Went to this guy's DeviantArt page via the always-fun The Kirby Project. He's a little bit Cheeks, a little bit Shane Glines (maybe even with a hint of Ragnar in there).
When you're called Sprang, you've got to wonder - is drawing Batman's rogues gallery so well just... in the genes?
Maybe the best thing about the release of WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 is the reopening of the debate about format in comic books. Apart from the usual voices of reactionary conservatism, criticism seems limited to quibbles about the price-point and the paper-stock. And I'm especially optimistic about the way it has people enthused about the possibilities of this particular format, even if they aren't completely struck by the specifics of the anthology's contents. As such, it'd be great to see other publishers launching or experimenting with titles in this tabloid size. And specifically, I'd love to see a UK publisher take the plunge, whether it was Rebellion or some free-thinking new boy. A Dez Skinn for the 21st Century. As the seeming natural home of anthology comics, and with it's abundance of great-but-famously-slow artists, the UK seems like the natural home of such a comic. Surely even Brian Bolland, Mick McMahon and Kev O'Neill could produce a one page strip for a weekly, fortnightly or monthly comic? And when you think of this caliber of UK artists, other names just start flowing. The greatest hits of creators from 2000AD, WARRIOR and DEADLINE. Garry Leach, Colin Wilson (not technically from the UK, but he'll get my point), Shaky Kane, Brendan McCarthy, Bryan Talbot, Dave Gibbons, Glenn Fabry, Brett Ewins, Steve and Glynn Dillon, Phil Bond, Jamie Hewlett even. Steve Parkhouse, David Lloyd. Barry Windsor Smith, if anyone can still reach him. Simon Bisley. I'm trying to go out of my way to name artists not currently getting exclusive contract work in the U.S., or I'd throw in names like Alan Davis and Liam Sharp in, too. I'm also trying deliberately to throw out names from the commercial golden eras of those big three anthologies, or I'd soon get around to guys like Hitch, Quitely, Trevor Hairsine, Jock, Frazer Irving.
Hell, Tharg - pick any 15/16 of those, splash the cash, and that's your greatest ever end of year special right there.
As you might have heard, Joel Meadows has been having trouble getting the distributor Diamond to pick up the Tripwire Annual 2009. I'm guessing its usual readership is taking its publication for granted - but don't - and make sure you pre-order it as soon as possible, or you could be missing out on some great stuff (and as I keep saying, Meadows is UK fandom's best interviewer).
Hey kids! Time to geddalong to Ebay and bid on Paul Holden's latest DOCTOR WHO-themed painting. Stick it up over the mantelpiece and quiver in fear as Dave Ten-inch's mad eye follows you around the room.
Ignore the crappy video, enjoy my favourite chooon from MORE SONGS ABOUT LOVE AND HATE. Always thought Rick Rubin should have got Cash to cover this before he died.
Our homeboy Peej spelt out how to make it in comics last night, through the medium of Twitter. Inspired stuff, and well worth the cutting and pasting.
#ArtistsTips the only person you can rely on is yourself. And even then you can only be 50% sure of that.
#artiststips you're right: it IS about WHO you know, unfortunately, though editors know a LOT people who can draw better than you.
#ArtistsTips when your wife asks what were you doing til 2:30am - tell her you were drawing.
#ArtistsTips instead of drawing, go to twitter and keep hitting refresh - eventually an editor will spontaneously commission you via a DM.
#ArtistsTips buy some books on anatomy and drawing and leave them on your drawing table. Osmosis isn't just for plants.
#ArtistsTips your portfolio case can handle more than 12 pages! Why not pack it full of stuff, an editor is BOUND to like something in there
#ArtistsTips when an editor tells you what's wrong with your portfolio - why not disagree with them! They can't tell you how to draw. Idiots.
#ArtistsTips if you're too embarrassed to draw nekkid girls in case people think you're a perve - why not make 'em superheroes!
#ArtistsTips your mother and your girlfriend are NOT good judges of your talent. But your dad probably is. And he hates you.
#ArtistsTips Don't want to draw that panel? why not photocopy an earlier panel and ENLARGE it. Almost no-one will notice.
#ArtistsTips to misquote Kirby: every time you erase a line you lose money! Remember this!
#ArtistsTips There IS a magic pen that can make you draw just like Adam Hughes/Mignola/[other] - you just have to find it - now get looking!
#ArtistsTips do work that excites you or you die a little with every compromise. Do work that pays you or you die of starvation.
#ArtistTips find a new, unpublished writer, offer to do a three page strip for them, from that day on - you OWN THEM.
@simonfraser find a writer you like DRINKING with. A pro can work with ANYONE...
#ArtistTips if you find yourself attacking the table at awkward angles-like a snooker player on a trick shot-it may be time to lose weight
Pro Artist Tips: Writers will buy you drinks. Writers will buy anyone but other writers drinks. Remember this. It will save you a FORTUNE.
Pro Artist Tips: Make sure you sneak wolverine into every page - that'll give you a good secondary income when you sell the pages...
Pro Artist Tips: A silhouette looks cool AND is quick to draw.
Comic Artist Tips: the 'zone' happens at exactly 10 minutes before you hit the sack. Why not fool yourself by working a full 24 hrs...
Comic Artist Tips: that writer you can't stand? him? yeah? you'll end up working with him eventually. Bite your lip.
Comic Artist Tips: remember, when asked how fast you are, the answer is ALWAYS "1 page per day"
Comic Artist Tips:why not make sure you eek out every last minute of your deadline,filling the time with self loathing and fear of rejection
Comic Artist tips (everyone else is doing it, why not me?) Want to know what it's like to be a pro comic artist with kids? Punch yourself in the balls 4 times a day, sleep 4 hours per night, eat dinner standing up and... that's it!
1. io9's 20 movies Marvel need to make. Wot, no DEATHLOK? It's a two-word pitch - "zombie ROBOCOP!"
2. Brendan McCarthy's Dream Gang. Rather lovely.
It's exactly a fortnight since my plea for more of you to click on the followers widget in the sidebar, and the numbers have more than quadrupled. And what a talented bunch you are, too. I heartily recommend any lurkers out there to have a poke around among the icons in this feature, as you may very well find some great blogs that've previously escaped your attention. But also lurkers, get clicking that "follow" button, yourself. Apparently it's the law that I have to throw a party when the number of followers hits 33.
BL reader Akira The Don turns out to be an Alan Moore-Jack Kirby-Stanley Kubrick-obsessed, tip-top, hip-hop producer. Who knew?
Three dudes sitting around talking shit about guitars? Sounds like my kind of documentary.
