Arzra of Aroora!

This character has been kicking around in my head and in sketches for a while now. I'm not sure...maybe a year and a half. Finally exploring him in Catgirl Mojo. Should be fun. He's kinda like a philosophically inclined Conan with a gender-bending penchant.

Black Wing

From the vault, one of the Witch Cards I did for Land of Hof a few years ago.

Black Wing is one of the most ubiquitous images pervading this fantasy universe in my head.

Commission - Luther

New Character Design for ATLAND

Character that's been floating around in my head for a bit. Finally put pencil to paper...

Legend of Bill underway

David Reddick has the first couple of episodes of his new strip posted. I would say that it is something that would probably appeal to most readers of this blog. Let's hope 'Legend of Bill' has a long and glorious future!

Strange but true

Missed a posting a few updates while I was gone, so here they are now.

Fun times as Baron Samedi meets his demise. The panels where he actually dies were tricky, as a lot was going on in a small space - both in terms of the art and the story, so it made a nice kind of sense in that way that only comics can.

The Privvy Flush Deluxe was one of Adam's creations -- one of those "super-wacky" things I let him get away with in his early days of writing on the strip. I was never very happy with the mechanics of it - I prefer things to be more logically bizarre. Still, it proved a useful plot device as the story progressed, and it was very handy here.

As it turned out, this is the last we see of the Privvy Flush Deluxe in the story, but ironically it is not the last we see of Baron Samedi. Come on, he is a lord of the undead, after all. Watch that sigil on his hat, not as funny as an arrow through the head but it does much the same job. Funny how these things work out isn't it?

ELF `n TROLL # 188

Atland #188 - One Bad Guy Left

A What's Up With Da' Wizards Post.

First up, there’s a preview of the Cayetano “Cat” Garza-edited anthology, Secrets and Lies, available for browsing and can be found right here. As mentioned previously by Wizard Chuck, it features “The Librarian” written by the stunning, Shaenon K. Garrity and illustrated by our own captain of chaos, Chuck Whelon. To prove that I am totally riding Mr. Whelon’s coattails, it also features a story called “Mutie” by yours truly. Kudos must go out to Cat Garza, for putting together a great package, great creators and basically just working his tail off. Also a personal apology to Mr. Garza for the "email conspiracy". Dude, I know I must've sent it!

Wizard Nate has a great contest going on for artistic rights to the back cover of Atland #7. All I can say is if you have something to contribute, it better be kick-ass because these Atland collections are a must have for me! I don’t wanna’ be eye-balling stick figures here kids!

Wizard Trav’ is risking life and limb, or maybe just some carpal-tunnel-syndrome, producing some amazing prints for his journey to Comic Con in sunny San Diego this year. If you’re one of the chosen ones and make the trip, be sure to stop by and see Mr. Hanson.

Wizard James has graced us with more of his stunning and voluptuous vixens with tails in Catgirl Mojo. WHoooooo! It’s not bad enough that James gives us some stunning beauties, he has to go and show the world that digital isn’t the be all/end all to comic coloring. I hate him…and I love him. I’m so torn!

Play Nice.

the forest watcher 18x24 all but done

Not Alone (18x24 print for SDCC) final

Here is the next print from me, I still have some highlight work to add to this and a little more on the shadow work. I just want to show you guys what I am working on.

Update to come...

Trav

ELF `n TROLL # 187

Weekly Blood Red

I had this idea that Fawn and Zarp would eventually come together and have a series of adventures. But alas the idea is too problematic for me. They simply exist in different contexts for different reasons in different comics...yet in the same universe.

Artists are fucking weird.

Seeking back Cover Art for ATLAND #7

I'm currently brainstorming about the front cover to ATLAND #7 and realized I don't have a back cover. If you guys want a shot, post some art in the appropriate thread in the ATLAND forum:

http://www.realmofatland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=362
All details are listed there.

Thanks.

~N

ELF `n TROLL # 186

Atland #187 - Surprise!

Spring Cleaning

I've been going through a pile of discs to make room for probably more crap. I keep stumbling upon little ditties like this one and wonder to myself, "why?" I don't remember the origins of this piece but, I must've been trying to channel Frazetta. Apologies to the master. :)

The character is a little barbarian dude that tends to spill out of my pen quite often but usually while talking on the phone or just scribbling. You never know, he may have a future somewhere down the road. Elf `n Troll were basically phone scribbles for many years.

I have to admit though, I really dig the background.

Chuck off on vacation for a few days.

Pewfell will be updating while I'm gone, but for now I'll leave you with this little favorite of mine"

Secrets and Lies Anthology

Not in my neck of the woods, but if it were, I'd be there. The anthology, compiled by the great Cat Garza, contains my story 'The Librarian' which you saw a bit of on this very blog:


SECRETS & LIES Anthology and Book Release Party

White River Junction, VT, May 20, 2008 – SECRETS & LIES is an anthology of comics edited by veteran web cartoonist Cayetano Garza Jr. which will make its debut at the 2008 MoCCA Art Festival in New York, NY (June 7-8, table C27).

The book features a wide spectrum of comics creators from all over the United States and from every corner of the comics industry. Comics legends SR Bissette (Swamp Thing, Tyrant) and Rick Geary (A Treasury of Victorian Murder, Gumby, Heavy Metal) share the stage with webcomics luminaries Shaenon Garrity (Narbonic) and Chuck Whelon (Pewfell). The book also features work from alumni, current and upcoming students from the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont and the surrounding cartooning community including recent graduates Joe Lambert and Bryan Stone, freshmen Lucy Knisley and Dan Archer and recent Xeric grant winner Colleen Frakes (CCS Class of 07) as well as many, many others.

The anthology is projected to weigh in at over 126 pages at press time.

The book's theme centers loosely around the idea that all fiction is lies and that the best stories tell us some kind of secret.

There will be a book release party on May 31, 2008 at the Main Street Museum in White River Junction, Vermont at 8 pm. The party will also include the debut of Colleen Frake's new Xeric graphic novel TRAGIC RELIEF. Some of the refreshments will be generously provided by The Center for Cartoon Studies.

Book Release Poster by recent CCS graduate Alex Kim (www.thebearhead.com)

Monday Pewfell

I'd posted this as black & white a while ago, here it is again, as colored by my new colorist Carla Costa of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

new prints for sdcc

The Snow Battle (13x19)
I worked this one up as I sat talking to my son about dinos- I just thought to myself would a triceratops be able to hold off a snow dragon. As the image progressed so did the rider and and armor on the dino. Giving way to a young man on a quest.... what the quest is for the viewer to decide.

Sitting with the ancients (18x24)
When I look towards mountains and rocks I was see things within in them. Faces, shapes, images etc.... inspiring me to put those same elements into my own work. Not everyone sees all the faces or other things i choose to hide within my pics.

Both these and several more will debut at SDCC this year - there will 2 new 18x24 pics and several smaller ones as well.

So Come join the adventure.
trav

ELF `n TROLL #185

MITCH BYRD ROCKS: 2

Echoing James Van West's post about the incredible Mitch Byrd, here's some more comic goodness from da' man.
Mitch has a way with a simple line that borders on magical and his storytelling ability is second to none. If you haven't guessed...I'm a fan of this dino-loving creator.
I only wish that more issues of his, "Mitch Byrd Presents:" comic were produced.

Play Nice!
Tony

Stories To Tell

The death of my father has thrown me into a nostalgic mood. I’m remembering things I hadn’t thought of for years and years…if ever. Even before his passing I was on the track to starting a sort of autobio journal comic and now I don’t think I can stop myself from doing it.

Back in the 90s in particular there was something of a glut of autobio comics. Sort of. It was only a glut if you don’t like them or if you believe there is some kind of limit to how many life stories can be told. I enjoy reading them. They’re honest and real and I feel connected to other people by learning how they think, what they think, and what they’ve experienced. So I’ll probably start sharing my own thoughts and memories in pictures and panels and word balloons very soon.

I have no huge plans for this. Hell knows I already have more than enough projects on my desk and not nearly enough raw energy to see them done with anything resembling speed. But I do what I do and it’s all I can do. Kind of like Popeye. So I’ll do this in honor of my father and in order to sort through these old, dusty memories of bygone places, past times, and lost worlds. Maybe I can reveal things about the world that some folks never knew in the same way others have revealed things to me.

We all have stories to tell. I’m a story teller.

More later.

Mitch Byrd Rocks

Picked up The Art of Mitch Byrd and Mitch Byrd's Notes to Draw From. I'm a huge fan of Mitch's work, so needless to say I recommend both.

Catgirl Mojo

Catgirl Mojo is now live. The content is for mature, grown up types. I'll be adding more to it as often as I can.

There is little in the way of explanation. I figure the content speaks for itself. The comic itself is most definitely inspired by Vaugn Bode's classic Deadbone Erotica strips. I'm aiming for a weekly update, but we'll just have to see how that pans out.

Waka waka, hubba bubba, shamboom!

Another `Tween/Pewfell Happening

While browsing through some old files from my comic `Tween, I happened upon this little gem from the days when `Tween and Pewfell both shared some space on the ModernTales site. I don't know the occasion or reason for this piece but, I think it's pretty cool.
It's funny, I remember when I was contemplating doing `Tween as a webcomic. I was hesitant because of possible comparisons to Pewfell and repercussions from Chuck Whelon fanatics. I even held off doing it for almost a year. If it wasn't for some friendly peer-pressure, `Tween may not have ever seen the light of day.

Look at us now.
Cheers, Mr. Whelon.

Friday

The world keeps turnin' and Pewfell keeps updatin':

Legend of Bill

Looks interesting - Coming soon apparently:



Devid Reddick seems to be a very talented cartoonist, I hadn't heard of him before.
Check out his blog.

dakota dino walk

Just a new print that I finished for SDCC
trav

Atland #186 - A Dried-Up Turd

ELF `n TROLL #184

I bought this the other day

A nice little book of sketches and roughs by the man himself, Frank Frazetta. It's a small sized little sketchbook-type thing with loads of lovely loose drawings, color roughs, scribbles and coffee mug rings. Other than an introduction, there's not much in it text-wise, but as an artist it gave me some nice insights in the way Frank works/worked:
Frank Frazetta - Rough Work

It's Monday, it's 3:55 and it's time for:

Pewfell!!!:

ELF `n TROLL #183

Lead Play and Seth.

This is just a little "lead-play" where I'm bored and uninspired but my hand feels the need to sling some lead. I think the lazy atmosphere of the page reflected my state of mind at the time. Yeah, I know, that's some interesting insight. :)

Here's a little plug for an artist I've greatly admired for some time...Seth Fisher. if you're a fan of Moebius or the eye candy of Geoff Darrow, you'll dig Seth's work. Seth haunted the pages of heavy Metal Magazine off and on and then got some major mojo going when Vertigo bit on his project with Andrew Dabb called "Happydale: Devils in the Desert". Seth's career began to skyrocket with his Green Lantern story, "Willworld" and soon followed up with "The Flash: Time Flies", "Tokyo Pop" and "Batman: Snow".

This blog is an excellent place to eyeball some of Seth's original art.

Sadly, Seth is no longer with us but, I like to take a few moments from time to time to remind people about his inspiring work.

Frostlick Character Concept

These are some concept sketches of the main character of a short graphic novel I've been flirting with over the last couple of months. Basically it's a planetary romance/sword and sorcery tale with an uber-sexy female lead who crash lands on a strange and brutal world.

This one is still in the very early concept stage. I did about 10 thumbnailed pages of layouts and I have 4 or 5 different versions of the story roughed out so who knows which direction this will take in the end.

I think it's both exciting and enraging how stories are birthed by a process of inspiration pumping you up like a cheap hooker then focus and realism beating you down like a bad stepchild. In the end you either make a comic or you have a folder stuffed with neat sketches and half-baked pages.

Happy Friday

2 more Pewfell eBooks posted up on Wowio

With all-new covers!

Just More of the Same

ELF `n TROLL #182

Commission

Atland #185 - The Truth

Just Something Different

I did a short, 8 page comic many moons ago for ModernTales' Longplay site. This is a newer version of that character. I'd share the comic but, I can't seem to locate the files or even the original art. Chances are, I probably wouldn't want to see it anyway. While I'm on the subject, I'll give a shout-out to former Longplay editor and all-around great guy, Joe Zabel! He's been awfully quiet lately and I hope all is well.

Play Nice.
Tony