Flintlockjaw

Thugs! issue 5, Page 5

2012-01-26T13:50:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue 5, Page 5 - Pencils

2012-01-24T13:39:00.001-08:00

Merchandise!!!! Mrs. Browns Boys!

2012-01-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

Got this in the mail today.

A special thanks to Brendan and Conor for getting this merchandise to me. It means a lot to me to be associated with the show. And now I have 'crew' T-shirts to wear with pride. :-)

I'm working exclusively for 'BOC Productions' now. But I can't say much at the moment. It's top secret. It's going to be another exciting year.

Thugs! Issue 5, Page 4

2012-01-24T05:15:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue 5, Page 3

2012-01-18T11:18:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue 5, Page 2

2012-01-17T08:38:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue 5, Page 1

2012-01-14T16:11:00.001-08:00

Thugs is back!

2012-01-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

'Jailbait' from Thugs issue 5! Starting back in on this. Will probably work on this on the weekends now that I'm doing work a certain 'Mrs. Brown' full time.

Judge

2012-01-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Did this as a bit of a laugh for Rich (Bluemeanie). He had sent me a drawing over the New Year of a female judge that he drew...I returned the compliment.

Mrs Browns Boys - Ratings Hit Again!

2012-01-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

The number one watched show on Christmas day in Ireland.
Mrs. Brown Tops Christmas Viewership
And it got fantastic ratings in the UK when the episode was aired a day later on the BBC. Raking in a very impressive 6.61 million viewers.
Mrs Brown Ratings

I am ecstatic to be associated with this show. And I know that 2012 will be another banner year for Mrs. Brown.

Image Dump - Part Deux!

2012-01-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

The last of this current image dump. These were doodles creaed for a game idea. Just a pitch.

Character Image Dump

2012-01-03T11:31:00.001-08:00

..and I mean Dump!

Mrs. Browns Boys - Christmas Opening

2011-12-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

The opening episode of series two aired on RTE Xmas night and then on the BBC on Stephen's Day (Boxing Day). Animating the opening credits is a lot of fun and there are some added extras on the opening for series two. For example...the snowman in the background is actually Grandad!

Ron Smith Tribute - Final!

2011-12-23T14:04:00.001-08:00

Finished.
It was a lot of fun. I even included 'King Cobra' and 'Nick Jolly'. As well as a certain 'Legendary Shark'!

Rons Smith Tribute

2011-12-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

A blue pencil and partial inks rough.

Mark Howard aka The Legendary Shark is putting together a tribute book for comic book legend Ron Smith. Ron is in his 80's and Mark figured it was about time to present him with a good fandom 'thank you.' Mark had previously compiled the 'Carlos Ezquerra' book.

I'm going to push for more people to contribute to this project on the 2000ad Podcast and on the 2000ad forums.

To me, Ron Smith was the definitive Judge Dredd artist in the 80's. Most people pick Mcmahon or Bolland...but looking back, Ron was a genius. To me, he was the British 'Jack Kirby'.

Knights Rough

2011-12-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

Sorcerer/Sorceress Roughs

2011-12-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

One Sorcerer...

...and one Sorceress!

Female Elf Warrior Rough

2011-12-13T06:20:00.001-08:00

Male Elf Warrior Rough

2011-12-12T14:24:00.001-08:00

Another rough.

Female Barbarian Rough

2011-12-11T19:15:00.001-08:00

Another rough drawing.

Mrs. Browns Boys Christmas Special

2011-12-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

Yep. A Mrs. Brown Christmas special with my Artwork at the end of this clip. Sweeet.

Barbarian Rough

2011-12-09T10:04:00.001-08:00

Another doodle for my project.

Barbarian - Weapons

2011-12-08T16:38:00.001-08:00

Just an idea I'm playing around with.

A Judge Death Christmas - Final!

2011-12-07T10:22:00.001-08:00

Final!
Poor little kid...but that's Judge Death for ya!
He's a Mean Spirited Alien Superfiend!

Judge Death Xmas Inks!

2011-12-07T10:21:00.001-08:00

Inky McInks!

A Judge Death Christmas

2011-12-06T12:43:00.001-08:00

Rough pencils for the 2000ad Online Forum Advent Calendar

Anderson - Russ Meyer Style!

2011-11-29T14:57:00.001-08:00

Did this for the heck of it after seeing this cheesecakey version of Judge Hershey.
Yeah...I know...it's all very Russ Meyer. That was the point. I'd never draw Andserson like that for a 'real' Dredd strip. It was just for a giggle.

Rogue Trooper Final!

2011-11-29T14:51:00.001-08:00

Done and dusted!

Sent this off to Luke a couple of weeks ago. He's happy with it...which I'm delighted to hear.

I based it initially on the classic 70's 'Star wars' poster. The Traitor General replaces Vader, Rogue and Venus = Luke and Leia, Milli-Com = Death Star, Quartz Massacre = X-wing fighters and my favs, Brass and Bland = R2D2 and C3PO.

Rogue Trooper - Traitor General

2011-10-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

Inks for the Traitor General. I'm gonna try and finish this drawing this week. It's for a good friend of mine...Luke Foster. Luke is one of the funniest guys I've ever met. And now and again he guest hosts with me on the ECBT2000ad Podcast.

Rogue Trooper - Venus

2011-10-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Inks on Venus Bluegenes.

Rogue Trooper - Blue Pencils

2011-10-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Just a little more detail. Getting there.

Rogue Trooper - Rough

2011-10-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

I've been busy finishing up some work for the BBC. So, that's taken most of my time. Well, that and drinking. ;-)

This is a rough idea for a picture I promised Luke Foster for sending out me out a Dredd trade 'The Chief Judges Man'. It's been a while since I posted and a while since I got back to the drawing board really. It shows a bit.

Its' got all the elements I think that sum up the strips classic period. It's got Milli-Com, Nu Earth, The Quartz Massacre, Brand and Brass, Venus Bluegenes, Major Magnum, Helm, Bagman and Gunnar...and Rogue himself.

Hopefully I can make good for Luke on this image.

Judge Dredd - Zarjaz!

2011-07-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Putting the finishing touches to the page three of the Dredd 'Zarjaz' strip. I'm pretty happy with it so far. Got a lot of photoshopping to do on it....but I should manage to finish it and submit it before the weekend...and then I'm on to more BBC stuff. (I'll explain that later!)

Dredd Head 3!

2011-07-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Page 3, Panel 3, Inked!

Dredd Head 2!

2011-07-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

Inking!

Dredd Head!

2011-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

The title of the post says it all

Walter!

2011-07-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

Centerspread finally finished! It's taken me ages to kill off. Only one more page left. rough pencils are done. Clean-up pencils are 90% there. Just inking and scanning the next hurdle to jump and then all done!

Mrs Browns Boys - Agnes Brown!

2011-07-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

And here's one I prepared earlier.

This is the Mrs.Brown from the BBC show. How can you tell the difference? Easy. Her cardigan is red! The stage show cardigan is green!

Mrs Brown Boys!

2011-07-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

I'm back doing some Mrs. Brown work for Brendan again. It's been a while but I'm now redrawing all the characters to match the BBC show and the stage show. A lot of work considering they'll all be vector art! Vector art so Brendan can have his characters on T-Shirts or postage stamps and not lose the quality of the image.

Gotta get cracking!

Update!

2011-07-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Quick check-up on my New Years resolutions now that I've hit the halfway point.

1. Finish the novel I'd been working on. Still working on it...bit by bit day by day. I do figure I'll have it complete by the end of year. So, that's going well.

2. Build a life-size replica of a Dalek. I bit off more than I could chew with that one. I've been too busy to even start on it. This one might be a goal for next year.

3. Lose a ton of weight. Well, this worked up until I came back from Ireland in mid-June. I had lost 20 pounds up to that point...and then beer and Irish food took over. I'll be back on my weight loss plan on Monday. Bikram Yoga will help and cutting down on the booze should help that along. :-)

4. Win another soccer competition. Got a good chance of that this season. I have assembled a really good team and it looks like we're gelling really well. We'll see.

5. Get Thugs! Issue 4 out by May. Done and dusted.

6. Get more issues of Thugs! done. Working on it. Got Al's script for Issue 5 and have most of it thumbnailed out. I'm cautiously optimistic on this one.

7. Write and draw Superhero Squad type Dredd story. Nearly there. It's three pages. I just finished the centerspread and am currently inking the third page. The color on this sucker killed me.

Judge Dredd - Hall of Justice

2011-06-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

Good grief!
This thing is taking forever to color! Hopefully I can kill the spread over the weekend and move on to page three!

Judge Dredd - Happy!

2011-06-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

What's this? Another 'Happy' Dredd?
What's going on here?

Judge Dredd - Color Test

2011-06-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm experimenting a bit. I want to make the Dredd strip look really old school. I'm not particulary happy with the results so far...but we'll see. I might end up scrapping the process altogether and just going back to 'basic' coloring.

Mrs Brown - BAFTA!

2011-06-01T06:24:00.001-07:00

This didn't happen...but it would have been well deserved if it did!

'Mrs. Browns Boys' was nominated for best sitcom at the BAFTA awards. For US readers it's the equivalent of the Emmy's/Oscars. It was beaten out by a show called 'Rev'. Which, to be honest, I've never heard of until I read the nominations.

From what I'd been reading online about 'Rev', it seemed to be a safer bet then Mrs. Brown. Mrs Brown seemed to 'risque' for the curmudgeons who voted in that category. Brendans show had walloped every other show in the ratings in his time-slot. It seems that 'Rev' was a strange choice to win.

Oh well. Congrats to them and hopefully next year Mrs. Brown will be holding that golden trophy.

Judge Dredd - Legendary Shark - 2!

2011-05-26T06:37:00.001-07:00

Finally! A small update. I just got back from the Auld Country, Ireland! I've been away for two weeks but it feels too short a time. I'll do a bigger update on what I did and what I bought. (Lots of 2000ad stuff!) In the meantime, the Phoenix con is this weekend and I'm really not looking forward to it. I feel burnt out on the whole US comic scene...and I'll miss a fair chunk of it. Man Utd are playing Barca in the Champions League Final that saturday and poor Al will be left to man our con space all by his lonesome. I'm not missing that game...just a shame it's on the same day as the con. Al understands...which is cool.

Judge Dredd -Legendary Shark!

2011-05-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

Finally!

I've pieced the centerspread together in Photoshop. I have to clean it up a small bit and start the color process. I've also got to draw page three. I've already got the rough pencils on that done. It's going to take longer for me to do this strip than I anticipated!

I've got some drawings to do for 'Mrs. Browns Boys' this week. Two new character drawings!

Judge Dredd - Walter!

2011-04-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Another peek at the Dredd strip I'm doing. I got the center spread inked! Only one page to go.

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 6

2011-04-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 5

2011-04-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 4

2011-04-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 3

2011-04-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 2

2011-04-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Strontium Dog - Arsom! - Page 1

2011-04-17T16:38:00.001-07:00

So, I've decided to post my Strontium Dog strip that I drew for 'Zarjaz'. I figure that the publication has been out for a while now that there's no harm in putting the full strip up on my blog. Script by Rich McAuliffe and art by me!

Thugs! Issue Four - Parody Ad!

2011-04-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

Another gem from the twisted brain of Rich McAuliffe!

Thugs! Issue Four - Cover Final!

2011-04-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

The final cover for the first story arc of 'Thugs!'. I have to say that this issue is probably the best of all four. Definitely a lot more polished than the last three. Only the parody ad left to draw and this issue is complete. I've already started thumbnailing issue five. Lots of talking heads...which I hate! But is necessary for the build up to the action and the introduction of two new major characters.

Mrs Brown - A Ratings Hit!

2011-03-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Mrs Browns Boys has finished airing on the BBC and it's proved to be a ratings success. Not only in the UK but in Ireland too. It's ratings beat out the Irish TV powerhouse 'The Late late Show' and in the UK it was number one in it's time slot beating out a few new shows.

Read all about it here.... Mrs Brown Rakes in 2.6 Million Viewers

The show kept it's strong showing in the ratings and even the last show got a bump in viewereship. I'm so proud to be a part of this project that took years to bring to the small screen and Brendan and his family deserve all the success for their hard work.

The show has already been renewed for a second season and hopefully I can be part of that and tweak/add to that opening sequence.

Judge Dredd Superhero Squad!

2011-03-22T22:04:00.001-07:00

Is that a happy Dredd arresting a certain Shark?

Female Judge

2011-03-22T22:00:00.001-07:00

Judge Dredd - Anderson!

2011-03-08T06:06:00.001-08:00

Another rough from the Dredd centerspread.

Judge Dredd - Rico!

2011-03-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

I submitted an idea a while back to the good folks at Zarjaz and they liked it...so, I roughed it out and sent them a working script. It's gonna be three pages. The first two a color centerspread!

Rico is the main villain of the piece and I've included a slew of Dredd cameos, from dead to not dead...

It's looking like a lot of fun to do. can't wait to get the go ahead!!!

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 13!

2011-03-02T21:04:00.001-08:00

Final strip page of Book Four. There is a parody ad to complete, the intro page and finish coloring the cover and this one is wrapped up! Already got the script and breakdowns of Book 5 done. It's a good one!

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 12!

2011-02-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 11!

2011-02-27T10:59:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 10!

2011-02-23T04:49:00.000-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 9!

2011-02-21T20:05:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 8!

2011-02-17T20:01:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 7!

2011-02-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 6!

2011-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Influence Map - Update

2011-02-01T18:04:00.001-08:00

Alan Grant
Another major influence on how I read and view comic books and their heroes. Alan Grant, alongside John Wagner, and even solo, created and wrote some of the most memorable stories I've ever read in comics. Grant always came across as the 'light hearted', 'comedy' side of the Wagner/Grant partnership, but his work on Strontium Dog and his Detective Comics run showed a lot more to me. He's a fantastic writer and I only wish I could write even 5% percent of what he's capabale of...I'd settle for that.

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 5!

2011-01-30T18:44:00.001-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 4!

2011-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Influence Map - Update

2011-01-30T18:31:00.001-08:00

Alan Moore
Do I really need to explain Moore's influence on me and a whole industry? Probably not.

My first exposure to Moore was his brilliant Future Shocks and Time Twisters. The 'Abelard Snazz' stories being amongst my favs. For me Moore added 'believability' to the absurd notion of the 'superhero' and in turn...ruined them for me (or enlightened me, depends on your point of view.) After reading 'Marvelman' (Not 'Miracleman!', you know where you can shove that!)...my mind was never the same. I can't look at superhero books seriously anymore. Damn him! And then his Swamp Thing run...holy crap! He truly is a genius of a writer. I've loved everything he's done from his 2000ad/Warrior/Captain Britain work all the way up to America Best Comics!!!

Alan Moore would be the fourth person on that British Creators Mount Rushmore and deservedly so.

For more Moore, click the link below...

Alan Moore

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 3!

2011-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

Super Judge Squad!

2011-01-22T21:05:00.000-08:00

Color version of a Dredd story idea I'm pitching to Zarjaz! Basically it's Marvels's Superhero Squad merged with DC's Superfriends with a touch of the Beano and Dandy!

I got a rough synopsis written up and ready to send off. Should be a good little 6-7 page project to work on.

Mrs Browns Boys - On TV!

2011-01-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

I animated the opening and ending credits to the new BBC comedy hit series - Mrs.Browns Boys!
You can watch it on RTE (Irish Television) on Saturday nights and the catch it on the BBC on Thursdays.
It was a lot of fun to do and the BBC Producer for the series, Stephen McCrum and his staff were an absolute pleasure to work with.

Influence Map - Update

2011-01-10T21:24:00.001-08:00

Frank Hampson

Probably the biggest influence on British comic books ever!

This is the man that raised the bar for comic strips on both sides of the Atlantic. People talk about Alex Ross today and how he uses models for reference etc..well, no offence meant but as much as I like Alex Ross work, he's not fit to tie Frank Hampsons shoelaces. Hampson was a perfectionist in his work. He took photo reference, built models and produced some of the most beautiful painted artwork ever to grace a comic book page...and he wrote too!

Dan Dare was his main creation which he wrote and drew, later with the aid of assistants (and even Arthur C. Clarke!) and the quality in writing and illustration for that strip has never been equalled or surpassed.

Pat Mills and John Wagner are two of the faces on the British Mount Rushmore...Frank hampson joins them as the 'Washington' of the monument. Blazing a trail for those to follow.

For more information click the link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Hampson

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 2!

2011-01-10T04:44:00.001-08:00

Influence Map - Update

2011-01-07T20:34:00.001-08:00

John Wagner
Continuing the theme of a British comic writers Mount Rushmore, up on that rock next to Pat Mills would be John Wagner. I can't measure the influence the man has had on me. He created such memorable characters and stories, it really is too hard to measure. The man was responsible for Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Robo-Hunter, Shako, Button Man, Doomlord (with Alan Grant), the 13th Floor, Darkies Mob, Dredger, Al's Baby etc the list goes on and on.

Read more here...
John Wagner wikipage

I blame Wagners 'Dredd' on my political views being a little bit askewed to the right of center...not too much...but enough!

:-)

Thugs! Issue Four- Page 1!

2011-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Thugs! Issue Four - NEW Cover Image

2011-01-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Here's the new cover inks. Didn't really care for the last one. This one is, of course, like all the others...a homage to a classic cover. In this case, the Kevin Maguire's cover for JLA Classified No. 8! A classic!

Influence Map - Update

2011-01-03T17:31:00.001-08:00

Moving onto writers now...specifically comic book writers.
First up...

Pat Mills
Like a lot of the early 2000ad writers, Pat Mills was and still is a huge influence on my very impressionable mind. He created so many classic strips (Charleys War, Flesh, Hookjaw, Nemesis, Slaine, Savage etc) and villains (Torquemada, Slough Feg etc) over the years and even when his work got overly political in the 90's...it was still worth reading. A writer always on top of his game and a true comic book creating genius. The main drive and brains behind 2000ad in the early years and still breathing life into it today.

A living legend.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Mills for the 2000ad Podcast... and I told him that if there was ever erected a Mount Rushmore of British Comic Book Creators...he would be one of the faces carved into that stone!

For more on Mr. Mills...check out his Wikipedia page by clicking the link below.
The Godfather of British Comic Books!

New Year Resolutions

2011-01-02T18:31:00.001-08:00

Not really a big fan of New Year Resolutions...but this year I decided to give it a go and see how long I can stick with them. I mainly see NYR's as a too do list anyways.

1. Finish off my novel. I fell drastically short in the 'Write a Novel Month' mainly because I spent a week snowbound in Utah visiting family and couldn't get any time to work on it. So, I have to reach the target of 50,000 words to be happy on that one.

2. Build a lifesize replica of a Dalek...a workable one. I know. It's crazy...but it's something I've always wanted to do. I even joined a Dalek Guild so I could get my mitts on the blueprints!!!

3. Lose a ton of weight. I've given up beer for the New Year...well, until I go to Ireland for my Dad's 70th! And myself and my beautiful wife signed up for 60 days of Bikram Yoga. I started today and I'm planning on going everyday for the 60! After the 60 days, I'll sign up in local gym. I want to lose between 40-50 pounds. I know I can do it. I did it before.

4. Win another soccer competition. Winning the league again in such a long time has got me chomping at the bit! My competitive spirit is on an all-time high. This goal obviously ties in with number three.

5. Get Thugs! Issue 4 out by May. The Phoenix ComicCon is in May and I promised Al he'd have the fourth issue by then.

6. Another Thugs! related one. I'm going to try and get as many issues of Thugs done and dusted this year. Myself and Al had capped the series off at 12 issues. He's outlined them all...now I need to get cracking!

7. Completely write and draw a Judge dredd story in a 'Superhero Squad' style for the 2000ad inspired Zarjaz fanzine! I already talked to one of the editors and he loves the idea...now I need to get up off my fat butt and write the synopsis to send him.

I'm sure when I start getting these complete...I'll have more 'To Do' to add. But for now...that''' do.

Judge Dredd Superhero Squad!

2010-11-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

An update on my crazy life later...but for now...here's an idea I've been toying with to submit to 'Zarjaz' fanzine.

Update!

2010-11-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit since I updated. The main reason being that I've taken part in 'National Write a Novel Month' . It's going okay but it's very, very time consuming. So, after Thanksgiving I'll start updating on a more regular basis and I'll have a status update on projects that I'll be working on for the New Year.

2000ad Mash-Up - Part Three!

2010-11-04T23:21:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist doing a Slaine combo. First I thought, Slaine v 2000ad's Blackhawk and then said..nah! Slaine and 'The Living Axe' from 2000ad's Dan Dare strip. Seemed a perfect combo because of Slaines 'Kiss My Axe!' slogan.

I still think the Zombo/Ace garp combo one is the best. Gotta do that one up proper!

Influence Map - Update

2010-10-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Two more additions and then I move onto writers.

Erik Larsen
I'm a big fan of Larsens mainly because of his attitude towards creating comics. I remember reading somewhere that he doesn't have a sketchbook, that he just draws straight onto the page and if the panel looks strange...he doesn't redraw and redraw it. He just moves on and says to himself that he'll get it right next time. I love that attitude. I may not totally agree with him on politics but his comics approach, I can get behind. His approach to the medium is a big influence on me and 'Savage Dragon' is one of the best books out on the market at the moment.

Cam Kennedy
Panel layouts. Subtle posing. Great Storytelling. And nobody draws future war as great as Cam Kennedy. I always look at his work and marvel at it.

2000ad Mash-Up - Part Two!

2010-10-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'm having so much fun with this! I got plenty more.

2000ad Mash-Up!

2010-10-18T21:44:00.001-07:00

From the 2000ad forums.

The Idea

"Mixed up 2000ad, the greatest crossovers that never happened. Nemesis and Dan Dare together for the first time, Nikolai Dante and the Space Girls? Dredd taking out Big Dave? no? Well if you think you can do better you think of one!"

My idea....Zombo meets Ace Trucking Co. I'll draw this up proper later. I still have two or three other ideas to do. back to sketching. You'll see them up here soon.

Back from the New York Con

2010-10-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Picked up a whole lot of books at the con, spent a small fortune too! Rich brought me a John Higgins sketch that he got at BICs! Sweet!

The Bride of Frankenstein - Final

2010-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Probably my last update before I head off to the New York Con. I had lots of fun doing this watercolor. Part of me wants to keep it but...C'est la vie. It'll be in Rich McAuliffe's hands in NYC on Friday. I'll try for another post before I leave.

The Bride - WIP #3

2010-10-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Nearly done.

Influence Map - Update

2010-09-30T08:06:00.001-07:00

Carlos Ezquerra
As I said in the last post Carlos has always been a constant. His work looks so simple...but like so many Great Masters, it is deceptively so.
For more, read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Ezquerra

The Carlos Ezquerra Project

2010-09-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

The 'Secret Project' page I was working on can be revealed!
It's for a 'Get Well' book for Carlos Ezquerra.

Mark J. Howard (legendary Shark on the 2000adOnline forums) found out that one of the greatest artists ever to draw for 2000ad (and one of the greats overall), the guy responsible for co-creating many characters including Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog and Major Easy, Carlos Ezquerra had lung cancer. Carlos had an operation to remove the cancer and was recovering in hospital. Mark took it upon himslef to round up as many contributors as he could and put together a nice 'Get Well Soon' book for Carlos. It became a 'secret project' because he didn't want Carlos to know, but rather to surprise him.

Carlos received the book and was blown away by how much he is loved and appreciated by the fans.

Why not? I say.

Carlos has been a constant influence in my life since I was a nipper reading 2000ad and that is an over 30 year relationship!

Get well soon Carlos. You'll always feel like part of my family.

To read more about this amazing project go here...
http://www.2000adonline.com/forum/index.php/topic,29439.0.html

Influence Map - Update

2010-09-26T17:48:00.001-07:00

Ron Smith
I didn't really have much of a appreciation for Ron Smith when I was a youngster reading 2000ad. Mike McMahon and Brian Bolland were the 'flashier' artists to me back in those days. I really gained a better understanding and appreciation for Ron Smith when I got older...pretty much the same thing I saw with Jack Kirby's art.

Ron Smith, for me, is and was the definitive Dredd artist of the 80's. He added a certain 'American' look to Dredd. Almost superhero-ish without being a superhero. And his near impossible poses worked perfectly for him. Something he has in common with Kirby. To me Ron Smith is the english jack Kirby.

Influence Map - Update

2010-09-21T06:45:00.001-07:00

Harvey Kurtzman
EC 'War' comics, Mad magazine, Little Annie Fanny, Jungle Book!
A great storyteller! I would study his layouts for hours to try and glean some knowledge of his pacing and storytelling. A Master of composition. Simplicity itself.

Influence Map - Update

2010-09-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Wally Wood

My first exposure to Wood's work was a teenager. There was a Marvel UK weekly B+W reprint, (As far as I can remember, I can't remeber the title of the comic book!) that reprinted some of the sword and sorcery comic strips that Wood drew. It instantly stood out to me and I've been inspired/influenced by him ever since.

There are a lot of stories about Wally Wood. I remember hearing one story in particular. It was when Wood had received a fan letter saying that his work was past it and not up to scratch and that his assistants handled all the work, not him - in other words, he was washed up. Wood saw this as a challenge and produced, what is too me, his greatest work 'To Kill A God' .

This story was told to me when I worked at Fox Animation Studios by Jun Lofamia. Jun brought in the strip in question to show me...and I blew it up on the copier on paper 24x36 and i'm not kidding you. The attention to detail is amazing and some of it gets quite lost 'regular' size.

And the thing is...he probably drew it drunk! Wood was an alcoholic!

Below is the first page of the strip. if you can...search it out. Well worth the time looking.

Wally Wood - Genius!

The Bride of Frankenstein - WIP #2

2010-09-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest update on Rich's Bride pic. I got sidetracked working on three 'secret' projects. Hopefully, in the next month or so, I'll be able to reveal what they are. They're all biggies, but one is HUGE!

Influence Map - Update

2010-09-16T06:34:00.001-07:00

Alan Davis
For me, he is the definitive superhero artist. His work is so fluid and alive. He can draw anything. He is the only artist that can draw 'serious' and 'cartoony' in the same story and get away with it. I love his 2000ad work, his Marvelman (that's right, Marvelman...none of that Miracleman bullshit!) Captain Britain, Detective Comics...Excalibur, X-Men, Avengers etc I can go on. Oh and the talented so and so can write too!

He's always an inspiration to me.

Influence Map 4

2010-09-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Art Adams
My first exposure to Art Adams was an Action Annual featuring Batman and Superman. And it blew me away. His art, to me, is very illustrative and the amount of detail he slips into his background panels is amazing. Whenever I look at any of his work...I usually find myself just in awe at the amount of detail he puts in. I can spend literally hours looking at his work. Oh, and he too, can draw the ladies. really, really well!

Influence Map 3

2010-09-14T06:28:00.001-07:00

Adam Hughes
Probably the best Cheesecake artist there is at the moment. He's the 'Good Girl' artist that all others aspire to be. I first came across Adams work on Maze Agency and then his Justice League run and even back then you could see that there was something special about his work.

He just went from strenght to strenght and I avidly started to buy anything Hughes. I would find myself buying pure crap just coz a Hughes drawing graced the cover of it.

For me, he's right up there with Mucha and Vargas.