Drink and Draw @ the San Diego Comic Con!

Thursday, July 23rd, @ 8PM - join us at Hennessey's Tavern for our Official SDCC Drink and Draw! 708 4th Ave [ @ G Street ] in San Diego! They serve dinner too, if you're bringing more than just your thirst!

Also, the infamous Gallery Girls will be there posing! It's gonna be quite the event! So get there early!

See you there, barbarians!

Irredeemable Covers!

Mark Waid's new Boom Studio's book Irredeemable is out and I've been drawing some of the covers. The latest one on the stands is a bit of a departure for me. I went to town on the modeling, sorta like I did with that Red Sonja cover a while back. It's fun, but takes forever! But, I'm very happy with the results. Hopefully doing work like this will push me to take more chances. We'll see, eh?

Agents of Atlas #9

Here's a sneak peek at some of the pages I've drawn for Marvel Comic's: Agents of Atlas #9 written by Jeff Parker!

Here's a link too!

Best Auto Mechanic in Los Angeles!

It's hard to find a good mechanic. It's even harder to find an honest one! Luckily for me I found both! I have a 1967 Firebird 400 ( I call her Mitra ) and you would think an old car like that would be easy to fix. No fancy parts, no computers... Just a big engine.

Well, since I've had the car it's been a costly nightmare to repair. Finally, a few years ago I drove by a repair shop with another vintage Firebird on the lot. I met with Jose and he did what no else could: Made my car ride PERFECTLY. And he barely charged me a thing. I had gone to specialty auto repair places, shops that cater to hot rods and they always charged me a fortune and the car still didn't drive like it should.... Jose must be a miracle worker. Nicest guy too.

Anyway, that was years ago. Now I never have problems and everyone I send his way thanks me. He can fix any car. I HIGHLY recommend him if you're looking for someone to fix your brakes or repair any aspect of ANY vehicle.

Call ROD's AUTO (323)658-8832, ask for Jose and tell them I sent you!

1451 N Sierra Bonita Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Consider this my first and only public service message. One day you'll thank me.

The page above is from my first pencil/ink job for Marvel. I did a color treatment for fun. Enjoy.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

There's two camps when it comes to the new Wolverine movie out there. One loves it and one hates it. Well, I loved it. Sure, there were some little points here and there that could of been done better - but overall - wow! I loved every minute of it. Just a real fun movie! Both Hugh Jackman and Liev delivered, big time.

BTW, my issue of X-Men Origins: Sabretooth, although very different, contained a lot of similar scenes! I'll put some of those up when I get a chance. It was really something to see a scene I drew look very close to what was on the big screen. I hadn't seen the film and the comic book came out at the end of January - so it was just bizarre coincidences.

Anyway, here's some of the art from that issue. Many thanks to Ian Hannin for doing such a great job with the color!

SKAAR!

The Skaar 31 page One Shot I penciled and inked is due to hit the shelves on May 20th! It's colored by none other than Kelsey Shannon too! The guy has been a big influence on me since I first discovered his work years ago. Pairing up with him on a book like this was a dream come true.

Skaar is The Incredible Hulk's Love Child. He was born on a Savage World and slings a sword not unlike Conan the Barbarian....! So, I guess you know I was pretty happy to work on this issue. Anyway, I'll post some of the pages as Marvel Comics releases more Preview Art.

The Urban Barbarian is going Green!

FX Con Orlando Style!

All sorts of goodness awaits this weekend! I'll be at the FX International in Orlando! Friday night we're having a big Drink and Draw at Bangli Bar inside the International Plaza Resort and Spa, on International Dr. If you like Drinking and Drawing and you live in Central Florida this may be the place for you Friday Night! Saturday they're having a Charity Poker Tournament. Above is one of the cards you'll find in the deck! A bunch of cool artists illustrated all the playing cards. Neato, huh?

UPDATE: Had a blast at the convention! The Uber Amazing Jim Mahfood documented the experience above. We all got to sit together and nurse our evening wounds. Good times, as the young kids might say!

Thor Design and Interview

Want to a funny story that will bring a tear to your eye?

Of course you do. You're still reading this. So I get a call from an Art Director friend of mine on Saturday as I was preparing to get my place ready for the Fedor/Arlovski fight. He asked me if I could submit a last minute design for the Thor movie that Marvel is doing.

Over course I was thrilled. They needed it Monday morning. Fine, whatever! They could of needed it in a few hours and I would of complied. It's Thor! Hell, I did design work for [link] Superhero, the Movie - I was waiting for a REAL superhero movie to come along!

Anyway, I factored in a few things. Like creating a suit that could successfully pad an actor and give him some heroic bulk, etc. I also knew that the colors had to be a bit more subdued than the Kirby comic book. And sadly, I had to come up with something that wouldn't look ridiculous on. A tall order.

So, I did what I could and enjoyed every minute of it. I managed about 65% of what I envisioned. Generally that's a decent success when it comes to applying your vision to paper.

I even incorporated the marks on Thor's plates into his logo...

Here's the sad part. I turned it in and that's when the AD mentioned it was a design for the ANIMATED movie. I just assumed it was for the Live Action film I've heard buzz about... Clearly I need to learn to ask more questions...! Assumption is the mother of all... what's the word I'm looking for? ;)

Hell, at least I got to design a Thor costume, right

ALSO, Randall Sly put up a new interview with me on his terrific Character Design Blog. Check it out!

More Drink and Draw for the masses!

Twilight Edward Cullen

Okay... Before I get the digs, this was done for a friend of mine's birthday. ;)

But to be honest, I rather dug the movie myself! Oh well, I can't be watching Charles Bronson in Hard Times every day. My generation had Lost Boys - this one has Twilight.

X-Men Origins : Sabertooth

Hey Barbarians - here's the cover for the new X-Men Origins Sabertooth issue I'm penciling and inking. It's a 30 page eXtravaganza! I've been working like a fiend these days. Here's a link to a larger colored scan. There's an issue of X-Men Manifest Destiny (#2) out there and the Ultimate X-Men Annual too! Also just completed a quick Heroes GN for the TV show's website.

Happy Thanksgiving. Eat your pound of flesh, by Crom!

Drink and Draw Tucson, Nov 8th!!!

It's the First Annual Tuscon Comic Con! This November 8th at 1900 East Speedway, Tuscon, AZ 85719 from 11AM to 2PM

And the fun begins at Che's Lounge that night @ 10PM till ???? with The Kindly Reverend Dave "Devil Pig" Johnson, Jeff "Angel Warrior" Johnson and your favorite Urban Barbarian. 346 North 4th Avenue, Tuscon, AZ 85719

It's all sponsored by the good folks at Fantasy Comics ( 2595 N 1st Ave, Tuscon, AZ 85719 ph# (502) 670-0100 )

Come out and say hi or bring some pencil and cardboard for some Drinking and Drawing!

See you there, amigos!

Riddle of Steel

A birthday gift for a pal o' mine! I may have to do a whole set of quotes!

Poster time!

Frank Turner, RIP

A good man passed away not to long ago. Very few people truly live a life according to a code. Frank's code was based on honor and integrity. He said what he meant and did what he said he would do. There was never a question about where you stood with him. His code was very similar to the ideals found in the comic books we have read since we were kids. It's a way of thinking and behaving that's very idealistic and pure.

He was a talented artist with a direct and instantly enjoyable style. It came naturally to him. When I first met Frank, I was still in high school. The very same day I met him - he began helping me along. I inked his comic book Wild Knights ( which he drew under the name Alex Leonine ). Later he worked for Marvel Comics. Soon after, he moved out to California and worked for Sony Animation. He grew tired of the office politics and returned to Birmingham, AL and took a break from drawing. But that didn't last long. His love for art quickly returned and before he passed away he was working on a 'yet to be released' comic book.

I don't know what else to say. There's so much. He was a big brother, a mentor and friend. He was as tough a man as I have ever met but deep down inside, a gentle, gentle soul.

I will miss him.

Marvel Masterpiece Sketch Cards, v2

A little late but as usual, I wish I could do cards full time! I love the Thor title, so most of my cards were from that universe.

Had to throw in Punisher though! And why not Banshee? I mean, why not, eh? Love those chompers of his. Reminds me of Mister Ed!

I'm Juggernaut!

Here's a sketch from a forth coming story I'm illustrating for the X-Men:Manifest Destiny issue. It's written by Skottie Young and he trusted me with the art chores!

I'll post some more sketches soon. I've had more fun on this 8 page story than I ever in my comic book career! It's good to be back!

The character in color is named Hank. Believe it or not, he's a good guy. He tries to save the day. But by the end of the story we're left wondering if he should of left well enough alone.

The rest of the images are more character studies and panel sketches.

Of Wolf and Man w/ Lilith

UPDATE: Of Wolf and Man is dedicated to Metallica. I drew that image for the Supernaturals book coming out soon and had to color it.

I colored a very recent illustration I did for a Supernaturals [ TV show ] book for Harper Colllins. I tried to get that old skool wood cut or turn of the century book illustration look going with this piece because it's meant to look like it's from an old text.

In black and white I think it comes across quite well. The color updates the piece nicely.

Jack Secret Winter

Randy Couture Urban Barbarian!

The San Diego Comic Book Convention 2008 was a ton of fun made even better by the appearance of none other than The Natural himself - Randy Couture. AKA, Captain America! One of my all time favorite MMA fighters ever. The guy was a class act and it was the high light of the show for me. Now there's a true Urban Barbarian for you!

Our booth was a lot of fun. Mark Irwin and I discussed Jack Secret with a few folks while Cheeks and Jon Boy sold books like wild fire! Art studs! Then Joey Mason showed up and wowed a few fans. One in particular... LOL!

Here's a sketch recreation from the show. I was thrilled to put a lot of faces to fellow bloggers and DA guys and gals. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

Email me privately for Sketchbooks and limited edition prints left over from the show!