Dan Provost (1965-2025)

 

Yesterday was the memorial service for a friend that I have known since high school. It was tough. I'm glad that there were many people there, though. And there were many stories and conversations with some that I hadn't seen in a while. I suppose that is how these things go. But, I was appreciative of all that.

I've always thought that Dan and I had an interesting friendship timeline. Met in a 10th grade drawing class. I'm almost certain that he thought me annoying (somehow this makes me smile) and what made me somewhat tolerable in his eyes was our mutual interest in all things Heavy Metal Magazine; Möebius, Druillet, Caza, etc. I think that he was surprised that I knew just who those guys were. Heck, outside of a few closer classmates, I didn't know anyone else who knew who they were. That and similar pop culture interests, a small group of us clicked together. We had similar skill sets as artists, similar interests in movies, music and such. Art classes were definitely interesting and I was beginning to find my people.

After high school, that same group spent our summers at a friend's cottage, swimming canoeing (getting pulled over in a canoe...), bbq-ing, etc. When that faded away for awhile, we began playing paintball in the woods at various places. Surprisingly and maybe not so surprisingly, Dan joined us. Needless to say, fun was had. We did that for a few years. Then we lost contact with one another for about ten years, or so.

When I quit my day job to become a freelance illustrator and started to do the comic con circuit I met a few people that cosplayed in the 501st, the Star Wars aficionados. There was Dan dressed as a tie fighter pilot. So, back in the fold. We would see each other quite a bit after that.

Below is a contour (not a blind one!) drawing that I did of Dan in that before mentioned drawing class.

Years ago, I was thinking up an idea for a comic and wanted to challenge myself with that. So, my idea was, could I create a story with characters based on people that I know or knew then involving place that I've been. And I do have a character in my comic Second Star based on Dan. Some of the characters are similar in looks to the actual people, some are based on personalities, but Dan's came out a little different. For some reason, I made him short. I have no idea as to why I did this. The character's name? Deepo Prost and you can see him at the top of this post. Why Deepo Post, you might ask. Well, I mentioned Moebius earlier and Deepo was the name of the pterodactyl type bird in The Incal by Moebius. And Prost is just a redaction, or reduction of Dan's last name. Deepo's hat is from Moebius, as well. The outfit that Deepo is wearing is based on a character from the animated Star Wars series, The Clone Wars, Tan Divo. I don't know if anyone else saw Dan in Divo, but I sure did. He somewhat looks like him, sounds like him and the mannerisms were all there.My first thoughts upon seeing that episode, were that of 'do they know Dan?!!' I sure hope that someone else agrees with that! The orange shoes? Again, no idea. Sometimes, I just do things just to see what sticks. 

Here's a couple of panels from issue #2 of Second Star...

I'm currently working on issue #3 and Deepo will be there, as well.

RIP, Dan. Unique, funny and smart.

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. 

Great Lakes Comic Con

This Friday and Saturday is the Great Lakes Comic-Con held at the Macomb Community College Expo Center in Warren, MI.  I will be set up in Artist Alley at table #423.

I will have copies of my new comic book, Second Star (issues 1 and 2) and copies of the Stranger Things artbook Visions From the Upside Down. If you buy a book I will include a print of my illustration that is in the book, but this one is in color! You can purchase the print separately, as well, for $10.

Oh yeah, and that Jim Starlin guy will be there, too. You know, the creator of Thanos...

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. 

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. 

Second Star: Buffy

As I'm making my way through the inks for issue #2 of Second Star I'll be sure to post some of the characters that will make up this story arc.

This is Buffy and as the same as the character Deepo, she is modeled after someone that I went to high school with (K through 12, actually). Of course, Buffy is not her real name (although, the nickname that she did have was kind of similar). Her looks are not how she looked either, but I always felt that she had this Adam Ant/Duran Duran vibe going on, so this is a tip of the hat to that. 

Issue #1 is available through me (just send a message!) and hopefully, issue #2 will be out and about before the end of the year.

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.