Blog
Thursday May 31st 2012, 8:25 pm
Elation! The early part of the day. Super-aggravation the second half. Stretched to opposite extremes, I’m sure to keep me balanced, the universe’s way of attempting to keep my head facing forward. Actually its doing the reverse, its made me feel as if I’m in a whirlwind of up and down. I appreciated the good news today that bolsters my self ego. But to keep it all in check, this batch of paper that I’ve fretted over in a prior post is surely wanting to do me in. It turns out that trying to use traditional ink washes will not work on this crud, at all. This is disastrous as I tend to use a lot of washes. I’m at a loss on what to do. I had thought I could work my way through this current order of paper hoping its a fluke, a funky batch. The bad results is making me have to spend a whole bunch of time that I really don’t have just to try to save the pages, two so far from this batch that I needed washes on. So while I’m thoroughly happy with the awards sent my way (Yay me), I wanted to punch something about this damn paper (Nay me).
Pulled
May 30th 2012
Thursday May 31st 2012, 3:09 pm
Who is honoring me now?!
In all seriousness, I’m proud to say I’ve garnered a National Cartoonist Society Reuben Award for my work on Batwoman. Its great to get this kind of acknowledgement for my efforts from an organization a little bit outside of the usual parameters of the comics industry, so I thank them very much. Also I’ve garnered two 2012 british Eagle Awards as well, Best Penciler, and Best Cover 2011 (Batwoman #1). The Eagles are a long standing award group for over 30 years, so I thank them and all who voted.
But I have to say the work achieved comes from my partnerships as well. Comics are a team effort in most cases. So these awards I feel are really for everyone.
Wednesday May 30th 2012, 1:53 pm
Its unbearably dark, like the gloom is thick as ink. I find myself in a very strange vehicle, not quite a car and not quite a motorcycle, but yet it reminds me of both. With me are two strange women and we are racing down what appears to be a wide street, but its all flat blacks with graphic pops of white and grey. Its almost as if there is little dimensionality or depth to what I’m seeing. This is unlike any reality I’ve seen before.
The women next to me are almost identical, but I have the impression that they are not twins, and for a reason unknown I’m helping them desperately elude some unquantified threat. Both are fair skinned but with a sheen to their complexions, almost like white porcelain with the slightest hint of rosiness to their cheeks, they don’t seem quite human. There is a softness in the shapes of their faces, smooth curves in a classical sense, subtly alluring and elegant. They both have black form-fitting clothing, nothing distinct to the design. And both have short black bob hair cuts, that twirl loosely in the airstream of our escape route. The most peculiar thing though, is that one seems slightly smaller than the other, sitting in her double’s lap hugging cloistered like a child and referred to as a Familiar. Unmoving, she has a look of deep sadness on her fine simplistic features. Her eyes are closed and her lids are painted coal. I look forward again. White graphic street lamps against flat graphic black whiz by from side to side as we race away.
We are being pursued by some juggernaut of a being on a large heavy industrial motorbike machine, thick treaded tires, gears turn and clink and belts shimmer, it roars from hell itself. He’s skirched to a halt, and he half stands firmly, all black with heavy leathers and armor, a gleaming black helmet that sits shaped close to his head. His face covered with a visor, like a pilots mask of black glass. I feel like he’s twenty feet tall, looming over us. But I know this isn’t right, as he’s actually a good distance away, but yet feels so much bigger than all around us. Then, without verbal expression, the oppressive figure rapidly lifts some form of weapon from a large case on one side, like a portable black bazooka canon, its paint flecked and chipped. He raises it up to only shoulder high like a rifle. Fiery smoke wafts from the tail pipes of his insipid archaic bike-machine, revving like a beast, it spews crackles of sparks. He fires.
We’re rocked with sudden ferocity as the discharged explosive pummels into us. I’m flung mightily into the air, hot of orange and red fire, it singes my lungs. Time seems to stand still for a moment as my eyes catch every piece of minuscule debris and giant ripped metal caught up in this plume of death with me. I glimpse toward the two identical women, they too are being flung by the force of the blast. But they seem to be pushed through the air together, moving in the same direction. Its as if they are inseparably linked by an unseen tether of clinging energy that pulls one after the other. The hot orange glow illuminates their faces, it would be beautiful if not for the dire meaning of our circumstance.
Everything still caught in slow time, my sight pushes in close onto one of the women, her delicate face seems calm as she sadly pleads, “Help us, please. Help Us. Save My Familiar.”
Sleeping Visions From Another Dimension 5
May 30th 2012
Tuesday May 29th 2012, 9:33 pm
Looking through the playlists of music as I feed the new voodoo machine I can’t help but notice the patterns of likes that I have. I tend to gravitate to moody darker things, always have since a child. I used to have these old story vinyl records, these were singles that basically told a story with music accompanied. I distinctly remember my 5 year old self playing one in particular over and over again. I don’t remember what it was called but it had all of this gothic sounding imagery featuring a masked dark horse riding phantom, I remember there being lots of overly dramatic organ music with bells, thunderstorms and wind, very eerie and I loved it. And it seems my musical and visual tastes haven’t changed much since that little boy sitting in his room alone listening to creepy story records on his little red and white portable record player. Although my likes have matured and developed to have wide variety and quirkiness, what speaks to me the most is moodier stuff. I’ll never forget the first time I played a Sisters Of Mercy record, especially their early stuff like The Reptile House e.p., probably one of the darkest records ever made. Or The Cure’s Pornography, that record is right up there to be one of the darkest sounding, the entire second half just goes darker and darker until the very end feels like you’re in a pit a mile beneath the surface of the earth. Or the heavy murky electric metaphysical sounds of Fields Of The Nephilim, they literally use magick in the working of the song writing, talking about some very esoteric subjects but presented in a very vigorous manner. Even Blondie’s music, my favorite tunes are the darker undercurrent tracks. I find that some of the best new music that I like is dark stuff, like Those Poor Bastards for example. I could go on and on, name band after band, and most of them would have something about them considered at the very least, moody. The whole thing has me curious as to what we like and dislike, where it all comes from. Because as I know for myself, there was nothing in my very earliest childhood that would have leant toward being drawn to darker music and images, it just was there from my earliest memories. Which leads me to believe that some things we are attracted to we are born with, that it can go deeper than anything environmental, though that too has impact over time.
Yeah I’m A Bit Morose
May 29th 2012
Monday May 28th 2012, 8:58 pm
Daintily measured, rectangular in shape. Wrapped in yellow-gold with sharp red and vibrant blue accents that are the signature colors. Delicately untwisting the waxy paper ends, crinkles of the wrinkles as they’re pulled upon. With an almost sticky snappy sound the final unfolding is done to happily reveal the lightly golden nugget inside. The scent is sweet and just a little bit earthy, like a bloom. The subtle tack of its surface grips my fingertips as I gently press it to the center of my tongue. The flavor of this tiny treasure is quite soft at first. As the first bite bears, the denseness is very tough but pleasing, as if to suggest to be truly worthy of the delights it demands a working. Then as the thick chew of it breaks in, easing with each grinding down, a very round nuttiness, hint of vanilla, and savored caramel floods. Just wonderfully one of those simply perfect things.
My Bit O’Honey
May 28th 2012
Sunday May 27th 2012, 10:28 pm
Large, but not overly, standing rigid, mostly taken for granted, expected to always be there providing its function for the home. White surfaced, or at least the parts visible are so. Covered in magnetic stories; images of sex and heroes, exotic travel, funky robots, rocketships, ghouly monsters, shoes, and rock’n’roll, old and new representations of all sorts in numerous shapes and sizes, some squared and others odd, kitschy pop in a wide range of colorful subjects. It can be read and studied for hours, attached with playful discoveries like a miniature fortune teller for example, expelling simplistic tidbits of her trade. Pulsing and humming rhythmically, within it’s heavy doored frame contains the cold and the crisp, packages, cartons, and plastic and icy glass, all waiting to be partaken my eager hungry hands. A whole bountiful galley of tasty satisfactions, sweet, savory, saucy, creamy and crunchy, most any desire cloistered to it drawers and shelves, preserved and ready to treat.
The Refrigerator As Entertainment
May 27th 2012
Sunday May 27th 2012, 12:16 am
Elegantly made patterns of subtle weaves, while others of a more bold nature. Ogling the varieties of rich color and impeccable texture, impressed with the lines, intricate dots, playful plaids, luxurious tiny diamond shapes. The feel of them, touching sharp delicate style, a glorious and coveted self indulgence. There is a classicness, but yet hip and very modern. Easy to see that it could all become quite addicting to have, building a wardrobe repertoire that is purely customized for me.
To Be Designed By Artful Gentlemen
May 26th 2012
Friday May 25th 2012, 8:20 pm
Electro bleeps and blips of retro-cool pulsing rhythms aggressively arranged. Melody so immediately enrapturing while airing a slight sense of cheese, somehow perfectly invoking an otherworldly journey through time and space. Pitching with a grasp of eerie alien drama, the movement of it gets the inner geek excited from the spinning toiling imagination it propels forward. The perfect sounds for stories about the man in the transdimensional blue police call box.
The Oldschool Doctor Who Theme As A Ringtone For My New Digital Pocket Voodoo
May 25th 2012
Thursday May 24th 2012, 10:12 pm
Burnt blindly bleary. Gritty granulated gruff. Dry dusty dragging. Not wanting to function, every twitch of movement pushes little agitators around, and streaks across the scratchy tenderized tissue. Attempting to focus on whats in front of me, blinking rapidly only to have smears of whatever block my view. Blink some more, gaining temporary sight through swollen lids. Some days allergen irritants attack with fervor, like hundreds of tiny insurgents using sandblasters as weapons on my vision, causing me to feel as if I’m half blind, never good since I’ve severely bad sight to begin with. And really never good when having to draw, the black lines vibrate against the white of the paper, nothing is coherent. But I plough on through, allowing my mind to make educated choices of techniques through the haze, knowing I can always touch it up later when feeling more normal.
My Eyes Tell Me To Fuck Off!
May 24th 2012
Wednesday May 23rd 2012, 11:51 pm
Its a slick thing, not just in how feels and glimmers, but also in its efficiency. Black edged, configured with touches of brilliance, not just in symboled orchestrated chosen colors that know how to catch the eye, but in pure ingenuity as well. We’ve been “devirgined” with our first cuddled pocket brains. Its like getting that shiny new toy, making one giddy with anticipation with playful exuberance. A beautiful object from the apple tree of super gadgetry. I can’t help but fruitfully grin while eagerly holding my new smartypants tech voodoo machine.
Finally Joining The Decade
May 23rd 2012
Tuesday May 22nd 2012, 9:00 pm
Light light everywhere a light. A light here a light there, oh and there too. After our disturbing encounter of stranger danger, plans are afoot for more light. Strategic light, a sensor spot bright, soon to chase away the shadows of the night.
Security Measures
May 22nd 2012
Monday May 21st 2012, 10:34 pm
In a sudden reality distorting moment, our mental comfort was knocked asunder. Strange noises to be heard, almost like a cat hissing, unseen in the bleak light of the early nightfall out our bedroom window to the backyard. With the cast of a poor flashlight, illumination of something out of place. Wait, what is that? A wave of a hand? Cleanly dressed in a off white t-shirt, simple trousers, twenty-something, short trimmed dark hair, laying there somewhat delusional. “Who are you?!” A shrug in response, then a nodding head in loose obliviousness, hazed out and seemingly unconcerned. A call to the police, only to have silently vanished like a ghost, like he was never there at all. Unnerved and eerie. Locked up tight, but sleep was not easy.
The Drunken Man Under Our Window
May 21st 2012
Sunday May 20th 2012, 8:18 pm
A somewhat removed experience, but fascinating all the same. Watching the shadows deepen, some from the tall trees like giant blue grey fingers of unthreatening gloom stretching across our neighborhood to grasp the edges of our mundane homes, as if shifting briefly into another but familiar dimension. But that wasn’t the reality, beautifully balanced like a painter’s vision, swathing between these darkening spaces were moments of iridescent orangey gold light, bringing a new perspective to the ordinary details of parked cars and low-lying shrubbery. The glow cast easily along the cement and paved road, transforming the drab to richer color, giving an almost nostalgic feeling for a time lost to memory without concrete tangibility. All adding a particular quaintness to our patch of town, and the quiet giving way to an atmosphere of otherworldly splendor, but only for a moment. Our primal inner selves knowing this is not how we normally see it here. We wanted to stare up into the sky to look at the mesmerizing event, but forgot to prepare the right tools to do so properly, much too blinding to view without. The moon’s shadow vastly arcing across the globe, the sun blotted enough for it to appear as a ring of fire. Seeing how the altering light affects our meager court was enough. Just how small our place in the universe is, enjoy simple moments.
Eclipsed
May 20th 2012
Saturday May 19th 2012, 11:58 pm
In an act of desperation and for sake of the project, I’ve been charged in chasing down a despot. And it doesn’t do my mind good at all, my brow is furrowed with heaviness of heart, as I come to understand the rigidity of tumultuous tasks ahead. However I feel, I must face the challenge head on, to humble a single power capable of destroying imagined expectations as the never-ending battle rages on. Unforeseen chasms of tedium at every turn. I’ve stood witness to blast marks and burnt out craters where once remnants of creativity were gleaned, now left to a quagmire of fatigue. I have almost drained all my resources, my weapons of fervent energy wane. Along my quest I must acquire newly fashioned tools designed for inner adherence to diligence, there can be no swaying now. There must be another reserve in a as yet to be discovered temple of exuberance to carry me through till the Fall. And I must locate this vestige before the temporal door closes, shifting me to a past fraught with tension, attempting to make up for lost causes.
The Hunt To Capture Mister Time
May 19th 2012
Friday May 18th 2012, 9:58 pm
Gruesomely intriguing, wounded and fetid. Deep gashes that would surely kill any mortal human, but yet this shadowy figure, somewhat teetering stands, thonged grimy feet firmly planted in the sand and dust. Although not of the best will to do so. Protrusions of matted and dangling flesh discolored by soiled blood turned bluish in its decay, a few visible bones sticky with gooey innards. This loathsome creature speaks with a gravely voice saddened by its obvious lingering pain. Claiming to be a god, but one left to this paltry existence I see before me. The hot dry desert wind carries the stench of death and annoyingly attracts ravenous flies. Nearly naked except for the ragged denim cut off shorts that snug its gnarled waistline, and the stained cowboy hat decorated with snakeskin, this rotted deity begs for mercy, for a release, that it states only decapitation will allow. While its black eyes are of anger and hatred, with a hint of yearning for some unknown world to return to. It staggers forward, extraordinarily tall, its looming presence emitting a foreboding as it tells warnings of dooms to come.
Drawing A Grotesque
May 18th 2012
Thursday May 17th 2012, 10:05 pm
Roundish and white, with intricate black scrolling designs arcing across every inch of its surface, sitting silently on the hardwood as if in contemplation. But in reality its presence is to cause the observer to engage thoughtfully, philosophically. A leering gaze defiant of but yet symbolizing death. The ornateness notes the love of crafting this object, the lavish efforts put forth also a form of defiance, and at the same time a form of acceptance. Possibly a celebratory meditation on that we all will face this someday, so live by creating. Eerily captivating, such detail and attention evokes a certain kind of metaphysical dance between the living and the dead. There is always a serious morbid aspect to this folk art but with a strong tinge of humor as well. Jesting the nature of death is another condition of the living, eventually, so why hide it. Día de los Muertos. Its fascinating to me, that with a wink of an eye, death can feel so life affirming through admiration of artful rendering.
Fragile Skulls Of Paper Mache
May 17th 2012
Wednesday May 16th 2012, 9:14 pm
Batwoman issue 9 is out this week. This being Trevor McCarthy’s first issue, I hope you all enjoy his work. And we also have guest cover artist Ben Oliver’s beautiful imagery gracing our book this month as well…
Wednesday May 16th 2012, 9:07 pm
Lush thick stylish lines and strokes, the black of them pops away from the white of the paper appealingly, all set within a beautiful designed hardcover. There is exquisite vitality to this work, a craftsmanship joyous to observe. And you see the artist has joy in doing it as well, it hums with it, like the printed copy somehow captures this essence for us to absorb through our fingers, our eyes, our minds. I’m ecstatic to see the new Grogan book is out, Grogan’s Loyalty, from Oni Press. I’m typically jumbled today, it is wednesday after all. But all for good reasons, today is the antithesis of yesterday for my mood. Though a bit jumbled, the subject of the day is consistent in each moment. My mind seems to be coated, wallpapered in it. Putting final touches on a script with my writing partner. Worked up a new cover sketch. Saw a new page from Trevor McCarthy for next month’s Batwoman. Managed to get some drawing done on a new double page spread for issue 13. All of this seems to say my life some days are quite simple in terms of expectations. Regardless of how many different things need my attention, it all usually remains tied together…
Wrapped Up In Comics
May 16th 2012
Tuesday May 15th 2012, 9:17 pm
Wound up tight and stretched beyond rational thought at the same time. Prickling and twitchy, creases in my brow, the tiny nerves and muscles underneath acting in unison to physically convey the edginess felt within. I’m so pissy today! You ever have times where you just feel edgy and agitated for no apparent explanation? I’m mean, its a perfectly normal day as any other, nothing out of sync, all as expected. But yet there is this underlying current to myself that just feels like annoyance, I’m annoyed and don’t know why. I’m sure I am being annoying. I suppose this can occur like any other random emotional state people can experience without a change of routine, such as some days are happier than others, even though there really isn’t a specific reason. So I guess it makes sense to have times of unwarranted irritability. I’m curious what causes these fluctuations. Is it something unseen in the atmosphere that causes various reactions? Is it bio- chemistry? Reactions in a change of diet? Or is just a little insanity, temporary irrationality as part of the human condition? I know I’ve seen animals behave randomly on an emotional level as well. Living with a pet you can tell these things. Sometimes they can be very happy, other times they can be “get the fuck away from me”. And it all seems somewhat random occasionally. The sad part of it all is the knowing of the negative energy toiling away in my brain, and feeling childish in that its there at all, its ridiculousness. Kinda just sets me off some more. Blah! And I’m certain no one wants to be reading this gibberish either. Go do something that will lighten your mood, I know I need to. Hopefully tomorrow I will actually have something more interesting to write…
A Damned Moody Fucker I Am
May 15th 2012
Monday May 14th 2012, 8:56 pm
A package opening seemingly as any other batch that I’ve had before. Doodling away as I always do, nothing noticeably out of the ordinary. Everything is all set, design construction complete and ready to go. Then as I begin to apply the next stage…Horrible, Shock…”what the hell is this?!” Blotches, overly absorbent causing bleeding, the strokes feather and sponge outward, this is not good at all. I stand up rapidly in frustration, double checking the label of the package, and all is as it should be. So why the hell is the crapness happening? The blacks aren’t black, they cloud even after multiple layers. The grey tones just sit there heavily and really don’t want to blend. Unfortunately the stacks I have are all I have. I’m going to have to fight my way through this for awhile, hoping that its merely a funky batch, and that Strathmore hasn’t changed the formula to my favorite working surface. That would be beyond aggravating, as I scoured and tested for a good year or more to find the type of boards that worked for me the best. Suck!
Bad Art Paper Makes Me Insane
May 14th 2012
Sunday May 13th 2012, 8:27 pm
It stands tall as the heat rises this afternoon. Summer is setting in, and before my eyes it beckons like some shining proud tower made of clear crystal. Cold as ice, the chill causes condensation, like sweat, to bead up and run down in streams along the glass curves of its body as I hold it with increasingly numbing fingers. Contained within is an exacting formula, dark as black coffee, but sweet. When taking a swig, it gives a rush and crisp to the tongue’s taste-buds. And hits the belly with a deep satisfaction that releases an instant sigh. The sweetness is the proper kind, not the icky cornsyrupy flavor that comes with most other variations. There is no strange sour aftertaste build up because its blended with real sugar, natural for the most part. The fizz bubbles between my teeth, which is always a somewhat surprising pleasant sensation, and always following a few gulps brings a belch regardless of polite company or not. A bit trite of a pleasure, but a pleasure none the less on a warm Sunday.
A Frosty Mexican Coke
May 13th 2012
Sunday May 13th 2012, 11:57 am
We’re finally putting pages for Batwoman 5 up in the shop, this next Saturday May 19th noon pst. For your enticement…
Saturday May 12th 2012, 8:51 pm
Slick black round and shiny, it cups carefully and heatedly the contents piled high within its rim. Sitting in the center, oozing delightfully is deliciousness colorfully displayed in bright oranges, begging to be spooned up voraciously. Slightly gooey and thick, and sticky too. The sensation rolls around along multiple levels of taste. When done just right, there is no other perfect combination of appetite satisfaction to compare. Today’s is okay, deli served, certainly nowhere near as good as our homemade recipe. But the smoothness with the melty robust flavors and texture are still divine. Its the one thing that almost anybody loves, young and old, even the lactose intolerant usually at least sneak a bite because its that enticing whenever its around. I’ve only met one person in all my life who doesn’t like it, and we all love to tease them about it too, they certainly get odd stares whenever they make their dislike proclamations. But we still love them anyway.
Simply Mac And Cheese (with a little pepper for kick)
May 12th 2012
Friday May 11th 2012, 11:40 pm
I was doing pretty good today, upbeat but a little tired. Then I saw a disheartening news report today that really hits home. It was about the recent decision to cut off unemployment benefits for people needing jobs. What made it quite profound for me was that the news report was national news and they actually came here to Merced, our humble small town. You see, the problem is while the California unemployment percentage rate has dropped slightly (less than a percent actually), here in Merced we’re at 20% unemployment, there just is not enough jobs building quick enough here. 20% percent is a scary number, thats one in five people unable to find work. And it greatly saddens me when I see a family in my town that is going to lose a precious safety line to keep them afloat disappear. The time limit for benefits was was 99 weeks, and now suddenly, that has been cut to 75 or less. Its ludicrous to reduce the benefit time when I’ve seen report after report that its taking some people 2 years or more to find work, and then its usually for less than what they used to make. Ironically I also saw the report of one of the largest banks losing 2 billion dollars this year due to ridiculous risk taking on bad financial derivatives, this was a lead factor in causing the recession in the first place, and some clearly have not learned a lesson. A bank acting so recklessly while people who need help are not going to get it is beyond aggravating, its just stupid. I just don’t know what government expects people to do, there are not enough jobs. Yes they are coming back overall for the country, but not nearly in the amounts needed. Policies in place by the administration are slowly working, but it seems congress cuts the working programs at the knees by making other poor decisions, causing poverty rates to go up. I do believe we’ll get back up to capacity as a nation, its just going to take time, obviously more time than our own elected congress is willing to give. Maybe its time that all elected officials be forced to have term limits. Maybe getting rid of the idea of career politicians will force elected officials to actually do things to help people rather than harm them. One thing I can say for certain, is that I can feel lucky that I have work, but sad too when so many others may end up going without things they need very soon. I don’t mean to sound preachy, and I don’t usually say political statements in public forums, but this report really got to me. So if you can, be giving to charities that are about helping those in need in your community.
Thankfully Grateful
May 11th 2012
Thursday May 10th 2012, 9:30 pm
Here is the cover to Batwoman 12. I had planned putting this up in micro stages of progress, but simply didn’t have the time to scan and save each phase meticulously like I said I would. That will have to wait for some other day. So here is the basics as I usually post these things…
The rough sketch version for editorial approval…
The Black and White version. Here is where I added background details not evident in the sketch. Since the composition was going to be using a mirror as I was trying to indicate in the rough version above. I realized that for this image to work and have a recognizable use of a mirror, the cover needed to have full backgrounds as a scene, otherwise the context of the mirror effect would’ve been confusing. Background details for a setting on a cover has been something I’ve tended to avoid, sticking with design elements instead to present a more symbolic idea. But ultimately that wasn’t going to work here. So backgrounds got placed in to set the mirror context. Which plays into how the color would work as well to finalize the mirror idea, as explained further below.
The color version. You’ll note that the logo/text information is placed in here at this color stage. I felt it important for the image to work from a design idea properly, the logo had to become a part of the art directly, to play up the mirror effect as needed, so I embedded it into the final in a way that there is no other version. You’ll note I digitally did a mirror effect for Batwoman rather than draw that in by hand. I felt it best to handle it that way because of the Bloody Mary part is so bold. I think it would’ve been extremely problematic to have tried drawing Batwoman mixed with Blood Mary and then be able to have multiple effects in the final color. This allowed me to keep the style used for Bloody Mary independent from everything else. So the last digital additions, the use of a background setting, and the pop color of the inset stars and star panel against the surreal quality of the idea, helped to make this cover unique from previous Batwoman covers I’ve done. So thats good, I’m always wanting the covers to do new things.
