If you couldn't tell I've been exceptionally busy by my lack of posts so far this year, the fact that I finally had time to devote to creating a new Poster Comic should prove that! Here it is, my latest one-page comic, starring LoliPop Kid & Cup Cat!
These two characters are ones that I've been using for the last several years in my comic book workshops. When demonstrating to the students methods on creating a comic page, I use Lolipop Kid and Cup Cat as characters in the lesson. I solicit ideas from the class on which way to take the story, then I'll illustrate each panel as they describe the action.
It's a great way to engage them in the storytelling process, after which they begin working on designing their own characters and later, draw their own comic.
I had never created my own story with these two, so I thought it'd be fun to use them for a Poster Comic. The artwork was produced soley via computer, on a program called Illustrator. The lines are all drawn in what's called 'vector art', a process which I'm lousy at describing but it's produced with either the 'pen' or 'pencil' tool (I used both).
It's a little hard to read at the size it appears here, but if you go to my page on DeviantArt, and click on the image once you see the page, you'll open up a much larger, more readable version.
It was fun working on a real simple, all-ages comic.This comic can also function as a guide to storytelling with comics, so it'll serve an instructional purpose in addition to it's entertainment value.
And lest anyone think I've lost my 'edge', here's a peek at the character for my next Poster Comic....
By the way, speaking of workshops, I'll be conducting one of my free "Let's Make Comics!" workshops this weekend at the Hastings Branch Library in Pasadena. No registration is required. The workshop is being brought to you by the Library as part of their FREE COMIC BOOK DAYcelebration, so join in the fun and let's make comics!
My 6th and newest Poster Comic is available for viewing...THE BATICALACA!
(Click on the image to see a larger, readable version on my page at DeviantArt.)
The Baticalaca is one of the heroes of the CALACAS OF JUSTICE, my Day of the Dead-themed super hero group. A previous Poster Comic featured another hero from the group, The Spider-Calaca.
This Poster Comic will be available for FREE this coming Saturday, May 5, at the LATINO COMICS EXPO, while supplies last. I'll be exhibiting both days at the Expo, being held again this year at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. Free Comic Book Day is a national event with participating comic book stores giving away free comic books created exclusively for the event. I wanted to have a free giveaway as well and figured the brand-new BATICALACA Poster Comic would be a great way to do it!
Yesterday was Super Saturday for me. I participated in a Free Comic Book Day event, and attended the Opening Reception of GEEKS Comics 'Covered' group show. A full 12 hours of comics and art, and every minute was a fun time.
My day actually started out at about 9:30am, when I hit the freeways toward Rancho Cucamonga, a good 35 minutes from home. Traffic was pretty non-existent and the weather was crystal clear. As I approached the shop, I was taken back by the sheer majesty of the San Bernardino Mountains. Now that's some serious Art!
The FCBD event I went to was hosted by 4 COLOR FANTASIES, run by Chris Brady. My good friend John Narcomey Jr. split his table with me, and as usual with any time I exhibit, it's always best to have someone you actually like sitting in the trenches with you. John's a writer/artist, and the Creative Director of Hightower Comics. He's got a great outgoing persona, and I love talking comics craft, business and superhero movies with 'im. I actually recently did a pin-up for John's GHOSTFACE #3. FYI: You can order the new GHOSTFACE tpb via Indy Planet!
John Narcomey, representin'!
Me, being...me.....
Chris had told me he puts on a pretty big show for FCBD, but Jeez Louise, it was mind-boggling to actually be in the eye of the storm! Here's a shot I took from a stairwell across the driveway:
On the left, with the 'Free Comic Book Day' sign, is Chris' store, 4 Color Fantasies. To the right is the sectioned off parking lot with tents for creators, Star Wars 501st Legion, Hamburger vendor, kid's jumper, local library booth, $1 back issue bins, face make-up booth, photo op area for costumed characters and a few more I'm missing!
I swear, the event started at 11am, and by about 3 pm, there were still people in line to get free comics. Tons of kids and families and the usual comic fans. I got to meet lots of new readers, and even got commissioned for an interesting idea:
This gentleman asked if I could create a drawing for his friend, whose a minister. He showed me a pic of his friend via a Blackberry, and I went ahead and made this sketch. The guy was really happy with it, and was looking forward to give it to his friend. I had fun doing this.
People, people, everywhere!
The Scorpion (Spider-Man villian), Vixen of the Justice League and Kick-Ass, with a young comic fan. There were several costumed characters throughout the day posing with fans for photos in this area.
Chris Brady, and his army of volunteers deserve a huge amount of gratitude and recognition for putting on such a stellar event. I can imagine the logistics, and cost, to have put on this event. Those 'free' comics aren't free to the retailers, and with about 20 creators showing up, plus all his other vendors and participants, Chris really had his hands full. But he does this because he loves comics, he's a totally professional retailer, and he's always trying to connect the community with this wonderful artform.
After we packed up all our gear, John and I drove over to Whittier, as we had an art show to attend to! After a relaxing break at Brickhouse Pizza (quickly becoming a standard if you're a local comics creator), we waltzed over to GEEKS and met our fellow artists. Here's a group of us having a grand ol' time:
Cartooning dynamo Raul Aguirre, the host of the lively and entertaining MAN VS. ART podcast, showed up with his contribution to Free Comic Book Day, a 'Citizen Sanchez' mini comic. And he was handing out free copies to one and all!
His comic's based on his animation project, which you can see right here:
And Raul's wife Hortencia also showed up with some art of her own:
Yep, a heavenly delicious Brownie cake, with the El Muerto logo emblazoned on it. It was a belated birthday gift, and it was a very nice gesture. Class acts, Señor and Señorita Aguirre! Many thanks!
I unfortunately didn't take more photos of the artwork on display, but the show will be up for a few weeks. I'll post some pics later. Here's one of a kid clutching a copy of the kid friendly MANGA MUERTO! His parents asked about my work, and I directed them to this particular book.
It was nice chatting with some of the patrons, and with my fellow artists. By the time I left GEEKS, it was about 11pm, some 12 hours after the FCBD event began at 4 Color Fantasies. Not a bad way to spend a full day. And topping it off with some homemade Brownies, well, c'mon now!
This Saturday, I'll be putting in two appearances locally.
On Saturday, from 11am-4pm, I'll be at 4 COLOR FANTASIES in Rancho Cucamonga for their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY event! I'm told this is a huge, parking lot festival of comics and food and artists galore. I'll be sitting at John Narcomey's table, selling my comics and DVDs and sketching for folks!
I got on board a little too late to make it to the flier, but I'll be there! As will, apparently, half the comic creators on the West Coast!!
And, later that evening, I'll be at GEEKS in Whittier for the opening reception of their group show, 'Covered'! That's from 7pm - close.
I'd call this a full day of comics and art, for sure! Hope to see some of you at one of the events!
A double-whammy this weekend for me and fellow CARTOONISTAS. Live Art on Friday Night and then Saturday I'll be doing my thing at the Pasadena Library during their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY event! The flier below has the info for the Friday night WOLVERINE/Live Art event. The Pasadena Library event will be from 10 AM - 2 PM. Here's the info for the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY event.
I will be participating at the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY event at THE COMIC BUG in Manhattan Beach on Saturday from 12-4pm. Big group of artists/creators will be there, so it should be fun for all. Come on down and get free comics!!!
Here's the list of participants. There will also be a screening of THE ROCKETEER! Sam Sarker (writer, Caliber) Dave Wilkins (cover artist, Caliber) Phil Ortiz (artist, The Simpsons) Scott Koblish (artist/inker, Marvel Adventures: Iron Man) Joshua Dysart (writer, Buddha, BPRD: 1946) Rafael Navarro (artist, Sonambulo, TV's Spectacular Spider-Man) Robbi Rodriguez (artist, Maintenance, Hazed, Tek Jansen) Javier Hernandez (artist/creator, El Muerto) Ted Seko (artist, Billy Cole, TV's SpongeBob Squarepants) Ray Anthony-Height (artist, Spider-Man Family, Noble Causes) Danny Miki & Crime Lab Studios (inkers extraordinaire, New Avengers & more) Norm Rapmund (inker, Supergirl) Michael Aushenker (writer, Gumby, Back Issue) Mel Smith (editor, Gumby) Ryan Winn (inker, The Darkness) Jose Cabrera (artist/writer, Crying Macho Man) Lord Mesa (artist, Chibi hero art) Brett Nance (artist, Spazz, Manboy) Michael Delipine (letterer, Grimm Fairy Tales)
