tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311472282024-03-06T20:20:42.087-08:00ink destroyed my brushthe blog of Charles Yoakum, a comic book artist, inker, writer and fan for over 30 years. Follow the commenting on past comic books, comic art, the creative process as I work on new material. Lots o' sneak peeks and artwork scans!inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.comBlogger591125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-84027308129938729792015-01-07T13:35:00.004-08:002015-01-07T13:35:45.876-08:00updated cover - the carnival #2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUZGbdx8xlozwRSjI6g0F44uaMLNGo2smGf-hEBuFlGnbvCtQXUeMQkdwKPiXDZafom22kKRX2C0UsybDsyHdndSHe3R9EgCckcmpIMuUcmuBUqfysQi0jnoVC5EYANUD8Ruf/s1600/cover---Den-of-Thieves-72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUZGbdx8xlozwRSjI6g0F44uaMLNGo2smGf-hEBuFlGnbvCtQXUeMQkdwKPiXDZafom22kKRX2C0UsybDsyHdndSHe3R9EgCckcmpIMuUcmuBUqfysQi0jnoVC5EYANUD8Ruf/s1600/cover---Den-of-Thieves-72dpi.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-27816719801465949732014-11-11T20:52:00.000-08:002014-11-11T20:52:21.527-08:00Work in Progress: The Carnival #2 page 12<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ06_15NibBiXqV2nWZKiO6Ek27mG0Gf1y3qqz_oQaflMht_Ksp0Bp0cJJCIgSY7R2cR7JjL992RBebU92ByKMnijcokxYfFhfIzk216i3XOnXWZiOqsWKqz5sZNtrf5uT3Ys/s1600/2014-11-11-20-27-58-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ06_15NibBiXqV2nWZKiO6Ek27mG0Gf1y3qqz_oQaflMht_Ksp0Bp0cJJCIgSY7R2cR7JjL992RBebU92ByKMnijcokxYfFhfIzk216i3XOnXWZiOqsWKqz5sZNtrf5uT3Ys/s400/2014-11-11-20-27-58-01.jpg" width="282" /></a>Working hard on finishing the second issue of The Carnival, titled Den of Thieves. It will be come apparent when you read the damn thing. Finally, finally when you can read the damn thing. Its been a long time coming, this I know.<br />
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Just to share a little bit of work in progress, here is the top half of page 12, while it was still in pencil form, about to be lettered.<br />
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Yes, I'm hand lettering these on the pages. After looking at original comic artwork for so many years, I've begun to realize how much the panels need the word balloons on the page. What moves the piece of artwork from being simply illustration and into comics, is the fusion of words and text together to form a cohesive artistic whole. Besides, their position also effects the negative/positive of the artwork, adding white into black and visa versa. so expect fully hand lettered balloons and captions on this one.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-20634644696264448872014-09-16T23:18:00.003-07:002014-09-16T23:55:21.175-07:00Anatomy of A Panel: Sandman #16 by Neil Gaiman & Mike Dringenberg - page 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpIo83qvqJHOZUZoYDtukNzQBMKkpUsVONMg4AI_PzpxuMe1WLpx-cQq4WBsLHu0113KCv30-cCJW41UPNwR_gQuJs1mnoclxnLIV_GGNKjs19_a7Ub8e9uHMm86t3hCuy-3B/s1600/2014-09-16-22-56-50-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpIo83qvqJHOZUZoYDtukNzQBMKkpUsVONMg4AI_PzpxuMe1WLpx-cQq4WBsLHu0113KCv30-cCJW41UPNwR_gQuJs1mnoclxnLIV_GGNKjs19_a7Ub8e9uHMm86t3hCuy-3B/s1600/2014-09-16-22-56-50-01.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
in the quest to know what a comic page looks like, it used to be that one had only to refer to How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way. Fortunately, there were other approaches to be had, and certainly DC and Karen Berger exploited in the '80's, establishing an entirely new version of art for sequential comics.<br />
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It was an interesting time to be alive.<br />
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Here is the first page to the classic conclusion of The Doll's House storyline which, when collected, would be the trade to launch a hundred thousand fangirls into loving comics, when the industry, in every possible way, had ignored them for more than two generations.<br />
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It was an interesting time to be alive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyCtPBPUhshkrDLVmC6dIZtEbDEujGHopn_1TtdOnTblT8Jf8847oanOylCcXKS0wKJmgB4DpATd3qMVPEYyV_ZVw_lgry0CT8WD36Bcp2lEOtXfAXMS9hGdgSJBJ7_07ly7B/s1600/2014-09-16-23-14-21-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyCtPBPUhshkrDLVmC6dIZtEbDEujGHopn_1TtdOnTblT8Jf8847oanOylCcXKS0wKJmgB4DpATd3qMVPEYyV_ZVw_lgry0CT8WD36Bcp2lEOtXfAXMS9hGdgSJBJ7_07ly7B/s1600/2014-09-16-23-14-21-01.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a></div>
Mike Dringenberg was a classically trained artist who had no business putting his admirable skills into a monthly book, but he did anyway. His work, seen especially in the pencils, shows just how experimental and innovative he was off of Neil's scripts. Gaiman was not writing classic comic scripts, and the art had to reflect that. So, for likely the first time anywhere outside of the late Malcolm Jones' art table, here are the pencils to Sandman #16, as well as the recolored version printing in the Absolute Sandman #1.<br />
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As for me, I'm working away at The Carnival #2 for APE 2014 and looking forward to talking comics with everyone there. I'll have a new printing of Carnival #1, as well as some prints of the Dick Sprang/yoakum collaboration of the 1950's Batman!inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-65718091091217394832014-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:002014-09-12T05:00:07.643-07:00The Carnival You Didn't Read - "The Hotel Disaster"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoHYDpcfcE7-FaYkDAplWZ6y6a97NH7D2_E345yno_8chjxuzOAc4FCBB9EbsvxyBQiP4soIj8or5FH_jbMmQCuu1soBUnzd-Izpe7bjlmqa106orRKtUvd-cWk4ivGuEivJ5/s1600/2014-09-12-00-01-37-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoHYDpcfcE7-FaYkDAplWZ6y6a97NH7D2_E345yno_8chjxuzOAc4FCBB9EbsvxyBQiP4soIj8or5FH_jbMmQCuu1soBUnzd-Izpe7bjlmqa106orRKtUvd-cWk4ivGuEivJ5/s1600/2014-09-12-00-01-37-01.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a>Found this piece in the archives, and had forgotten about it completely. This was the title page to an unfinished story called "The Hotel Disaster" that i had started to write only to find that i didn't have nearly the skill to bring it off. There are also a few things about this piece that bug the heck out of me now.<br />
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Take a look and then move on, that's what i say.<br />
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Working away, can't wait til APE 2014 at Fort M<br />
ason in San Francisco.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-40595156357330363442014-09-11T08:30:00.000-07:002014-11-11T21:28:55.548-08:00Ginny Deathface from Pretty Deadly by Yoakum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GIzuiUMbilhlQ6ylt9KhyN_qqgOwDatNME1mixlUBiA6ztFdq4yIK_L4frCSOfQFERZj3QSAdvv0mjilryL1eRrAKQPJDKfth3P4e6BZG5sIYOLIL0qH0dmhDzzHUSqxck-X/s1600/ginny+deathface+final+150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GIzuiUMbilhlQ6ylt9KhyN_qqgOwDatNME1mixlUBiA6ztFdq4yIK_L4frCSOfQFERZj3QSAdvv0mjilryL1eRrAKQPJDKfth3P4e6BZG5sIYOLIL0qH0dmhDzzHUSqxck-X/s1600/ginny+deathface+final+150dpi.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a>I was reminded by someone today that i had forgotten to post the color version of my Pretty Deadly piece. Feeling a little less insecure with my coloring, so here it is.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-62618649645468164282014-09-10T10:36:00.001-07:002014-09-10T10:36:38.793-07:00The Carnival #2 - A Panel In Process & APE SFWorking away on getting The Carnival #2 to press for APE in San Francisco on October 3rd & 4th! Wanted to document the creation of a panel early on in the process, in case there is some idea that comics are easy and simple. Perhaps for some, but not for me...<br />
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Thumbnail stage - here is where i write most of the story, on these stupid little sheets of printer paper and some thin Copic SP markers. rough little squiggles aren't they?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXnBrT9r4IK9uM3rtRnRTqUUqCKdkMe05krIP66xJG8FeedPhNFrKgalqC5qHTFPbv_yDTm3pjDzHbo8eSqLtLoOV_dYEe6_Jnza8temZ47n721CgYQjEE_x3-xt_OZVAa4-L/s1600/thumb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXnBrT9r4IK9uM3rtRnRTqUUqCKdkMe05krIP66xJG8FeedPhNFrKgalqC5qHTFPbv_yDTm3pjDzHbo8eSqLtLoOV_dYEe6_Jnza8temZ47n721CgYQjEE_x3-xt_OZVAa4-L/s1600/thumb1.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a><br />
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Then I sketch the page out full size on tracing paper in very rough, quick form. I'm trying to capture some of the energy of the initial sketch and at the same time, capture the angle that i see in my head, not always an easy thing to do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nLqkDQws9HdzrXTJTqx2Ql8AQogl1EnadFbyVtQjfRAfgBRg8zn5jGyg6WQj5VbUGBh2Dof9mMOhQefKvqVday-vNLz_eO8AHYWoNjbMKzuhidqSlVF8_qyFoFN5FFEMwTiO/s1600/thumb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nLqkDQws9HdzrXTJTqx2Ql8AQogl1EnadFbyVtQjfRAfgBRg8zn5jGyg6WQj5VbUGBh2Dof9mMOhQefKvqVday-vNLz_eO8AHYWoNjbMKzuhidqSlVF8_qyFoFN5FFEMwTiO/s1600/thumb2.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></div>
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A second piece of tracing paper over to make the work more concrete, add guide lines for the anatomy on the face, draw through the figures. From here, if i can see the drawing in my head, I'll pencil this on the final page.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EEbiloYvXO_KQ2HkCw4owqoOVsnlRs5Pm7zqZLaLlU7j_jDAUSu0TX4WxdIbsrEDyV_zGAzY952pNbMsfMN3-6DUF3LPW-cgg47MB5rTag2q4Z82ERnaWZGKH-69bOs34feO/s1600/thumb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EEbiloYvXO_KQ2HkCw4owqoOVsnlRs5Pm7zqZLaLlU7j_jDAUSu0TX4WxdIbsrEDyV_zGAzY952pNbMsfMN3-6DUF3LPW-cgg47MB5rTag2q4Z82ERnaWZGKH-69bOs34feO/s1600/thumb3.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a><br />
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In this case, the lighting was important to get right, so i pulled out the trusty copic Multiliner pen, and a thicker marker to work the shadows until i got the right. I'd prefer to waste a few more square inches of the tracing paper than have to rework the thing on Bristol in the supposedly final stages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1nIs432m8uuO0seP6eH93nn58UguZjVuxgVM2qXu_REiMnzJUO8wo4e8aSzRWsku6r9Qo9NEeBrjoVZtehc3xMyTZ3TkLg6bcbigxqASXzUeW51Tn69lPuDv4hyphenhyphenIWFiA1WIh/s1600/thumb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1nIs432m8uuO0seP6eH93nn58UguZjVuxgVM2qXu_REiMnzJUO8wo4e8aSzRWsku6r9Qo9NEeBrjoVZtehc3xMyTZ3TkLg6bcbigxqASXzUeW51Tn69lPuDv4hyphenhyphenIWFiA1WIh/s1600/thumb4.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second issue of The Carnival! coming to APE in 2014! Alex Sheikman and I will be at booth 724. I will be there on Sunday only (owing to them scheduling the Con on Yom Kippur), but Alex will be there selling Dark Crystal work and his sketchbooks both days!<br />
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Below is the rough for the second cover...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_lRsGFTAMKayxgOXXrbCC8SfWue_ILb9IOhHuxuwhbUNKdgBdssz3UOz6V83TcV1UEhLGVBL4HIY8tcXjznEbI0rELnn6QaTLyLJfHilf-vFUxfNXheqmFzAANRjV1w-jH8H/s1600/cover_color+comp1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_lRsGFTAMKayxgOXXrbCC8SfWue_ILb9IOhHuxuwhbUNKdgBdssz3UOz6V83TcV1UEhLGVBL4HIY8tcXjznEbI0rELnn6QaTLyLJfHilf-vFUxfNXheqmFzAANRjV1w-jH8H/s1600/cover_color+comp1A.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-43532178116743666502014-04-20T00:25:00.000-07:002014-04-21T10:34:17.804-07:00Ginny from Pretty Deadly by Yoakum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLfSjKXPl8RAfVyGrnVHPbmW0rez3VY0k_u3SV5BygRVD_13hjULVEkeE83WvAjdbZrN2rY91-UaVcgN8CuP6AzmVAZlObALkjrISKCH7BKo0woJVCLJKB6KjU_zpnX7xH-he/s1600/ginny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLfSjKXPl8RAfVyGrnVHPbmW0rez3VY0k_u3SV5BygRVD_13hjULVEkeE83WvAjdbZrN2rY91-UaVcgN8CuP6AzmVAZlObALkjrISKCH7BKo0woJVCLJKB6KjU_zpnX7xH-he/s1600/ginny.jpg" height="400" width="243" /></a></div>
Inspired to do a little something on my favorite series on the stands right now: Pretty Deadly. Kelly Sue Deconnick and Emma Rios have created a beautiful, haunting mythological western horror that is completely captivating. If you haven't read it yet, get out and find a copy of the first 5 issues...inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-88171594585917935902014-01-26T15:04:00.000-08:002014-01-26T15:04:00.271-08:00Sketch A Day #12 - Adam Hughes Tonal Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Found a great Captain Marvel piece by Adam Hughes on the web, and wanted to do a version with some of the similar tones on the toned paper to see how it would work. This uses both cool grey Copic markers and warm grey Copic markers on tonal paper with pencil, india ink and PH Martins white ink. While not entirely successful, this was an interesting experiment. thanks Adam for all the advice on working wet on wet with the Copic markers.<br />
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And please note that I believe Adam's piece to be infinitely better than mine, in both design and execution. He's a master at this stuff, so its just nice to have someone so solid in this type of work to look after for some ideas.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-17144653288929996682014-01-25T14:41:00.002-08:002014-01-25T14:41:30.314-08:00Sketch A Day #11 - Nude Figure Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfc6788tZXs7u2KQJQPrNAwVSVZapTeKzVY00U6O2af7ej3pGWUxxSbwn2QvkhX2HI9sTK4piCrc_wczXoFSOQRkHgzDwKaf3ELFyChKXxpMIWU81E8edaDm-ObyAINUGsRl1/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfc6788tZXs7u2KQJQPrNAwVSVZapTeKzVY00U6O2af7ej3pGWUxxSbwn2QvkhX2HI9sTK4piCrc_wczXoFSOQRkHgzDwKaf3ELFyChKXxpMIWU81E8edaDm-ObyAINUGsRl1/s1600/sketch.jpg" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
another figure sketch on the toned paper. still working out ways to play with the midtones, but I've not really done one to my satisfaction yet. Second half of this sketch done with my cat Voldemort curled up on my lap and occasionally pawing at the sketchbook.<br />
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I do NOT recommend this for beginners.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">toned paper, Mirado Black Warrior HB, Generals White Charcoal pencil</span></i>inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-14164088549192871362014-01-13T10:00:00.001-08:002014-01-13T10:00:34.924-08:00Sketch A Day #10 - Miscellaneous Stuff while Watching End of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Xit1zNflC5foTYfmI0vyGquHjPN3YlokuPycEESUkaYg0UptDS1TeKKidz9jFVP8uQK762A2Vdr18iDvbUewidvySQdrRNjb4MXpyBqjS1K61GAhkQ5hDJ1x1t-u6UV7OVSt/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Xit1zNflC5foTYfmI0vyGquHjPN3YlokuPycEESUkaYg0UptDS1TeKKidz9jFVP8uQK762A2Vdr18iDvbUewidvySQdrRNjb4MXpyBqjS1K61GAhkQ5hDJ1x1t-u6UV7OVSt/s400/sketch.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
I love Simon Pegg.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-33691742398969401152014-01-11T15:49:00.000-08:002014-01-11T15:49:17.253-08:00Sketch A Day #9 - Miscellaneous Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHExnJLBoW8lGOnmD37Ub-SGJAfQ6lzV3ArOSn8LjShGDiLXyEQTeEg43x_3iWGUrUq-YAcD7jPpFhcx82oSJcR9cOFodGJEHIAwDwlHlv-Ae57CZuVR5qkw-GjyizqciYon3/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHExnJLBoW8lGOnmD37Ub-SGJAfQ6lzV3ArOSn8LjShGDiLXyEQTeEg43x_3iWGUrUq-YAcD7jPpFhcx82oSJcR9cOFodGJEHIAwDwlHlv-Ae57CZuVR5qkw-GjyizqciYon3/s1600/sketch.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></div>
... drawn in a car while waiting for my daughter. Drawing by car light and with a steering wheel in the way is harder than i thought!inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-72010748060516232492014-01-09T00:18:00.001-08:002014-01-09T00:18:17.316-08:00In Which I Describe the Comics Business<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to try to describe the comics business to someone
today, to someone who was a fan, but was not an artist, who had no
inclinations to be an artist, and would likely never have to work with an
editor. And it was difficult. Not because he wasn’t an intelligent individual,
but because almost didn’t want to disabuse him of the notion of how comics were
created.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I almost wanted to enable him to live in the fantasy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all that’s why we read comics, right? To be able to
live in the fantasy world for a while, to imagine that we’re Iron Man or
Captain Marvel or Thor or whoever, and try to make the same good choices that
they’ve made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, however, I asked him what he did for a living.
He was a chemist he said. I asked him if, once he got in the job, it was filled
with the same stupid office politics that all jobs had. He shook his head yes.
And I replied, yeah, comics are like that too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it makes me sad, to see how many people of my generation
have been hurt by comics, by a business that spits people out like a meat
grinder on “high”. I’m thinking of multiple suicides over the last decade, so
many lost along the highway, and all for a four color printed fantasy that
seems to take over our minds somehow when we’re young and won’t release us as
we get older. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I used to feel sad when I realized that the vast majority of
the people around me didn’t know what they wanted to do when they “grew up”.
How could they not have the interest, the passion in something? How could the
not be consumed by the overwhelming love of something, that something that they
could carry forward into the world, into their life in a way? Do what you love
the money will come is the bumper stick philosophy, but sometimes trite becomes
true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I wonder if I had it backwards. If that passion is an
addiction or an obsession that rules us, making us make choices against our
best judgment. After all, no one would trust a drug addict to make that best
choices in their own lives, perhaps its time to admit that we dreamers (as Will
Eisner called us) live for too long with our head in the clouds, and that we’re
not always the best advocates for being released on our own recognizance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been reading “Woodwork”, the hardcover Wally
Wood exhibition book that does such a brilliant job of showcasing the work of
one of the most brilliant shooting stars in American illustration of the last
century, and making the case that we simply don’t, in any way, value the work,
dedication, vision that it takes to produce work of that quality. And so, it
asks us, in its own between the lines kind of way, why would any of us want to
dedicate ourselves to that sort of life? To learning that kind of skill and
spending the hours that it would take to perfect that level of craft? Because
it seems, when all is said and done (and there has been a lot of ink spilled
over the rise and fall of comics prodigal son, a man of such skill in every
area that he, like Jack Cole, could excel in literally every arena in which he
was asked to work) that there is little or no reward until you’re over the
rainbow. Woody would never see it in his lifetime. And yet, the work endures.
People who see it full size continue to be blown away by what Wally did with a
brush and some duo-tone board.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is the work enough?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the vast majority of us, yes, the work has to be enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<br /></div>
inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-71902904029032894442014-01-03T17:49:00.000-08:002014-01-03T17:49:00.307-08:00Sketch A Day #8 - Comtemplation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmd1YPmQMOmuw-hYQuFK17SNPunG6uoctBvcRurWdiHlezkO_1zm0qM0WDcHQA4MvQHMX3IdhmfuJeEWv0SVnpHTrnsKgwH1GtfEFWb0OYFur-o1v8wDn7pjv0RshZnw2GBdt/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmd1YPmQMOmuw-hYQuFK17SNPunG6uoctBvcRurWdiHlezkO_1zm0qM0WDcHQA4MvQHMX3IdhmfuJeEWv0SVnpHTrnsKgwH1GtfEFWb0OYFur-o1v8wDn7pjv0RshZnw2GBdt/s400/sketch.jpg" width="392" /></a>toned paper, HB graphite, Generals White Charcoalinkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-57280135222175617222014-01-02T18:12:00.000-08:002014-01-02T18:12:18.194-08:00Sketch A Day #7 - Stuff on a Legal Pad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1AGW6DPxQp3q8SRZt1OvrLsuYC6e66p7zMA7I8ccSgcm539qanlQmqo8xcxFFJ_HSgRlosgJfUFIw65BZvNrishzxZHt-B0ZMlPWa7Yhf5DlomRyky1ajZWWe9Gs_4oIuQjq/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1AGW6DPxQp3q8SRZt1OvrLsuYC6e66p7zMA7I8ccSgcm539qanlQmqo8xcxFFJ_HSgRlosgJfUFIw65BZvNrishzxZHt-B0ZMlPWa7Yhf5DlomRyky1ajZWWe9Gs_4oIuQjq/s400/sketch.jpg" width="400" /></a>... drawn with a dull number #2 pencil that i found in someone's misc drawer.<br />
<br />
Sketchs drawn out in Bolinas Ca, while visiting friends and hanging around the living room as the sun set over the water. Found a legal pad and an ancient Ticonderoga pencil and drew a bit. Then is was time for artichoke pasta and salad. Lovely evening.<br />
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And, again, is there anything here that i love? No, but then i promised to show the good with the bad, and this is bad. so be it, on to others.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-15353519275118425842013-12-29T10:12:00.000-08:002013-12-29T10:12:00.381-08:00Sketch A Day #6 - Miscellaneous Stuff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZLuMs3vw065j0G-B1BpxldqJI6xSw8V8l8nE49PCC_bKGrNv2Ev3ODffHxZJaxZmluOWLHJLOinBpIonSAwJ5Qaml30CVhPTllzzASn3ThIjP4qMbiBwloA3ou1zfQXXc_95/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZLuMs3vw065j0G-B1BpxldqJI6xSw8V8l8nE49PCC_bKGrNv2Ev3ODffHxZJaxZmluOWLHJLOinBpIonSAwJ5Qaml30CVhPTllzzASn3ThIjP4qMbiBwloA3ou1zfQXXc_95/s640/sketch.jpg" width="360" /></a>Lots o' little stuff here, wasn't using the white charcoal on this page. Started drawing with my little mechanical pentel, a holdover that I used for years, and it looked really nice of the toned paper. Next thing i knew, i had a bunch of little sketches on the page.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">HB graphite on toned paper</span></i>inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1San Rafael, CA, USA37.9735346 -122.5310873999999937.8734136 -122.69244889999999 38.0736556 -122.36972589999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-27690789132525022442013-12-28T14:00:00.001-08:002013-12-28T14:00:41.190-08:00Sketch A Day #5 - Channeling the Inner Klimt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInvW-44vJSuoWcaQTrVFOYtP3G4_rnSVGlukTH4HUtat4GrBaXrGjHjD7hdnIfoOLxA8GXI7x01evAB4wAnsoKcyfe2_xsm9sPmhBPfVLrsv6TQHhn7NSit40eBDN9hhjpbN7/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInvW-44vJSuoWcaQTrVFOYtP3G4_rnSVGlukTH4HUtat4GrBaXrGjHjD7hdnIfoOLxA8GXI7x01evAB4wAnsoKcyfe2_xsm9sPmhBPfVLrsv6TQHhn7NSit40eBDN9hhjpbN7/s640/sketch.jpg" width="244" /></a>the title says what it means. or, perhaps, a little Egon Schiele.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-83527819580220332452013-12-27T18:24:00.000-08:002013-12-27T18:24:04.688-08:00We Interrupt This Post: Galactus by Sienkiewicz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5SuCu0cpRbWO6PejMWtvWRELWcpKf3BaPhk2p45eV6HHVzirYXdfDPFx8alXH5MpMUFgWgZjkVRyJwG6umT0E_CpDuXz1AKh4M_suexmnoNBd8i-8s9gMYULIoIOex8AZ9Ow/s1600/Galactus+by+Sienkiewicz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5SuCu0cpRbWO6PejMWtvWRELWcpKf3BaPhk2p45eV6HHVzirYXdfDPFx8alXH5MpMUFgWgZjkVRyJwG6umT0E_CpDuXz1AKh4M_suexmnoNBd8i-8s9gMYULIoIOex8AZ9Ow/s640/Galactus+by+Sienkiewicz.jpg" width="473" /></a>yes, I'll say it again, Galactus by Sienkiewicz.<br />
<br />
Nuff Said.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-80676274827944898192013-12-25T18:09:00.001-08:002013-12-25T18:15:51.067-08:00Michael Jantze's Norm!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgut2HIHaLVespTrP8pviUk5s_jQghrv-viPEmYBwns29CS2oIURi-FK1iD7P2VkXvq7cO0KEkFHNr8CIpIRbYMqz3FIwRfFBczq9rYsqt9iijQ0oLVn4N0-x49TIlW0q-EV3T/s1600/jantze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgut2HIHaLVespTrP8pviUk5s_jQghrv-viPEmYBwns29CS2oIURi-FK1iD7P2VkXvq7cO0KEkFHNr8CIpIRbYMqz3FIwRfFBczq9rYsqt9iijQ0oLVn4N0-x49TIlW0q-EV3T/s320/jantze.JPG" width="320" /></a>The great Michael Jantze gave me the gift of an original Norm strip yesterday, and its a beaut. I'm even featured in the last panel in the black t-shirt. My wife and kids think that he absolutely captured me and I'm enclined to agree with them. To see the strip up close, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Z5Cd6qtss&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLuILLiW-OVK1Kt2Ih3tTUKOKJqC3OEolN" target="_blank">go here</a>! If the jam section has enough room at the back of the newest Norm Graphic Novel I may have a piece in there as well. I wait with baited breath.<br />
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You can follow the adventures of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JantzeStudios" target="_blank">The Norm on Youtube at the jantze Studios</a> link as well. Lots of archived material to work your way through!inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-57457832761271006862013-12-23T12:20:00.000-08:002013-12-23T12:20:37.043-08:00Sketch A Day #4 - Woman's Face in Shadow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlywPAVAA1QbzwvT4U_gzMtNzQBc_WIhjF_WHVzmvGjPqivSLyxzWv4ToMjoP1aEzP1H-0wIJh34XUCyAKHpjivYCQtoatkr6GNo5g5-t4WmjbKw45vMcOFqFDz8asxlbDXe4/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlywPAVAA1QbzwvT4U_gzMtNzQBc_WIhjF_WHVzmvGjPqivSLyxzWv4ToMjoP1aEzP1H-0wIJh34XUCyAKHpjivYCQtoatkr6GNo5g5-t4WmjbKw45vMcOFqFDz8asxlbDXe4/s400/girl.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
A new sketch on the very lovely tanned paper.<br />
<br />
So here is the deal. I hate the sketchbooks section of the art magazines. Do you know why? Because the sketchbook is the place that you can make mistakes, take chances, screw up and its OK. By cherry picking the best of the Adam Hughes sketchbook, or the Kevin Nowlan sketchbook, what we end up with is even doubly defeating to artists like myself.<br />
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Because what it says to us is, "Not only is their finished work better than yours, but their sketches are practically flawless." Not fair, not fair at all. So the deal is, for the next year, I'll show you all the sketchbook pages, warts and all, and i won't hide even the stuff that I'm utterly embarrassed by.<br />
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Thats the sketch a day manifesto here.<br />
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Today's sketch (well, actually from last night) has its problems.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-3358912980641167812013-12-21T10:23:00.000-08:002013-12-21T10:23:04.710-08:00Sketch A Day #3 - Nude Figure Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vkcw_RSAv1xwVyefJHsp09-ael87EW_XGYkv54qpgU_vrBRByg9DOxjTRGbPqBLW-HMSXoaNeBAa7eQVBdXYzAwg8I7BoGjyTvQ3bIuFPTn1zjMYkCungx0b34ZDo4En6-Rn/s1600/nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vkcw_RSAv1xwVyefJHsp09-ael87EW_XGYkv54qpgU_vrBRByg9DOxjTRGbPqBLW-HMSXoaNeBAa7eQVBdXYzAwg8I7BoGjyTvQ3bIuFPTn1zjMYkCungx0b34ZDo4En6-Rn/s400/nude.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
More toned paper, gonna be working this sketch pad for a while. A figure study of a nude, draped over what looks to be a medium sized ottoman. Artistic, and very comfortable looking pose.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Generals Charcoal White pencil, Ritmo Charcoal HB pencil, Strathmore Toned Tan 400 series</i></span>inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-36248966768759444242013-12-20T09:36:00.001-08:002013-12-20T09:36:53.594-08:00Sketch A Day #2 - Female Head on Toned Paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g1J5wQ7_ej7HZ67Z-DIRNeeKPs6PqBb1QUd7gBy5_m3e54fOChUGwveB4YYqk4YY3vExDRjkmA2-jc4RlWKtAK_CppXr7RepFQZAvZxe6fkGfm8eak5Hs_FC4bOtT04J29Cj/s1600/head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g1J5wQ7_ej7HZ67Z-DIRNeeKPs6PqBb1QUd7gBy5_m3e54fOChUGwveB4YYqk4YY3vExDRjkmA2-jc4RlWKtAK_CppXr7RepFQZAvZxe6fkGfm8eak5Hs_FC4bOtT04J29Cj/s400/head.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
working on freeing myself from the same materials i've always used, so moving to do some sketches on toned paper, and using that as a midtone, is just one way to do it.<br />
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also using white and black charcoal pencils to work against the grain of the paper. Should be interesting. Could be terrible. You'll have to let me know. My critical filter will be up, probably higher than yours.<br />
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A female head, study in contrasts, not bad, not great. Page 1 of this sketchbook.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-79426555898575145482013-12-18T23:29:00.002-08:002013-12-18T23:29:34.327-08:00Sketch A Day #1 - The Sandman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRylnwW0aXQnDrHJVp6ZnTKlnFyoXS0dx0gEUINsqv4pFgf1cxuzI5vAR1h9nJQQPqazgWt2PdHKiN6ACZxI-AELdmmTG-vorhlUYayDKQAJAnI117w07CAUjrhsuv66qvyH/s1600/morpheus+dec+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRylnwW0aXQnDrHJVp6ZnTKlnFyoXS0dx0gEUINsqv4pFgf1cxuzI5vAR1h9nJQQPqazgWt2PdHKiN6ACZxI-AELdmmTG-vorhlUYayDKQAJAnI117w07CAUjrhsuv66qvyH/s400/morpheus+dec+13.jpg" width="320" /></a>Getting back to it, and going to try to do the sketch a day thing... we'll see how long a slow artist like myself can keep this up.<br />
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This Sandman is india ink on bristol, a little PH Martin's white on top, and zip-a-tone via photoshop. Enjoy!<br />
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This is an inking of a sketch started a while ago, and inspired by my visit to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco to see The Sandman retrospective, and hear Mike Dringenberg talk about the work. I've not seen Mike in about 15 years, so it was nice to go and see him.<br />
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More on that later!inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-11600113777392903832013-11-13T15:38:00.001-08:002013-11-13T15:38:55.668-08:00Video: A Visit to the Kirby Museuma quick video of a visit to the Kirby Muesum on the lower west side. Wish i was in New York to go...<br />
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<a href="https://showyou.com/v/y-IDdcf_Tm33k/we-visited-the-jack-kirby-museum?c=tech">https://showyou.com/v/y-IDdcf_Tm33k/we-visited-the-jack-kirby-museum?c=tech</a>inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-36334951977372568872013-11-04T09:44:00.001-08:002013-11-04T09:44:23.029-08:00You Must Go: The Jack Kirby Museum Opens for One Week in NYC!<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Jack Kirby Museum opens TODAY for one trial week:</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Monday, November 4–Sunday, November 10th</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">178 Delancey Street, New York City</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Admission is FREE; suggested donation $2 for adults</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">It looks like it’s open 12pm-7pm most days, but check </span><a href="http://kirbymuseum.org/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #ff4a00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.kirbymuseum.org/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #ff4a00; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.kirbymuseum.org</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"> for details. There’s an opening reception Monday night at 7pm.</span>inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31147228.post-12533874566250794612013-10-31T11:21:00.000-07:002013-10-31T13:04:34.491-07:00The Return of the Sandman: Revising the Revisions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipjL_-qhxcQH7TUcBeos2xkG6FQtMnb0FrWh-kwsQxJnIfqXfY8faoj1qtJMVG8Ygn_HfFnLaJIGAYf6HBWsEuOzE50UmPkX0vwfyqGAZaLQENfrJ6FaYT0R7z2lwbjuYbl-q/s1600/Sandman-Overture-Promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipjL_-qhxcQH7TUcBeos2xkG6FQtMnb0FrWh-kwsQxJnIfqXfY8faoj1qtJMVG8Ygn_HfFnLaJIGAYf6HBWsEuOzE50UmPkX0vwfyqGAZaLQENfrJ6FaYT0R7z2lwbjuYbl-q/s320/Sandman-Overture-Promo.jpg" width="320" /></a>As difficult as it may be to do so, try to return to the halycon days of 1989, when the Rob Liefields and Jim Lees of the world were starting to push superhero comics into a new artistic paradigm, and when how novel the concept of finding anyone to actually follow up Alan Moore on Saga of the Swamp Thing would be. And a sweet little goth book showed up on the stands with some very interesting covers. And it was really anything but sweet.<br />
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Years later, and one great revolution of Vertigo later, with millions of copies in print in tons of different permutations, Sandman started to actually look quaint. And a bit coy in places. At least to some. While I'm unable to find the link now, somewhere around 2007, a comics roundtable came together, of reviewers that i generally respected even if I didn't always agree with, to reassess Gaiman's Sandman. The result was a beatdown that made Liefield's New Mutants look fairly good by comparison. I thought that they were spectacularly wrong. While not faultless, Sandman was brave and bold and interesting and managed to pull off way more than it didn't, and slagging off the series showed more than a little of the biases of the reviewers more so than it did the faults of the series. One quote I remember was, "With some distance, the whole series is looking slightly embarassing."<br />
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In 1990 I moved in with a girl who had never read comics before, so i gave her a stack of material that she promised to read. A mix of stuff i personally enjoyed, including the just published Doll's House collection. The rest of the comics she could have cared less about. the Doll's House? She came back demanding more. The collection she'd already loaned out to a girlfriend, who would loan it out to more friends. It was the perfect collection of horror and drama and fantasy and sex and otherworldliness to hit a whole chunk of females directly in the head. She didn't become a comic fan, but she did become a Sandman fan.<br />
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I hated to tell her that there wasn't, right then, a whole lot more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/30/returning-neil-gaiman-sandman?CMP=ema_565&et_cid=54482&et_rid=charles.yoakum@gmail.com&Linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.theguardian.com%2fbooks%2f2013%2foct%2f30%2freturning-neil-gaiman-sandman" target="_blank">The guardian has a nice write up</a>, with spoilers for the just released Sandman Overture, as well, and it always sounds like those music beat writers who can tell you exactly where and when they first heard Hendrix/Sex Pistols/Nirvana. It was profoundly different, it was moving, and it changed everything.<br />
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So for all the reviewers who look back, and with the somewhat brilliant and snarky hindsight of 2007 or 2013, and find the adventures of Rose Walker, or the giddy introduction of Death (holding an infant who died in its crib slightly plaintifly asking, "Is that all there is?"), or the brilliant little bits of the city who slept and dreamed away its citizens, slightly cloying. Please note that there are far more of us who were moved and touched by the beauty of the series than will ever be embarassed by it. And while none of us were clamoring for the prequel, the fact that it exists as drawn by the very best artist working in comics in the last couple of years, is a testament to the fact that neil must have a story that wanted to be told, as opposed to a check that he wanted to cash.<br />
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And I can't wait to read it.inkdestroyedmybrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037083364689982443noreply@blogger.com1