A Delightful Tedium

The Evolution of Lockdown

2008-05-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Of any character on TFA, Lockdown's final form is the most different to my original concept for the character design. When I first read his description in the script, I pictured him being much more of a lumbering Frankenstein monster type, made up of stolen parts looted from other Cybertronians.

The end result, while still maintaining his mismatched body made up of pilfered parts, has a much less monsterous feel. He's all business now.

Popo-chan, transform!

2008-05-09T12:13:00.001-07:00

Now if only he could transform into a cassette tape and fit in Soundwave.

Back from Botcon

2008-04-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to see Matt, Marty and me at Botcon 2008! We had a great time, and I hope we can do it again. For anyone that was unable to attend this year, here's a little teaser of what was shown and discussed at our panels.

Botcon 2008, it's just like a mini-mall!

2008-04-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to sunny Cincinnati Ohio for Botcon, the Transformers convention! If anyone runs in to me at the con, please give me some free toys!

My new favorite song.

2008-04-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Someone give this guy a record deal, please!

NILBOG is GOBLIN spelled backwards!

2008-03-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

My loving tribute to the worst movie of all time,"Troll 2" will be published in the forthcoming Cereal Killers book. The book is sort of a Garbage Pail Kids type take on super sugary kiddie breakfast cereals. You can check out more info and artwork at the Cereal Killers Blog. The full image of my Goblin Crunch cereal box can be seen here. You can also learn more about Troll 2 at The BestWorstMovie.com.

Amazing cinema.

2007-11-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Bulkhead Toy!

2007-09-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

Here's some pictures of the Bulkhead figure from the new Transformers Animated toy line!

Transformers Animated at Comic-con 2007

2007-07-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

The Transformers Animated panel at Comic-con! On the panel were: Sam Register, Aaron (the Angry) Archer, Eric Siebenaler, Me, Matt Youngberg, Mary Isenberg and Greg Lombardo.
Signing at the Cartoon Network booth (which was put together by the incomparable Lori Lane). Irineo Maramba and Ben Jones joined Matt, Marty and I for the signing (middle pic Hasbro designer Eric Siebenaler and I looking bad ass). Screen grabs from the Transformers Animated teaser clip shown at the panel.
TOYS!!! This is what it's all about!

Zone.

2007-07-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Now that we have been officially announced, I thought I would go ahead and post some Transformers drawings I did a few years ago. Somewhere around 2002-2003. I have been a huge fan of Transformers since the beginning. I have hundreds of the toys and just about every book and comic from here and from Japan. I also have TF drawings I've done over the years starting when I was about 12. Someday I'll have to dig up the really old ones, but for now, something from a little more recent time.

Most of the above drawings are just random heads that I made up, not based on any existing characters. Below are some Beast Machines Optimus Primal.

*Note: none of this has anything to do whatsoever with Transformers: Zone, I just couldn't think of a better name for the post.

More than meets the eye!

2007-05-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

News from Seibertron.com:

"Entertainment Rights (ER) has secured rights to the new Transformers animated television series from toy giant Hasbro, as well as agreeing a raft of international deals for its key properties following MipTV.

ER now has worldwide (excluding Latin America, North America and certain Asian territories) TV and video-on-demand distribution rights to Transformers (26x30') plus a 70-minute Transformers special. ER now represents four seasons of the show, totaling 154 episodes.

The new series has a good deal of talent onboard, including Sam Register, exec producer of Ben 10, Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi and Teen Titans; Vincent Aniceto, line producer (Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Power Puff Girls); and Marty Isenberg, head writer (Danny Phantom, A.T.O.M., X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). In addition, Derrick Wyatt, character designer for smash hit Teen Titans, will take the role of lead designer.

The new 2D style that will be the show's trademark harks back to the original 20-year-old cartoon, but according to ER, the new Transformers has a different audience in mind." -C21 Media

You can read the original announcement here:

C21 Media

Here come the Newlyweds.

2007-05-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was watching the Newlywed Game the other day when I saw the most amazing looking couple. The husband was your standard tiny Henry Jekyll type, just verging on his nightly transformation into Hyde. This man had just been wed to a woman who's appearance led me to believe it must have been his great grandmother's best friend. Isn't love grand!

A very special thanks goes out to Wil Branca, for getting me hooked on this show many many years ago.

The Red Rush

2007-05-01T04:01:00.000-07:00

Because so many of you are clamoring for me to add new artwork to the ol' blog (well okay, just Chris Battle), here is the piece I did for the Invincible Handbook #2.

Two Kings make movie that is better than Citizen Kane

2006-12-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

I was a little worried that the Tenacious D movie ("Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny") wouldn't quite live up to the totally ass blowingly brilliant HBO show from some years back. I should have known better. The movie is super good. Everyone and their grandmother out there should go see it immediately. If you don't, you should be forced to gargle mayonnaise.

Life in the 31st Century

2006-09-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

With Legion premiering this weekend I thought now would be a good time to put up some of the characters I did for the show. These guys are all just normal civilian New Metropolis towns folk. Some of the colors got lost in translation, so they will look different in the final show version.

SO GOOD.

2006-09-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone.

2006-08-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some Teen Titans designs I did for fun based on Adam Warren's "Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone" comic. I had hoped at one point that we could use them in the show sometime. There was some discussion of it, but ultimately it didn't happen. You can read more about Adam Warren's Titans characters and what happens in the Scissors, Paper, Stone one shot at Titans Tower. The comic itself is available at ebay and your finer comic book retailers.

Gamecock in color, and on the farm.

2006-05-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

At last! Gamecock in color!

And in his natural habitat.

Feeding time!

Mommy, where do Larrys come from?

2006-05-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Why, from inside Robin's head of course!

This is a little comic book page type model done for a scene in "Fractured" where Larry explains how he popped out of Robin's head. Push Robin, push!

Cock fighting will never die!

2006-05-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

While reading through the recent All New Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe(™ and © Marvel Comics), I came across a most fascinating character that I had never head of before. His name Gamecock. I'm not kidding, here see for yourself:

Well, needless to say I showed this to everyone around the Legion HQ, and before you can shout "cock fight" drawings of Gamecock were coming out of the woodwork. So anyway, long story short, allow me to present you with my brand spanking new Gamecock design:

And of course, Gamecock is © Marvel Comics.

Anyone from Marvel Comics interested in doing Gamecock: The Animated Series, please contact me imediately.

Ooh, so scary!

2006-05-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

More Riddler

2006-04-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Matt MacNabb from Legions of Gotham was kind enough to give me my own little corner of Gotham City to put up pictures of my Riddler collection. You can check it out at: Legionsofgotham.org.

Very much thanks to props master Norm Ryang for taking the pictures.

Fyn Stec art auction benifit.

2006-04-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

Fyn Stec's Blog

Fyn Stec Art Auction Site

Cartoon Network Studios is hosting a silent art auction to benefit Fyn Stec, a four and a half year old boy who has been diagnosed with a form of liver cancer. The proceeds of the auction will help Fyn's parents with the costs of the medical care. For information on how to bid online, or in person, click the above link.

This is the drawing I donated for the auction:

Online bidding starts Monday, the 17th, and there are tons of great artist who have donated artwork for the cause.

Happy Anniversary! One month with no posts!

2006-04-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Post-It Terras

2006-03-08T22:34:00.000-08:00

Here's something old that you'll all enjoy. I think these were some more post-convention convention Post-It drawings I did for Butch and Potassium over at Titansgo.net. Don't let Terra's wry smile fool you for a second, she doesn't remember you either.