Second Star #3 Preview

 

My latest Substack has a sneak peek at issue #3 of my comic book, Second Star, which is currently being lettered and then colored. I also go over what the comic is about, in general and a review of the previous two issues. So, click here to be most informed.

Second Star Character Profile: Uncle Buck

 

5x8

ink in sketchbook 

So, I'm currently inking the third issue of my comic, Second Star. In this issue there is a character called Uncle Buck, who is the uncle of the main guy, Holden. In this comic, all of the main characters are based on people that I know or knew when I plotted this whole thing out. Don't even get me started on all that! Uncle Buck is based on my Uncle Chuck, who passed away in 2016. I even drew him with 'The Spy' on his t-shirt. 'The Spy' was a sketch that he did for me when I was 10. I still have that sketch, too. He was a big fan of Mad Magazine and Big Daddy Roth and I'm sure that his sketch was inspired from somewhere in those things. Anyways, in this issue he plays a small, but important role in Holden's search for his missing and presumed dead, archaeologist grandfather. 

And I think that my uncle sort of liked it when I called him Uncle Buck. I'm sure that he was a fan of John Candy. Stay tuned for more about Second Star...

Second Star Progress

 

I'm currently inking issue #3 of my comic, Second Star and I was pleased with how these pine trees turned out. Just thought I'd share some progress. 

Second Star: The Artist Formally Known As Phil

(click to bigefy)

This is a turnaround profile that I whipped up for the character of Fil, otherwise known as The Artist Formally Known As Phil. Ha, and I drew it in purple! How about that? 

Fil will be appearing in the 3rd issue of my comic, Second Star, which is currently being penciled. He was once a well respected and well known artist who went off the deep end and disappeared for awhile. When he reappeared he took up refuge in a blimp called the Grey Shark and became a wandering, grumpy, reclusive artist alongside his wife, Bitsy. 

Second Star #3 is on it's way!

Second Star: Janus

I haven't done one of these in a while, so here's another character profile from my comic Second Star.

Janus is one of the main characters and a friend of Holden, who is helping put things together in getting their mission underway. 

Janus is named after the Roman god, the two-headed or two-faced one. In this context, our Janus operates a ministry of sorts that caters to both the light and the dark of things. I won't say, the good and evil because I don't think that that is the case here. It's more of a tax-free haven type of enterprise as is explained somewhat in issue #2.

I've shown Janus here in what I think will be his 'official' sermon attire. He doesn't give them often, but I'm sure that when he does the topics will be crazy and completely irrelevant. Maybe. I'm also not sure if a sermon will find its way in this story arc, but it's a little background info of the character, for sure. 

Stay tuned, as the store on my website will be active shortly, so copies of Second Star will be available through there. 

Second Star #2

So, in between the usual gigs and work and stuff, I finally finished issue #2 of my comic Second Star. I really had a lot of fun doing this one, so I hope that that shows through. This one really pics up steam and the adventure is on! Come along as Holden, Ronnie, Janus and the rest as they set out in search of clues regarding the disappearance of Holden's grandfather. 

The printing is being done now and I will have them in plenty enough time to have them available for my first show, which will be next month at the Great Lakes Comic-Con. Or you can hit me up directly. 

Odd Tales From The Curio Shop Anthology

The Odd Tales anthology from Rocket Ink Studios has been finally published and looks darn good! This was done as a kickstarter, but should be available to the public in the coming year, so be sure to check it out. The book features such creators as Tony Miello, Mikey Babinski, Bill Pulkovski, Bill Maus, Kasey Pierce, Jay Jacot, John Marroquin, Dan Dougherty, Gary Reed, Dirk Manning, and myself. So, check it out!

cover by Bill Pulkovski

Back cover by me 

A sneak peek at the artwork by Bill Maus for the story that I wrote called Family Connections

Besides the written story, I also provided the pencils for a story written by Dan Dougherty called The Birdhouse. 

Second Star Character Model

As I was drawing (and now inking) issue #2 of my Second Star comic I was becoming a bit frustrated with the way that I drew the character Holden from the front and then to a profile view. I've never been happy with that transition. It was the hair that was throwing me off. I had a similar way of doing things way back when, when I was doing a comic strip called Wade's World. So, I decided to fix that for future issues. I made a small bust of Holden so that I could see the transition from front to side, to see how that flop of hair looked from different angles. From the front, he looks the same, but now the issue from the side is solved. And I'm hoping that the drawings take on a more sculptural look to them, even though they are very cartoony. 

So, shall I do some more sculpting for all of the characters? Probably so. Many problems can be solved, not just with the shapes, but lighting, as well. 

Oh, and I changed that cowlick on the back of the head some. 

Deepo Prost

This guy here is a minor character in the forthcoming issue #2 of my comic, Second Star. He helps push along a resolution to a long seething conflict between two other characters and in doing so helps the adventure along. 

As most of the main characters are modeled after people that I know or have known. Deepo is based on a guy who I met in high school and through odd circumstances, I still see from time to time to this day. This guy was one of the first people who I met that also read Heavy Metal magazine and his sketches from that time had that very European feel to them. So, the hat is a nod to Moebius, who as you know, was ubiquitous to Heavy Metal Magazine. The name Deepo is a reference to Moebius, as well. Deepo is the name for the bird-like creature from The Incal. His last name is a contraction to his actual last name, so there's a teaser for ya.

The uniform? That is from the character Tan Divo from the animated series, The Clone Wars. And that is because Tan Divo looks and talks just like this friend. I have no idea why I chose orange shoes. It just fit with the color scheme, I guess. 

So, I hope that you enjoyed this little bit of trivia from the comic and I plan to post more tidbits like this as I go along. 

I don't have a store yet, but if you are interested in purchasing Secon Sta #1, just shoot me a message or an email and I will get one out to you.

Cherry Capital Comic Con

This Memorial Day weekend, I will be at the Cherry Capital Comic Con just on the outskirts of Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort. Come on out and see a lot of cool creators and media guests. This is always a fun show!

I will have copies of my latest collection of cartoons, The Feral Cartoonist.

Also, I will have copies of my latest comic book, Second Star. It's a long time in the making, but I'm well into issue #2 and having a blast. 

Bluewater International Comic Con

This Saturday and Sunday I will be a guest at the Bluewater International Comic Con in Port Huron, MI. This show has grown to a two day show with bigger media and comic guests, so I'm looking forward to the turnout. Click here for all the pertinent details. 

I will have copies of my new comic on hand. Although I had them with me last week for the Stone Soup show, I consider this to be the official unveiling. It's called Second Star and it is about a man who mysteriously receives a photo that involves his thought to be deceased well known archeologist grandfather. This sets him off on the adventure of its source and to find out if his grandpa is actually still alive. It's an experiment in storytelling, to be sure, so I hope that it goes over well. 

Free Comic Book Day 2017

                                                   

This Saturday id free Comic Book Day across the land and I and a few other artist/writer types will be on hand at Comics & More in Madison Heights, MI. I will have my books and probably some prints (space is limited!) available. I will be there alongside writer Dom Riggio and artists Terrell Culbert and Tim Lee from 11-6. So, come on out and get your free comics and check out our goods.

Comics & More
28059 John R Rd
Madison Heights, MI
48071
(248)-399-3213

The Ravager

This is my take on Dom Riggio's character, The Ravager, from his comic, The Arcane Awakening. You can check out all of his comics and more at Mess Bucket Comics. 

Super Nonny, Part Four

Here are the remaining pages for the Super Nonny story that I worked on and was written by David Himmel and colored by Kevin Minor. It's a fun tale and I hope that you enjoyed it, as well!

Super Nonny, Part Three

A printed copy of the Super Nonny comic book that I worked on arrived yesterday and I love how it turned out! I still get excited to see my stuff in print and I hope I always will. Of course, I will. It's one of the joys of doing what I do.

Below are the next three pages of the ten page comic that was written by David Himmel (for his family) and colored by Kevin Minor.

Click on the images to bigify. 

Super Nonny, Part Two

Here are pages 1-3 of the Super Nonny comic written by David Himmel, penciled and inked by moi, and colored by Kevin Minor. This was a personal story done as a gift for David's family, so won't be available to the masses. But, he was more than happy for me to share it, so here is the first installment.

Super Nonny

So, I spent a lot of last year working on a 10 page comic book commission for David Himmel, who is a writer and the editor-in-chief for Chicago Health Magazine. Super Nonny is a story about his grandmother and great-grandmother to the four children in the story, David's nephews and niece. At first I was little hesitant to take the job, with this being a personal story with likenesses and all. But, after reading the script I was more than happy to do this one. David created not just a cute little story about his Nonny, but a witty and charming tale that can be enjoyed by anyone who reads it. I guess that is what being a good writer is all about. 

Over the next coming weeks I will show the story in it's entirety. Super Nonny, written by David (a gift for his family), pencils and inks by yours truly and my Stoopid Stuf co-hort Kevin Minor helped out with the interior colors. I did the cover colors seen above and knew it would take me forever just to make it look passable, so I needed someone with better skills than I. 

Click on the above image to engorge.

Star Wars Sketch Cover (General Akbar)

This is a drawing that I did while at the Star Wars Days at the River's Edge Gallery last month. I thought it turned out rather well, so I'll color it. I just wanted to show it beforehand.

Thanks to John Marroquin for the cover!

Deadworld Day

This Saturday I will be in Saginaw, MI for the Deadworld Halloween Comicfest at Coy's Comics. The event will go from noon until 8pm and I will be there with Gary Reed And Marvel/DC inker Jason Moore. I will have most of the usual stuff, including two Deadworld prints and some Deadworld books and will be signing bottles of dead world Soda, as well, so stop on by.

Btw, that zombie pig is drinking a Deadworld soda that I drew the label for.

Unlawful Good, A Crime Noir Anthology, Part Four

Here is the cover to the story that I illustrated in the Unlawful Good anthology with colors by Harry Saxon. The story is by Brian Visaggio and lettered by Zakk Saam. Everything edited by Heather Antos. I'll have copies with me this weekend at the Motor City Comic Con.