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