"SNEAK PEAK!!!"

Amazing digital paint by 'Stretchin' Steve Nicodemus!

"THE EEL AND THE BAT"

You all will either love or hate what I've done to ol' Bats.

"IT'S A WRAP!"

My previous celebratory pat-on-the-back was slightly premature due to technical issues (again) with the coloring process. As was very well articulated to me by my former colorist: apparently... "there is more to it than just painting" nice color schemes. I've had to reopen giant files multiple times to save as a myriad of ways--at (ad?) nauseam. But it's all taken care of now, so I can just kick up my feet and wait for that sweet, sweet, funny-book roll in... (*hick*)

"STRETCHED A LITTLE THIN..."

Sure, it's a bad pun, but true nonetheless.

THE. END.

After 2 years, a new house, a baby, a funeral and 3 colorists later...DOC BIZARRE M.D. is finished! I sure hope you check it out on October 19th.

ANOTHER PAGE...

Hope you enjoy the sneak peak!

AND NOW SOMETHING TOTALLY UNRELATED...

Wow. Not sure when the last time I just drew something "for fun"...okay. Now, back to work...

DOC BIZARRE MD SOLICITATION...

PREVIEWS ordering catalog came out today and within it's pages (PG 187 in the Image Comics section, to be specific) was an ad for our hardcover graphic novel (in case you didn't see my 800 previous posts!). In any event, we included a few interior pages. They were small images, so here's a better look:

If you're reading this, than you are someone with very sophisticated taste--which means you will be filling out your Diamond ordering catalog to include (but not limited to) a copy of this book!

ORDER DOC BIZARRE!

The latest PREVIEWS catalog comes out Wednesday and within it's pages will be an ad for DOC BIZARRE MD hardcover OGN. Here's the important part: you. Yes, YOU--need to pester, demand, threaten your local comics retailer to order one for you and several for the store. Any books published by anyone other than Marvel and DC usually do garbage numbers. Original and creator owned work does even worse. That is why it's important for us to speak up and support creator owned, original ideas--especially if they are packaged in a beautifully bound, over seventy-page hardcover with plenty of "extras" in the back... ; )

"ANATOMY OF A (DOC) BIZARRE PAGE" PART 1

After shamelessly begging for some validation via twitter, I'm posting a few images breaking down (my) process with these DOC BIZARRE M.D. pages...

First I start with a thumbnail. This time around I did all my thumbnails digitally. This cut out the scanning process (at least at this stage) and made it easier to email Joe (Casey).

After failing miserably inking the first 9 pages digitally, I did the remaining pages in traditional pencils. After buying that awesome Brother MFC-6490CW scanner, I printed each thumbnail out and lightboxed over in blue (and red) pencil.

Next up: inks! Scariest process, for sure. It's permanent, baby! Wait, why am I talking like that??

After scanning all my inked page on my fancy new scanner, I did a broad overview/color script of the entire book so I had some idea of palette, visual dialog and more importantly, a starting point as I moved to final color...

That being said, I probably will still tweak this page a little bit more--but for the most part, this is where it's headed.

I hope you've enjoyed this little trip through my head. Did I lose any of you??

*STUFF* HAPPENS IN DOC BIZARRE MD!

That's right! Stuff! Things! Something!

I edited out a key plot point for those of you looking to enjoy the printed version spoiler free.

The colors are coming along okay, but just when I'm the slightest bit pleased with my progress, I become disheartened and discouraged after seeing someone else's artwork that's exponentially more skilled. I feel like no matter what my stylistic intentions are going in to something, my animation background creeps in, for good or for bad: line weight, color, shading, "cartooniness" of character designs, etc. I'm at the point where I don't even know what my *style* is--I just hope I didn't repeat too many of my very green mistakes I made previously on CHARLATAN BALL.

I suppose I am getting better, although there is an anxiety that came with doing a book with so many pages and looming publishing deadline. Hopefully I took the time and care where needed, incorporated 'shortcuts' when prudent. I was fortunate to get (as far as I could see/google) all favorable reviews from my former collaboration with Joe. I hope this new book will warrant more keen eyes and word of mouth on it. Some folks will dig it, others will pick up other books.

Check back for more sneak peeks.

THE (HARD) COVER!

IMAGE COMICS just released solicits for their books published in October, DOC BIZARRE MD being one of them! On the shelves OCTOBER 19th! Threaten your retailer's family, car, life to have them PREORDER this beautiful, 72+ page hardcover for a measly $12.99! That's what, the same as buying 2 or 3 shitty comics?? Do it! Do it now!!

"ON THE ROAD AGAIN"

Actually, I'm not going anywhere. Not with the amount of work still ahead of me. Heck, I'm not even going to make it down to SDCC this year. *(Lot's of fist waving into the air!)

As it is, I can only talk about half of the projects I'm working on--and of those, can really only show one...so, hope you enjoy a few of these panels I colored!

'WARHOL'S OTHER CAN"

This was a series of 5 prints done for the WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER-themed show at GALLERY 1988 in Venice, CA. I was unable to make the opening (or subsequent days following due to an endless onslaught of deadlines), but was told all 5 prints, including the framed one, SOLD OUT!

This great but confusing news: I did a completely digital piece for the first time because my schedule didn't allow any "proper" oil painting before the deadline (which is generally always my first choice). So it's confusing, because if I'VE crossed that digital threshold, where does that put my stance as to what's considered "fine art" and what I've always dismissed as "design" or as I was once fond to say: "the shit us animators throw away every day at our JOBS". Food for thought. This time I'm the one eating at the table...

"AVENGER TIME!"

I'm usually savvy enough to not post freelance--for a number of reasons, but I thought these were too fun and eventually revised so much they don't appear too similar to the final products, thus hopefully legally off the hook for posting.

The job required parody's of Marvel Super Heroes. Needless to say, it was probably my most favorite job--less any work Marvel wants to throw my way....? *crickets* No? Okay, moving on...

Below, a slight twist on a classic (I think the hat was a nice touch).
The HULK parody below was probably my favorite--as I have a fondness for the sort of hillbillyness of it's design.
And these two, well...
You can see the actual short here: http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/mads-marvel-superheroadventure-time-mash-up.html

COLOR REVEAL!

COLOR SCRIPTS!

After a literal revolving door of colorists for DOC BIZARRE MD, the schedule constituted me taking back the reigns of color duties, for better or for worse. I'm hoping I'm not spoiling anything by posting my rough thumbnail color scripts here. I hid the line art so not to reveal any plot points--although, if I was more than an ounce more skillful, you could technically be able to surmise plot through "feeling" the mood of the story through it's color pallet. But looking below, I'm sorry to say the story stays safely ambiguous. Let me know what you think.

Do the colors carry you on an emotional journey or do you need an airbag?

SKETCHY SKETCH

...another sketchbook sketch.

Enjoy.

LAST PANEL INKED!

A fitting end to two, long, hard years...

For those of you keeping score at home: after two years (and a whole lot of life therein), this past week I've finally completed penciling and inking DOC BIZARRE M.D., an OGN by myself and fellow CHARLATAN BALL collaborator, Joe Casey. This was the final panel I inked, albeit not the "last" page in the book as I decided to ink out-of-sequence to balance the heavier, more intricate panels with "easier" pages in order to meet self-imposed daily deadlines. Thank you to anyone that's been waiting for this book ever since it was announced at San Diego Comic Con a few years back. It will be out before you know it! Promise. I will continue to keep you posted as we push through coloring and general assembly process towards printing.

"WHATTYA MEAN, WE'RE NOT RELEASING FOR SDCC?!"

Sadly, this appears to be true. It seems we might be needing aid with coloring this 60 page monster. As of this past weekend, we are in the market for a new colorist (our best to Marc and look forward to working with him again in the future). This new hurdle (nay, opportunity), will most likely delay our planned July release (deadline for solicits in Previews is next week). The most important goal we have and strive to maintain is delivering the HIGHEST QUALITY funny book entertainment we can. SO, whatever happens and whichever direction we take with the colors it will only benefit the book. That being said, the delay shouldn't be longer than a month.

I may be strapping on my color theory hat and tackling myself--although I've often seen Joe scratch his head at some of my pallet choices...