Android Avenger

Here's that Crimson Avenging Android.... The Vision! (I used to love the old Avengers comics as a kid, and this guy was always a favorite in the lineup!)
More of the ongoing superhero gauntlet slapping between myself and Everett Downing.

Where's HIS huh? ;)

Sam Wilson-The Falcon!

Everett Downing keeps on challenging me... in more ways than one.
He's been sharing some behind the scenes work for his soon to be released MOJO story, and it is kicking my behind... in a really good way. Wait'll you see it! (You can find out more at his inspiring art blog)

As before with Luke Cage, he's thrown a Falcon shaped gauntlet at me this time... Check out what he did here. It's awesome.

My response:

CAGE!

Still there?
Well I wrapped up the latest big freelance job, more on that in my next post.... and I've started doing layouts and development for my next comic story. And don't worry, it's filled to the gills with loads of super powered giant robot action! Just the way we like it :D

In the meantime, after many excuses, I have responded to the gauntlet thrown by good friend Everett Downing. Everett's an awesome artist, animator, story guy, fellow comicbook wannabe and all around cool dude currently working on the feature film Up at Pixar Animation (And after hours, he's working on a very cool graphic novel titled MOJO ). When I was stationed out there with Ev, we used to pal around, check out the movies, comic shops and local mexican joints.

(The Heroes for Hire at the opening of the Art of Wall-E exhibit at Pixar.)

Many a time we'd take a lunch trip to Dr. Comics and Mr. Games in Oakland and head over to the Taqueria to look over our recent buys, chew on chicken burritos and pontificate on the world's problems of the day. One troubling issue that kept coming up was how Marvel has underused and basically kicked to the curb, character Luke Cage and how they should have a kick ass ongoing title of his own again. Our thinking, is that they are missing the boat, and that he needs a revitalization along the same lines that Catwoman went through with Darwyn Cooke over at DC. Well, I guess if Marvel ain't gonna step up then Ev and I are gonna have to be the ones to do it!

Anyways, Ev had been after me pretty much the whole time I was out there to do a riff on Mr. Cage... and I'm just now getting around to it. If it's any consolation I've done not one...but TWO , count 'em two takes on our Hero-for-Hire. One is the more traditional look that he started out in (I still think that Luke Cage #1 is one of the coolest comic book covers ever made!)


Clearly inspired by a lot of the street hero films of the day, Shaft, Superfly etc.. Why else would a super-hero don a silk shirt to fight crime I ask ya... and while were' on the subject, Just who made the rule that african american super-heroes have to have their shirts open to the belt buckle? Check it out; Luke Cage, The Falcon, Black Goliath & Black LIghtning for starters.... What's up with that? Except for The Black Panther, and I attribute that to the forward thinking of Jack Kirby. Speaking of the King, my second take on Powerman is more of a re-imagining, kind of a "what-if" Jack Kirby had created him during his run on the Fourth World titles over at DC?
Introducing.... Luke Cage of the New Gods!

Welcome back....

(Insert Welcome Back Kotter theme)
Wow...well it's been awhile for sure. Sorry about that, to say "I've been busy" would be an understatement!
As I stated in my last post...so long ago...
I've moved out to the California bay area ... and am working at Pixar Animation on the upcoming movie titled "Up".
'Afraid I can't say much more than that about it, but I'm having a good time, and am definitely being "stretched" as an artist and human being. The best part about it, is meeting and working with all the great and talented folks that are already out here.

The move has been a bit tougher than I'd imagined, some of that is due to the cultural whiplash moving from Tennessee to the San Francisco area....some being the day to day adjustment from freelance artist working from my home, to working in an "on-site" studio environment...and the hardest part has been the emotional hurdle of separation from my family who are still living in TN. They will be joining me over the Christmas holiday though....thank goodness! We have a place to live in and are looking forward to exploring the natural beauty that this state has to offer. Yosemite here we come!

Here's a couple of views from our new domicile;

(that's San Francisco in the distance)


(and the Golden Gate bridge in the far off..)


For those of you who are interested in tracking my art and stories... I have a short story that I want to get off my chest, about a spaceman voyaging to a strange planet...(wonder where I got the inspiration for that one....)
And a longer story next, that I've hinted around about these parts before.

Here's some inklings from those stories...:





I'll be answering questions & comments etc.. asap. And if you'll look at my links bar you'll notice a couple of additions;
My buddy Everett Downing... very talented animator and story guy. Go check out his site, and look for his upcoming story "The Soul Cage"...cool stuff!
Also be sure and check out his report on the recent Maverix Charity auction...great art donated for a great cause... if you look, you'll see my ugly mug hobknobbing with all the cool kids.
I also linked Lou Romano, whom I have the privilege of working with. Great guy and great artist ....check out his work, you'll be glad you did!
And I have a link for the Little Friends of Printmaking...always inspiring.

OkeyDokey...I'm off...but I promise not for long this time. ;)