I just finished reading Alex Robinson’s mega opus Box Office Poison the other day. I had read the issues when it was first coming out and never got a chance to finish it. So I picked up the gigantic one volume version from Top Shelf. And while the ending wasn’t exactly what I wanted (not anything bad, just different), it was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and right to the last page had no clue what was going to happen to these characters that had quickly become my best friends. The worst part of it was that it’s over. So I went to Alex’s blog hoping to read that he’s doing a whole new BOP series, but instead came across this great commission piece he did for a fan. I love when “independent” creators draw mainstream characters. It’s just great to see such a different style attached to characters who seem to always fit one basic style.
No, he’s not running. But I’d totally vote for the little dude. Easily the best Simpsons character created ever, here’s the only Ralph page you’ll ever need. Not only do you get to see Ralph doing what he does best (digging for gold), but you can click on any of the dozens of keywords to hear an awesome and memorable quote from the man himself.
Fantasy painter Eric Deschamps whipped up this DaVinci Last Supper tribute for Giant magazine. I know this one’s a bit old, but I just stumbled upon it and thought it was pretty darn cool.
Yet another friggin’ reason I’m ticked off I didn’t go to San Diego this year. Sigh. Sam & Max just rule. One of the funniest (and way too short-lived) comic series I ever read. The original LucasArts game was a hoot. And their Saturday morning cartoon was very hit or miss. Either downright hysterical or painfully awful.
They have a new game out at TellTaleGames which I haven’t played yet, but may just have to get one o’ these days. Now if only someone would put out action figures and/or plushes!!!
Few more of my favorite sketches from Mike Wieringo. You can see a mountain of work on his Deviant Art page too.
Mike actually drew just about the entire LOST cast in his Deviant Art gallery, including Eko! I think he nailed Charlie dead-on above, and his Sawyer is eerily life-like too.
I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for DC’s Captain Marvel. I used to love the cheesiness of it all based on the kid-friendly books from the ’70s. Probably because I had some giant SHAZAM hardcover book that reprinted tons of old stories. Apparently writer Mark Waid (who Wieringo drew this one for as a Christmas present) shares my admiration. Great piece.
I’m not a huge anime fan, though I can really appreciate the art/animation of a lot of it. There are a few series that really do kick ass (Fullmetal Alchemist, R.O.D. the TV), including just about every Miyazaki film. Most of them are insane and what you’d expect from anime if you’re unfamiliar with it. But Spirited Away was one of his most-accessible films, and Wieringo beautifully captured the look and feel of the film perfectly.
Mike Wieringo passed away on Sunday of an apparent heart attack. He was only 44 years old. A vegetarian. And in seemingly great shape.
He was an extremely talented artist. I still remember being blown away by this “new guy” on The Flash. And then absolutely going nuts when I found out he was jumping over to Marvel to work on a Spider-Man book. While Todd McFarlane will forever be known for giving Spidey his “spaghetti webbing,” Wieringo’s the guy who made Spider-Man “bounce.” His fluid motions and slightly cartoony brush strokes just made Spider-Man fun. The character literally bounced off walls, displaying a physical playfullness that matched his personality. And it’s all thanks to Ringo. And that’s not to take away from his earlier work on The Flash, particularly with the introduction of Impulse, another fluid, non-stop force of nature.
You don’t just look at Mike’s art… you participate in it. You move along at the speed of light with Wally West. You bounce off a brick wall into another and another and another until you’re swinging high above the rooftops of Manhattan on a line of webbing. And then there’s his work on Fantastic Four and his own co-creation Tellos. The guy drew a talking, fighting, walking tiger for crying out loud. And yet it seemed anything but ridiculous.
Somehow Mike always managed to put a piece of himself in his art. How can you look at any work of his and not get filled with a sense of pure fun, calmness and peace? Some artists want their work to speak for itself. In Mike’s case it speaks volumes. In the 10 or so years I worked in the industry, Mike was most definitely one of the nicest guys I ever had the privilege of working with. I used to head up Wizard’s How-to-Draw column called “Basic Training,” and Mike was always my #1 go-to guy. Not just because he was fast and always met his deadlines, but because he put 110% in to it every single time, offering suggestions, alternatives, additional artwork, you name it. He was always available to chat about it or just shoot the bull in general. It was also great just hanging out with Mike in Chicago or San Diego or wherever the latest comic convention was. Either just popping in the Marvel booth for a quick howdy or chugging back a few beers at the Marriott bar. Didn’t matter where or when, it was just great to hang out with Mike. The guy was just too damn likable, y’know?
And while I haven’t seen him in years, exchanging brief emails here and there, it seems like just yesterday we were collaborating on some projector other. And now he’s gone. Forever. His artwork remains for all to enjoy, but the man who put fun, dedication and loyalty into comics is gone. I offer his family and friends my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. I’ll miss ya, Mike.
Tim Sale’s the type of artist you either love or hate. He’s got a very unique style that borders on cartoony but with a serious edge to it. I’ve loved just about every Batman mini-series he’s done with Jeph Loeb, and while not nearly as good in my mind, I’ve enjoyed their Marvel mini-series too on Daredevil, Spider-Man and Hulk. But they just never seemed to have the edge and depth that the Batman: The Long Halloween or Dark Victory ever had. Maybe it’s just Batman, I don’t know. But whatever those two collaborate on, I’ll certainly be interested in reading.
Anyways, Tim just did this awesome Captain America and Bucky sketch for colorist Dave Stewart at the recent San Diego Comic-Con. I’m already sold. Go hook up with Loeb already and do a Cap: Year One type mini-series, will ya, Tim? Please!!!
I had completely forgotten that someone was making a Whiteout movie based on the killer (no pun intended) mini series by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. Intriguing thriller type story with gorgeous art by Lieber (some of his best if you ask me.) Seems Kate Beckinsale’s starring in the lead as U.S. Marshall Carrie Stetko. I won’t say anymore, but go read the damn book if you’re curious. You’ll be glad you did.
Anyways, according to Crave.com, it seems they unveiled a movie poster at San Diego Comic-Con (another thing I missed by not going… sigh) and it’s real close to the original cover by Frank Miller.
Yeah. That’s bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-tarnished-gold Kelly Leak from the original, classic “The Bad News Bears” movie. And yeah, you’re looking at Rorschach. Though I guess instead of cracking baseballs over the right field fence, he’ll be using baseball bats to crack heads. Still don’t see it? Okay, how about actor Jackie Earle Haley as he is all grown up now:
Yeah, thats a bit more like it. Though remember, for most of the story, Rorschach’s got a friggin mask on, so it really doesn’t matter who the heck’s under there, does it?
If there’s one thing I wish I had gone to San Diego Comic-Con for (and yeah, there’s a lot more than 1), it’s to get my grubby little hands on one of these:
This movie promo piece was done by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons himself. And if you haven’t seen it yet, the official Watchmen Movie website is up and running, albeit with very little to offer at the moment. But if it’s got a website, it’s 1 step closer to becoming an actual movie, right? Right?
