CAP SMASH PUNY GREEN HULK

Here's a sketch I did for a student that won a contest for our fall fundraiser. She was supposed to get just Captain America, but when she asked if I could somehow include the Hulk(Bucket O' Characters), I coudn't refuse. Anyway, I think this really turned out pretty cool , and it was a blast to do! On a side note, the Bucket O' Characters will have to take a backseat for a while. Last year I started drawing sketches for my students at Christmas time, and in order to continue the new tradition, I'll be working on their Christmas list until it's finished. However there is no need to despair, I'll be posting those sketches as I get them completed.

SHADOW OF THE BAT-ALFRED PENNYWORTH

Here's number 3 from the bucket-Alfred Pennyworth. I guess in my opinion, Alfred is more superhero than alot of the guys walking around in spandex. I mean does Bats have a fool proof plan to stop Alfred if he goes rogue?! I don't think so! Yet if Big Blue skips in line at the water fountain-KaPow! It's Bat-Kryptonite time! Really had a blast drawing this one. Next up...the Green Goliath!

SHAZAM SPLASH SMACKDOWN!

Here's the second sketch from the Bucket O' Characters-Shazam! My youngest girl picked the Big Red Cheese from the bucket about a week ago. Because Captain Marvel is one of my favorite characters, I decided to use an 11x17 comic art board and gave him a little extra attention. In our story, young Billy Batson witnesses an explosion causing him to speak the magic word- Shazam! Now transformed into the World's Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel uses his might to battle the evil forces of Dr. Sivana. It was the first time I had used one of the art boards and did a sequential page. I think it turned out pretty good! Next up for the drawing board-Alfred Pennyworth!

Bucket O' Characters

I decided it was time for me to get better at this sketchin' stuff so I devised a plan to help. I realize I'll never be the likes of the many talented artist here on DA, but I'd like to be somewhat in the same city as the ballpark they play in. So...I came up with the Bucket O' Characters. I found that I spend most of my time doodlin' or sketchin' with no purpose. I figured that I draw much better when I have a definate idea to work with(I know-rocket science right?). Enter the Bucket. I wrote down as many characters as I could think of, cut them up into little strips, and put them into the Bucket. Before sketchin' begins, I pull one and Shazam!-instant idea. With this new technology, I'll hit 3000 page views in no time! Now if I can only fix DC's Final Crisis.

HEROESCON!

WoW! Heroescon was unbelievable this year-we had such a blast! On Friday, the day started with madness as I ran from table to table trying to lock up the sketch commissions I wanted. I just missed the cut off for a few that I wanted, but was able to score a sweet Batgirl from Phil Noto! I picked up a commission by Jonboy Meyers of an amazing Shazam! that I had already ordered before the show. Inker Marc Deering was kind enough to do an incredible job inking it for me. Continuing with the Shazam! theme, I got sketches from Billy Fowler and Sunny Lee that were really cool. I also met Andie Tong, a super nice guy from England(but really all over the place) who worked on the UK version of Spidey. He had some fantastic sketches and pages that he was selling. Saturday was a little more easy going. Jeremy Dale hooked me up with a sweet Red Tornado, and Nate Lovett did a great Panthro for me. We also met Loston Wallace, a local illustrator who did an awesome Superfriends reading book we got for our daughter(she loves it!). Of course we did take a short break to go to a monster fabric store for my wife, the Quiltinator. She is really an amazing quilter! On Sunday, we took it very easy. I picked up a few sketches that were being finished and took a break for pizza! Another super nice guy we met Sunday was Kevin Sharpe. He had some good stuff goin' on with his tight sketches! Overall, it was a Heroes to remember. It had cool comics, awesome artist, and spectacular supers! I mean where else can you get your picture taken with men in tight stretchy pants? Don't answer that! Thanks to all who made Heroescon '08 a great time!

Birthday Best of Both Worlds

Recently, we celebrated our oldest daughter's 5th birthday. Being a comic book fanboy and the only man in a family of four, I always get out-voted on the theme for each birthday party. In the past, my ideas have lost to the likes of Carebears, Nemo, and Princesses. But this year was different. Yes, this year would be THE birthday celebration that would make up for all the furballs, seaweed, and divas. This year we would have to put the S. H. E. I. L. D. helicarrier on auto-pilot, lockdown the Fortress of Solitude, and draw straws to see who would have watchtower duty so the many superheroes of the world could attend my 5 year old's birthday bash. Dressed as Supergirl, my super-girl had her friends dress as their favorite heroes in order to save the day from the vile Party Pooper. Even my youngest daughter got in on saving the day. Dressed as Batgirl, she amazed and astonished party-goers with her charisma and cuteness. The World's Finest tandem led the other little heroes in the various missions throughout the day. The party guest seem to soar through the atmosphere while playing musical chairs to the Superman theme. A superhero scavenger hunt to find the world's greatest heroes was completed to save the world. Finally, Wonder Woman's spectacular macaroni and cheese defeated my nemesis Hunger. When the party was over, my World's Finest retired to their stasis chamber for an afternoon nap. Silence once again filled the Halls of Justice, and all was well in the world. With the end of this successful heroic mission, you can bet that I've already begun planning my 2 year old's super birthday party in September.

HEROESCON ULTIMATE ARTIST ALLEY CHALLENGE!

I need your help. Heroescon is coming soon and I have a difficult decision to make. The decision is not whether to go or not-I'm so there. The incredibly difficult challenge that lies ahead of me is what sketches I leave the convention with this year. Sketches like the one posted above by Jerry Gaylord. Do I get the traditional Batman or go for the backwards Batzarro? The Spidey and His Amazing Friends or Iron Spider vs. Sinister Six? Can you see my dilemma? So many cool ideas- so little fundage. Give me some ideas about what would be the ultimate commission for this years Heroescon. It could be a single character, a versus battle, or a team up. An A-list superhero or a B-list bystander would be fine. I'm open to suggestions. Whatever I choose, I'll post after Heroescon. See you at heroes!

Free Comic Book Day!

Wow, has it really been that long since I've blogged? Well it's about time! Just had to blog about the great time I had at Heroes Aren't Hard To Find for FCBD. This is how FCBD should be. The store was filled with folks scooping up those free comics and fanboys talking about the Ironman movie, the next crisis, or the next Skrull. Outside, the dollar bins were being swarmed by bargain hunters seeking to fill in those full runs or looking for those diamonds in the rough. The real fun started at 1:00 when the artist and writers arrived. It was awesome! I didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked, but I did manage to score a couple of sweet sketches while I was there. I started off in Brian Stelfreeze's line. The man is incredible! I watched as he sketched a two-page Zoro to start his day of sketches. I was blown away! He seemed to really be having a great time sketching and goofing with the sketch seekers. After giving me a little bit of a hard time about Shazam being kinda lame, he proceeded to make the Big Red Cheese look as unlame(if that's a word) as he could look! If I would have left after that it would have been well worth the 150 mile trip to Charlotte, but there was more! I got in Sanford Greene's line next. After waiting in line for a short time, Sanford was able to sketch an electric Black Lightning for me to take to the house. Just like Brian, he seemed to be having a great time. A great time seemed to be a common thread among everyone there. After that, I moved through the crowd and to my car. That would be all the time I had to spend at FCBD this year. I had to be on the road to get back for a prior commitment, but the time I spent at this year's FCBD was time well spent. What a great way to get geared up for Heroescon! Thanks to the folks at Heroes for the fun day!