Category: Art

Killer of Demons Kills

Posted on by

The Pitch: “Frailty” plus a sense of humor meets comic books as presented by writer Christopher Yost and artist Scott Wegner.

The Overview: Dave Sloan wakes up to see actual demons from hell are living among us.  Only Dave can see them.  Well, that‘s not quite true.  The little heavenly cherub angel can see ’em and, between puffs on his cigar,  is telling Dave to kill them all.

The Good:  Wegner’s art works really well with Yost’s story.  Demons and humans, seen through Dave’s eyes as they go about their daily activities.  The ad for “Old Scratch.” The last page.

The Bad: What happens if you look like a demon to Dave.

The Ugly: The second issue isn’t available NOW.

The Summary:  Killer of Demons is a lot of fun.  Yost and Wegner have created a winner!

Mike Torrance, FX w/ Beatty & Killer of Demons

Posted on by

Today I posted a sketch that I got from Mike Torrance back in 2007.  Mike, Jason Walker and Gary McKee had joined together to create a sketchbook and they were offering free head sketches to anyone who purchased one.  Talk about a great deal!

The FX Convention is a week closer.  Man, I am so looking forward to the down time.  It’ll be great to hang with my bro, John Beatty.  He’s a blast to be around — you never know what he’s going to say or do — and he’ll be sketching too.  John has created his own Big Beatty Stimulus Bucks Coupon which gives fans a discount on any art purchased from him.  If you’re going to be at FX, drop me a line.

Anyone reading Killer of Demons by Christopher Yost and Scott Wegener?  It’s a lot of fun and even better than I thought it would be… and I thought it would rock.

2 Comments
:iconjohnbeatty:
Mood: Optimism*johnbeatty Mar 29, 2009

I’ll be watching you at the FX-Show, too! My eyes are always on you…:eyepopping:

-John

Reply

:iconcjz:
Mood: Joy~CJZ Mar 29, 2009

LOL!… Remember the quote: “If you can see me, it means I can see you. If you can’t see me it means I could be about to attack!”

Oh, sorry… that’s not me the quote is about, it’s Chuck Norris!

We’re going to have fun at the show, Mr. Beatty!

– Craig

Reply

  • Mood:  Joy
  • Listening to: My Life by Billy Joel
  • Reading: Batista Unleashed by Batista
  • Watching: Hell’s Kitchen
  • Playing: Fast and Loose
  • Eating: Salsa, Ham & Cheese Omlette
  • Drinking: Diet Coke

Are You Ready for Red?

Posted on by

I’ve been singing the praises of the Warren Ellis/Cully Hamner mini-series for years.  It’s got a cool story and great art by Cully.  Red has even been optioned for the big screeen.

So why am I writing about Red today you ask? (And I’m glad that you did.)  Because on June 9th, for the first time ever, it will be released as a standalone graphic novel!  It will also include the Warren Ellis’ script to the first issue and never-before seen development art by Cully!  You can pre-order your copy by clicking here.

Jason Walker, Frank Miller, Watchmen & FX

Posted on by

I got the Jason Walker quick sketch that I posted today, two years ago at an Orlando Con. Jason, Gary McKee and Mike Torrence had joined together to do a sketchbook. All three were giving free head sketches to anyone who picked up a copy. Since I consider all three guys friends (and I dig their art), of course I was down for a copy. I’ll post Gary and Mike’s quick sketches soon.

Anyone here caught any of the History Channel’s new series, BC Battles? It’s really well done, but Frank Miller should be getting a kickback on every episode. Not only is the action made to look like scenes from the movie “300” but the type face on logos and any lettering looks just like Miller’s from the comic. Well, we all know what they say about homage and all that.

I’m a bit surprised at how fast “Watchmen” dropped at the box office. I liked the movie a lot. Of course, I’m a comic fan and don’t think that the graphic novel is the “be-all, end-all,” so I’m probably the perfect audience for the film. Still, I thought it would do better…

I’m really looking forward to the FX show. Beatty and I always have a blast and the guest list is really packed. If you’re planning to be there, post a comment and let me know.

Mood: Glad

Listening to: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love by Barry White

Reading: Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry

Watching: BC Battles on the History Channel

Playing: Catch-up

Eating: Salsa & Cheese Omlette

Drinking: Diet Coke

The Goon Vs. Dethklok

Posted on by

The one genre of music that I’m not much into is metal.  That might mean that I’ll get a bit more joy out of seeing Eric Powell’s The Goon kick a bit of metalhead butt in the one-shot called, appropriately enough, “The Goon Vs. Dethklok.” It’ll be written and drawn by Eric Powell and should hit local comic shops in July.  You can get a sneak peak of the full cover and a see an exclusive MTV promo for “The Goon Vs. Dethklok” by clicking here.

FX International – Join Beatty & Zablo for a Funny Photo

Posted on by

That’s me and John Beatty back in 1991.  Although it looks like we’re either Siamese twins or getting ready to cut a WWE promo, we’re actually fooling around at a comic book show.   John and I have been attending comic book conventions since we were in high school [a few years before he became a professional funny book tracer] and we’re still doing it.  Guess [Hope] we’ll never grow up.

John will be a guest at FX International next month.  He’ll be there with a ton of other comic book artists, movie and tv celebs and thousands of fans.  If you happen to be one of the above and are going to the show, swing by and say, “Hi!”  Who knows, maybe you can join us for a funny photo.

Ron Salas’ Rambo

Posted on by

I’m a Ron Salas fan.  He’s an extremely humble and talented artist.  I try to get something from him as often as possible.  He’d already done a Jack Carter and Rocky for me.  So when I saw Ron at MegaCon, I asked for a Rambo sketch.  Ron created my favorite piece from him so far!

You can check out Ron Salas’ work here and here.

Ron Salas, Cons & Jesus Antonio

Posted on by

Today I posted the Ron Salas Rambo sketch I picked up at MegaCon.  It’s my third piece from Ron and hopefully not my last.

The bad news is it looks unlikely that I’ll attend TampaCon this month. The great news is Big John Beatty is now a guest at FX.   I’m really psyched about this.  John and I have a blast hanging out at his table, seeing old friends, making new ones and generally having all kinds of fun.  He’ll be sketching and I’ll be attempting to get a few new additions to my Stallone sketch collection.  Good times.

I’ve also got two sketch commissions lined up with Jesus Antonio. Jesus is currently trying to raise some cash to help his mother with some doctor bills.  Check his art out and if you like what you see [I know you’ll like his prices!], order a commission or two for yourself.  You’ll be happy, Jesus Antonio will be happy, his mother will be happy, and the doctor will be happy.  Heck, even I’ll be happy.  How often does something like that happen?

  • Mood: Happy
  • Listening to: Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
  • Reading: The Hardcore Diaries by Mick Foley
  • Watching: Gangland on A&E
  • Playing: Internet Spades
  • Eating: Chicken Finger Sandwich
  • Drinking: Water

 

Mitch Byrd, Tampa & FX

Posted on by

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!

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.