Monday, June 30, 2008

I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets

Howdy,

Discovered this book while on vacation last week. It's been out awhile, but well worth getting.
Fletcher Hanks is one of the most unusal comics artist around. His stories may be repetitive, but they hold a certain fascination for lovers of the bizarre. The fun is in the punishment of the bad guys. The Super Wizard Stardust, Fantomah, Mystery Woman of the Jungle, when it comes to dealing out justice, Dirty Harry was a piker next to these guys.



Check it out here:

Fletcher Hanks

"The Chinaman's Ghost"

Howdy,

A couple posts back I talked about John Severin. This panel from Eerie #20 (Warren Publishing) stuck with me.



Years later, I started a story with no real ending figured out. I do that alot. My writing is at most, derivitive and not up to professional standards. This sketch was the germ of an idea.

I hacked out a few pages and ran out of steam. It's obvious were it was headed, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it.
Hope you enjoy what's there.




Sunday, June 29, 2008

Howdy,

An Art History class assignment from graphic design school.


Saturday, June 28, 2008

I'm Back



An idea sketch for a "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" parody. My favorite part is the submitted by Bill Wyman.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Influences File #2

Howdy,

In 1967, my family was going somewhere on vacation. I can't remember what we did, it might be the one to Disneyland where my sister and I threw salami on raisin bread sandwiches out the back window of the station wagon, but I do remember getting this comic for the trip. Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #46. It was a revelation. I knew then I wanted to draw like John Severin! He has had a long and varied career in comics, doing everything from science fiction to war to westerns to sword and sorcery to horror to Mad and Cracked humor mags. You name it and he's probably done it. And his style has hardly wavered. It's like he sprang full blown from day one as this amazing artist. I am truly in awe of his talents. I was exposed to his work early on without really knowing it by my uncle Stan who gave us kids Mad and Cracked magazines when he visited.

This is the cover of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #46. This is the book that started me thinking seriously about doing comic books. This is the book that put the name John Severin into my head forever.



This is one of my favorite panels from the story. The detail of the equipment, the poses and placing of the soldiers blow me away.



I also love his faces. From Two Fisted Tales #21


Trees of Mystery, Northern California

Friday, June 20, 2008

Howdy,

I started this acrylic a few (try at least 15) years ago. The eyes were left blank. So was my mind as far as this painting was concerned.
Then, last year I went a spurt of creativity and did a few new pieces and finished this. I don't like to overthink a picture. I find my best or favorite pieces are done quickly. If it isn't working, leave it alone and come back to it later. "Step away from the canvas with your hands up".

Phun with Photoshop

Howdy,

A picture I took while on vacation in Seattle.



and the actual photo for comparison.

Howdy,

A little something from me and my pal Gary Wray.





That's all folks! See ya tomorrow!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Howdy,

Special effects wizard Stan Winston passed away last Sunday after a battle with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

Which means I should probably do this post I've been thinking about, now. On Friday, May 21, 2008 Musician Richie Hass passed away from myeoloma. I have never met the man, or seen him in person. But I enjoyed his music. I was in the process of
transfering my worn out cassette of Richie Hass and the Beatniks "Beatnikmania" to mp3 format when I discovered it was almost a lost cause. I had bought the tape back in the 80's at a Rhino Record Backyard Sale and had proceeded to annoy my friends by constantly playing it.

I googled the blogs and internet hoping to find a new copy before going through with the hassle of fixing the tape and hoping to get one more recording out of it. This was on May 2I, 2008. I found this site (http://friendsofrichie.blogspot.com/2008/03/richie-hass-1952-2008.html) with this entry.

"Richie Hass 1952-2008

Apparently the relapse hit Richie way harder than we thought it would...the blow was lethal. The fight is now over and Richie went as a warrior. "

Needless to say, I was heartsick.

Well, I fixed the cassette as best I could and transfered the songs to my computer, though not in the best of quality.
Here then is my favorite song from Richie Hass. His laughter is contagious on this one.

Your Mama

Flash card

Howdy,

A comic strip for your enjoyment. I love Alex Raymond's art.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Saturday, June 14, 2008

We interupt our program...

Howdy,

A little cheesecake for the fanboys. Did this as a black and white spot illo for The Comics Journal. Might of ended up in Amazing Heroes, if used at all.

Friday, June 13, 2008

We gotta break this Pogjam




A poggy day in London town...

Howdy,

Some more poggy goodness (or is it badness?).