D to the O to the F to the P

That's Days of Future Past to all you haters.

Ain't nothing cooler that old Wolvie sporting those Reed Richard-looking white-walls.This commission was the very last page in someone's X-Men sketchbook that was started sometime back in the ealry 90's and has some great drawings by folks like Steve Epting and John Romita Jr. No pressure at all, right?
I got this commission after the owner of the sketchbook saw this old post.

I Say Thee, Aw Shucks!

Another Cannonball, circa early 80's Asgardian Wars. Having liked my take on Dani Moonstar from the same story ( see here), I was approached by someone at HeroesCon to do a Cannonball from that classic epic. Unfortunately, I didn't have any reference for him so I had to wing it (see here). As I was doing that drawing someone else came up to the table that basically had the exact same idea. He'd even brought a print-out for reference. It was too late for the current drawing but I could use the reference for his drawing when the time came. After looking at the drawing I was doing, he basically told me to forget about the reference and draw him in the garb I had made up. Just have him "blasting". Easy enough. So, above is the result of this second Asgardian Cannonball drawing. Yee-ha.

Bring Out The Damned

What's that you say? You feel like you really need a solid dose of mobsters and monsters? Well, my friend, you're in luck! The Damned trade paperback is officially in stores today. If you have any goodness in your heart you will rush out and buy this wonderful production brought to you by Messrs. Bunn and Hurtt and the fine people at Oni Press. If you're a really wonderful person you'll buy copies for your friends!

If you have had a chance to read the book, I know that Cullen and I would love your feedback!

Speed Racer

This one is a post HeroesCon follow-up. Being the last drawing on the list I wasn't able to get to it so I promised to take it home and mail it to the owner. I have to admit to being a little apprehensive about drawing the Flash (Golden Age or not) because when trying to draw him in the past I've always had a problem making running look, I dunno--dynamic. To my surprise I think this piece ended up turning out all right.

Queen & Country Redux

First, here is one of two Tara Chace drawings I did at HeroesCon (if whoever I did the second Tara for happens to read this, I would love a scan of that image). It's always fun to revisit Tara, as she was essentially the first protagonist I ever drew in comics. Being my first gig I don't think I did her any justice. So it's always nice to feel like I'm given another shot.

After posting a bunch of con sketches over the past couple weeks I was contacted by someone who said they thought maybe I'd like to post one of their con sketches that I'd done...two years ago. I braced myself, expecting the worse. I usually can't stand to see anything I've done that's more than a few months old. But y'know what? It wasn't half bad. Here's an image of crotchety Crocker sitting at his desk:

I felt like this post needed one more drawing to feel complete. It's always been a hope of mine that I could do just one more Q & C story. Just about the most fun I've had doing a comic (outside of The Damned) was my three-issue Queen & Country: Declassified story featuring a young Paul Crocker. I've always liked the idea of returning to do one more Paul Crocker adventure. There are too many obstacles that stack up against that ever happening but it's still nice to daydream about. Here is a quick ink sketch of young Crocker that I did at 4 a.m. this morning. I don't think it turned out half bad.

Strange Days

click-it to enlarge-it

Another really fun commission I did recently. I've never been a reader of the Dr. Strange comics but I've always liked the concept of the character and his design so I had a blast doing this piece. It's interesting that along with Dr. Strange, two of my other favorite Marvel characters are fellow Defenders, the Hulk and Silver Surfer, both of whom I enjoy doing my own takes on. Also, like Dr. Strange I've never delved too deeply into either of the characters as a fan (I did read several years of Peter David's Hulk but I don't think I've picked up an issue in 10 years). I've daydreamed from time to time of being able to do a Defenders comic--I think that that could be the type of super-heroe comic I could fit in at.

Back to work now.

Heroes Con Aftermath Pt.. 2

The following four images are all commissions done for Shannon and Carrie, a really great couple I first met this past year in Mid-Ohio. Between the two of them and their friend, Billy, they kept Chris Samnee and myself quite busy this past weekend. Thanks guys!

I really don't get the chance to read too many super-hero comics anymore--the exception being Astonishing X-Men, Runaways, and the odd trade that someone loans me. I have to say though, that World War Hulk has almost pulled me in. I've always liked the Hulk and I've always loved John Romita Jr. so I may have to cave and pick this up. I flipped through the recent issue inpreparation for this drawing and it looked like everything I would want it to be. When I originally heard the concept I started fantasizing about drawing the book--this drawing is the closest I'll come to fulfilling that dream.

The above and below images were done for Carrie. Leave it to her to give me something out of left field (insert smiling emoticon here). A Mohican and a jet. I loved doing the Native American but part of me would have liked to have seen what this would have looked like in watercolor. The jet (an A4 Skyhawk) is a Navy plane that her father used to fly--the image was to be a Father's Day present. A technical drawing. A gift. No pressure, right? Needless to say I was a little nervous and kept putting off doing the commission until I felt I was adequately warmed up and my drawing arm loose. All that said, I was pretty surprised with myself and the way it turned out.

WWII Cap. I was pretty excited to do this piece. The guy has never been cooler than his pre-freeze days. I think it would be cool if instead of Marvel bringing Cap back to life they instead launch a monthly WWII Captain America book. I might buy that--and that's high praise indeed!

Thanks be given to the folks who sent in scans of their commissions yesterday. Thanks again Karen and big ups to Jim and John!

Also, if the person that I did the Eddie and demons sketch (from the Damned) happens to be reading this could you contact me? I'd love to get a scan/photo of that image.