Purdy Picasa Portfolio

Regular visitors to my blog will notice there are some new features over on the right. Yes, I've finally integrated my portfolios into this here blog page.

In a previous post I asked for input about the best way to do this. I was tempted by the lure of some other blog hosts (like "Typepad") that allow for more customization options than "Blogger." The downside being that those other providers aren't free!

What I've settled for here may not be the most elegant solution, but it was incredibly easy to set up, and has more functions than I even need. My new portfolios have been uploaded into Picasa Web Galleries. Picasa is a free online picture gallery service that happens to be easily inserted into the Blogger templates. Check it out. It's owned by Google, just like Blogger. I wish I could add some bells and whistles--a way to navigate back to the main blog page would be nice. I'd also like to change the appearance of the gallery to match my blog's colors so it looks more like part of the same "site." Maybe one day they will expand the features and all my dreams will come true.

To be honest, I haven't even looked that deeply int0 the whole Picasa thing. I'm just happy that I got it to do what I wanted. That's the bottom line, in any case. I only wanted to integrate the blog & portfolio in a way that's easy to update. Mission accomplished.

It was actually pretty important because It's been a couple of years since I updated the old online portfolio. Egads.

Anyway, browse around the galleries if you have time. Let me know if you see anything wacky in the way the gallery works--OR in the art! If you happen to be in the business of hiring artists, of course I'd love it if you'd consider me for any projects, but I'd also like feedback as to what you'd like to see in these galleries that might not be represented.

Thank you and good night.

Now On Sale!

Hey Cool People! I've got just the thing to make you even cooler:



Hot off the presses! Git 'em while they're hot!

One More Thing

Today I busted out some artwork for a promotional postcard to hand out at the Comic-Con in San Diego. Here's a peek:



If you're coming to the convention (July 26-29) come look for me at the TOKYOPOP booth. I want to meet you--yes, YOU--and give you one of these postcards! I'll be there from Friday until Sunday (July 27-29). Not sure of the schedule yet. If I learn more specifics, I'll let you know. Probably not until that week.

Meanwhile, I STILL encourage you to read this INTERVIEW! In it, I talk about how I came up with the idea for my new book (on sale next week!) and what I think about manga, generally. MOST IMPORTANTLY: If you want to help me spread the word, PLEASE leave a comment (or "Reply") on the interview page. The more comments that appear, the higher up on the page the interview will appear. Columns with no comments quickly lose visibility. And that, my friends, is a tragedy. :(

THANK YOU!

In Lieu of a New Post...

...I will direct you to this spiffy new interview with ME on The Pulse! It includes some previously unseen art. Check it out, and PLEASE: LEAVE A COMMENT! It's nice for me to know that you looked at the interview, and it's also good because it will help keep the interview in a visible position on their site. THANK YOU!!!

:D

(and thanks to Jen Contino for this opportunity to plug my new book)

Have a great weekend!

Another Random Page

Hey there. Here's another page from Battle of the Bands! On sale soon!

(I'm gettin' all excited! How 'bout you?)

Help--?

So, I need some input from you people out there. I'm considering swiching my blog from this handy (free) Blogger account to a different host that would charge me for the honor. Why? Well, I recently came across the blog/portfolio of a French cartoonist named Caroline B. What I liked about her blog page is that it has her portfolio embedded into it. Check out this link. Notice the galleries on the left side of the page. I think that's pretty cool. Right now I have a portfolio website that is separate from my blog. I think it would be nice to have them all together. Also, I can only imagine that it is much easier to update those blog galleries than it is for me to rebuild my own website.

But I'm torn.

The nice thing about this Blogger blog is that it's free and part of the whole "Google" experience. I know nothing about the host of Caroline B's blog: Typepad.com. Anyone out there have experience with Typepad? Do you think it's worth the cost (about $9 per month)? Are the templates easy to customize? Any bad experiences you can share with me?

Also, perhaps it is better to keep the blog and portfilio separate. It seems like putting them together is a good idea, but maybe I'm not thinking of something. Anyone out there have an opinion?

I need some guidance.

Now I must work. But first:

Listening to: Herman's Hermits. Not sure why. I'm so hardcore.
Watching: Last night we finished watching The Longest Day. Have you seen that one? Good D-Day flick. Unbelievable cast: Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Sean Connery, Edmond O'Brien, Robert Wagner and about a zillion other faces you'll recognize.

Filler

I haven’t really been living up to my promise to blog more often. Unfortunately, this post is just a lame attempt to “appear” to have fresh content this week. I don’t have too much to say right now.

Well, that’s not exactly true. I have things to say, but not much time to devote to the blog right now. I’ve too many things to get done before the ol’ Comic-Con next month.

If you look at my brother’s blog, you know that I’ve been to a couple of funerals lately. They’ve given me some food for thought. You know—about mortality, family and stuff like that. As a result, I’ve started keeping a journal. That’s because I don’t like writing about personal stuff here on the blog. Sorry. Way it goes. I’m just a big tease.

Speaking of death, I’m disturbed by last week’s death of online writer/interviewer Daniel Robert Epstein. Daniel wrote for several websites including Newsarama, Suicide Girls and others. He was a top-notch interviewer of people in the entertainment industry, and no, I didn’t know him personally. I admired his work, and recently started corresponding with him via email. We sent him an advance copy of my manga. Anyway, I haven’t heard any details, but Daniel died last week at the shockingly young age of 32. My heart goes out to his wife, family and friends.

I guess that’s about it for now. Sorry if I’ve depressed you all. Maybe I’ll post another random page of art in a day or so. Meanwhile, here are some "interesting" factoids…

Reading: A Farewell to Armsby Hemmingway (part of my war kick)
Netflixing: The Office(American Version) Season 2 on DVD
Listening to: My son watching Wacky Racesin the next room. Drat and Double-drat.
Working On: Drawing a back-up story for Elephantmen, helping Don by Grey-toning his Star Trek manga story, slowly updating my websites & portfolio, thinking about the second volume of Battle of the Bands and some other kooky ideas I’d like to get published!
Smoking: A big fat cigar. COUGH!!! Just say no.

Yo, Check This Out!

Last night my esteemed TOKYOPOP editor, Rob Tokar, dropped by to give me THIS--an advance copy of my new book, hot off the press! Woo-hoo! It has that "new book" smell!

Look for one just like it at your local bookstore in JULY!

Random Page...

Here's a sneak-peek at another random page from my upcoming TOKYOPOP manga, Battle of the Bands. Please to enjoy...



I was going to mention some 'interesting' factoids about this particular page, but on second thought, I think I'll keep 'em to myself for now. I don't want to release any spoilers before the book comes out.

Sorry!

:D

UPDATE (25 minutes later): Hey! I just noticed that TOKYOPOP has on online preview of the new book available HERE. Anyone can see the first few pages, but if you register with their website, I think you can read the whole first chapter. Neat.

War

So, who watched Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed on The History Channel last night? Obviously a good way to spend Memorial Day; Remembering of all the valiant rebel Soldiers and Jedi that died during the Clone Wars and in the struggle to liberate the galaxy from the Empire.

Actually, I quite enjoyed the program, which illustrated the mythological and historical basis for the Star Wars saga, even though most of the references were old hat to a Star Wars Scholar like myself. Joseph Campbell=duh.



In some ways, more interesting was another program called Star Wars: Tech that discussed the “science” in the Star Wars films; what was reality-based, what was impossible and what real inventions are on the horizon. Some amazing stuff in the robotics and bionics field. And who knew that plasma was a fourth state of matter? In any case, it’s always a riot to hear scientists complain that there is no sound in outer space, or speculating how a light saber could possibly work.

Star Wars. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years. Yeesh.

Speaking of war, I’m currently reading an interesting book about a soldier who died durring the Battle of Arras in World War I. The book is called To Arras, 1917 and is written by Walter Reid, who is the nephew of the soldier in the story, Ernest Reid. I’m a bit of a WWI buff—well, an interested amateur, to be honest—but what I find riveting about this particular story is that while it chronicles the life & background of Ernest Reid in particular, it also focuses on the broader questions of WHY that particular generation was so gung-ho to enlist and serve in that war. There really was so much enthusiasm that is difficult for people to understand today. Especially since the First World War was much less of a clear-cut “moral” war than WWII. The youth of that generation seemed to relish in the ‘adventure’ of the war, treating it as a rite of manhood, and a solemn duty to God and Country. Anyhow, I’m still reading, but I’m impressed with the author’s take on the subject, and how he personalized the story using his uncle’s experience.

I’m reading the Arras book in preparation for a vacation to France this summer. We’ll be spending a couple of days in Arras, and so I naturally want to know more about the region’s history. Also, as I mentioned, for several years I’ve been fascinated by The Great War. One of my ‘dream projects’ is to do a graphic novel in that setting. I have many ideas, but nothing concrete yet. One day, I will do it, though it will be daunting task. I don’t know how I—or anyone else--can compete with the art in Jacques Tardi’s C'était la Guerre des Tranchées: 1914-1918. The visuals in that graphic Novel are simply amazing. Tardi is, perhaps, my all-time favorite comic book artist.

It was only by coincidence that I happened to be reading the Arras book on Memorial Day, but it did make me take some time to think about those that have given their lives for the great cause of liberty, from which we all benefit. As well as those who have died for other ideals we may or may not agree with. In either case, the individual soldier has a special job that makes all our lives possible. It is only just that we have a holiday to honor the memories of those people that have made that sacrifice. I hope that this weekend you all took a few minutes between the barbecue and the History Channel to think about that.

I Am Still Alive / Harem Manga As I Understand It

Hey all you blog-readin’ people! (Is anyone still out there?) It’s been a while and I’ve left you blogless, and for that, I apologize. God only knows what blogs you’ve been reading in my absence. Probably more interesting ones, so maybe you should THANK me!

Well, Hot Bliggety Blog! I’m back!

Last week I finally completed my book. If you’ve forgotten what that is, here’s a shameless plug: Battle of the Bands is the title of my new harem manga from TOKYOPOP, and it will be on sale this JULY!



What’s a “harem manga?” Good question. It’s kind of a sub-category that is popular in some Japanese comics. Basically, regardless of the genre, the story involves a male character in a situation where he is surrounded by women who alternately love and hate him. Popular harem manga titles include Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu and Girls Bravo by Mario Kaneda.

Just to give an example, Love Hina is about an insecure loser named Keitaro, who has been trying to get into Tokyo University, in order to fulfill a promise to a girl he knew as a small child. Fates conspire to make him the manager of an all-girl dormitory owned by his grandmother, and hilarity ensues. As you might imagine, there are plenty of opportunities for hapless Keitaro to stumble upon the female characters while bathing & such. The plot element that hooks the reader is the mystery of the childhood friend; Keitaro doesn’t remember who she is—could it be one of the girls living at the dorm??? Maybe…

When I set out to create my own harem manga, I studied several different books and Love Hina in particular. I think what makes it work is that beyond the titillating scenarios and “fan service,” are scenes of real tenderness. The interaction between the main characters is believable and they are, therefore, sympathetic. We care what happens to them and hope that the destined couple will get together.

In Battle of the Bands, there were many challenges for me to overcome. At 182 pages of story, plus covers & supplemental pages, the book was a HUGE undertaking. The art style was an important factor, and I did what I thought necessary to give fans of harem manga everything they would want in a book whose back cover claims, “If you like Love Hina or Girls Bravo, you must not miss this harem manga bursting with comedy, romance and fan-serviced-filled fights!” But, the challenge I took most seriously was to try and infuse the book with as much HEART as I could. And, no, I don’t mean the band “Heart.” If I did my job correctly, Battle of the Bands is much more than “fan-service-filled fights,” and contains a moment or two of poignancy...as well as a rollicking good romp! This July…YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!

The overt gratuitous nature of the harem manga, means it isn’t for everyone. In fact, I will readily admit that I did not write this book for ME.* At first, I worried that this meant I was a big sell-out. But, in the end, I think it’s a good thing. Battle of the Bands is not a self-indulgent vanity project, but one that is designed to appeal to a specific audience. Believe it or not, comics is serious business, and I did my homework, so it is my sincere hope that I did, in fact, create something with that appeal, and that readers will embrace it as an “authentic” harem manga.

To see some preview pages of Battle of the Bands, you can follow these links to my page ComicSpace and at TOKYOPOP.COM. In the next few weeks, TOKYOPOP will be revamping their website, and there should be even more good stuff available as the July publishing date approaches.

Now that I’m back blogging, you can expect to hear more from me about various topics. I’ll be writing more about Battle of the Bands, and my experience creating it, and I have some other topics in mind, such as what I learned about self-publishing Comiculture Magazine. Yeah, I’ve a few things to get offa my chest. Hope you’ll stick around and humor me!


* Or Becky Cloonan, whose work I so admire, but who apparently is NOT a fan of Love Hina! Sorry, Becky! Can’t please everyone, I guess…

Was This The Best Music Video Ever?

Sorry, the YouTube imbedding was disabled, so you need to follow this link.

Maybe I'm just tired, but Warrant makes me smile. :) It's just too bad that the image quality is so bad. Oh well. Enjoy this fine song...

_

Mo' Manga Mayhem

Call Me Snake

And you thought he was dead, right?

Evidently they're remaking Escape From New York.

Go figure.

Feelin' The Manga

Must...keep...inking...

Memories...bla la la la la Moonlight...

I'm not trying to compete with Marie (as if!), but her recent blogs have me thinking about the trip I took to Egypt and the Middle East back in 2000. That was a great trip. Truly Amazing.

Here are a couple of my pics from Egypt. Alas, I don't have time to write more right now. Enjoy...


The Great Pyramid of Cheops! Giza


Cheops again. It's big.


Me & Sphinxie (I need a shave, he needs a nose)


Saqqara "step" pyramid (King Zoser 2667-48 BC)
(Zoser was big in Sumeria)


Temple of Isis (Philae)


Luxor Temple & Obelisk (collect 'em all!)


Colossi of Ramses II in Abu Simbel

Pretty cool, eh?

_

I Was Wondering...

It seems like text-messaging is the big thing these days. That's what all the cool kids are doing. I'm not "with it" yet, but then, I never leave the house so...

Anyway, at the title implies, I was wondering something. In the future, do you think that verbal communication and written alphabets will be replaced with smileys?



Is it possible to hold an entire conversation using only these so-called "emoticons?" Will this be the universal equalizer? The new Esperanto?

It makes you think.

_

That Bloggin' Feeling...

I've been wanting to post a new blog entry for a while now, but I just haven't had any time. It's bumming me out. The last time I wrote anything worth reading was days ago. Or was that weeks ago? I don't remember. Follow that link and read it again. It's not going to get much better today, I'm afraid.

Best I can do right now is a quick work update. I'm still inking my manga book. I've finished just over 50 pages. I'd feel better about that accomplishment if I didn't have so many more to go. The total page count is 183. Whimper.

This week my editor and I put together a 15-page preview that will run in some other Tokyopop titles. Starting with one that's written by my good pal, Tricia. her book is called Grand Theft Galaxy and that will be on sale in May, if I'm not mistaken. Haven't seen the book, but I read the script. It's quite funny.

Here's a piece of art from my book. I put this together for that preview. It's my cover. Sort of. This is NOT the actual logo, but one that I threw together for this purpose. Also, the cover is really in color, not grey-tones. Still, I think it looks kinda cool. What do YOU think?



More excitement next time, I promise.

That Lovin' Feeling...

Happy Valentine's Day.

Wuz Gonna Blog Today...

...But now I'm too tired.

Besides, Don stole my thunder when he blogged about the San Diego Comic-Con hotel reservation foolishness this morning. Consider my response to his blog an abbreviated version of what my blog would have been today. You're getting off easy!

Sweet dreams.