Sunday, December 30, 2018

Jim Lee art battle with Kim Jung Gi drawing Wonder Woman

At New York Comic Con, the two artists drew pictures for an auction.



A little awkward for both artists, especially for Jim Lee, but both did admirable work .They loosened up towards the end. All the work was for charity.




Look for the video on Sy Fy channel.

They were not the first however, 46 years ago, Neal Adams, Joe Kubert, and Moebius did the same on the Tac au Tac show---look it up.







Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Stan Lee Celebrates Christmas

Here is a greeting card from the 50s, with Stan at the reins.
Can you pick out the other creators. This was pre-Marvel, probably Atlas.







Marie Severin also passed this year. Here are some images from her. She did these type of images at EC and at Marvel.



From the Heritage Auction House, image © Heritage, used for historical research.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Principal Filming & Production of Wonder Woman 1984 Finished

Principal Filming & Production of Wonder Woman 1984 is done.
Post-production is most likely already in progress.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Alex Ross paints a New Awesome Conan!

Alex Ross Rocks with a Tribute to Conan, John Buscema, Frazetta, and Barbarians!


I presume it is for the newest Conan series, at Marvel, once again.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Carola Christina Standertskjöld-Liemola, a singer worth looking for

Carola Standertskjöld sang a beautiful version of Perfidia.

She died over 20 years ago, Nov. 12, 1997.
A multilingual artist, she recorded in numerous languages.



She also recorded These are a Few of my Favorite Things.

Carola was Finnish descent.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Superman Christopher Reeves movie plays at theater Dec 3rd

Superman states he's for, "Truth, Justice, and the American way."

Lois tells, "then you will have to fight all of the crooked politicians."

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Stan Lee picks Stockton, CA for the Fantastic Four

Before Stockton got a bad rap it was recognized as the birthplace of the Fantastic Four, the FF.

Joe Field, who as a DJ at the time, thought the Kirby image showed the FF landing right about the vicinity of Stockton, California.

Joe and the fine folks at Al's Comic shop started a campaign.

Marvel and Stan Lee agreed, and the site became official. Stan Lee even made a special trip to Stockton at Al's comic shop.

Al's continues to operate today by the same father and son team, Al & Mike.

Joe went on to many great things, running his comic book store chain, Flying Colors, co-creating Wonder Con, creating Free Comic Book Day, and a professional group, ComicsPro.

This season, make an effort to check out these brick & mortar stores.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

The Director of Comic-Con has died at age 57

John Rodgers, director of Comic-Con International has died at 57. He served as the president for over thirty years.

Monday, November 12, 2018

Dave Gibbons sees a different take on the HBO Watchmen series!

Dave Gibbons sees a different take on the HBO Watchmen series!



“I think they agreed Watchmen was unfilmable” Gibbons tells Entertainment Weekly about early talks for the movie, “With Watchmen, Zack made a good movie, a flawed movie certainly, but with some moments of real genius and wonder.” But he feels positive about Damon Lindelof’s version on HBO after reading the script. “I found Damon’s approach to be really refreshing and exciting and unexpected.”
“I don’t think it’s gonna be what people think it’s going to be,” he continued. “It certainly wasn’t what I imagined it to be. I think it’s extremely fresh. I’m really looking forward to seeing it on the screen. I’ve been resistant to the comic book prequels and sequels, but what Damon’s doing is not that at all, it’s very far away from that. While it’s very reverential and true to the source material (by which I mean the Watchmen graphic novel that Alan and I did), it’s not retreading the same ground, it’s not a reinterpretation of it. It approaches it in a completely unexpected way.”

Stan Lee dies at age 95, just shy of his 96th birthday


He started as a young man working for Simon Kirby at Timely. He went on to co- create plenty of iconic heroes with Jack Kirby. He later became editor and was distantly related to Martin Goodman the publisher.




He went to the same high school as Will Eisner, The DeWitt Clinton High School.




Along with Jack Kirby, Lee co-created important Marvel characters with Steve Ditko, who also died this year. Lee's wife passed away two years ago.



"I was thinking of Stan last night and his place in comic book history. He once took a moment to take a submission of drawings from a 14 year old...me. I got a reply (rejection) a few months later. The work was not up to par but at least he had someone write me a letter--and he did not forget.

Stan also made Stockton, CA the birth place of the Fantastic Four."  Soltero

Saturday, November 3, 2018

The developer who inspired Super Mario has died at age 84.

The developer, Mario Segale, who inspired Super Mario has died at age 84.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Wonder Woman 2 has been pushed for half a year!

The Wonder Woman movie has been set back about a half year, not long when we are awaiting 1984.




Think about it. 1984 is the BIG BROTHER year from the Orwell novel. Big Brother is watching you.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

The Luke Cage series is cancelled!

The Iron Fist series was cancelled not long ago. The first season showed very little of Iron Fist and more of the actor.

Luke Cage was better edited and written, Colleen's presence was solid.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Happy Birthday, this week, Rob Liefeld!

Happy Birthday, this week, Rob Liefeld!


Is there an arch enemy for Venom in the movie?

Is there an arch enemy for Venom in the movie?


How about a confrontation at the end with Spidey?

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Dave Gibbons, The Watchmen, HBO, and Alan Moore

Artist/author dave Gibbons confirms that the new HBO series on the Watchmen is an alternative version of the Watchmen universe, according to reports.






HBO has been in discussion regarding The Watchmen since at least 2015.
The series is based on the story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.


The producer is Damon Lindelof. The series is scheduled for braodcast in 2019. Damon said it is a "remix" and not a straight adaption.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Norm Breyfogle, of Batman fame, has died at age 58

Norm Breyfogle, of Batman fame, has died at age 58.




The details around his death are being kept confidential at this time. Norm made his name with Batman, and worked with many different companies.

He also wrote and drew some of his own characters and stories.

He suffered a stroke in 2015.



Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Steve Gan so admired Steve Ditko

Santos Gan changed his name to Steve, as a tribute to Steve Ditko.
Steve Gan is the co-creator of Ang Panday and Marvel's Star Lord, main character of the GOTG.


Gan loved the pencil work of John Buscema's Conan so much that he hung on to the art work for some time. He did not want to ink it. Marvel agents were sent to retrieve the art work.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Alan Moore lampoons Boris Johnson

Alan Moore has published a poem, lampooning Johnson.

Alan Moore wrote:

“That same year a Bullingdon club clown
swears that he’ll leave fire services alone,
then, three years later, cuts them to the bone,
says, ‘Get stuffed’ as ten stations are closed down
and twenty-seven engines fade from view,
he also shall endure forevermore.
His treacheries caught in time’s amber, for
disgrace and shame are both eternal, too.”
© 2018 Alan Moore

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Felíz Cumpleaños Sergio

Happy Belated Birthday to Sergio Aragonés.


Sergio in Ojai, enjoying fresh fruit.




A dedicated cartoonist, storyteller, and human.

Monday, September 3, 2018

Happy Birthday Walter "Thor" Simonson

Happy Birthday Walter Simonson!


He had a great run on Thor.

He once challenged to John Buscema to draw a tuff point of view, when Buscema did a chalk talk--to give pointers to the Marvel artists. Of course, Buscema drew the scene in a breeze.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Marie Severin, the kind and talented artist has died

Marie Severin, the kind and talented artist has died.
She worked for EC and Marvel. She created hundreds of layouts at Marvel, on many classic covers.
At EC she brought beautiful colors for all of the artists, including Krigstein and Wallace Wood.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Happy Birthday to Chris Bachalo

Happy Birthday to Chris Bachalo, a great person and artist. He has an excellent sense of design--a gifted storyteller.

Judge rules there is only one Comic-Con!

Judge rules there is only one Comic-Con!

The great comic artist, Russ Heath, has died.

The great comic artist, Russ Heath, has died.
He was known for his accurate and precise artwork. He had a wonderful line and he was an artists' artist. His family was close to him, with some coming to conventions with him over the last years or so.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Happy Birthday Marie Severin of EC & Marvel Fame!

Happy Birthday Marie Severin of EC & Marvel Fame!
89 years young.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Art Adams draws a cool FF Fantastic Four cover!!

Art Adams draws a cool FF Fantastic Four cover!


art by Arthur Adams


Soon to be released.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Support the Black Panther!

The Black Panther movie needs only a little over 50 grand to break the 700 million domestic all-time record. Go check it out again, or see it for the first time.



8/5/18 ...the Black Panther has passed the 700 million domestic mark.
Jack Kirby is smiling somewhere.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Ted Mckeever no longer making comics

It appears Ted has stopped creating books. The following from his blog:

"I have no idea where I’m going, or what I’m doing anymore.

There used to be a very clear, very set, path I walked.

A creative direction which seemed to always be just a few feet in front of me, and brought about a sense of stability that, no matter how obscured, would always eventually reveal some kind of structure to be built upon. 
An idea.
A story.
An image.
Never was the same seed, but always turned out to be . . . something.

But now, there’s nothing but an empty hall, filled with ghosts and echoes of the past.

A repetitive droning, like a continuous memory loop of an out-of-focus dream.

And yet, I welcome it with complete and total abandonment, as a self-inflicted reminder to push me even farther away from a now-defunct part of my life, and closer to an abyss that holds zero certainties.

I am exactly where I want to be.



T."

Ted Mckeever

The great Tom Palmer celebrated a birthday around a week ago--

Tom Palmer celebrated his birthday this month.




pencils by Neal Adams, with inks by Palmer

Palmer is famous for various works, including The Tomb of Dracula, Skull/Kree Wars, and works with Buscema.

Barron Storey shares his art at Comic-Con

The great teacher and illustrator, Barron Storey, was present at Comic-Con this year.
He influenced many top artists, including Dave McKean and Bill Sienkiewicz

.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Sergio Aragonés will draw and write another 12 biographical comics!

The project is still in development and was mentioned to his fans in San Diego.


previous art by & © Sergio Aragones

A previous issue covered the time when Toshiro Mifune starred in a Mexican movie production.

The new series will provide more insight in the life, experiences, and art of Aragonés.

Monday, July 16, 2018

We celebrate the Mike Esposito 91st B-day

Esposito would have celebrated his 91st birthday. Check out his art.




He often worked with Ross Andru.

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Awesome Comic-Con International Tips!

Comic-Con 2018 Great Tips

1) Wear comfortable shoes with good padding

2) Drink plenty of water

3) Bring money to buy your special items

4) Be ready to stand in line for many events and booths

5) You will not need to stand in line for many Warner/DC events as they were done online

6) You can buy SDCC merchandise online and then pick it up in person

7) Look for cancelled appearances or events

8) This year harbor Blvd. is closed off--plan ahead for your ride

9) Check out the San Diego Zoo not just Comic-Con events

10) There are many evening events

11) be kind and shower--many people everywhere

12) There is child service

13) DO NOT forget your badge

14) Be kind to artists, event folks, cosplayers, and each other

15) Bring snacks--you will need while waiting in line or sitting in halls

16) Don't leave your items anywhere, including coaster, train, trolley, rooms, and convention center

17) Do not carry big or heavy items--check them in to your hotel, or better yet, check them in at coat check

18) There are plenty of things to do outside of the convention. There are literally hundreds of giveaways

19) Wear sun screen when out and about

20) Good food at the Gas Lamp district

21) Have dinner in Old Town--you can take the trolley

22) Some booths take "cash only"

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The schedule for Comic-Con 2018 is up at the Comic-Con website, SDCC Intl San Diego

 The schedule for Comic-Con 2018 is up at the Comic-Con website.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Josh Adams is great....

You can tell by this simple and powerful Post-It note sketch.


art by Josh Adams

Uncensored and Uncut Deadpool 2 at SDCC intl San Diego Comic-Con

An uncut version of Deadpool will play at San Diego Comic-Con, this summer.

Friday, July 6, 2018

Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man, dies at 90

The co-creator of Spider-Man (Jack Kirby drew the first cover but was quickly replaced with Ditko) has died at age 90.
He worked along with Stan Lee on the popular character until he had a final disagreement with Stan and left the book, though coming back to Marvel nearly a decade later.






He was strong willed with his beliefs, specifically with those of Ayn Rand.

His own character, Mr. A, showcases Ditko's beliefs best.




Ditko also drew many, many great Sci Fi and Strange short stories as well.

Monday, July 2, 2018

The Beautiful Art of Kevin Nowlan

This piece is amazing, total control, yet abstract strokes, in parts.





Kevin Nowlan is a true dynamic artist.

Artist Bong Dazo (Angelo Ty Dazo) has died at age 56

It is reported that Filipino artist, Angelo Ty Dazo, known as Bong Dazo has died at age 56, on June 29th.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Harlon Ellison has died at age 84

Harlon Ellison, the writer, has passed at age 84.
He was a central figure in fandom, having written certain episodes of Star Trek and the Outer Limits, some Marvel books adapted his stories, and he had an interest in comic art and artists who worked on them.

He died in his sleep, and the death was unexpected.

He wrote one of the best short stories ever, "“Repent Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman."

The great artist, Jim Steranko, illustrated his work.


art © Steranko

Monday, June 25, 2018

Mike Mignola 25th anniversary Hellboy SDCC

Mignola does the honor for the event guide cover at San Diego.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Detail of the cover of the SDCC Souvenir Book 2018


Detail from cover. Go to the SDCCI website for more info.
The con takes place in less than 25 days.

Check it out at

www.comic-con.org

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Is Wonder Woman going back in time?

A pic of Wonder Woman, Gal Godot, going back in time.
Lynda Carter may have a cameo.



Chris Pine is apparently coming back. Or is this Steve Trevor's son?



The movie is scheduled for release Nov. 1, 2019.


Sunday, June 3, 2018

Nick Meglin from Mad has died.

Nick Meglin of Mad Magazine fame has died at age 82. He worked for Mad and worked with Bill Gaines, and played baseball with Frazetta and Williamson in his younger days.


Thursday, May 31, 2018

Soltero will present a figure drawing class at SD Comic-Con International!

Soltero will lecture and demo, during the weekend, at San Diego Comic-Con International.
He will cover diverse methods, styles, and techniques.  Open to professionals and beginners.


Special give-aways. Come ready to draw from live models.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Han Solo movie, the good and bad!

The first fifth of the movie plays it safe with many allusions and use of templates to the original movies, and the use of a "Rocket Raccoon" (Rocket was created by a writer who took his name from the Beatles song, Rocky Raccoon) type of character, anthropomorphic and sarcastic. It does not bring anything to original at the beginning but then it picks up for the rest of the movie.





The rest of the movie is much better, with anti-slavery sections, background story and inclusion of Lando, something the Force Awakens should have included. There is plot and acting by a diverse cast, including Woody Harrelson, who tones down his usual style perfectly for his role here.

The new movie was directed by Ron Howard.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

A new Spawn movie is coming

Todd Mcfarlane is set to direct a new Spawn movie and he is working with the folks that brought you Get Out.


Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Stan Sakai Wins the Joe Kubert award!

Stan Sakai has won the inaugural Joe Kubert Storyteller Award! Read his Yojimbo book for solid storytelling.


Sakai in NY, 1992

Did you know? Maureen O'Sullivan is the mom of Mia Farrow!


Did you know? Maureen O'Sullivan is the mom of Mia Farrow!

Apparently, Mia Farrow was also married to Frank Sinatra. She also knew the Beatles (Mia, that is).

Maureen was one of the first to play Jane (Tarzan) for the big screen.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Alex Nino

The great Alex Nino celebrated his birthday on the first of the month.

He has a new book out on his work, get the book, I did.


He is 78 years young.

Ernie Chan's Best Cover

Ernie designed many great covers for DC and Marvel. Is this his best one? It has been swiped often.

Monday, May 14, 2018

The Definitive Lois and Superman, from the movies, have passed.

Margot Kidder, who played Lois in the classic movies died today.
Christopher Reeve, who played Superman, passed several years ago.




They made the perfect couple on screen.





Thursday, April 26, 2018

Conan is going back to his roots at Marvel!

It is said that Conan is going back to Marvel comics in 2019. The Conan comic started through the effort of Roy Thomas way back in 1970 and it later moved to Dark Horse comics.




SPOILER ALERT: The ending credit preview of Avengers Infinity War

SPOILER ALERT: The ending credit...
DO NOT READ UNTIL AFTER YOU SEE THE NEW MOVIE.
Apparently:





The return of Nick Fury...and a harbinger for Captain Marvel.