BOOK PLUG!

INTREPIDS TRADE PAPEBACK IN STORES NOW!!!

INTREPIDS by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Scott Kowalchuk from Image Comics was one of my favorite new mini-series of 2011--it was first and foremost FUN, had secret island lairs, mad scientists and cybernetic grizzly bears! Did I mention the colors? Amazing color theories happening inside as well. Scott Kowalchuk has easily become one of my favorite artists--so I was more than eager to donate a pinup. Check out the book and tell me different. I dare you. Double dare you!

"BASTARD!"

Let's be honest. Twitter is an extremely creatively lazy way to waste time. But it's also a very convenient way to communicate with peers you've might've never had the opportunity to communicate with before. Case in point: Brian Winkeler. He and artist Dave Curd have an amazing property entitled BASTARD ROAD, which has appeared in the (Eisner Award winning) anthology POPGUN from Image Comics.

Another good thing about Twitter, it give me another forum to peddle my wares (since I still refuse a facebook account). Brian was cool enough to order my hardcover. I in turn included an original sketch of his characters. BASTARD ROAD is truly an amazing, fun read. I definitely cannot recommend high enough. If you liked R. Grampa's MESMO DELIVERY, you'll really dig their book.
Brian was so cool, he even put together the above snapshot for his Twitter Followers.

You can check out Bastard Road HERE. Dave Curd HERE and Brian Winkeler HERE.

RECENT COMIC SOLICITS...

Although I've heard nothing but stellar raves about this book, I've never actually read it--dismissing it for being a generation or two behind my comprehension (yes, I'm being ignorant)--but I might've looked at it sooner had they used Dylan McCrae before. Look at how beautiful that cover is!

Oh my God; I am so happy to see these guys back in action! "Dear DC Comics, please let me do an Inferior Five book!"

"THANKS JOHN K!"

This is probably up there, in terms of one-of-the-cooler-things-to-happen-to-me-professionally...

John K actually liked my Plastic Man pilot!

Better late than never. It's amazing how many more people have viewed this since John K posted it:

BUY THIS ALBUM!

I couldn't be happier to see the growing success of my very good friend and occasional collaborator, SHAUN CROMWELL. For those of you who happened to see my very first foray into animation pilots, Shaun did the rootsy score for CIRCUS PEANUT. Since then, he's worked on other movies, TV shows and currently headlining folk festivals around the country. Aside from painting this CD cover and designing with Charlatan Ball co-collaborator Ben Kalina, the music itself is some of the most sophisticated, introspective and whimsical songs I've ever heard. Listen to some of the tracks on his site or ORDER THE ALBUM FROM HERE.

Check out this video...

"JUST YOUR FRIENDLY, NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN"

Spider-Man is real, and apparently he lives in Bangkok! I'm sure a lot of you have already seen this recent news footage, but thought it was pretty sweet, touching and altogether humbling to think there are people like this out there. Check out the story of how a fireman dressed up as Spider-Man to rescue a kid HERE.

FROM JERSEY THEY CAME...

...No, I'm not talking about The Smithereens (this time), but DAN McCDAID'S and GLEN BRUNSWICK'S "JERSEY GODS" from Image Comics, issue #1 hits stores this Wednesday--with variant covers (Paul Pope, Darwin Cook, Mike Allred to name a few), so go buy them all.

An amazing talent aside--Dan is singularly responsible for getting me into DOCTOR WHO (thanks for the books, Dan--btw!). I love this guys art! You can see more, including, development, sketches, finished pages and fan art (mine!) on his blog HERE.

Go! Go now! (and then come back for a special announcement from me!)

SUPERHEROINES

A big THANK YOU goes out to the women in my life...no, my lovely wife--if you're reading this, it isn't how it sounds...but the other day, an incredibly talented artist from Missouri sent me something that not only made my day, but made me humbled--by her skill...using traditional medium (markers, prismacolors, etc)--you've might have seen it on her blog, but take a gander at her SCARLET WENCH drawing!!!

Thanks a million, KRISTEN McCABE! She is possibly one of the most talented cartoonists I've seen out there in Blog Country. Each drawing is textured and tactile. Her lines and form retain their energy--can't say enough about this talented chick...except she does live in Missouri. hahaha

Awhile ago, I had the good fortune to trade super hero drawings with another amazingly talented--and obscenely popular (!) (she averages 50+ comments on each post, I'm not insinuating anything, but...hehee) artist from Toronto, Canada (she's not a girl I made up, I swear!). I think I did a GREEN LANTERN for her--the Hal Jordan version, she was very specific (sorry, Guy Gardner...perhaps someday). She, in turn did this amazing LUKE CAGE and MISTY KNIGHT!

Thanks MEL MADURO!

He might not look like one, but CIRCUS PEANUT is a super hero to me. This first piece is a collaboration between myself and TINY PICNIC'S MICHELLE BICKFORD. I've talked about her work before--but she's so multi-talented it warrants further discussions. Visit one of her many sites and buy something!

She's also good at assemblages...
Not to mention all of the cool things she's sent me over the years. Who could ever forget the ANDY UPDATES BOARD GAME!!

Thanks, ladies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, STEVE AUSTIN!

This image was sent to me by my good friend Michelle. She's got even more bizarre (i.e. Incredible) displays of Xmas imagery and album covers at her blog, Tiny Picnic.

Have a six million dollar Christmas and New Year, everybody!

TRANSIT

Aside for the state of my life right now, it's also an amazing book by TED MCKEEVER!



This digest-sized hardcover just came out from IMAGE Comics last week. It collects the first 5 issues of this cutting edge, "underground" comic from over a few decades ago, believe it or not--PLUS a final 6th chapter in the story. To say he was and is a huge influence on me is an understatement. I'm so looking forward to the subsequent collected EDDIE CURRENT and METROPOL. Does anyone know if PLASTIC FORKS will be in this batch as well??

I know you might not be able to tell from the way my work looks now, but there was a time I tried to emulate this style in every way. I almost got a tattoo of one of his images (but my friend who was getting inked in front of me passed out. Needless to say I then declined one of my own--but that's a story for another day). Even if you are a fan of more mainstream books, treat yourself to these collected volumes. They're definitely worth it!

A few months back, the beautiful Miss Mandy Amano and her beau, Mr. David Mack were doing a signing with Ted McKeever at Golden Apple Comics on Melrose. I told Mandy I was a FREAK for him and she asked him to sketch me something!
It's NUN and EDDIE CURRENT (mysteriously shrouded in shadow)! Characters of his that pop up throughout nearly all his work! They introduced me and instead of him being the surly old English chap I expected, he was an extremely nice, energetic, smiley, hip, NY-Italian dude! I was floored!! (sort of reminded me of Stephen DeStefano).

Ahh. Suddenly I was 15 again...

LINKY DINKS

Stumbled upon this video on Youtube. Sorry, Joel Trussell--I'm obviously late to your party! (Thanks for the link, Drake!) Definitely a Samurai Jack vibe, but even rawer and more Provensen -esque:


And a couple weeks ago, Steven Gettis' ordered an ART OF ANDY sketchbook, but instead of an original drawing on the inside, requested one separate and of or inspired by my favorite work of literature or literary figure, per the theme of his site: "Hey Oscar Wilde! It's Clobberin' Time!" (great name!). You can see my piece (and find out what my favorite book is) HERE.

Here's another link with my work. This one's from the incredible Dylan McCrae's blog. Him and his POP Syndicate buddies were redesigning Aquaman. Here's my take. My inks, his saccharine-sweet colors. Be warned: these drawings are ridiculously absurd.