Mike Torrance Presents “The Night the Reindeer Died 2”

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Mike Torrance aka The Krayola Kidd returns with a clever over-sized card that he gifted me. I can compliment Mike enough on the creativity that went into making it, Everything from the fonts to the cast to the fact that it’s “The Night the Reindeer Died 2” emphasis on the 2. I totally love it and can’t thank Mike enough.

You can see more of Mike’s art at The Daily Sketch with The Krayola Kidd and his Deviant Art site. Mike is available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable. Tell him Sly Santa sent ya!


Top 50 Marvel Covers from the Marvel Age

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CBR.com recently posted the results of a poll of fans to determine the Top 50 Most Memorable Comic Covers of the Marvel Age. Congratulations to my buddies, Mike Zeck and John Beatty for placing three covers in the top 50. 

Using just the covers from the poll here is my top ten: 

  • 10. Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars #1  (Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty)
  • 9.  Amazing Spider-Man #33  (Art by Steve Ditko)
  • 8.  Daredevil #181  (Art by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson)
  • 7.  Amazing Spider-Man #39  (Art by John Romita)
  • 6.  Wolverine (mini-series) #1  (Art by Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein)
  • 5.  Captain America Annual #8  (Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty)
  • 4.  The Incredible Hulk Special #1  (Art by Jim Steranko with a little help from Marie Severin)
  • 3.  Silver Surfer #4  (Art by John Buscema and perhaps Sal Buscema)
  • 2.  Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4  (Art by Jim Steranko)
  • 1.  Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1  (Art by Jim Steranko)

While I don’t think that anyone would argue that they weren’t great covers selected but what about…

Those covers just came to me quickly as I was putting together this post.  What other classic Marvel Age covers did we miss?

Jim, Charles, Junior, Charlie and Shawn

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What a great time I had today.  I woke up early, but since I have the next couple of weeks off, I was able to take my time to leisurely get ready for my trip to Orlando to see my buddies, Jim Ivey [in the middle looking like a thin Santa] and Rob Smith, Jr. [on the left, looking like he’s starting a Santa beard himself].  We were joined by Charles Treadwell, who like Jim and Rob, is also an artist. 

We met at Junior’s Diner and for nearly three hours we had breakfast and a lot of fun.  We shared stories from the past, caught up on what has been happening in our lives, and basically shot the bull.  The food was excellent and the company even better.  Since I drove Jim, it was my duty to get him back home, but not without a trip to Charlie’s Bakery for a box of double-chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies to go with the cigars and lottery tickets that I got him for Christmas.  When we got back to Jim’s it was just in time to see his old buddy, Roy, pull in.  Roy was carrying a bag of books and more for Jim.  Christmas indeed came early for Mr. Ivey.

Shawn Surface had planned to attend the breakfast get-together, but obligations at work forced him to cancel.  Shawn told me to swing by his work if I could because he had a sketch he’d drawn for me.  So after dropping off Jim, I called Shawn, who said to come on by.  I did and things were slow enough that Shawn and I were able to hang out for a bit.  We talked about Shawn’s progress on Kuduman, a new series, Shawn plans to debut in 2012.  Shawn also gifted me with a very cool Stallone as Judge Dredd sketch that I’ll post in the coming weeks.

Finally it was time for me to get back on the road for my drive home.  I was smiling the whole way back.  I can’t remember the last time I had such a relaxed, free-flowing day with friends.


Mike Torrance Hits the Bullseye with Rambo

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Mike Torrance aka The Krayola Kidd shows us his take on Sly as Rambo.

Recently Mike ran a “Black Friday” discount on his sketches and sketchcards. Since I’m a fan of Mike’s art, I naturally jumped on board for several. Mike, as he always does, went above and beyond. Next week I plan to share the present he included. It’s too cool.

Until then, you can see more of Mike’s art at The Daily Sketch with The Krayola Kidd and his Deviant Art site. Mike is available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable.