Tent Town: A New Graphic Novel Project

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work on a graphic novel.

I have worked with other artists and writers on some projects and they never really got off the ground properly. I have had a lot of concepts running around in my brain, but I knew I wasn't ready to tackle the project or else it was so involved, I didn't know if I would ever have the time to do it properly.

Over the summer, I had posted some concept sketches that I worked on for an idea that had been gelling for about 2 years. The concept was born out of ideas of fear of loss and impending poverty. The climate of the nation's financials didn't help anything, so it just sat there waiting for some life to be injected into it.

Fast forward to Atlanta and DragonCon 09. While at dinner with CNET's Tom Merritt, the topic of conversation turned to graphic novels. Tom had always wanted to work on one but couldn't draw. I always wanted to work on one, and while I could write, I needed a writer who could navigate science fiction territory better than I could. Hence, the project Tent Town was born.

It should be made clear that this project is NOT, I repeat NOT an ongoing webcomic. This is basically a way for Tom and I to work on a project together and see where it takes us. If the response is positive, we'll continue. If it's lukewarm, we can always move the project to the back burner. This is strictly for the fun of it. And sometimes, you just have to work on projects like that.

A big thanks to Tom for agreeing to work on this with me. The story is certainly developing and we look forward to showcasing it in the coming weeks.

Opus is Dying

I don't get the Sunday paper any longer, but my friend Pete pointed me to yesterday's Opus. It looks like Berke Breathed, the creator is sufffering with some serious health problems and he may be ending the comic. It was ironic, because I just pulled out some old Bloom County paperbacks for drawing reference just yesterday morning. See the sadness here.

Worth 1000 Does It Again

I don't want to even ruin this with words. Just check it out for yourself.

My Annual Batman Drawing

My Annual Batman Drawing
Originally uploaded by jawboneradio.

So, I've been feeling kind of lackluster and burned out as of late and I decided to switch things up by getting some new inking tools: some new cartooning nibs, traditional india ink and some Windsor and Newton sable brushes. Turns out I turned back to my standby Microns and Pitt pens to complete this image. Which led me to the conclusion that I have already found my tools of trade and that, at this point in my life, there was no reason to start anew. Ah well, at least I have the option to use brushes and nibs if I so choose. And really, there's nothing wrong with having a large arsenal of tools to play with.

Just ask Batman.

Drawn on Bristol, colored in PS.

Decadent Superheroes

Got this great link from Knightwise. What is superheroes let themselves go? I guess this is what it would look like. See em all here. And for those interested, the little known DC universe continues with Granny Goodness, a request by Nora.

Behold - Bullet Man

Bullet Man
Originally uploaded by jawboneradio.

Another little known hero from the DC Universe. Click the pic to learn more about this dude. Incidentally, I also picked up the Marvel Encyclopedia, so don't be surprised to see some lesser known heroes and villains from that tome as well.

The Little Known DC Universe

Ambush Bug
Originally uploaded by jawboneradio.

So, over the weekend, I grabbed the DC Comics Encyclopedia. I've been wanting to get it for a while, so I celebrated Free Comic Book day by adding it to my collection of comic tomes. I was take by the number of superheroes that are so ancillary in the DC universe. Really, DC is founded on four, maybe five great marquee heroes. The rest (compared to the Marvel universe) seem like filler.

So I decided to start drawing these secondary heroes and give them some heroic due. I started with a request, Ambush Bug, (shown here) and Neon the Unknown a 1940's superhero who seems to be making a revival this year. I'm planning on doing more, until then, you can keep checking on the Flickr set I created. I'll also try to post as I do these.

How was your Free Comic Book Day?

Our Loot
Originally uploaded by jawboneradio.

Got back a little while ago and brought back a ton of free comics. Five kids grabbing one of each free comic, plus buying a little action figure for themselves is a lot of loot. If you went, share your stories.

Free Comic Book Day This Saturday

Hey, gang! Don't forget that Free Comic Book Day is THIS SATURDAY May, 3 at your local comic book store. I've been looking forward to this since last year because I missed it by about a week. Here's the poop on the event. Free comic books FTW!

Garfield Minus Garfield

I had seen this a few months ago, but Dan alerted it to me once again. This is good stuff:

"Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against lonliness and methamphetamine addiction in a quiet American suburb."

Linky Link.