also be sure to check out my daily (almost) art posts at The Daily Sketchjam!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Diet. Day2
Not drinking sodas definitely sucks, unsweetened tea and water would not be my first 2 choices of beverages in an ideal world. My legs are a bit sore from the bike rides, 5 miles yesterday, 5 more this morning but it will only get easier, and I managed just fine thanks. I think I might be able to stick with this one. Here is a bit of art, the first page of the new Hurricane Kids book I'm working on. See it full size at The Hurricane Kids blog.
also be sure to check out my daily (almost) art posts at The Daily Sketchjam!
also be sure to check out my daily (almost) art posts at The Daily Sketchjam!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Hurricane Kids
My creator-owned book The Hurricane Kids which is written and co-created by Grant Alter will be making a comeback in January 2009 with an all new Hurricane Kids Super Spectacular. I've rebooted the blog for it and put up some pin-up art we just received. Check it out, show some love.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time to make a change.
About 3 and a half years ago, the ex, the boys and I decided to switch to a Vegan diet. I only went Vegetarian and even then, I still ate fish, so I didn't adhere the way they did. I stuck to this diet 100% for about 2 years. No chicken, pork or red meat. During that time I took tremendous pride in my self control to not slip up. While not on that diet anymore, I've decided it's time to get back into that mindset of self-discipline. Starting next week, I will start the first ever diet (for weight loss) in my entire life. Growing up I was a skinny little twig, but eventually, the lack of physical activity, poor eating habits and beer drinking caught up with me.
So the plan is, only Cheerios with 1% milk for breakfast, salads with balsamic dressing for lunch and a normal dinner, plus riding my bike 5 miles at least 4 times a week. I don't expect miracles, but I currently eat crappy for breakfast most days and really bad for lunch almost every day. I'm also cutting out sodas, so that will reduce my calorie intake by about 900 a day. It's all water and unsweetened tea from here on out. I'll keep you all posted as I'm sure you will be following with unimaginable excitement.
Here are a couple new sketches, I'm currently working on The Hurricane Kids special for January 2009 and looking for new freelance opportunities.
So the plan is, only Cheerios with 1% milk for breakfast, salads with balsamic dressing for lunch and a normal dinner, plus riding my bike 5 miles at least 4 times a week. I don't expect miracles, but I currently eat crappy for breakfast most days and really bad for lunch almost every day. I'm also cutting out sodas, so that will reduce my calorie intake by about 900 a day. It's all water and unsweetened tea from here on out. I'll keep you all posted as I'm sure you will be following with unimaginable excitement.
Here are a couple new sketches, I'm currently working on The Hurricane Kids special for January 2009 and looking for new freelance opportunities.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs - #1
#1 - Writer/Director.
Not a huge shock, someone already called it in the comments (Rory?). I believe that most people who enjoy creating, writing and drawing comics really just enjoy telling stories in a visual medium, which is the same thing as film, only with a much lower budget. I've never gotten past page 15 on any screenplay, and I've never directed, but I like to boss people around. If T.V. shows like Saving Grace can be greenlit and movies like Bangkok Dangerous still get made, then I figure I still have a shot.
Favorite movies of all time... True Romance and The Departed. I'm easy like that. Sorry to be so anticlimactic.
Not a huge shock, someone already called it in the comments (Rory?). I believe that most people who enjoy creating, writing and drawing comics really just enjoy telling stories in a visual medium, which is the same thing as film, only with a much lower budget. I've never gotten past page 15 on any screenplay, and I've never directed, but I like to boss people around. If T.V. shows like Saving Grace can be greenlit and movies like Bangkok Dangerous still get made, then I figure I still have a shot.
Favorite movies of all time... True Romance and The Departed. I'm easy like that. Sorry to be so anticlimactic.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs - #2
#2 - Travel Writer/TV Host
Ever since the onslaught of travel shows on channels like Discovery, Travel Channel, National Geographic, etc. I’ve always thought about how that would be the greatest job in the world; global travel on someone else’s dime. The only problem is making a show unique and I’ve found 2 ways to do that. The first is that I travel solo, couch surfing with local artists and writers around the world, documenting my travels that way, each week introducing a new and passionate spirit that I meet. The other way, and one I see as lacking in any current show, would be me traveling the globe with my kids in tow, documenting the reactions to all these places from both my own, and their perspectives. Again, that could be affordable as well; we could stay in hostels, people’s homes, etc. I think the family type show would work well on Discovery Kids or PBS or something. If anyone knows any producers or anybody that could get this rolling, let me know. I’m down.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs - #3
#3 - Successful Independent Comics Creator
This one is fairly straight forward. I want to be able to live well off of my own creations. I don't produce nearly enough work right now but a large part of that is due to the fact that I work 40 hours a week (or more) at a day job. Critically my book VILLAINS did very well, but financially, it was a loss for everyone involved. That may change in the future with other media options, but for now, that's the facts. I'm aware of some creators that live off of their books, but I know many more that have to do the same thing I'm doing. I'll have to keep plugging away and produce more work more frequently to get noticed, but it would be a great career to have, I have no doubts about that.
This one is fairly straight forward. I want to be able to live well off of my own creations. I don't produce nearly enough work right now but a large part of that is due to the fact that I work 40 hours a week (or more) at a day job. Critically my book VILLAINS did very well, but financially, it was a loss for everyone involved. That may change in the future with other media options, but for now, that's the facts. I'm aware of some creators that live off of their books, but I know many more that have to do the same thing I'm doing. I'll have to keep plugging away and produce more work more frequently to get noticed, but it would be a great career to have, I have no doubts about that.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs - #4
#4 - Comic Book Publisher
This is both selfish and creative. It would give me an outlet to put out my own work and other work I feel needs more attention. In my dream scenario I would be a successful publisher and success can be defined both creatively and financially, and I would need both. Financial success generally means that my books would be getting into the hands of the most amount of people, and that would be the goal. I have self published 2 books so far, both with just a small handful of a print run. In 2007 I published the SketchJam sketchbook along with 4 other artists and it was a mixed experience. I did not anticipate all the costs involved in dealing with artists from other countries, or all the headaches involved with wrangling and designing a book featuring 5 different artists. Early this year I self-published an issue of a book called HOLLOW, this time I did it solo and was much happier with the results. In January 2009 I will putting out a new Hurricane Kids book as well, with a new story by Grant Alter, art by me, with hopes of drumming up interest in that property again. I love the idea and creative control of it, I just hate the marketing end of it, trying to get people to pick it up and give it a chance. In my dream job as a publisher, some rich old man with nothing to do but throw money away will give me money to pay creators, a marketing department and offices. No need to half-ass it. There are plenty of publishers that make it, and many that don't, but it is an intriguing business and something I think about often.
This is both selfish and creative. It would give me an outlet to put out my own work and other work I feel needs more attention. In my dream scenario I would be a successful publisher and success can be defined both creatively and financially, and I would need both. Financial success generally means that my books would be getting into the hands of the most amount of people, and that would be the goal. I have self published 2 books so far, both with just a small handful of a print run. In 2007 I published the SketchJam sketchbook along with 4 other artists and it was a mixed experience. I did not anticipate all the costs involved in dealing with artists from other countries, or all the headaches involved with wrangling and designing a book featuring 5 different artists. Early this year I self-published an issue of a book called HOLLOW, this time I did it solo and was much happier with the results. In January 2009 I will putting out a new Hurricane Kids book as well, with a new story by Grant Alter, art by me, with hopes of drumming up interest in that property again. I love the idea and creative control of it, I just hate the marketing end of it, trying to get people to pick it up and give it a chance. In my dream job as a publisher, some rich old man with nothing to do but throw money away will give me money to pay creators, a marketing department and offices. No need to half-ass it. There are plenty of publishers that make it, and many that don't, but it is an intriguing business and something I think about often.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs - #5
Totally and shamelessly ripped off from High Fidelity (a top 5 John Cusak movie, in at #5, with Better off Dead at #1 with Grosse Point Blank a close second and Say Anything in there at #3. The #4 pick goes to One Crazy Summer). So anyway, my top 5 dream jobs;
#5 - Mixed Martial Artist
I have become obsessed with MMA over the last few years. One of the bandwagon fans who got on board with everyone else, I'll admit that. I'll watch as many fights as I can and I follow the websites and I try to educate myself on the sport. I love watching a good knockout as much as the next guy, but the beauty in watching a submission expert make someone tap is even more exciting. I'm a bit old to start training now, but I would if I could find an affordable gym. Check out www.mmalinker.com for a wide selection of fights. My favorite fighter and my pick for best pound for pound is probably a motivated and in shape B.J. Penn.
Some guys in their 30's want to be rock stars, I want to make someone tap out by armbar.
#5 - Mixed Martial Artist
I have become obsessed with MMA over the last few years. One of the bandwagon fans who got on board with everyone else, I'll admit that. I'll watch as many fights as I can and I follow the websites and I try to educate myself on the sport. I love watching a good knockout as much as the next guy, but the beauty in watching a submission expert make someone tap is even more exciting. I'm a bit old to start training now, but I would if I could find an affordable gym. Check out www.mmalinker.com for a wide selection of fights. My favorite fighter and my pick for best pound for pound is probably a motivated and in shape B.J. Penn.
Some guys in their 30's want to be rock stars, I want to make someone tap out by armbar.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Let's get to know each other...
For you handful of viewers, yes all 3 of you, I've decided to touch base and let you know what I'm up to, where to find me online, etc. A progress report if you will. I figure if Warren Ellis can do it every once in a while, then I surely can.
Name: Ryan Cody
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Currently Working on: 11-page short for CAKE V2. and Villains V2.
Upcoming Work: 8- page short in Popgun Volume 3 (December 2008?)
Favorite Tools: My wacom for layouts and coloring, photoshop, red pencil, bristol, Pentel Brushpens, and assorted pens.
My Daily Sketchblog
My Gallery on DeviantArt
Me on Myspace
Me on Facebook (?) I don't know how to find my direct link...
Me On Twitter
email me at hurricanekids(at)gmail
Feel free to please post your info in the comments section, let's get to know each other a little better. The we can save the world with harmony and song.
Name: Ryan Cody
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Currently Working on: 11-page short for CAKE V2. and Villains V2.
Upcoming Work: 8- page short in Popgun Volume 3 (December 2008?)
Favorite Tools: My wacom for layouts and coloring, photoshop, red pencil, bristol, Pentel Brushpens, and assorted pens.
My Daily Sketchblog
My Gallery on DeviantArt
Me on Myspace
Me on Facebook (?) I don't know how to find my direct link...
Me On Twitter
email me at hurricanekids(at)gmail
Feel free to please post your info in the comments section, let's get to know each other a little better. The we can save the world with harmony and song.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Happy Birthday
A very special Happy Birthday to my son Ash who turned 10 today, and also Barack Obama who Ash was thrilled to learn he shares the date with. I share my birthday with a bevy of talented folks including;
George Thorogood
Val Kilmer
Steve Rude
Ben Kingsley
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Paul Westerberg
Nicholas Sparks
George Thorogood
Val Kilmer
Steve Rude
Ben Kingsley
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Paul Westerberg
Nicholas Sparks
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Comic Creator Survey (I stole it)
Seen via Radiomaru, stolen from Jake.
PART ONE: COMICS PERSONALITY TYPE Name: Ryan Cody Age: 32 Sign: Capricorn
Introverted or extroverted?
Very introverted I would say, which makes networking and talking with other creators very difficult in an industry where that contact is easily 85% of getting work.
What are your top 5 procrastination tools? Internet, TV/Movies, reading comics, my kids and my girlfriend.
What gets your juices flowing? Excitement over a new project, or reading a really, really well done comic. Also, if I'm being honest, positive feedback from my peers or those I see as better than me in my field.
PART TWO: COMICS CONSUMER What kind of comics do you like to read? Mostly American superhero and crime comics. that's what I grew up on, that's what I still love today.
What kind of comics do you dislike? Most manga, just because it's not for me, I never got into it. Also, I've never really gotten into alternative comics much either, just from lack of exposure to them or lack of effort into getting them.
When were you first introduced to comics? Mid to late 80's. Right after the creative boom of 1986.
What were some of your first comics?
Spider-Man, X-Men and Excalibur. I absolutely loved Claremont and Davis' first 7-8 issues of Excalibur.
When did you first get "The spark"? When Liefeld starting going absolutely apeshit on New Mutants. The energy and craziness he put in there was very infectious to a 12-year old boy. Couple that with Lee and Silvestri exploding and I knew what I wanted to do. Years later, Mike Oeming did they same thing to me to get me re-interested in comics.
What is your favorite animated movie? Probably The Incredibles. The scene in the plane with Elastigirl and the kids is flat out one of the best, most tense scenes I have ever seen. Right up there with Will Smith yelling at Ben Vereene on Fresh Prince. I'm not joking either. I really enjoyed Akira and Steamboy as well.
What is your favorite anime series? Dragonball. I still love the team, but not a team, mentality of that show, as well as the utter destruction these guys caused. Non anime would be the Bruce Timm/Glen Murakami Batman & JLU stuff.
PART THREE: COMICS CREATOR What kind of comics do you make? I try not to limit myself to superhero stuff, although everything leans that way. I change my mind constantly, but never stray too far from my comfort zone. I want to make stuff that's accessible and fun, and maybe a bit political or something that expresses my views on environment and society, but without any type of preachiness.
When did you first start making comics? When I was around 13.
What are your favorite comic artists right now? Eric Canete, Mignola, Jeff Smith, Darwyn Cooke, Mike Oeming, Jim Lee, and a whole bunch of new guys like Toby Cypress and Kristian Donaldson. Anything that's exciting and doesn't look exactly like a photograph.
What are your main influences in comics? Mike Mignola, Darwyn Cooke and Mike Oeming. Artistically? See above.
Who do you admire in comics?
See above, and anyone who has the balls to be a publisher in today's market, including self-publishers.
Also, some new artwork I found in a box from 2006, and an Elephant guy, an idea I stole from Ottley or Walker from Invincible.
PART ONE: COMICS PERSONALITY TYPE Name: Ryan Cody Age: 32 Sign: Capricorn
Introverted or extroverted?
Very introverted I would say, which makes networking and talking with other creators very difficult in an industry where that contact is easily 85% of getting work.
What are your top 5 procrastination tools? Internet, TV/Movies, reading comics, my kids and my girlfriend.
What gets your juices flowing? Excitement over a new project, or reading a really, really well done comic. Also, if I'm being honest, positive feedback from my peers or those I see as better than me in my field.
PART TWO: COMICS CONSUMER What kind of comics do you like to read? Mostly American superhero and crime comics. that's what I grew up on, that's what I still love today.
What kind of comics do you dislike? Most manga, just because it's not for me, I never got into it. Also, I've never really gotten into alternative comics much either, just from lack of exposure to them or lack of effort into getting them.
When were you first introduced to comics? Mid to late 80's. Right after the creative boom of 1986.
What were some of your first comics?
Spider-Man, X-Men and Excalibur. I absolutely loved Claremont and Davis' first 7-8 issues of Excalibur.
When did you first get "The spark"? When Liefeld starting going absolutely apeshit on New Mutants. The energy and craziness he put in there was very infectious to a 12-year old boy. Couple that with Lee and Silvestri exploding and I knew what I wanted to do. Years later, Mike Oeming did they same thing to me to get me re-interested in comics.
What is your favorite animated movie? Probably The Incredibles. The scene in the plane with Elastigirl and the kids is flat out one of the best, most tense scenes I have ever seen. Right up there with Will Smith yelling at Ben Vereene on Fresh Prince. I'm not joking either. I really enjoyed Akira and Steamboy as well.
What is your favorite anime series? Dragonball. I still love the team, but not a team, mentality of that show, as well as the utter destruction these guys caused. Non anime would be the Bruce Timm/Glen Murakami Batman & JLU stuff.
PART THREE: COMICS CREATOR What kind of comics do you make? I try not to limit myself to superhero stuff, although everything leans that way. I change my mind constantly, but never stray too far from my comfort zone. I want to make stuff that's accessible and fun, and maybe a bit political or something that expresses my views on environment and society, but without any type of preachiness.
When did you first start making comics? When I was around 13.
What are your favorite comic artists right now? Eric Canete, Mignola, Jeff Smith, Darwyn Cooke, Mike Oeming, Jim Lee, and a whole bunch of new guys like Toby Cypress and Kristian Donaldson. Anything that's exciting and doesn't look exactly like a photograph.
What are your main influences in comics? Mike Mignola, Darwyn Cooke and Mike Oeming. Artistically? See above.
Who do you admire in comics?
See above, and anyone who has the balls to be a publisher in today's market, including self-publishers.
Also, some new artwork I found in a box from 2006, and an Elephant guy, an idea I stole from Ottley or Walker from Invincible.
San Diego Comic-Con 2008
It's time for the annual geekgasm known as Comic-Con, and I for one, will NOT be going. I've gone the last 3 years and short of some amazing announcement happening in the next week or so, I'll be passing this year. I have nothing new to promote with Viper Comics or Villains, and I don't have a booth to sell copies of Hollow or commissions at. I don't really like the crowds, and the trip is financially a burden, with nothing new to show for it. Seeing other creators and networking is always a plus, but I don't think it outweighs the hassle. If you, dear reader, are going, let me point you towards a few people and places I was looking forward to seeing, for your amusement.
Steamcrow Press for the best books, atmosphere and monsters around.
Viper Comics (Publisher of my comic book Villains), wonderful group of creators.
Image Comics, all around great publisher of great books.
Khepri retail booth, get your graphic novels here, the best retailer of indy books out there.
ArtJumble/CAKE booth, pick up your copy of CAKE Vol1.
Pixu, looking to be the best book to be released @ SDCC.
And search out local AZ creators Jeff Mariotte, Bret Blevins, Tony Parker, Ben Glendinning and Johnnie Allan (Stykman). All great guys, all deserving of wider recognition. Sorry if I missed anyone, my brain is a little hard boiled right now.
If I did make it out to San Diego this year, it would probably just be for Friday and Saturday, I would really like to make it out to the drink and draw out there.
Steamcrow Press for the best books, atmosphere and monsters around.
Viper Comics (Publisher of my comic book Villains), wonderful group of creators.
Image Comics, all around great publisher of great books.
Khepri retail booth, get your graphic novels here, the best retailer of indy books out there.
ArtJumble/CAKE booth, pick up your copy of CAKE Vol1.
Pixu, looking to be the best book to be released @ SDCC.
And search out local AZ creators Jeff Mariotte, Bret Blevins, Tony Parker, Ben Glendinning and Johnnie Allan (Stykman). All great guys, all deserving of wider recognition. Sorry if I missed anyone, my brain is a little hard boiled right now.
If I did make it out to San Diego this year, it would probably just be for Friday and Saturday, I would really like to make it out to the drink and draw out there.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
digital girl
After working for hours last night on freelance and anthology stuff that I can't show yet, I capped the evening with a quick digital sketch. Pencilled in Painter, colored in Photoshop.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weekend Comics
I recently paid my $137 in fines to the Phoenix Library (ironically using the money they paid me to teach a series of seminars on comic book art), and yes I said $137. That got me free and clear of over a years worth of late fees, and one very used copy of Ultimates Vol.2. I was very happy to do it though, as it got me and my boys back on track to library good karma. In the past week I have checked out and read, a volume of Noble Causes, the Invincible Hardback, Paul Pope's Batman 100, a volume of Ultimate Spider-Man and most notably, the first Immortal Iron Fist volume by Fraction, Brubaker, Foreman and Aja. I loved every inch of that book, their legacy of the Iron First is fantastic comics.
I also picked up CAKE vol1. on Friday and chatted with those guys a bit. Fun release party, great book, good beer, and I only wish I could have stayed longer. Big congratulations to those guys for having the balls to take on such a big self-publishing venture.
I also picked up CAKE vol1. on Friday and chatted with those guys a bit. Fun release party, great book, good beer, and I only wish I could have stayed longer. Big congratulations to those guys for having the balls to take on such a big self-publishing venture.
Friday, July 11, 2008
cha-cha-changes....
If anyone actually uses the www.super75press.com domain name to get here, then please note that I'm not renewing it, so please change your bookmarks to http://ryancody.blogspot.com/
CAKE!
I'm part of a wonderful collective of online talent in the ArtJumble blog, and tonight in central Phoenix there is a release party for the first volume of CAKE, an anthology featuring local Artjumble members to the Phoenix area. I know some of these guys through friends, some through the jumble and some through freelance work, but they are a great group of guys, so go on out if you're local, I'm going to try my best to make it out there tonight.
Also, I will be participating in CAKE Vol.2 as well, My story will feature a character of mine called Cara del Fantasma, and I'm pretty excited to get working on it. Here are some quick character sketches and assorted other artwork done this week. Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm doing a lot of freelance work lately that I cannot show, but I'll try and squeeze more comic stuff in soon.
Also, I will be participating in CAKE Vol.2 as well, My story will feature a character of mine called Cara del Fantasma, and I'm pretty excited to get working on it. Here are some quick character sketches and assorted other artwork done this week. Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm doing a lot of freelance work lately that I cannot show, but I'll try and squeeze more comic stuff in soon.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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