Thursday, December 31, 2009

Lady Death/Purgatori


In this Lady Death/Purgatori commission I tried to be as conscious of where I was putting the blacks as possible.

I took my time on this one, and I think it's a step in the right direction. I added some shadows to Lady Death's face, which is something I've been cautious of in the past. But if I'm to grow as an artist, it's time to get dangerous.

Characters (c) Their respective owners (though I believe Dark Horse owns them both now)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Dumb Bunny and Merry Man!


This is Dumb Bunny of DC's "Inferior Five" and her team mate, Merry Man (who, according to Wikipedia, was modeled after Woody Allen).

I experimented with shadows in this drawing. After some reflection on past works I realized that too often my figures are flat because of lack of contrast. Lately I've been studying some great examples by other artists of the past and present, from Jack Kirby, all the way to Chris Samnee (who, if you're not familiar with, is well worth checking out).

While my goal is never to ape or imitate another artist, I'm always anxious to learn new techniques to give my art more substance.

Characters (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Iron Space Marine!


This is a commission of the Iron Space Marine, an amalgamation of Iron Man and the Space Marines from Warhammer 40k.

Christmas is behind us, and I'm finishing up some half-done commissions from earlier in the week. Look for more frequent posts from here on out.

Iron Man (c) 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Warhammer 40k (c) 2009 Whoever Own It

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Blink and Zatanna!


Several weeks back I completed two commissions featuring superheroines who had been flash frozen in stone by Medusa. This drawing is to be added to that gallery.

I regret that Zatanna's hair isn't black, but what do you expect? It's stone just like the rest of her form (except the clothing; the buyer had specific instructions that the clothing wasn't turned to stone).

Zatanna and Blink (c) 2009 Their Respective Companies

Friday, December 25, 2009

Toph from Avatar


I drew this for my wife for Christmas. She's a HUGE Avatar fan, and Toph is her favorite character.

For those who aren't familiar with the show or its characters, Toph is a blind earthbender. In other words, she's a terrakinetic.

The symbol in the background is the symbol for the Earth Nation (or it could just mean "earth." I'm not positive.)

I realized after I'd inked it that I'd gotten the bottom half of the costume wrong. She's not supposed to have a wrap around skirt. But we'll just say that in this instance she has a different set of clothes on. Works for me.

Toph (c) 2009 MTV Networks, Inc.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sneak Peak!


Over the last few days I've completed some commissions, but nothing I can place on an All Audiences blog like this one. I can, however, post something that I've been working on after hours. Something a bit more personal.

This is a panel from a webcomic I'm working on featuring a simple hero vs. villain battle. Very reminiscent of Spider-Man and he Vulture. As a matter of fact, my villain is named "The Bat." Kind of generic, I know, but that's the fun.

You'll notice that this style is a little looser and organic that I'm used to. The reason behind that is that these spolight webcomics of my characters are to get readers acquainted with the Halcyon Universe. And to just make some fun comics (not that my other stuff isn't fun!). With this project I'm less interested in making fine art than I am with productivity. The goal is to tell the stories.

I had originally named the hero Daredevil, after the Golden Age Public Domain character (and not Marvel's). However, as I started thinking out the character's backstory, he became more and more important. And I realized that it would be best to come up with a different name, one that didn't hold the weight that "Daredevil" does. Even though it would be my legal right to use it.

The Golden Age Daredevil has had numerous incarnations over the years, most recently in Dynamite Comics' Project Superpowers, where he has become "The Death-Defying 'Devil". And in Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon, where the character has retained his classic name and appearance (as well as entourage).

Over the next few days I'll reveal the name that I decide upon. I have a couple bouncing around in my head. I had the perfect one earlier, but a search on
Comicvine.com showed me that it was already taken by a similar character. In a book I read on a regular basis, no less! No wonder it sounded familiar!

Enjoy this sneak preview. I'm four pages into it, and I'll be launching the webcomic once this little short is finished. Then I'll move on to another character to spotlight.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Super Teen!



Apparently, a few years back, there were a few superhero versions of the Archie Characters. I was commissioned to draw one such character, and here she is. Betty, a.k.a. Super Teen!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Commission: Lara Croft Takin' It Off


This is a second in a series of eight Lara Croft commissions I'm working on over the next several weeks. I won't be able to post them all without violating some content regulations (especially #7 and #8), but believe me when I say that they get more and more risqué with each commission.

Lara Croft (c) 2009 The Company That Owns Her

Friday, December 18, 2009

Ursa Conquers Power Girl and Supergirl!


This is a companion piece to an Ursa/Superman commission I drew early in the year. Remember back in Superman II when the three kryptonian villains lost their powers? They became mortal, and in this case, became immune to kryptonite.

The kryptonite shackles have weakened Power Girl and Supergirl, and Ursa is, once again, victorious!

In the color stage later on the shackles will be glowing green.

Characters (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Herr Freon and Mendle Gregorson!



These are the final two commissions for John McLaren. Meet villains Herr Freon and Mendel Gregorson. You can find more of John's characters at his website, http://totemansworld.com.

I haven't posted anything over the last few days because most of the commissions I've worked on have been a litte too...risque for a family blog. I might post them on Deviantart later on, but I haven't decided.

I've also been working on the second installment of my Sovereign story for the Arcadia Comics Anthology. Go to www.arcadiacollective.blogspot.com to find out more about that.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Wonder Girl


I finished this Wonder Girl commission earlier, and despite a struggling internet connection, I finally got to post it.

It really makes you feel helpless when you're cut off from the world like that. It's hard to imagine that there once was a time when I never needed to get online. Now I rely on it for a part-time job.

I never would have thought. Luckily everything seems to be back to normal now.

Wonder Girl (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Arcadia Anthology Is Here!

For the last several weeks a group of very talented artists and I worked to produce individual stories featuring our own original characters.

We're proud to annouce that issue #1 is finally up for sale at Indyplanet.com.

You'll be introduced to the Blue Bug by Eric Lamont and Kyle Chaney, Cyprus by Michael Hall, Lucero by Sean Harley, Heroic Forces Preview by Eric Lamont, and my own contribution to the collection, Sovereign.

With spectacular cover art by Malacai Brown!

Just copy and paste the link below into your browser, and you'll be led to the item listing.

Order your copy today for only $3.99!

http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3068&osCsid=jia7o1rgmrgk8eihk87sja22n2

Special thanks to Eric Lamont for having the vision to bring us all together.

Visit our site at http://arcadiacollective.blogspot.com
Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/arcadia_comics

Thanks!

Magma Faerie (colored)


The buyer of this Magma Faerie commission recently emailed this colored version to me, and I was floored at how much the colorist brought my art to life!

Her name is Grace Freeman, and you can check out her site at http://colorist.deviantart.com for more of her work.

Magma (c) 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Big Barda!


I've grown to love the body of work that Jack "The King" Kirby left behind. I don't know why, but the older I get the more I appreciate it.

His genius was undeniable.

Even though he created or co-created many of the most recognizable characters in comics, it's not that often that I get to draw any of them. This commission features Big Barda, from Kirby's Fourth World. The first time I was exposed to her was on an episode of Justice League Unlimited in which she and Mr. Miracle come to seek the league's aid against Granny Goodness (gotta love that name!), but they only manage to get the Flash to help them. A great episode (but then all those episodes are great).

Although I haven't read Fourth World in its entirety, I plan on owning the set of Fourth World Ombibus' (Omnibi?).

Big Barda (c) 2009 D.C. Entertainment

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Enter: Herr Freon


Meet Herr Freon, created by John McLaren and (I believe) his son. He's also the creator of Melan and Wind Chyme (see earlier posts).

If you follow the blog you'll have noticed that there was no post yesterday. I don't want to get into too many personal details, but believe me when I say we've had our hands full. Things are on their way to normalcy now, and I'm working on the second half of the most recent batch of commissions.

For those of you waiting on packages, your wait is almost over.

I'll post another commission later today if I can.

Herr Freon (c)2009 John McLaren

Monday, December 7, 2009

Bison and Dark Chun Li


In this commission we have Bison and Dark Chun Li. In this black and white version you can't really tell except for certain minor costume differences that Chun Li has turned to the dark side. But I'll be coloring it once I can get my hands on some Prismacolors (which I'm hoping Santa will surprise me with).

I fell behind on commissions over the weekend because of various reasons, but I'm almost caught up after today.

More tomorrow.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Lara Croft


I wanted to get this Lara Croft commission posted tonight. Lots going on this weekend, mostly trying to figure out why our vehicle won't start. We've finally settled on the charger, and we're changing it tomorrow. But I digress...
A customer bought a batch of Lara Croft commissions last week. I'll be getting them done as I can, so it probably be a weekly basis, unless I can manage more drawing time.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Nightcat and Raphael


This commission is of Nightcat and Raphael, characters from the novels of Jennifer MacDonald. I've drawn them a few times in the past, but I think this is one of my better interpretations Jen has a gallery of commissions she's ordered from me and other artists at her website. Check it out www.nightcat-online.com.

Nightcat and Raphael (c) 2009 Jennifer MacDonald

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Wind Chyme


This is Wind Chyme, another character from John McLaren, creator of Melan, the tentacled woman I posted a couple days ago.
You can see John's commission gallery at http://totemansworld.com.

Wind Chyme (c) 2009 John McLaren

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mary Marvel Commission #1


Mary Marvel is quickly gaining on Power Girl for the title of most commissioned character.

This commission is the first of two Mary Marvel commissions I've been working on this week. But they're for different buyers, incidentally. This one was an homage to an old cover from the 40s (maybe early 50s).

I'm not sure which issue the character first appeared in, but the comic this cover is based on is called "WOW".

I'll be finished with Mary Marvel #2 tomorrow or the next day.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Melan


This is Melan, created by John McLaren. I don't know anything about the character, but I can tell that she can kick some serious ass.

John has an entire gallery of different artists' interpretation of her and other characters he's created. You can find them at http://totemansworld.com.

-Mike