HAPPY HALLOWE'EN !!

JUST PAST MIDNIGHT..

Another in a series of sketchbook drawings based on panels found (and messed around with) in old 50′s-era Crime comic-books.. Again, these have been inspired by Charles Burns’ recent “LOVE NEST” book. Random noir-ish images without dialogue or sound balloons..

Today’s mail was pretty exciting for me, because I finally scored a copy of “FREE SHIT”, which I was able to purchase via eBay France! I’m a huge Charles Burns fan and have met him a number of times over the years. I’d read that he'd often produce these small 8-page ‘zines called “FREE SHIT” and give them to his fans at signings? Despite this fact, he never seemed to have any copies, whenever I’d ask.. Pretty disappointing.

The book was produced by ‘Le Dernier Cri’ as a limited-edition (1000 copies) in September 2016. So, they’re rather hard to find in North America. And often, very expensive! They’re certainly never Free!! Anyways, this small book collects the first 22 issues of his ‘zine. And is a real insight into Burns’ process and how his creative brain works. Highly recommended!

A page I bought directly from Mignola, at the 2001 SDCC.. I had a few others, but hadda sell 'em on eBay a few years back. This one though, I couldn't part with.. It's going to the grave with me!

This is the first sketch I ever commissioned a comic-book artist to do for me.. Back in '85, Mark Askwith invited me to see Mike Kaluta at the Hamilton 'SILVER SNAIL'.. A genuine thrill when one of your favorite artists impresses you even more as a person! He loved drawing this 'ROCKETEER' pinup too, and I think it shows..

'HELLBOY' illo that I did for a charity auction, back in 2004.. Parts of it look wonky to me now. But I liked how the coloring came out. Especially, the swamp scum details..

I'm not a particularly big Life Drawing fan.. But awhile back, I was fortunate to be gifted with a bunch of at-size color photocopies, done by none other than my fave artist: Frank Frazetta!! He drew this sometime around March of 1957.. Wouldn't it be great to have an entire book of these published someday?

Anime Mermaid from 2004, that I digitally colored for "MerMay 2108"..

"TOILET HUMOUR" In The Literal Sense..

I was cleaning up my studio room, when I unearthed a large manila envelope. It contained folders of some Spümco-related artwork that I'd purchased from an eBay Seller, back in 2005.. One folder contained rough layouts from a comic-book story, featuring: "NUTTY the Friendly Dump" ! This past year, I finally got to see the finished-version of the story, when it was included in IDW Publishing's 'John K. Presents COMIC BOOK' collection..

I had a half-finished pencil test or a HELLBOY rotation that I worked on, in 2000. Last night, I added and inked a few missing drawings, so that I could get it ready to post on HELLBOY Day! Congratulations to Mike Mignola for 25 Years of this iconic character!

A commission that I did back in 2004, for a Gordon K. (from San Diego).. He had a very unique request for a trapped Animé-style Mermaid.. Thankfully, he also provided me with a good deal of reference material..  I tried my best to incorporate everything he'd asked for.. Hopefully, he enjoyed the result?