ARTMONKEYS STUDIOS

Danny Rand is doomed

2008-09-21T05:19:00.006-06:00

Comic Book Resource's Timothy Callahan has posted a couple of reviews about the Iron Fist team hand-off to the new writer Duane Swierczynski and new artist Travel Foreman, and to his credit, he gets the change of team. Issue 17's review praises the scene set 10 years into the future when we find out Danny Rand, the Immortal Iron Fist, is dead. Issue 18 enjoys the story that's rolling out with Danny at his wit's and endurance's end against an immortal who seemingly has killed ALL Iron Fists at their 33rd year. I haven't seen what's coming next, but I ought to soon, I suppose, eh Warren and Alejandro? Well, maybe not -- my illustrious wife has been helping lettering lots of late, and so I typically get the sound effects-y halves of the books to read. Look for the Iron Fist special coming soon!

True Believers #2 and #3 reviewed

2008-09-21T04:59:00.006-06:00

Greg Bergas gives a nice review for a book I was fortunate to not only letter, but design the logo. Pop Syndicate also gives a glowing review for issue 2. Kudos to my editor Bill Rosemann for hooking this gig up when we sorely needed it! And Lauren Henry is a hoot to banter with. Although, she apparently thinks I'm a dork for liking the Scots. Ya can't win 'em all. True Believers is by Cary Bates, Paul Gulacy, and Rain Beredo. Go read it. I like it a lot. True Believers 3 cover by Paul Gulacy...and a logo by me!

Jeff Parker podcasts AGE OF SENTRY #1

2008-09-21T03:02:00.010-06:00

Some of the lettering I did for book and covers for Age of Sentry made it into a recent Marvel Comics podcast. Where my work is shown, check out 0:25 and 1:30-1:31. I'm hard at work on Sentry #2 (yep, Mark & Jordan), and most of the issue is to bed already. I'll post artwork when I can again. It went on sale September 17th. Also, check out this Marvel Podcast from a few of the team, writer Jeff Parker, assistant editor Jordan White, and surprise guest Senior Editor Mark Paniccia.

Oh, and there's the rare interview where I get quoted.

Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

2007-09-21T02:17:00.000-06:00

Hey! I've been Wikied! About Star Trek, no less. I'm curious who wrote this entry: it's largely correct...well, except about the one bit that I "left CGE to join the Artmonkeys studio in Tampa Bay, Flordia, where he currently acts as CEO."

Snark Warning: no harm intended ahead, just a bit of crack.

"...left CGE..."
Well, actually CGE left me. I was working at home the day the acting A.D. called me June 2004 and said not to worry about coming in that day because CGE was declaring Chapter 11. And more importantly, Artmonkeys took shape shortly after I was released from my exclusive at Crossgen in September 2003, in exchange for the hefty 30% paycut I took and the laying off of one of my best letterers.

"...to join..."
This one's forgiveable, because it's been shrouded in hype for so long. I helped start the idea for this studio. Originally, it was going to be me and Rob Schwager, and we were going to ask a few others to come in. At one point, I had lunch with Ian Feller, Rob, and...hmm. There was a fourth person there. We ate at Christo's in New Port Richey. Anyhow. All that fell through, and I wound up with the name. Recorded for posterity.

"...the Artmonkeys studio in Tampa Bay..."
And the Artmonkeys Studio, despite any previous hype, is more adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico than the Tampa Bay. Google 34653 sometime. I'm 2.5 miles as the crow flies from the Gulf. I drive 30 miles to get to the Tampa Bay. That's a quibble, though.

"...Flordia..."
Where's Flordia? Mebbe Strong Bad knows.

"...acts as CEO."
Acts?! ACTS?!! Nayor, mein frere.

I "acts" like an artmonkey. A caffeineated artmonkey. I AM a CE--Oh, no I'm not. I'm not legally recognized for that acronym. But I am in charge. Um. Yeah.

You. Letter.

This has been a Not The Strong-Badia Action Cool News Action-Report.
"We're Investiga-awesome!"

Calavera Comics Shout Out

2007-09-16T16:53:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the Calavera Comics guys for linking me at their great blog.
They're a group of super-talented artists breaking into comics and studying at the Art Institute of Tampa. Props to John, Alex, Mark, Brian and Jason! Here's to making some comics, guys! /raises inkwell/

Ethan Powell

2007-06-04T13:48:00.000-06:00

You should pray for this child and his family. I can't effectively capture their dilemma and trials, but essentially Ethan is a very sick, but hopefully treatable, little boy. Being a parent of two boys myself, my wife and I feel this family's dilemma poignantly. Go visit the blog about Ethan, and I encourage you to support their search for a bone marrow donor through DKMS.

Portfolio Submissions! Artists Wanted

2007-03-12T05:26:00.000-06:00

Hey artists out there:

I'm on the lookout for professional pencilers, inkers and colorists.

Submit samples of your work during March 2007 at artmonkeys (dot) studios (at) gmail (dot) com, and those who I am able to work with, I'll be able to offer competitive industry rates for your work.

(links to online galleries would be preferred, but I could accept attachments 1MB or smaller, so give me an initial heads-up that your following e-mail will contain attachments. Wouldn't want any attachments to clog up my inbox and cause your contact to me go missing. I'm always pushing the limits of g-mail's storage... :D )

The Eagle Awards 2006 Nominations

2007-01-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

The Eagle Awards 2006 Nominations are being taken online back at that link.

First time I noticed the Eagle Awards was an early X-Men comic I owned in the 6th grade; I think it was a John Byrne/Terry Austin cover of the X-Men in the Savage Land, Colossus and Cyclops tied to a red-hot stake. My admiration for comics grew immediately upon seeing the Eagle Awards icon as I realized artists and writers could win an award for making comics...what a great job they have!

Now I'm all twitterpated that I'm in the mix, nominated for Best Letterer. But don't mind me; go vote! (And not for me, but for the best letterer; but if you do vote for me, I appreciate the kind thoughts and support!) ;-)

Why publishing is so tricky

2007-01-10T02:02:00.000-07:00

Because you have to care about the fans. And mean it.

A sad week

2007-01-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

First, we got the sad news that our friends in Utah delivered their baby stillborn last week, and had the viewing yesterday; beautiful Zane Andrews. John & Holly, Zane's mom and dad, are handling this well, I have heard, and I'm not. Sad, sad, sad... tears me up now writing this.

And, now I just got off the phone that one of the collabs I was going to be working with on an upcoming book, a phenom colorist named Drew Posada, has passed away recently. I was just speaking of him a couple weeks ago, while sorting out the details of this new project with the publisher. An incredible talent, and interesting guy. Here's a thread about Drew, at the World-Famous colorist forum, GutterZombie....

Rest in Peace boys.

Joesph Barbera has passed away

2006-12-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS reports briefly on US cartoonist Joseph Barbera passing away.

A longer profile is featured at CBS.

I'm sure there will be memorials coming soon from Mark Evanier and many comics professionals. Joseph Barbera is a legend of the animation industry, both as a cartoonist and a director.

Joe will be missed; but we'll have his & Bill's characters to remind us of the long, wonderful picnic we all shared.

Truly, Joe was smarter than the average bear.

So, Celebrate Monkey Day

2006-12-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

...with these fine Monkey Day Comics.
Enjoy!!

Happy Monkey Day! (belatedly)

2006-12-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

See? It's not just us...

Derec Donovan & Jim Fern book previews

2006-09-28T03:43:00.000-06:00

One link for two realllly good previews of books at DC by three buddies of mine.

First preview is CONNOR HAWKE: DRAGON'S BLOOD, a new mini-series written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Derec Donovan (formerly known as Derec Aucoin). The writing and art are both top-notch. Derec just keeps getting better!

Second, further down in the column, Jim Fern is the featured artist on a new Vertigo series called CROSSING MIDNIGHT, a contemporary horror/fantasy tale -- Jim had alluded to his new Vertigo series recently to me, and I'm excited to read the first issue preview so soon after. Great work, Jim!

THE END of the FANTASTIC FOUR!

2006-09-21T03:28:00.000-06:00

NEWSARAMA has a nice preview about Alan Davis' FANTASTIC FOUR: THE END series coming in November... and I've just today been pegged to letter the series! I'll let Matt Brady tell you the rest of what you need to know... I've got Alan Davis pages to go letter pronto!!

Comic Book Resources - CBR News - The Comic Wire

2006-09-12T15:48:00.000-06:00

Comic Book Resources - CBR News - The Comic Wire
Some elaboration by Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley about the partnership with Dabels' DB Pro... fascinating stuff, and it really explains how they will be playing to each other's strengths.

CSN@NEWSARAMA: DABEL BROTHERS MAKE THEIRS MARVEL! - NEWSARAMA

2006-09-12T15:26:00.000-06:00

CSN@NEWSARAMA: DABEL BROTHERS MAKE THEIRS MARVEL! - NEWSARAMA
This is amazing news. Truly incredible! And yet, it's easy to believe, because DB Pro has an audience at the bookstores that Marvel really should appreciate, so it's a great match!

More to come from Artmonkeys about this development...!

Stan Lee Meets Spider-Man!

2006-09-11T02:29:00.000-06:00

The ComicBloc has a look at Stan Lee Meets Spider-Man
Has this been the year for reliving my glory days of comics reading, or what? Man, I've got a fun gig...

Jeff Parker interview about Agents of Atlas

2006-09-01T12:53:00.000-06:00

Agents of Atlas is more than a comic, too... it's an alt-reality game... sneaky, eh? Maybe the Jen Contino interview with Jeff Parker has more clues...?

THE BEAT blogs ATLAS 4 cover

2006-08-30T13:02:00.000-06:00

THE BEAT » NAMORA!
Cover art by studly Tomm Coker.
Book by the stellar team of Jeff Parker, Leonard Kirk, Kris Justice, and Michelle Madsen; and I'm supremely lucky to be aboard this great book.

I also hear that issue 1 is sold-out. There is a rumor a 2nd print with a new cover is going to reissue. Yellow claws are crossed!

THIS STAN -- THIS MONSTER!!

2006-08-28T04:02:00.000-06:00

Comic Book Resources posts a preview and interview about Stan Lee Meets... a series of one-shots where Stan meets some of his Marvel creations! Look a few screens lower, and you'll spot a cover homaging Fantastic Four #50 that I helped re-create..."This Stan, This Monster!" Pretty sweet.

Hey! We know him!

2006-05-24T14:50:00.000-06:00

COMICON.com: INTRO TO WEBCOMICS: SCOTT REED'S CHAMPION OF A LOST UNIVERSE

Scott is quietly turning out one of the smarter stories this year; partly for the actual story, and partly for the history BEHIND Champion. You can bet when Champion Of A Lost Universe is done, there'll be a lot more attention paid to Scott's talent as a comics creator!

Go, Scott!!!

AKA Train Man!!

2006-05-24T14:47:00.000-06:00

DC's CMX TO PUBLISH DENSHA OTOKO
Look for this other Artmonkeys Studios project, coming out in October! More on this later...check back.

Two-Monkey Kid

2006-05-24T14:45:00.000-06:00

NEWSARAMA.COM: DAN SLOTT TALKS TWO-GUN
Some cool preview images of our latest work at Marvel!

Stardust Kid's J.M. DeMatteis interviewed!

2006-05-06T18:25:00.000-06:00

Stardust Kid's J.M. DeMatteis is getting a lot of press and interviews: I recommend you go read what he has to say to Jen Contino at The Pulse (with lots of pages from the comic books, to boot!), and also what he said in his interview with Dave Moran at Comic Book Resources. Plus, there's an audio interview at World Talk Radio (take a listen at the link). Quite the gentleman, J.M. is! And busy!

He's writing Abadazad, Stardust Kid, Boom! Studio's Hero Squared and Planetary Brigade, plus Justice League TV episodes... and yet, he finds the time to make a great plug about my other buddy's project Lions Tigers & Bears as being a fabulous read!