Final Poster Design

Finally finished that promotional poster. I needed to screw around with the design at the last minute to accomodate the TOKYOPOP "side bar" element. Originally, I had their logo incorporated into the image to be more "rock poster-like." But, I guess, this is the way they usually design these things, and who am I to break the mold? It works just as well, so no biggie.

I have some more signings coming up in November--hopefully these will be printed in time and I can give them out to all the cool people who come out to support the book (hint! hint!)

More info later. And, I hope to have something more interesting to blog about soon. Happy Halloween!

More Poster Art

Here's another figure from that promotional poster I'm working on. If you haven't read the book (and, why haven't you???), this is Becky. Click on her for a larger view.

I'm drawing each figure separately & composing them into a scene. The figures overlap some, but I wanted to have whole versions of the individual poses, just in case we need them for another use.

New Battle of the Bands Art

Yeow. My internet has been down for almost TWO DAYS!!!! Somehow, I survived this complete cut-off from the world, and everything appears to be normal. For what that's worth!

Among other things, I've been working on a new poster for my manga, Battle of the Bands. It's to give away at future signings & stuff. Here is one of the characters from the poster...

Click image for a larger view of Zoe.


In other news, the ArtWalk in Pasadena went well last Friday night. Talked to some art-lovers & schmoozed with some other artists, like Phil Yeh and Steve Firchow. All in all, a pleasant evening. I was holed-up in the Library the whole night, but from what I could see, the ArtWalk was a pretty cool event that would be worth attending next year.

Friday Night is Art Night in Pasadena

Kind of a last-minute thing: Tomorrow night I will be showing off some of my artwork and answering some questions about comics & manga at ArtNight in Pasadena. Looks like a pretty cool event that is spread out in different locations around downtown Pasadena. There will be free shuttles and bike tours and who knows what else! I will be stationed along with fellow TOKYOPOP creators Rikki Simons and Tavisha (Shutterbox) at the Pasadena Public Library, at 285 East Walnut Street.

Here's a map:

View Larger Map

I'll be displaying some original art from Battle of the Bands, Elephantmen and, perhaps, some other projects. I'll also have some books for sale, if you want to come by and pick up a signed copy!

Or...just come by and say hello! I'll be there from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.

Pirate Party

Enough with the "teasers!" Yesterday we had my son's 6th birthday party, with a pirate theme! It was a huge success as the kids all had a great time. I think the adults did as well. We had sangria (thanks, mom!) and Mai Tais (thanks, Rob!), after all!

Frankly, we went overboard (so to speak). We had a big "moon bounce" decorated with pirate stuff and we played piratey games (like "Pin the Hook on the Pirate"), and we had a treasure hunt. But the best was the Pirate Ship Battle in our driveway! We constructed 2 ships for the kids to play in, and they went at it with ferocity that would make Blackbeard himself proud. The pictures don't do it justice, but here are a few...


Welcome to "Cut Throat Cove!" Abandon hope all ye who enter, et cetera...



On the right: "The Fat Flounder!" A small, but able ship.



And on the left: "The Fangtooth!" Scourge of the seas!


Now, let the battle begin...





It was utter chaos.

An aside: I've been to many children's parties, and one activity I cannot stand is the beating of the piñata. I hate piñatas. Watching kids bust open the body of some animal or character and then leaping on top of the remains, always reminds me of the Lord of the Flies. And not in a good way. It's an activity that demonstrates (and encourages!) some of the worst parts of human nature: violence & greed!

Anyway, you haven't seen violence until you dress a dozen kids up with swords and cannonballs and let them go at it unfettered! It was great! And luckily, nobody was hurt.

As I said, the adults had fun, too. We had a special area set up for them on the deck...




A few, like my brother, embraced the theme whole-heartedly...



Even our dog was forced to suffer this ignominity...


Poor thing.

I have more pics, but I will keep them to myself, to protect the dignity of our guests! I leave you with one last image of me & my bro, watching the carnage...


Oh, the humanity!

Almost Finished...

...to be CONCLUDED tomorrow!

Signage (yar!)

To be continued...

Speaking of Art...

...If I were rich, I'd buy lots of it! I'm what you call an "art lover," even if I'm not what you'd call an expert. That is to say, I know what I like, to use the old adage. Luckily, my wife feels the same, and even though we don't have a lot of extra money to spend on art, occasionally we can't resist.

In this episode of A Bucce of Power, I'd like to share a couple of recent purchases and a cool drawing I just dug up while cleaning the garage! First there's this...



Back in July, we took a family vacation to France with my in-laws. One night, my wife and I broke away from the group for a quick side trip to Arras, a town in the north. It was a charming place rich with history to satisfy part of my World War One kick. We stayed at an excellent B&B, owned by a wonderfully gracious host, who happened also to be exhibiting art & photography from some local artists. The painting above is by Arras artist, Alain Steux. We loved it, and decided to buy it as a joint-anniversary present to ourselves. The image is a view of some typical Arras architecture in the Flemmish style.

Next, there's this...



This is a comic book page by Simon Gane from his new Paris trade paperback. Paris was one of my favorite comics series to be published recently. I adore this guy's work and, as it happens, I "met" Simon earlier this year through our respective blogs. He actually posted this page to his blog after drawing it, and I knew I had to have it!

lastly, we have this...



One of my recent diversions has been the daunting task of cleaning out our garage. Honestly, I should take pictures of the horror show within. It must be seen to be believed. It's my ultimate goal to, one day, convert it into a studio, as my current home office is starting to overflow. Anyway, one yard sale and a few trips to goodwill later, the garage is still a mess--It's gonna be a loooonnng project.

Last weekend, while digging through boxes, I found the picture above. It's a sentimental oldie, but goodie! It dates back to around 1986 or so, and is one of the earliest (existing) drawings of my very own slacker-superhero, Weasel Guy. it was penciled by Tom Morgan and inked by Jose Marzan Jr., back when both artists worked in the Marvel Bullpen as Romita's Raiders! I was an intern at the time, and I was working on my early Weasel Guy comics that I sold in high school. Tom and Jose went on to draw many comics for Marvel & DC. People familiar with my career know that WG made a comeback years later, in a limited series published by Image Comics (he WILL return again!).

Now, speaking of art, I'd better GET TO WORK!!! Seeya!

This Week At The Museum...

More of these!


This week, we combined the usual visit with my son's Kindergarten homework; he had to draw four things beginning with the letter "F" and write what it is. Great fun!

Yar! What be this?

To be continued...