Commission Drive!

The rule of 3's seems to apply to a lot of things, and it hit me this past week as another car broke down and an A/C unit had to be repaired. I try not to be one to complain too much and I try to make the best of a bad situation. So if any of you had wanted to possibly get a commission from me, or know anybody that might, the timing couldn't be better.

$30 for a 9x12 b/w character.
$15 for a color sketchcard (1-figure)

Please pass this along to anyone you think may be interested.

thanks,
Ryan

We are sons of Mexico!

Style + Mood

Click for full size.

Last night I was coloring up some pages and realized while they were just fine, they were missing something. They told a clear story and hopefully look nice to the viewer, but they seemed to be missing something, in my eyes at least. A few years back I was going back and forth with a publisher about a book that I was going to do with a writer. The publisher liked my work but suggested I add some more shadows and heavy blacks. I did and I've loved the result ever since. That project never went anywhere, but I think my style lends itself very well to the heavy black shadow look. While my stuff doesn't really look anything like Mignola or Miller, I do use their influence heavily when spotting blacks.

So I was thinking about how much I love working like this and decided to just sketch up a new promo piece for a very old concept of mine. Meet Ethan Ellis is something I came up with even before The Hurricane Kids, so probably around 2000, or very early 2001. I've recently been thinking of a new direction to take the story in that I think will be a lot of fun. We'll see, nothing is going to happen anytime soon with it I don't think. Or maybe....?

All over the map!

So I thought I would take an opportunity to let anyone who cares know where they can follow me online. I tend to do this every so often but I think it's a good way to keep things current.

My self-publishing website - Super75Comics - This is the home to all of my self-published comics, including The Hurricane Kids and Fata Obstant. All of which are available through the site. I also host a gallery here for Art Directors and Editors -

My blog - Facebook - Twitter

DeviantArt Gallery - A wonderful community of artists and a great place to get feedback and shop new sketches and artwork.

The Sketchjam is an invite-only blog where myself and some of my friends post sketches and sometimes finished work as well.

The Artjumble blog is comprised mostly of non-comicbook illustrators and sometimes serves as a way for me to try new things. It has dozens of members from all over the world.

My Linkedin.com profile is something I don't really use, but may come in handy someday, a social networking site for work.

The Arizona branch of the Drink and Draw Social Club is something I started a couple years back with the blessing of the original DDSC. It's a good time for the local professional comic artist community to get together. I usually shoot some pics and post them.

I still use Myspace and Livejournal, but only as a way to leave comments about things, I don't usually update there. If you a regular reader of the blog, and I'm not connected to you on any of the sites, let me know.

Rasputin.

Click for full size.

Here is a recent Colossus commission. As for this weekend's UFC 99, I don't really care about the main event, I guess I will go Silva because he got badly knocked out in his last fight, but it should be a good fight no matter what. I really want to see Cain Velasquez versus Cheick Congo (I'm buying the hype and picking Cain, a former ASU wrestler), and Ben "Killa B" Saunders against Mike "Quick" Swick. I'm all for Killa B on this one. His last fight he decimated some poor bastard with about 30 knees to the face. My other picks to win are Hardy, Fisher and Cro-Cop. I don't really care much for the undercard, except little Roli Delgado is going to get murdered. Poor guy.

Charitable Me.

Recent contributions to the HERO Initiative and March of Dimes, the Wolverine cover and Archie card will be auctioned off, the Hero cards will be given to people who sign up for membership to the Initiative. It's a great cause, they both are and I'm happy to help out. I did a total of 40 Archie cards, I'll post more when they go live. Click them for bigger sizes.

Project Updates

So I know I have not been posting a lot lately, sorry about that. For the first time this year I actually have projects lined up but still not everything can be talked about.

Short of a couple lettering issues, I just wrapped an 11-page short story that should be coming out in Image Comic's POPGUN Vol.4 anthology later this year. It features my Cara del Fantasma character that made a brief appearance in my Vol.3 story.

I also just finished a batch of ARCHIE sketch cards for March of Dimes. All the proceeds go the charity, I'll post more info when I know they will be up for sale.

I also am finishing up this years HERO Initiative/Marvel Comics sketch-cover. This year's book is Wolverine, so I will try and do it justice. I've also done a couple HERO sketch-cards that they will be randomly giving away for new membership sign-up. I've said it before and I'll say it again, HERO is a wonderful charity, I choose to donate my art to their cause since I can't usually afford to donate any money.

I'm also starting two new comic projects, the first is the return of Lola Lilly (from my 24 hour comic, Fata Obstant) in a short story for Mysterious Adventure Magazine #3, and a long form, graphic novel for a publisher that I can't really talk about yet. That's just starting but should take me through the first month or two of next year. I'm really excited about getting new stuff out there for people to see. I'll keep trying to fit new short stories here and there as well. Thanks to everyone for checking out my blog, deviantart and the follows on twitter. I appreciate it all and really enjoy comments and feedback. New art soon, promise!

Drink & Draw!

A good group came out last night, I hope everyone had fun.
Check out some pics from the night!

Atomic!

Sorry I have neglected the blog here. I have been working on finishing up my story for Image Comic's Popgun Vol.4 as well as working on some sketch cards, going back and forth with publishers on projectA and picking up something brand new with projectB, a graphic novel that will take me into 2010. The bad part is that all of these projects are early in development or stuff that I really can't post. Either way, I don't know what else I will have coming out this year other than the 11-page Popgun story and a 12-page Fata Obstant story in the fall issue of Mysterious AdventureMagazine. 2010 is looking to be a bit more promising though. I'll always try to squeeze in some pin-ups or sketches for the blog here and at the Sketchjam. Here is a sketch I did of Atomic Robo, it's a bit wonky, but there it is.



*Also, in reference to my last post, Lyoto Machida destroyed Rashad Evans. Can't wait to see him take on and beat Rampage.

Random Thoughts

Okay, so I thought I would just throw up a couple random thoughts on MMA, Star Trek and coloring comic pages. First off, I'm a big fan of MMA and the UFC, maybe it's just because that's what I'm most exposed too, but I wanted to talk about two upcoming fights real quick.

Machida Vs. Evans for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (UFC98). I am a big Machida fan, some people see him as boring but from the fights I have seen him in, he fights smart and picks his opponents apart and recently finished Thiago Silva with a vicious knockout. Evans has the heavy hands and better wrestling probably and the current luck that seems to shine on all of Greg's Jackson's guys, but I'm picking Machida here. I think he will implement a better strategy and win by decision and I think he will have the better cardio in the later rounds.



Penn Vs. Florian for the UFC Lightweight Championship (UFC101). I have always been a big BJ Penn fan, even though he rubs some the wrong way and has a bad attitude. His jiu-jitsu is on another level for MMA (he and Demian Maia have the best jiu-jitsu for MMA in my opinion) and he is the most flexible fighter I have ever seen. When his heart is in it, he is an elite level champion. That said, he got HOUSED by GSP in his last fight, but for whatever reason he did not seem to be in the best shape for that fight and he was fighting in a higher weight class as well. I think BJ is still the best lightweight in the world. While I do like Kenny Florian, I think he may be in the same boat as Rich Franklin and be the second best in his weight class. I'd like to see Kenny fight Diego Sanchez again and Sean Sherk again, but I think BJ will win this scrap in a close, tough fight. Kenny has better muay thai, but I think BJ's elite jiu-jitsu puts him over the top along with better boxing and better wrestling. I only hope this doesn't go to the 4th or 5th round where BJ may gas and get overwhelmed by Florian.



Also, last night I saw Star Trek, so if you haven't seen it, stop reading here and jump over to the SKETCHJAM where I just posted a new page. SPOILERS AHEAD!



I knew I was going to like this movie going in. I really enjoyed MI:3, and the trailer and casting looked outstanding. This movie was fun, exciting and hit all the right notes. I love sci-fi when it's done right and this is at the top of that list. One concern I had going in, and one I voiced to my girlfriend was how were they going to create suspense when we already knew the future of these characters. They answered that question perfectly with a timeline, alternate reality/future aspect. They reset the franchise, with new excitement, fresh blood and vigor, but kept the characters that everyone loved in the process. This is how to reboot a franchise properly and effectively. The casting was perfect, Karl Urban hamming it up was brilliant and Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine may have been born to play these roles. Eric Bana was fantastic as well. I cannot wait for the next two sequels, and hopefully more after that.

Support Indy Retailers!

My pal Brian @ Khepri.com now has my comic FATA OBSTANT up for sale. Khepri is unique in that it is an online retailer that deals mostly in indie books and he is a great champion of the little guy. He has always supported me, even buying books off of me for his personal collection. So for all your toy and graphic novel needs, hop on over and support him. Pay it forward people. See all of his news here - http://khepricom.livejournal.com and order my books from him. Anyone who orders two or more of any of my stuff from Brian, let me know and I'll send a quick sketch your way.

Fata Obstant
Hurricane Kids
Villains

** Also, be sure to be checking out the Sketchjam!, it's been pretty active lately.

Hellboy on a plate!

This was done for the wall at S Bistro, currently hanging there are plates done by Erik Larsen, Whilce Portacio, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane and Jim Valentino.

Hop over to Ben Glendenning's site for a full, and entertaining photo strip of the FCBD events.

FCBD 2009 re-cap

Free Comic Book Day is always like a 1-day con for me and I enjoy it every year. It's not really an opportunity for me to make money since we do sketches for the HERO Initiative charity, but it's a good way to give back, and it's nice to see the local community come out year after year, and it's nice to see new faces as well. I did about 12 or sketches, not as many as others, but they were fun. Big thanks to Mike Malve at Atomic Comics for the hospitality and my fellow artists who showed up and kicked ass with me. I even drew a Hellboy sketch on a plate for a restaurants wall, how cool is that? Here are a couple sketches I did, and a shot of me drawing a Rocketeer sketch that was on on CBR for a little while.




Click for full size, more sketches later this week.

Tomorrow!

Just a reminder and always a fun time, like a 1-day con. Also I just decided that I will be giving away a free copy of the original Hurricane Kids comic from 2005 for anyone who buys a copy of the new Hurricane Kids Color Special tomorrow (while supplies last).

I will be at the Atomic Comics Paradise Valley location along with fellow deviants...

Tony Parker
Ben Glendenning
Albert Morales
Daniel Bradford
Terry Tibke

As always, we will be doing sketches for $5 donations to the HERO initiative, so come on by it's always a good time and it's for a great cause.

I will also have copies of my 24-Hour Comics Day Comic, Fata Obstant as well as copies of The Hurricane Kids Color Special (ideal for all ages) $3, and I have a few copies of Villains remaining as well for only $5 for the entire trade.

Free Comic Book Day 2009

I will also have copies of Fata Obstant & The Hurricane Kids with me, so stop on by.

Samson

click for full size.

This is a new character I created for an upcoming short story. If you follow my stuff then you may be able to pick up what it's for. I had a lot of fun researching his uniform and creating his back-story and I look forward to drawing him in action.

Best laid plans...

Last night I was trying to work up a "Where the Wild Things are" sketch for the always awesome Artjumble blog that I have not been contributing to lately and this is the end result. Nothing spectacular, but a keen insight into how my brain works sometimes.


click for full size.

Mysterious Adventure Magazine

Cover to MA#1 by Scott Godlewski & Matt Kaufenberg

Mysterious Adventure Magazine is a great little project run by a couple great guys, Matt and Scott. It focuses on fun adventure and pulp comics and the first issue came out in January, with a summer issue planned for June. I was lucky enough to be asked to contribute the back cover for it. I should also have a new Fata Obstant story in the fall issue as well as I think it's a story that fits well in quarterly like Mysterious Adventure. Do yourself a favor and pick up the first issue, you won't be sorry. Flying aces, nazis, selkies and a demon detective are just a few of the goodies found within.


click for biggie.

*Bonus! Jump over to the Sketchjam! to see a cool inking experiment I did as well as a Panthro (Thundercats!) sketch.

Review of My Popgun 3 story.

With my work on Villains, all of the reviews were almost universally positive and glowing and much of that had to do with the story. Most who commented on the art sounded a lot like this , serviceable and nice and serves the story. I am happy with my art serving the story, that's my job after all. Here is the first and possibly only review of my Popgun 3 story, which only encompasses 8 pages out of almost 500, so I don't know how many more will be coming.

"King’s Hollow: The Trade"
Review by Corwin Crowl

Writer/Artists: Ryan Cody
Colorist: Anthony Nixon
Letterer: Fonografiks
Page 453

I am going to take a guess that this story is part of a larger story. There is not any kind of explanation of who the characters are or the overarching purpose of their mission. A girl named Nissa is sent out to make a trade with a some kind of giant, however she was never given anything to trade with. Ryan Cody created a simple and quick story with simple yet serviceable pencils and color. His style is also unique and works for the type of story he is telling. There are varying degrees of interesting characters and a lot can be inferred from their conversations. The story takes place in 1943 with a war going on but magic and fairies are also real. While interesting the story does not have any real feel of payoff. It is more like a tease for what is to come next.

Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

A couple thoughts as I generally enjoy all reviews and this is neither a great one or a bad one and actually sums up my feelings on the story as well. The story is part of a much larger whole, but I wanted it to be accessible but also encourage people who liked it to seek out future stories with these characters (or the past short story, which is still available thru www.super75comics.com). The characters weren't introduced or explained due to space constraints, although I think it reads fine, of all the stories in Popgun, 99% featured unknown characters or ones that were new to the reader. This story was never made to be an epic in 8 pages, so it's fair to say it is simple, as is the art. I do like that the reviewer gained some knowledge of the characters through their conversation as I was hoping people would be able to form a rough idea of the their dynamics. The fact that it ends as a bit of a tease is what I wanted, again hoping it would garner interest in this world I'm creating. I think that review is actually dead-on for the most part. I wish my foray into Popgun was a bit stronger, but I'm satisfied with it and I hope others are as well. One thing that bugged me though was this, "The story takes place in 1943 with a war going on". The story is set in England in 1943 (via a caption on page 1), and the mention of humans at war is made on page 2, so I thought it would be easily identified as happening during WWII. Setting these fantasy stories in real time and in the real world is one thing I really wanted to accomplish.

And as for those intersting character? Look for Cara de Fantasma (the Ghostface character) to show up again in Popgun 4 or 5 later down the line.

Best Video Ever.

Rachel Maddow is the shit. Please watch this.

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