San Diego Comic-Con 2007

What is it about San Diego that drains every bit of energy I have? I was only there for about 48 hours, hardly drank anything, and I am still tired. Maybe it's the constant barrage of noise and color. The excursion started out on a down note as I left my cell phone back in Phoenix, my lifeline to everyone I know out there and all the people I wanted to see, and I had no way to get a hold of anybody. So, consequently my social schedule suffered a bit, but the Viper Comics crew are a great bunch of guys and I enjoyed their company immensely. I was also able to hang out with VILLAINS writer/superstar, Adam Cogan, as well as see my buddy and ultra talented artist, Robbi Rodriguez while I was out there. We had dinner at a fabulous Japanese place on Friday.

The con itself was cool, I picked up some great stuff, said hello to the usual fellows and got to spend alot of time at the booth. I appreciate everyone who came by and had nice things to say about Villains, and to all who picked up the trade. Even though 3 days sold out, I didn't think it was as busy as last year, but I was able to avoid all the media/gaming areas, and that's where the kids go nuts. I left a little re-charged about my upcoming project (now if only I could get a script so I could get started). One thing about being around all those talented artists, it makes me strive to show that I am better than what I have shown in the past.

A very special thanks to the waitress at Trophy's who liked my tabletop Hellboy drawing and I want to leave this post with a super-sized recommendation of Ted Mathot's Rose and Isabel books. I have been wanting them for a while, and I picked them up at the con and I must say, they are simply amazing. I was so inspired and I think I might actually do my "Ronin" series of books in a similiar, square-size format. Go to his site, buy his books, you will thank me later.

Leaving on a jet plane....

I leave EARLY in the morning for my 2-day whirlwind San Diego Comic-Con adventure. I will have a hilariously funny report when I return. While I'm gone, hop over the THE SKETCHJAM BLOG and look at a stupendous Harry Potter pin-up I did.

Random Potterness.

Read the last Harry Potter book over the weekend, and while I didn’t immediately love it upon first read, I thought it tied everything up reasonably well and I plan to re-read it in a few weeks, so I can get a better grasp on it. After being initially disappointed with book 6, I re-read it and liked it much more a second time. I do think part of the problem is that I love books 3-5 so much, that 6 was a bit of a letdown. Also, it seems that parts of the book she retreated to easily explaining it all, like she did earlier in the series, obviously catering to a younger reader, although I think the average Potter reader at this point doesn't need that storytelling tool any longer. Overall though, it was a fabulous coming of age story, with all the proper epic elements thrown in. I hope she does stick to her word and not do anymore books; it would be a shame to cash in when one really doesn’t need to. I wouldn’t mind a few anthologies though, filling in some back-story characters or introducing new ones, it’s a world filled with wonderful ideas, I just don’t want anymore to do with the 3 main characters.

So, for the record, not that anyone cares:

Favorite Potter Book = The Order of the Phoenix

Favorite Potter Movie = The Prisoner of Azkaban

On other news, I’m waiting to start my new project once the funding happens, I’m also very anxious about San Diego Comic-Con, I’ll only be there 2 days but I’m pissed because I’m missing an awesome party on Thursday, and then Friday and Saturday are so insanely busy down there. I hope I get plenty of time to sign and I look forward to seeing everyone, so it should be fun, CROWDED, but fun.

Nerd Prom 2007!

All Official like....

Ryan Cody, artist of the critically acclaimed VILLAINS for Viper Comics will be signing Friday July 27^th and Saturday July 28^th at the Viper Comics booth inside the Independent Press area at Comic-con International in San Diego. On top of having copies of his graphic novel for sale, Ryan will also have the first ever Sketchjam Sketchbook collection featuring over 50 pages of sketches by artists from all over the globe. The Sketchbook is an off-shoot of The Sketchjam Blog which is an online home for over half a dozen talented international artists and illustrators.

Artists included in Volume 1 include: Ryan Cody, a creator based out of Phoenix, AZ, whose previous work has included Viper Comics critically acclaimed “Villains”. Federico Milella is an Italian artist and animator currently working in Luxembourg. His work is frequently seen on the popular Drawing Board website, and is at the forefront of a great new wave of young Italian illustrators. Brent Schoonover is an illustrator and comic artist from Minnesota. His past work includes the best-selling “Horrorwood” from Ape Entertainment and the upcoming “Astronaut Dad” from Silent Devil. Derek Toye is an animator and artist from British Columbia who has previously worked for Mainframe Entertainment as a character designer. Finally, Daryl Walker is a UK based artist that is best known for his wonderfully stylistic versions of classic film and music icons.

On top of a wonderful crop of sketches and illustrations, there is also a short 7-page original story entitled “The Ronin & The Island of Beralku” by Ryan Cody.

The Sketchjam Sketchbook is 52 pgs, Black and White interiors with a full color cover and a “sketchpage” inside the book for a custom sketch if you’re lucky enough to catch one of the creators at a convention, or you can contact and order from your favorite creator online. The Sketchjam Sketchbook will be available worldwide this summer, for more information please visit the Sketchjam blog at http://sketchjam.blogspot.com/ or contact super75press@gmail.com

HULK SMASH!

a pin-up to donate to the CBLDF

Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project.

Something I was very proud and honored to be a part of, I did a sketch cover for this project that was auctioned off at The Emerald City Comic Con this past spring. Click on the cover and go read the press release and find out how to get this awesome book and help out a great cause.