Lady Robotika Plot Twist!

So, I can finally reveal I helped out new 2009 buddy Tony Fleecs for an Image book that another old buddy Bill Morrison did that stars Go-Go's singer/songwriter/guitarist/ordained minister/super-cutie Jane Wiedlin as new comic book hero LADY ROBOTIKA!

They were all at the Kansas City Planet Comicon this weekend. As Tony tells its, while they were on the panel, Tony broke the news that I had pinch-hit for him on the lettering. In the 90s, I'd worked with Bill at Bongo Comics, lettering some of the first Simpsons books. It was great to see the new stuff Bill is up to, and about one of my favorite crushes when I was a teen. Hopefully, it wasn't too great a shock to all concerned. I'm just stoked Jane Wiedlin's actually heard my name. Maybe I'll get to meet her. One can dream!

Fraggle Rock!

Over at Comicvine, the incredibly talented folks who made issue 1 of Fraggle Rock (from Archaia Publishing) are introduced. Go meet 'em! Super-talented creators all.

Then, go out May 1st and get your Free Fraggle Rock comic (a Free Comic Book Day giveaway), and buy issue 1 which will be out by the end of April. YAY!

Hey Kids! Comics!

Marvel previews my work on the upcoming MIGHTY AVENGERS 35!
I love that Ultron.

Hey Kids! Comics!

Preview of my upcoming work on SECRET WARRIORS 14.

Return to IRON MAN LEGACY

Marvel writer Fred Van Lente has begun a new title IRON MAN:LEGACY, which I have the good fortune to be working on thanks to editor Alejandro Arbona. Coincidentally, Fred specifially asked the style to be like the Kurt Busiek/Sean Chen HEROES RETURN IRON MAN vol 3 style... which I helped develop while I was at Comicraft. So, it's great to "return" myself from whatever hyperspace bubble I've been living in and rejoin telling Iron Man's adventures.

More at the link at Marvel.com

The first issue cover by Francis Tsai
Great covers by Brandon Peterson coming! Enjoy, y'all, and give some feedback.

Updated my drawing blog...

Over at Draw, Artmonkey, Draw, I've posted links to two new galleries I'm showing current work in my animation portfolio. They're Animation Character Design and Animation Storyboards. I'd appreciate feedback. I'm seriously interested in growing as an animation artist, and I have a new appreciation for the story artists and character designers from these efforts.

Launching sketchbook publication design for 2010

I'm encouraging convention-going artists this year to use our design group's expertise to assemble and print for your ashcans, sketchbooks and specialty publications. If you've never designed and produced a book for press, it can be an uphill effort when you've already got a lot on your plate for attending shows. For more, check my blog post at tumblr.

We offer every level of service, from consultation of a press-ready book to preparation from scratch at your art direction. See samples of previous publication design at http://www.coroflot.com/artmonkeys/publication_design , and if you need me live, contact me at http://www.twitter.com/artmonkeys. I'm also available directly at artmonkeys.studios@gmail.com

What have been your favorite sketchbooks you've bought? Chris Sanders, Ben Caldwell, Andy Suriano, William Stout, James Jean, Bill Presing, Brandon Peterson, and Ronnie del Carmen have been some of mine. They were all spectrum of paper quality, binding and color, and all a treasured insight into each artists' well-spent time and thoughts outside of comic publishing.

Danny Rand is doomed

Comic Book Resource's Timothy Callahan has posted a couple of reviews about the Iron Fist team hand-off to the new writer Duane Swierczynski and new artist Travel Foreman, and to his credit, he gets the change of team. Issue 17's review praises the scene set 10 years into the future when we find out Danny Rand, the Immortal Iron Fist, is dead. Issue 18 enjoys the story that's rolling out with Danny at his wit's and endurance's end against an immortal who seemingly has killed ALL Iron Fists at their 33rd year. I haven't seen what's coming next, but I ought to soon, I suppose, eh Warren and Alejandro? Look for the Iron Fist special coming soon!

True Believers #2 and #3 reviewed

Greg Bergas gives a nice review for a book I was fortunate to not only letter, but design the logo. Pop Syndicate also gives a glowing review for issue 2. Kudos to my editor Bill Rosemann for hooking this gig up when we sorely needed it! And Lauren Henry is a hoot to banter with. Although, she apparently thinks I'm a dork for liking the Scots. Ya can't win 'em all. True Believers is by Cary Bates, Paul Gulacy, and Rain Beredo. Go read it. I like it a lot. True Believers 3 cover by Paul Gulacy...and a logo by me!

Jeff Parker podcasts AGE OF SENTRY #1

Some of the lettering I did for book and covers for Age of Sentry made it into a recent Marvel Comics podcast. Where my work is shown, check out 0:25 and 1:30-1:31. I'm hard at work on Sentry #2 (yep, Mark & Jordan), and most of the issue is to bed already. I'll post artwork when I can again. It went on sale September 17th. Also, check out this Marvel Podcast from a few of the team, writer Jeff Parker, assistant editor Jordan White, and surprise guest Senior Editor Mark Paniccia.


Oh, and there's the rare interview where I get quoted.

Calavera Comics Shout Out

Thanks to the Calavera Comics guys for linking me at their great blog.
They're a group of super-talented artists breaking into comics and studying at the Art Institute of Tampa. Props to John, Alex, Mark, Brian and Jason! Here's to making some comics, guys! /raises inkwell/

Portfolio Submissions! Artists Wanted

Hey artists out there:

I'm on the lookout for professional pencilers, inkers and colorists.

Submit samples of your work during March 2007 at artmonkeys (dot) studios (at) gmail (dot) com, and those who I am able to work with, I'll be able to offer competitive industry rates for your work.

(links to online galleries would be preferred, but I could accept attachments 1MB or smaller, so give me an initial heads-up that your following e-mail will contain attachments. Wouldn't want any attachments to clog up my inbox and cause your contact to me go missing. I'm always pushing the limits of g-mail's storage... :D )

The Eagle Awards 2006 Nominations

The Eagle Awards 2006 Nominations are being taken online back at that link.

First time I noticed the Eagle Awards was an early X-Men comic I owned in the 6th grade; I think it was a John Byrne/Terry Austin cover of the X-Men in the Savage Land, Colossus and Cyclops tied to a red-hot stake. My admiration for comics grew immediately upon seeing the Eagle Awards icon as I realized artists and writers could win an award for making comics...what a great job they have!

Now I'm all twitterpated that I'm in the mix, nominated for Best Letterer. But don't mind me; go vote! (And not for me, but for the best letterer; but if you do vote for me, I appreciate the kind thoughts and support!) ;-)

Why publishing is so tricky

Because you have to care about the fans. And mean it.

A sad week

First, we got the sad news that our friends in Utah delivered their baby stillborn last week, and had the viewing yesterday; beautiful Zane Andrews. John & Holly, Zane's mom and dad, are handling this well, I have heard, and I'm not. Sad, sad, sad... tears me up now writing this.

And, now I just got off the phone that one of the collabs I was going to be working with on an upcoming book, a phenom colorist named Drew Posada, has passed away recently. I was just speaking of him a couple weeks ago, while sorting out the details of this new project with the publisher. An incredible talent, and interesting guy. Here's a thread about Drew, at the World-Famous colorist forum, GutterZombie....

Rest in Peace boys.

Joesph Barbera has passed away

BBC NEWS reports briefly on US cartoonist Joseph Barbera passing away.

A longer profile is featured at CBS.

I'm sure there will be memorials coming soon from Mark Evanier and many comics professionals. Joseph Barbera is a legend of the animation industry, both as a cartoonist and a director.

Joe will be missed; but we'll have his & Bill's characters to remind us of the long, wonderful picnic we all shared.

Truly, Joe was smarter than the average bear.

So, Celebrate Monkey Day

...with these fine Monkey Day Comics.
Enjoy!!

Happy Monkey Day! (belatedly)

See? It's not just us...

Derec Donovan & Jim Fern book previews

One link for two realllly good previews of books at DC by three buddies of mine.

First preview is CONNOR HAWKE: DRAGON'S BLOOD, a new mini-series written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Derec Donovan (formerly known as Derec Aucoin). The writing and art are both top-notch. Derec just keeps getting better!

Second, further down in the column, Jim Fern is the featured artist on a new Vertigo series called CROSSING MIDNIGHT, a contemporary horror/fantasy tale -- Jim had alluded to his new Vertigo series recently to me, and I'm excited to read the first issue preview so soon after. Great work, Jim!

THE END of the FANTASTIC FOUR!

NEWSARAMA has a nice preview about Alan Davis' FANTASTIC FOUR: THE END series coming in November... and I've just today been pegged to letter the series! I'll let Matt Brady tell you the rest of what you need to know... I've got Alan Davis pages to go letter pronto!!