ron Salas did a very nice Rambo headshot [usually it’s Rambo giving someone a headshot and not the other way around] and Mitch Byrd [who I’d wanted to get a piece from for years] did an amazing Jack Carter sketch. I’ll post them soon.

FX is coming up in April. I plan to attend.  Anyone else going?
4 Comments

Mood: Tired
Listening to: Every Time I Move I Lose by LTD
Reading: Another Life by Andrew Vachss
Watching: Medium
Playing: Internet Spades
Eating: Muffin
Drinking: Diet Coke [goes good with the muffin]

~whoisrico Mar 1, 2009 Professional General Artist
Aw man, I’ve never seen Mitch Byrd at a show! I woulda sent you some cash to get me a saucy Batgirl if I was paying attention!

~CJZ Mar 1, 2009
Rico,

I’d been hoping for a piece from him for a couple of years. You would have died to see some of the art he had. His Hellboy piece was amazing. He did a King Kong for a guy that was so cool. He charges twenty bucks for a basic commission. More for pre-done pieces. The highest price I saw was $75. Many of his pre-done sketches were five bucks a piece.

I think he is going to be at FX in April. I plan to attend and will let you know as the date gets closer.

~whoisrico Mar 2, 2009 Professional General Artist
Aw man! 5 bucks?! dang!

~CJZ Mar 2, 2009
Yeah, it was amazing.

MegaCon This Weekend!

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MegaCon starts tomorrow.

I love me some MegaCon.  There’s a ton of guests, including my buddy, John Beatty.  Although I won’t be there tomorrow, I do plan to attend on Saturday.  If you’re there swing by Beatty’s table.  Odds are I’ll be there.  The main reason to swing by though is to check out the really cool sketches John will be kicking out.  Big John is even offering a coupon for a discount on his sketches!

Hope to see you there!

Derek Fridolf’s Rambo

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My buddy, John Beatty turned me on to Derek Fridolf’s artwork.  I was visting John and he handed me Derek’s latest sketchbook.  I was instantly into the art.  I said to John that I bet that Derek could do a pretty cool Stallone.  Beatty laughed and handed me the sketch above.  I was floored.

Derek offers a free headsketch with every sketchbook purchased.  John wanted the sketchbook, but doesn’t collect art.  So he asked Derek to do a Stallone piece that he would give to me.   Derek agreed and created his very cool take on Rambo.  You can check out more of Derek’s work here.  And of course John Beatty can be found here and here.

Thanks to Derek and John.

MegaCon

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MegaCon is quickly approaching. Next weekend in fact. I usually attend for at least two of the three days, but this year it’s just not possible. If things work out the way I hope, I’ll be there all day Saturday. So, I’ll have to pack three days of fun into one. It’s doable… with the proper planning.

It’s a good thing I’m having dinner with my buddy, John Higashi, Thursday night. John is a “convention-sketch-master.” He approaches shows with the same level of preparation as generals getting ready for an offensive. It’s good to learn from the master.

If you’re planning to attend MegaCon, let me know. I’d like to be able to swing by and at least say “hi.”

Mood: Joy
Listening to: 70’s Music
Reading: Another Life by Andrew Vachss
Watching: The Oscars — go Mickey Rourke
Playing: Internet Spades
Eating: Chocolate Muffin
Drinking: Diet Coke [goes good with the muffin]

*johnbeatty Feb 22, 2009
Your good for Saturday…Sunday too, if you want it?

~CJZ Feb 22, 2009
Cool. Sunday may be a possibility. I really appreciate it, brother.

*johnbeatty Feb 22, 2009
I knew you would.

Gulacy Speaks

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When I was in Junior and High School, Paul Gulacy was without a doubt my favorite artist. Gulacy, along with writer, Doug Moench, created a comic book called Master of Kung Fu, which should be required reading for anyone who enjoys graphic stories.  The drawing above is a recreation of one of Paul’s classic splash pages.  You can see the man can still rock it.

The back issues of Master of Kung Fu are worth searching out.   I wish that Marvel would repackage them in a nice hardback, but due to rights issues involving Fu Manchu [really], that probably won’t happen.  Still, the back issues are worth a look and you can always check out Paul’s official site to get your Gulacy fix filled.

Kyle Baker Stays Busy

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Kyle Baker is a busy man.  He’s currently producing, directing, and starring in an animated version of The Bakers for Fox.  He just completed the first Special Forces storyline,  He’s doing a biography of President Obama and is on tap to create two new comic series this year for Image. He also wants to do a new Bakers book to appear with the Fox release.

Whew!  Talk about a workload.  Everything Kyle Baker is involved in, is worth a look.  It shouldn’t be hard to find something he’s involved in.

Big Year for Aliens & Predator

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Chris Warner has been at Dark Horse Comics since their very first issue over twenty years ago.  His Black Cross character was featured in their premiere title.  Warner went on to work on other Dark Horse properties like The American, Predator, Barb Wire and many others.  Occasionally he would even come up with a new Black Cross story.  [It’s way past time for another Black Cross mini-series!]

Eventually Warner moved into an editorial position where he suggested the first Aliens vs Predator mini-series [years before the movie came about].  Chris Warner is now the editor in charge of both the Alien and Predator properties for Dark Horse and boy, does he have plans for them this year!  He tells Newsarama [and you] all about it [if you click here].