Well, here we are … a couple of weeks since wrapping up another successful Kickstarter campaign for MALICENT BLACK. Drew and I are well into the planning for the next book, and I’m also into drawing a new project that I can’t really talk about yet, as well as writing a new thing that’ll probably be a surprise for some people once it gets to a point where I can talk about it and show it off a bit…
Also putting the finishing touches on MALICENT BLACK: MUNDICIDE, of course…
But really, after having spent last week away from my desk, exploring the keys with my amazing wife while we celebrated our anniversary, it’s just kind of nice to ease my way back into a normal routine.
So aside from a lot of work that I can’t share right now, what else is going on..?
Well, I read GYO by Junji Ito over the weekend, and now it’s my mission to read everything else by the man. I loved it. The pacing, the storytelling. If you’ve read any of these newsletters, you know I’m a sucker for horror, so … yeah. Much more Junji Ito ahead for me.
Still working my way through KING SORROW by Joe Hill. Joe is a favorite, and this book has been great. It’s been slow progress for me, simply because I didn’t read a thing while we were on our trip (I had expected to read quite a bit, honestly), but I don’t mind … I have a feeling I’ll be sad when this one is over.
What else? I’m looking forward to this year’s DREAD THE HALLS one shot, of course. It comes out on December 3rd (so soon!) and if you’re interested in a preview of the story I did with Chris Ryall, Daily Dead has you covered:
Hey, nice to have you back. Hope everyone had a great time at NYCC … I kinda felt like Robert Nevelle here, holding down the fort while almost everyone else…
Disappeared off the face of the Earth.
Anyway, in case I haven’t mentioned it, we have a Kickstarter going! I’ve probably mentioned that. The second issue of MALICENT BLACK, officially called MALICENT BLACK: MUNDICIDE is off to a great start. One week in and we’re at 80%!
Considering that NYCC took up so much bandwidth on our first weekend, I couldn’t be happier. And to be fair, we knew this first weekend would be a tough one in terms of getting eyeballs, but our other option, with the holidays approaching and other things planned, was to wait until January to launch. We didn’t want to do that because first of all, Drew and I are dying to get this book out there … and second, hey, who knows what things will be like by the time January rolls around?
Here’s the link to our campaign … if you’ve backed it, we thank you. It means a TON to us. If you can’t back it, hey, we understand. All we ask is, if you could, please share this link around. This sort of book only happens when people spread the word and support it, and we need your help for that:
Now would be a GREAT time to check out our campaign, since Drew’s update just went live…
We’re also joined by my pal Matty Ryan this time … Matty and I have known each other for a long time. I honestly can’t remember how we initially met … maybe on the Event Comics Boards back in the day? That might be it. Pretty sure Matty reminded me at HeroesCon and here I am, forgetting again. (My brain is fried, back off.) I do know we actually met in person on my first and only trip (so far) to New York City, when he took me to a great little Irish pub for lunch on one of the days I was spending at the old Marvel Bullpen, meeting editors and working on my craft. Since then, Matty has lettered and designed FREAK at Image Comics (where he coached me through so many production obstacles – I had decided I was writing, drawing and coloring a book on my own and had QUITE the learning curve in front of me 🙂 as well as THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY, so it’s been very cool to get to work with him again.
And speaking of Matty, how about a peek at the first lettered page of MALICENT BLACK: MUNDICIDE..?
I think Matty is going to beat me to the finish line, here … I’m still coloring this issue of Malicent, along with this year’s DREAD THE HALLS story with Chris Ryall. It’s been a pretty, uh, intense few weeks around here. I have a week off planned for November, and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to that week 😉
I DID finish off the pages I had as part of the ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: TWO YEARS IN #1 story I worked on … did I show anything from that, yet? I don’t think so. Here, a tiny peek … don’t tell Marvel.
Okay, I think I also mentioned getting back to sharing some of the art I’m lucky enough to hang in my studio awhile back … how about this one?
Yeah, that’s obviously by the amazing Amanda Conner (inked by the also amazing Jimmy Palmiotti) on the Power Girl story they did for JSA Classified back in the day. This was another gift, and I love this page. Amanda’s characters never seem like drawings … they’re just people, you know? And I mean that in the very best way.
I’m afraid I don’t have any new books to share with you this time … I’m trying to work my way through THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT and it’s been great, but man, most nights I am too tired to make much progress. Maybe I’ll finish it up in that week off in November 😉
Thanks again for your time, and if you haven’t yet, please take a look at our Kickstarter campaign!
Since the last newsletter, I’ve been … busy. Last week, I signed a contract for a 72-page black and white thriller that I’m really excited about (but can’t talk about yet.)
And in the last few days, I added three pages to my workload while losing a week on another deadline that was already tight enough. Comics! I do ’em right.
Anyway … the thing is, I’m really into all of the various things I’m working on. Remember last time, when I said that I need to focus a bit more on the stories I want to tell, and not go from one job to the next like some kind of comic-making shark? Okay, I didn’t phrase it quite that way, but you get me…
So let’s talk about some of this stuff! First … no, your eyes are not deceiving you. The prelaunch page for the next MALICENT BLACK Kickstarter is LIVE. If you want to be notified of the launch, go here and click that ‘notify me on launch’ button:
Drew and I are so excited to get this thing out there. He’s had the script done for awhile (heck, he’s on to the next script), but I’ve had to draw and color this around the work for hire jobs, so it hasn’t gone as quickly as I’d have liked … but now I’m well into the coloring, lettering is in progress … this will be ready to go to the printer as soon as the campaign ends and Kickstarter releases those funds!
Also … there are some limited tiers on this, featuring original art. If you’re interested in these, then it’s even more important you sign up to be notified on launch. I have no idea how those tiers will go, so don’t miss out, okay?
Meanwhile … I’m also about to start inking this year’s DREAD THE HALLS one shot! Chris and I started trading emails about this story while I was at Heroes Con, and I’m proud of what we came up with. It’s funny, it’s dark, and it speaks to the world we find ourselves in. It also plays a riff on A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which is one of my favorite stories. This is up for preorders now, so if you want to check this thing out (and I’d highly recommend it) then please let your retailer know. It’s been a pretty tumultuous time for retailers (well, for everyone, really) so preorders are more important now than ever for anything that doesn’t involve Batman or Spider-Man…
Dread the Halls 2025 #1
Arriving: December 3, 2025 Lunar Code: 1025IM0283 Page Count: 72
Cover price: $6.99
Dread the Halls returns to haunt another Christmas season with a 72-page gift of all-new tales of holiday horrors for only $6.99! This time out, Jordan Hart and Luana Vecchio deliver a seasonal blend of Hallmark movie and brutal revenge flick; Chris Ryall and Keithan Jones turn Mars red when “The Martians Conquer Santa Claus!”; Walter Pax and Fábio Veras return to the series rendering festive terror; and Ryall and Lee Ferguson close things out with an even darker Christmas Carol!
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Finally, here’s the OTHER thing I’m working on and can share:
‘Ultimate Universe: Two Years In’ Sets the Stage for ‘Ultimate Endgame’
This December, ‘Ultimate Universe: Two Years In,’ a one-shot by Deniz Camp, Alex Paknadel, and more, sets up the future of the Ultimate Universe, including ‘Ultimate Endgame’ and the debut of Ultimate Daredevil.
by Marvel
Before ULTIMATE ENDGAME begins, behold the current state of the Ultimate Universe and discover its final secrets in ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: TWO YEARS IN #1, a special one-shot hitting stands in December by Deniz Camp, Alex Paknadel, and superstar artists from every corner of the Marvel Universe.
Like last year’s ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: ONE YEAR IN, which introduced Nick Fury and revealed crucial intel on the Maker’s Council, ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: TWO YEARS IN #1 will be an essential chapter in the overall Ultimate Universe narrative. The saga will see the return of the Ultimate Guardians, revealing their key role in ULTIMATE ENDGAME, and debut all new players as the countdown to the Maker’s return comes to an explosive end!
All paths lead to ENDGAME! In preparation for the Maker’s return in ULTIMATE ENDGAME, the Ultimate Guardians have been traveling all across time and space, recruiting members new and old… Travel across all the corners of the Ultimate Universe! Don’t miss the dawn of many new characters, including Ultimate Daredevil!
ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: TWO YEARS IN #1 Written by DENIZ CAMP & ALEX PAKNADEL Art by SUPERSTARS FROM ACROSS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE Cover by RYAN STEGMAN On Sale 12/3
“For me, each of these year-ending Ultimates specials are an opportunity to reveal more about the universe’s history, and set the path of its future,” Camp explained. “ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: ONE YEAR IN was about the recent past and near future, but ULTIMATE UNIVERSE: TWO YEARS IN is more ambitious; we’ll take you from the birth of humanity to 2000 years into the future where everything has gone wrong. It’s bold, it’s heartfelt, it’s filled with big new ideas and surprising twists on old characters—it’s just what you’ve come to expect from the Ultimate Universe!”
“Getting to write in the Ultimate Universe—especially as it reaches its climax—is so fun, it should be illegal,” Paknadel shared. “It’s a license to rethink and reinvent your favorite characters, and Deniz and I have certainly done that here. Like all the best Ultimate versions of these characters, our Daredevil retains the essence of the original—he’s still a something without fear—but he’s been scaled up to a cosmic-level hero. I can’t wait for readers to meet him.”
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When my editor dropped me an email to see if I’d be interested in being a part of this, I looked at my calendar, thought about how much coffee a human can reasonably drink in a month, and said “sure!”
Honestly, just seeing Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel listed as the writers made this a no-brainer, but then I read the script and it’s awesome. I like big, cosmic tales, stuff that pushes the boundaries of what stories we can tell and how we tell them … and boy does this one do that. I’m drawing a telepathic dog, for crying out loud. I don’t think that was actually on my bucket list, but it should have been.
It’s also up for preorders right now, so again … just let your retailer know you want it!
Okay, I typically try not to use these for so much promotion … you can get that sort of thing anywhere. But my word count is creeping up there, I’m buried, I’m tired, and I feel like I have to get the word out on this stuff, eh? At least the first two … I’m sure that Ultimates book will sell just fine without my efforts 😉
Oh, wait! Word count be damned. THIS arrived last week…
I can’t begin to tell you how much I love the work of both JM DeMatteis and Sal Buscema. Actually, if you’ve read previous newsletters … you know 🙂
But this run on Spidey is an all-time favorite of mine. I learned so much about storytelling from the comics included here. Pacing, emotional beats, subtlety, when to let the art do the lifting … ugh. It’s SO GOOD.
And I’ve barely gotten a look at this since it arrived. Ah, comics. 🙂
Sooner or later I’ll get to dive in.
Okay … now I’m really heading out!
I may drop an extra newsletter when the Kickstarter goes live, but in case I don’t … when I see you in two weeks, the campaign will be fully underway! I’ll share some behind the scenes bits on this issue of Mal, and try to get back to sharing some of the art on my wall, too.
Another one of these things??? Why won’t he stop..? Because he loves you…
Or likes the sound of his own voice. Pick one.
Alright, so this past week I finished the interior inks for our second issue of MALICENT BLACK! I’m pretty excited to hit this point, because it feels like I’ve been working on this book forever. I think maybe I have? I know I started penciling it last fall, before getting too far into DREAD THE HALLS … then had to work around not only DREAD, but FLASH GORDON QUARTERLY #3, DOCTOR STRANGE #450, RUNAWAYS #4 … and some other stuff that I can’t talk much about yet.
So yeah, I kinda HAVE been working on this forever, but not because I’m slow or lazy (he said, super defensively.)
But now I have to ink this second cover … yeah, second cover. Did I mention this already? See, I did one way back, inked it, colored it … and I like it. It fits the book really nicely in some ways. But I’m not sure it’s the ‘right’ cover for a Kickstarter campaign, y’know? That cover has to do a lot of heavy lifting. With luck, it will be everywhere. So … I have to ink this new cover. We’ll have two covers for this thing, and you can pick one or the other or … best of all … both! THEN I get to start coloring this book. I’m not a fast colorist, but I don’t expect it to take too long on this … I feel like I’ve had enough time to think about it all, obviously 🙂
It’s pretty exciting to hit this stage, though. NOW is when this second book finally feels “real” to me. You’d think – since I’ve penciled and inked 22 pages, penciled, inked and colored one cover, penciled another, and also wrote a short prose story, that it would have felt real long before this, eh? I don’t know what to tell you. Artists, man. AI doesn’t have to deal with this stuff, it just craps out garbage that a few people pretend matters in some sad way and the world burns.
Meanwhile … this week, DOCTOR STRANGE #450 is in comic shops everywhere! I know I’ve discussed the good doctor previously, so I won’t ramble too much this time … but I gotta say again, I really enjoyed this one. It’s probably my favorite bit of Marvel work. It’s definitely the most “me” I’ve ever gotten into one of these. I loved the script by JMS, and Carlos Lopez KILLED it on the colors. Doctor Strange is a character I’d love to get back to … someday.
Beyond working, I’ve read a few cool new things lately … first off is DREAD THE HALL H, by my pal Chris Ryall, along with a whole host of other talented creators like Jordan Hart, Chris Anderson, Nelson Daniel, Piotr Kowalski, and Jimmy Kucaj. It’s a TON of fun. Seriously. I don’t know what possessed them to do this, but I want more.
Drome by Jesse Lonergan came out recently, too, and I blasted through this thing (all 300+ pages) in one night. I kept thinking that I’d take a break at the NEXT chapter … well, maybe the NEXT one … before finally giving up and just going for it. It’s so good. Jesse is doing a ton of stuff that I find really interesting right now, and this might be my favorite so far.
And finally, the other comic-related thing I’ve been reading lately … is this big beast of a book.
I remember really loving Gruenwald’s Cap back in the day. I’m pretty sure my grandparents meant to get me a subscription to either Amazing Spider-Man or GI Joe, but somehow I ended up with Captain America. And I started with the last couple of Mike Carlin-written issues, with Cap across the pond, teaming up with Captain Britain against Mordred. Mark Gruenwald took over soon after, and man … I was hooked.
*A side note … the OTHER Mark Gruenwald-written series that completely blew my fuses back in my formative years was SQUADRON SUPREME. I say this with no exaggeration … I don’t know if you’ll ever find somebody who loves that SQUADRON SUPREME series more than I do.
Anyway…
I didn’t always get Cap once my subscription ran out. I actually missed a lot of the issues between #317-#349, though I was lucky enough to find the big Scourge issue and of course the one where John Walker is handed the shield. But I had some stretches as a kid there where getting comics could be tough. However, once my brothers and I discovered our first comic shop (shout out to The Book Nook, a place I dearly loved and miss) I found myself picking up Cap again. I was there for The Bloodstone Hunt and Streets of Poison, though I sadly missed the Cap-wolf stuff…
So yesterday this giant omnibus arrived. I had read or re-read almost everything up through #350, so I was ready. But man, these comics are just a blast. Sure, some of the dialogue … eh, it doesn’t hold up. Fair. But Cap, John Walker, Battlestar, Diamondback, the Serpent Society … these are just some really fun superhero comics. I’m amazed at how Gruenwald juggled so many storylines, and I honestly want to know what happens next in these comics from … ugh, far too many years ago. I read the first 250 pages or so last night, getting past The Bloodstone Hunt, and something really hit me while reading that…
Kieron Dwyer and Danny Bulanadi kicked royal ass on this stuff. I remembered LIKING their work, but coming back to this … they were awesome. Handling such a big cast of characters, so many various settings, so much action … this was not an easy series to draw, and this is really great work. I’m up to issue #363 now, and honestly just wanna wrap this newsletter up so I can go read some more…
*But hey, since you made it this far … here’s a peek at that new cover. Between writing this on Sunday morning and hitting ‘publish’ I had time to get this thing inked 😉
With SDCC looming, I really wanted to get this newsletter out as soon as possible. No, I’m not going this year, but whether you’re going to SDCC or not, you kind of have to plan around it a bit. It’s a pretty great con, but it tends to take all the oxygen out of the room, and I have a little bit I’d like to share before that happens…
Like the fact I just illustrated a DOCTOR STRANGE story! No lie … the good doctor is a bucket list character for me. It’s only a short story, part of DOCTOR STRANGE #450, but I tried to make the most of it. I mean, let’s face it … we never know what’s going to happen. As much as I’d love to draw a LOT more of the good doctor, this might be the only time that ever happens. It’s a weird business, and just like with everything else in life, I’ve learned to never take any of this for granted. Never assume you’ll get another shot.
So I’m glad that I got this opportunity, and that the script was really good. It’s by a guy you may have heard of … J. Michael Straczynski? Yeah, that’s the one. When my editor told me what the story would be about, I was … a bit skeptical. And then I read the script and leapt to my desk. It’s a really good story, and I did my best to bring it to life.
As a matter of fact … here’s a peek. Don’t tell anyone. Just a couple of panels going through the process … thumbnails, layouts, and then inks.
For this one, I penciled the thumbnails and layouts on bristol board, but due to the time frame, I went ahead and inked this digitally. I had a great time with it, and I’m really looking forward to seeing this thing lettered and colored. I’m pretty sure this issue is in solicits right now (it comes out in September, I believe), so if you want to snag a copy, let your comic shop know!
Here’s the solicit (along with Kevin Nowlan’s variant cover…)
As turmoil seizes Asgard, Doctor Strange’s life is about to change forever. But as he stands on the threshold of a true journey into mystery, it turns out the past isn’t quite done with him yet… Fan-favorite creators reveal untold tales of Stephen Strange’s past while current scribe Derek Landy reveals a glimpse of the future to come – as Marvel celebrates 450 issues of DOCTOR STRANGE!
The thing I couldn’t help but do once I got this script was go through my comics and check out a lot of other takes on Doc Strange. I mean, I’m a fan of the character for a reason. Pretty sure the first time I ever came across the Master of the Mystic Arts was thanks to the town library and their copy of ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS. It all starts with that book for me with quite a few characters, honestly (along with SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS, BRING ON THE BAD GUYS and THE GREAT COMIC BOOK HEROES.)
But even once you’re past that early Lee/Ditko stuff, there have been a ton of really great creators doing great things with Doctor Strange over the years. I can’t begin to cover all of them, but a few of my favorites? Sure…
DOCTOR STRANGE #55
I missed this when it originally came out, but came back to it as I discovered Michael Golden’s work. I was already a big fan of Roger Stern thanks to his run on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. And this book really lands for me. A beautiful combination of story and art.
DOCTOR STRANGE #57
After SECRET ORIGINS #39 blew all of my fuses, I went out and found every comic I could that had Kevin Nowlan’s work inside. Thankfully, that led me here, to another great Roger Stern script, this time illustrated by Nowlan and Terry Austin (who also inked Golden on #55.)
DOCTOR STRANGE/DOCTOR DOOM: TRIUMPH AND TORMENT
Roger Stern (AGAIN with that guy) writes, Mike Mignola pencils, Mark Badger inks and colors a story that I go back to all the time. One of my absolute favorite comicbooks ever.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #14
Believe it or not, Roger Stern didn’t write this one! Denny O’Neil did, with art by Frank Miller and Tom Palmer. This was a comic that really clued me in to what I wanted to do, what kinds of stories I wanted to tell.
All of these comics have impacted me and the way I see Doc Strange (as well as the art form in general) … maybe you’ll see bits and pieces of ’em scattered through my art for this story? I don’t know. It’s always weird, trying to see your own work from a distance. YOU might know what ingredients are in there, but it doesn’t mean they are evident to everyone else.
In the end, you just hope you told a good story. That’s what it’s really about, after all. I know there are artists who only do covers, or who just really love doing pin-ups, and hey, good for them. That’s great! Everyone should find their own way, and make a career doing the things they want to do. Me? I’m a story guy. Covers and pin-ups are fun side things to me, but it’s not really making comics, to my mind. It’s those sequential pages that I love doing.
Oh, and I used my new pencils on this story! Sure, I may have inked it digitally, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a huge nerd for new drawing tools. I’m always looking for new pencils, new markers, whatever. It’s … well, it’s an addiction, and I need help. Wait … no, not help. UNDERSTANDING! And more pencils.
For this, I broke out my new .5 mm Snoopy pencil, along with my new Blackwing…
So keep in mind … if you like what I did with this story, it’s probably only thanks to these pencils. And that well-used eraser 😉
What else is going on? Well, thanks to the Doctor Strange story, I’m not quite finished with the inks for the next MALICENT BLACK comic. But I’m getting there. We’ll have news about the Kickstarter prelaunch page coming up in a newsletter soon, I promise. I really want to be well into the colors (if not completely finished with them) before we launch, though. It’s pretty important to me to have the book finished or almost finished before starting the campaign…
I’ve also got to work up some character sketches and a cover for the next story Chris Ryall and I are working on, too…
We’ve got something in the works that has a wicked bite to it. Something I’m really excited for.
But I think that’s all I can talk about at the moment. Every other thing I’m working on seems to be in various stages of hurry-up-and-wait right now. It’s the business, I guess, but it’s my least favorite part of it…
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter! For some strange reason, I really enjoy doing this, so I appreciate that anybody takes the time to read it. Hopefully I’m able to make it worthwhile.
Let’s blast some caffeine, fire up the SINNERS score and see where we end up!
Since getting home from Heroes Con, everything has been a bit of a blur. I’ve had pages to draw, stuff to write, pitches to finalize, and, uh … I also decided the closet in my office needed cleaned out. So many comics, and I can’t believe how many of them are comps! I look at the boxes of comps and wonder how I’ve drawn so many funnybooks over the years. And also … why did I think this closet needed cleaned out?
That was a … well, let’s call it a miscalculation. See, I thought it needed cleaned out. What it really needed was to be LEFT THE HELL ALONE.
Ah, well. Maybe my office will be back in some kind of order by the time I’m working on the NEXT newsletter.
But thanks for taking some time out of your day to read what I’m writing. As always, I truly do appreciate it. Let’s start off with a peek at some inks for the next MALICENT BLACK book…
I’m having a lot of fun with these pages. I’ve changed up my inking approach a bit, and I like the organic feel I’m getting here. I can’t wait to start coloring this stuff.
If all goes as planned (does it ever?) I’ll have the inks for this one wrapped up about a week from the time I send off this newsletter. We’re getting closer to launching the next campaign. Meanwhile, Drew and I have talked a lot about the third book, and it’s bonkers. Easily the most intricate story we’ve planned, and just wait til you see what ELSE is in this one. I can say no more.
But speaking of Drew … this week is his birthday! He’ll be 94 years young. He looks so good for his age! It’s all the time he spends hunched over his desk writing by candlelight. Please find him on social media and wish him a good one.
Beyond working on Malicent, prepping for the next project Chris Ryall and I are working on, and a couple of things I can’t talk about yet … well, I’m sitting here looking at this stack of comics I came across as I was starting to clean out my closet.
Jim Shooter … you know, I’ve heard all kinds of stories about the man. That he could be both brilliant and difficult. He was gone from Marvel long before I started getting work there, and I never worked for any of the companies he was a part of after his time at Marvel. I never met him at a con. All I know is … man, I LOVED those Marvel comics in the late 70’s and 80’s. Secret Wars? It’s a crappy toy tie in? Okay, whatever. Say what you want, but I loved it. I couldn’t wait to snag the newest issue at the drug store each month. Heck, I was terrified I would miss one! And that’s just one book he was writing. I think about all the great stuff Marvel put out in that stretch, and while yes, of course the creators deserve the lion’s share of praise for the work they did then (Simonson on Thor? Claremont and Bryne on Uncanny X-Men? Stern and JR Jr. on Spidey? So much more) the fact that it all happened with Big Jim in the EIC chair counts for something, I think. That era of Marvel really did set my course in life. Rest in peace, Mr. Shooter.
Otherwise, really looking forward to seeing SUPERMAN this week. I have high hopes for this, and feel like it’s the kind of movie a lot of us could maybe use right now. We went to see 28 YEARS LATER last week (which was, I thought, fantastic) and my copy of SINNERS arrives this week (my favorite movie in a loooooong time), so it’s been a nice run of movies here lately. Hopefully Supes and the FF keep it up.
One last thing before I head out … I got this page a few days ago, from the amazing Cully Hamner.
Man oh man do I love this one. Not only does it showcase some really nice technique stuff in the inks, but damn … just look at the storytelling and composition! It’s a page from Wonder Woman #800, but obviously … it’s a primal take on Batman’s origin. Can’t wait to hang this up…
Except for, you know … that mess from the closet. It’s everywhere!
(This newsletter is brought to you by the letter M*)
Time for this thing again? Time flies when you’re at your desk every … single … day. I guess?
Let’s start with that mystery art…
What’s it for? I mean, it’s a mystery. I can’t say right now. But it’s something I had a ton of fun doing, and wanted to share with you. Yes, you.
Meanwhile, still hard at work on the next issue of MALICENT BLACK…
You know Mal … making friends wherever she goes…
Getting closer and closer to being ready for the next Kickstarter…
I’m enjoying drawing this issue old school so much that I don’t remember why I’ve been working digitally for so long…
Oh, right. Deadlines.
I’m still quite a bit quicker digitally, and honestly … so often I get a script with no time left on the clock. That makes it hard to do anything but work in the fastest way possible.
But as far as Malicent goes…
Drew is working on that third script, and beyond that, he’s also busy here:
He’s really good at videogames. Good enough to write about them. Me? I’m the guy who could maybe write a guide on “How NOT to be an awesome vampire in Oblivion.” That … I’ve got nailed down.
Anyway, when I’m not at my desk writing or drawing (or being a terrible vampire in Oblivion), I’ve been catching up on some reading. Picked this up recently, and it’s brand new to me. I’m enjoying it immensely.
I’m a big fan of JM DeMatteis, and the various artists who collaborated with him in this book (especially the late, great, Keith Giffen and of course Shawn McManus) MORE than hold up their end. This is a great collection, and I can’t recommend it enough. Dr. Fate is a character that I’d love to take a swing at someday.
Also, before I wrap this up … table assignments for Heroes came out this week. If you’re going to be at HeroesCon … here’s where to find me!
If I’m not at my table, odds are good that I’m just watching Kevin Nowlan draw.
That’s it for this week … thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I truly do appreciate it!
…hey, wait a second. I have one last thing to show ya. Got it right before hitting “publish.”
Here’s a Miracleman piece I penciled a few years back, inked by Marc Deering … and recently colored by the amazing Mike Spicer! We’ll have prints of this at the con, if you’re interested 😉
Okay, THIS time I’m really done. I gotta go draw =)
LeeFerguson.Art 