This show Brian interviews writer/actor Bill Corbett.

Bill played Crow T. Robot on Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the last few seasons as well as Observer (AKA Brain Guy). He talks about his early influences, MST3K, how he ended up in the mid-west and more. He also talks a bit about Starship Dave, a screenplay he wrote that’s due out in theaters in 2008 starring Eddie Murphy.

Sit back and enjoy the interview!

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New to making comics? Don’t know where to start? Here’s the beginning of a series on the options available to self-publishers.

In this show, Brian covers the print-on-demand options available for creators.

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This week Andy reviews Carl Barks and Don Rosa’s Uncle Scrooge and the Luna Bros. GIRLS. Vol 1 and 2.

Andy recounts a brave tale of giving blood in which he ponders worst case scenarios. Star Trek XI rumors make their way into the show, none of which are close to being accurate.

This week’s Deviantart artist of the week is Kitton

http://kitton.deviantart.com

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Andy is back! Brian and Andy catch up and discuss Shel Silverstien’s early career. Andy’s explains it’s a good thing that there was not Halloween show (The Smurfs aren’t that scary after all.)

Reviewed: Spiderman Loves Mary Jane Digest (written by Sean McKeever and drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa), and All-Star Superman #9 (by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely)

Andy also waxes hostile toward the mainstream’s big universe-shattering events that seem to be forced upon us ad nauseum…

This weeks Deviantart Artist of the Week is Loish!

http://loish.deviantart.com

Check out the gallery!

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This episode, Brian looks over Blue Beetle #19 from DC Comics. This issue was written by John Rogers and Keith Giffen with guest pencils by David Baldeon and guest inks by Steve Bird. Giganta attacks, Beetle fights back. It’s like we’re reading fun comics again! Wait…what’s Superman doing in here with that candy?

Brian also tackles Ultimate Spider-man #114. Wait…is this another comic dedicated to a good old-fashioned fight sequence?

This week’s DeviantArt artist is DRAZEBOT Check out his work at drazebot.deviantart.com

Be sure to download free comics at www.gravyboy.com/wowio

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This episode Brian takes on another show alone. This show Brian tackles The “ONE MORE DAY” story arc in Amazing Spider-man 544 (in part 1) and Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #24 (for part 2). Incidentally, the way you can tell a good comic retailer from a mediocre one is that the good one will put complete story arcs in your box, even if you’re only subscribed to one of the titles that the story arc covers. Brian has a good retailer.

Also, on this eve of Halloween (All Hallows eve eve?) check out http://www.comicspace/comics4halloween. Their mission: To get people to give comics instead of candy to kids on Halloween. Check it out.

And our DeviantArt artist of the week is Bill Drastal Check out his delightful style at http://billdrastal.deviantart.com

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Last night my wife and I went to see North by Northwest at the old theater downtown (old as in ornate 1920s old, not old as in $1 theater old.) We were there 30 minutes early, so what better time to get in a little sketching!

Well boy and girls let start with introductions, my name is Kenneth Graves, people call me Ken (my mom and dad still call me Levan, my middle name) and I am here on behalf of Brian, one of the creators of Gravyboy. He is a friend of mine that I met through my friend and GravyBoy co-creator Marty, friends since middle and high school, we go back a long ways. Then there’s Andy, Danny, and my best friend Steve, our gang, pals (sorry too much “Young Guns”) . Marty and Brian create, the rest supports, doing what we can for the book.

Ok now for the book check it out at…

=http://www.wowio.com/users/product.asp?BookId=1741

Well next time some of the adventures we have and boy do I have stories!

How do we go about finding good comics?

There is a sea of information out there in every subject area, every genre, every persuasion. The choices are endless and it’s becoming easier and easier to publish to the masses. In comic-dom, there are Print-on-Demand sites that make publishing ridiculously cost effective for the small indie guys. The mainstream is a cornucopia of mega-universe-shattering events that stretch across title to title. The abundance of books also means an abundance of mediocrity to wade through. Where do we start?

Do we follow writers? Titles? Characters? Artists? Companies? Properties?

What can help guide us to those shining diamonds among the coal of publications?

I’ve been reading comics for a long time and I STILL don’t know where to look sometimes when I go into the shop. Should I browse the indie aisle? Should I ask the regulars what they’re reading? Does what’s selling have any bearing on what’s good?

When I find the answers I’ll pass them on…in the meantime, feel free to give me your method for mining good books.

Brian fills in for Andy this episode while Andy is busy taking care of his new baby. This week Brian wraps up Jeff Smith’s Shazam! The Monster Society Evil #4, and talks a bit about the passing of the artist duties on Ultimate Spider-man from Mark Bagley to Stuart Immonen. Brian also is pretty sure he butchered his last name.

The DeviantArt artist of the week is Acidlulliby. Click here to check out her work at acidlulliby.deviantart.com

Also, GravyBoy issue 1 is available for download for FREE at Wowio.com. Click on the image below to go there, you’ll have to register with the site, but that’s free too. Be sure to check out their selection of graphic novels and comics as well as other books…all available for free download!

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This week Andy reviews Batman #667 and Joss Whedon’s run on Runaways. Brian has yet to read Runaways, and is waiting for the trade paperback so his studio doesn’t become a labyrinth of 24 page books (or 32 if you count ads.)

Be sure to check out Michael Ryan’s crazy pencils and Rick Ketcham’s brilliant inks in this book.

Brian suggests that Andy reviews a certain Comic’s magazine, and Andy demands that you obey what the magazine tells you. Do it!

Finally, Brian and Andy impart a little wisdom from the prodigious minds that post in Youtube’s comments section. Truly inspired.

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This is definitely the largest and most involved commission I’ve done, and I have to admit that it was a blast! It took me about a week and it’s a little bit larger than what a 2-page comic book spread is drawn at. Needless to say even with a 12 X 18 scanner I STILL couldn’t get all the edges in. (Hawkman’s mace and wings don’t touch the top of the page like the scan shows.) But what’s missing is negligible.

I think in terms of composition I’m pretty satisfied. I wanted to direct your eye around the page and I think I pulled it off fairly well.

Anyway, here she is…Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and Black Vulcan slugging away at the Hydra.

In San Diego I was commissioned to do a rather large drawing with three characters, monsters, and in full-color. I started on it last Saturday and finally finished last night. (At least I think I am finished, there may be a few touch ups here and there.)

Unfortunately, I still don’t have an 11X17 scanner, so I can’t scan it in. I tried scanning it in in fourths on my standard sized scanner, but at fourths I’m not going to be able to get all of the center in.

But I did try, here’s a sneak peek of less than a fourth of it:

What you’re not seeing are about 3 more monsters, Black Vulcan in the foreground and the rest of Wonder Woman’s figure…and Hawkman’s too for that matter.

Next week I’ll hopefully be able to get it scanned. So until then, enjoy this corner.

One of the great things about the internet is the abundance of blogs. Well, maybe that’s not in and of itself a good thing, since there’s a lot of sub-par stuff out there to sort through. One of the good ones that’s related to art that I’ve come across is Dave Pimentel’s Drawings from a Mexican blog.

There’s some really good posts about the discipline of drawing as well as some great sketches. Be sure to check him out!

Andy reviews Madman!, and Star Trek Year 4.

Brian and Andy talk about youtube and Andy imparts a little youtube wisdom for your week.

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This episode, Andy reviews Dork Tower, OMAC #1, and Neil Adams Batman.

Brian and Andy also talk about the comic industry’s recent loss of Mike Wieringo.

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When I got home today I saw a post on a website that mentioned he passing of Mike Wieringo. My gut reaction was: “Where’s the punchline?”

Sadly, there was no punchline…this is for real. Mike Wieringo has left us at the age of 44. We had gotten to know Mike over the last few years, and he was always very welcoming and friendly, and a great guy to be around. Comic-dom is going to seem a little bit emptier after today.

Well, stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Tomorrow I’ll be FedExing (is that a verb now?) 200 Marvel Sketchcards I did for Upperdeck over the summer. I posted a bunch in my gallery. They were really fun, and I think I they came out pretty well. I did them the same way I do commissions (color markers.)

Next on my list is to finish up 2 commissions (that are 2 months overdue. See above paragraph for reason ;) and then tackle a gigantic, 3 character 1 monster fight scene that’ll be drawn a little larger than a comic book 2 page spread. Full color with markers.

Scanning that puppy in should be enjoyable.

Andy reviews Howard the Duck, All-Star Superman #8, Action Comics #851.

Andy and Brian talk about movies as well.

Also, Andy and his wife just had a baby. There is now more baby Slaughter in the world.

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Wow! We’re back from Comic-Con 2007 and had a blast. Thanks to those of you who came by and mentioned the podcast (I’ll pass along your comments to Andy) and those who stopped to buy GravyBoy! Aside from fighting a cold all week (a battle which I ultimately lost, mind you) I had a great time. I had the fortune of meeting Mike Nelson (who, as you probably know, has been a guest right here on CRW) but also got to meet Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbet…who you might remember as Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot from Mystery Science Theater. And what’s more, look for interviews in the near future with them as well!

It’s always hard to give a con report after the fact, especially after a show like Comic-Con because it all becomes such a blur. I didn’t make any panels (after seeing the lines last year, I just didn’t even try) but I did drop way too much money on art books at the Bud Plant booth.

Oh, and I almost forgot. If you have G4 and watch Electric Playground, look for a segment featuring yours truly talking about the GravyBoy comic. I’m not sure when it airs (I’m assuming the fall) but I’ll find out before then and let you know.

This episode, Andy reviews Star Trek: Blood Will Tell, and Hero Squared #6. There’s also talk of upcoming and past conventions, Brian rants on Transformers, and Andy talks about getting ready for a baby. What else could we possibly fit into a comics podcast???

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The Portent:Duende, published by Image Comics, 128 pages, $12.99.

Having reviewed issue one of this limited series months ago, I returned to it upon it’s release as a trade paperback collection. I’m glad I did. Writer/artist Peter Bergting may be new to the comics industry, this being his first project, but his is one of the finest debuts I have ever witnessed.

The Portent is a thrilling journey. A breathtaking adventure. An explanation of heroism. It is all of those things, and more. Readers who embark upon this mission with main character Milo to save a world from the demon Guishen are likely to find themselves rooted to the spot ‘til the last page. I know I was.

The characterization is a true achievement, resulting in interesting players and intriguing secrets. Milo is an unlikely hero, and readers shouldn’t take him at face value. He could even be called a “usurper.” Without saying anything further plot-wise, I will say that it’s always satisfying/gratifying/spellbinding to be the recipient of the literary equivalent of a good curve ball. And, that Bergting has quite an “arm.”

Ultimately, however, his story is about redemption and sacrifice. And it works. Readers are likely to experience a range of different emotions concerning Milo throughout the course of the story. That possibility notwithstanding, I’m betting they’ll see him in the role of hero by story’s end. Let me just express it one more time: That Bergting can WRITE!

His artwork is also impressive and truly beautiful. Conveying the wonderful contrast of a world still clinging to hope, reflected in amazing use of colors (buoying the mood), and a world overtaken by evil, marked by the dark and dismal use of blacks, Bergting has demonstrated a near-mastery of using art to compliment a story and convey emotional settings.

The Portent: Duende is recommended for all but the youngest readers. Find it at comic book shops, bookstores and online retailers and auctions. To find your nearest local comic book store, call 1-888-comicbook.

Mark Allen

So you want to make comics? Really?

Great! Do you want to be a publisher too?

Haven’t thought about it? Well, now’s the time to start thinking.

One of the struggles in doing comics over the last few years has been balancing the creative process of making the comic with the challenge of getting the book out there to your potential fans. Actually, in comparison, making the comic is in a lot of ways easier than the publishing aspect of it. Sure, it takes a lot of energy and time, but publishing costs time, energy, MONEY, and is to a certain degree up to people who you don’t know that decide just how widespread your distribution is.

Now, granted you can increase the likelihood of your book being distributed widely by approaching retailers of various types yourself, both in and outside of the traditional comic shops, but then the amount of money you spend increases. Soon you’ll reach the point of diminishing returns and possibly take to brooding and creating your own version of Identity Crisis…only not has up-beat as DC’s.

So what’s the answer? That’s a good question and one that I’ll be exploring (not answering, because the answer is an elusive one) over the next several posts as we work through our own potential solutions and failures. To start off, however, I’d just like to list a few things we’ve noticed over the last few years hacking our way into the industry.

- Make sure your story and art is solid.

- Make sure you come up with a CONCISE and REPEATABLE way to convey the substance of your story. (Other people should be able to walk away with the ability to tell their friend essentially what they’ve just heard.)

- Find an affordable printer. This will depend on how wide you want you distribution to be. Start small.

- Make the convention rounds and get a website.

- Think about doing your own merchandising. T-shirts, buttons, whatever. People like to collect things associated with books and characters they like, and the profit margin on individual issues is slim.

That’s enough to get us started thinking about this. In the next post I’ll start working through this list in more detail.

This week Andy reviews Hero by Night #1, Green Lantern, and Free Comic Book Day’s Mickey Mouse offering.

Brian reviews a book of his own. His mailman apparently wants him to be prepared for the coming apocalypse.

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The countdown is on. San Diego Comic-con is a month away. One month people. It’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to survive the mass of humanity that will descend upon the west coast in search of the latest in pop culture technology. That is, if you are wise and fortunate enough to be in attendance this year. And if you aren’t, I suggest you take my advice and get a second job to afford the airfare.

For comic creators, San Diego is a great place to make connections and network, as well as a venue for adventure and excitement. Why, just last year I was not only confronted by a thin, oily man representing the company responsible for such classics as “Debbie Does Dallas” (he thought a comic representation would be “hot.” I disagreed and we parted ways) but I was also trapped between a concrete post and an oncoming current of con-goers. Doesn’t it sound glorious?

Actually, glorious is pretty accurate, and I’d like to give some advice to those first-time attendees who might be wondering what to expect:

1. If you’re flying a long distance to get there, give yourself the first night to get some sleep and adjust. My memories of the first part of last year’s show is of being excruciatingly tired for the first 2 or 3 days.

2. Take lots of pictures. There’s so much stuff to see, you will stop seeing things. Pictures will remind you that you actually went in case the con’s awesomeness induces amnesia.

3. Leave before the con lets out if you plan on eating downtown. If you’re a creator and have to stay for the duration, ask around to see where some of the lesser known restaraunts are. Once the con closes, you can rest assured you’ll be waiting for a table. And waiting. And waiting…

4. If you find a panel you want to attend, scope out the location a few hours before to see how soon the line starts building up. Seriously, the Snakes on a Plane panel last year? GINORMOUS.

5. If you’re going with friends, and ever want to see them again, make sure you all have cell phones/walkie talkies/ or a meeting place and time. Or you’ll never. see. them. again.

6. Pay attention to the shuttle schedule between the the convention center and your hotel. The con “after hours” gatherings go until…well, forever. But the shuttles don’t.

7. Don’t lose your badge.

8. If you’re a creator, remember to keep track of the items you sell. If you plan on going back the next year, you’ll have to turn in the California tax form thingie.

9. Seriously, you’ll still be waiting for a restaurant…

10. …or standing in line for your panel.

That’s enough to get you started. You won’t regret going!

This time Brian interviews Matt Wood, part of the talent behind the web/print comic The Dada Detective. Brian talks with Matt about his background, the convention scene, and finds out something about cookies that mad scientists make.

Check out Matt’s site at www.likelystories.com

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We just got back from Heroescon.

After attending for seven years, they really are all starting to run together for me. But it did seem that not as many people were buying books this year. Thanks to those of you who stopped by our table looking for new stuff (sorry for the delay…they’re coming!)

Wizard World Philly was this past weekend too, and I’m thinking that had something to do with it. But then again, I hear that show wasn’t well attended. The energy just seemed off this year.

I know that some more well-known pros did well in selling prints and art, but I think you really gauge the success of a con by how the indies do. If people are there willing to try out books and who are looking for new things out of the mainstream, then you have a healthy show. When they’re focused on the “big names”, that’s a problem.

But, shows have an ebb and flow to them. They can’t all be spectacular and there’s always another one the next year. I’m not complaining, I did pretty well with commission work. But we just didn’t have the traffic that we normally do going by the table. It wasn’t a bad show, just….lacked the energy that past shows seemed to have. Which is a sharp contrast from last year especially when the whole industry rallied around Heroescon.

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents. I’ll have a new show up either tonight or tomorrow.

I’ve started getting a little into animating. (Very little as you can probably tell…it’s not that good.) These little stick figure drawings are pretty simple using my tablet and stylus…and hopefully I’ll get the hang of it more and more as I go on.

I was just making this up as I went along, so it really doesn’t make sense at all..except that it shows I’m a huge dork for putting a lightsaber in.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

I was pondering what types of things pass for headline news these days and figured I could best express my thoughts on the matter this way.

This week Marty and Brian interview Chris Sims of the infamous Invincible Super Blog.

Chris talks about his writing career, comics, and his perpetual 1 degree of separation between him and Mike Nelson.

Check out his site at www.the-isb.com

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Thsi week Andy returns with reviews of Boom! Studios’ Hunter’s Moon, and Y the Last Man #55-56.

Brian and Andy voice their differing opinions on Spidey 3 and find out what George Lucas has to say about the film.

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Andy’s on vacation. Marty’s swamped with work. Who can step up to save the day with a new podcast? Brian…who’s swamped and on his way to vacation.

This week Brian briefly touches on Spiderman 3, Free Comic Book Day fare, Upcoming interviews and a little more.

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We’ve got a new show coming up tomorrow. Just FYI. Andy’s been a busy guy here lately (as we all have) but I just want to mention two interviews we have lined up. I previously mentioned Chris Sims from Chris’ Invincible Super-Blog, but we’ve also got Jonathan Coulton coming up too!

In case you haven’t checked out Coulton’s “thing a week”, do yourself a favor and do so now!

http://www.jonathancoulton.com/

Who knew that getting paper cut at Kinkos could make me so happy. Why? I’ll tell you why in a little post I’d like to call:

Tips for the Indie Comic Artist:

Tip #1: Sure you can buy lined paper that’s 11 X 17 with the 10 X 15 inch drawing area all lined out for you. And if you want the good paper (the kind that will hold up to erasing and not bleed when you ink) you’ll be paying over $20 + shipping for 12 sheets or so.

OR

You could buy a 14 X 17 pad of Strathmore Bristol Board for $10-$11 for 15 to 20 sheets…then go to Kinkos and pay $1.50 for them to cut the whole pad down to size. Sure, you’ll have to measure out the drawing area yourself, but boo-hoo. Not only did you save $10, you didn’t have to wait for UPS to deliver it.

Now go draw some comics!

So, did you see Spider-man 3?

If not, I won’t ruin it for you, I’ll just make a few observations. I’ve never liked Toby Macguire as Spider-man, nor Kirstin Dunst as MJ. But I still enjoyed the last 2 movies…and I enjoyed this one too, for that matter. But whenever Macguire got emotional…the audience laughed. Every. Single. Time.

I did think they handled the two villians very well. It didn’t feel like they were packed in (i.e. like Batman and Robin) and both Villians were done really well. Some people may not understand where the symbiote came from…well, I mean they knew it came from space. But if you’re not familiar with Secret Wars and what not, it might be a bit confusing.

All in all it was okay…there were a few scenes I could have done without…but it’s worth seeing if you’re a Spidey-fan.

Cyber Force/X-Men #1/26 pgs. & $3.99 from Top Cow and Marvel/ words: Ron Marz; art: Pat Lee/sold at comics shops.

Remember those TV commercials where peanut butter is accidentally mixed with chocolate to produce a surprisingly tasty new confection? Betcha never thought of CyberForce and the X-Men as confections, didja.

Think again.

Two of the most successful super-teams have been jammed into one piece of comics eye-candy in CyberForce/X-Men #1, co-produced by their re-spective publishers. But is this not-so-surprising concoction palatable?

These teams are so compatible that if you strip the packages [costumes] off of these characters they are almost interchangeable. The only danger for super-team fans who buy it is an overdose of clenched teeth and fists.

Regular readers of Suspended Animation have already noticed an uncharacteristic absence of plot analysis. That’s because the main feature of this issue is one long fight, and its backup feature is just the introduction to another story stripped of color.

So, if plot is virtually non-existent, then characterization takes the center of this paper stage?
While CyberForce/X-Men is well written within its self-imposed limits, the answer must be…uh, no.
Art ‘tis the star, me bucko. ‘Tis the art that recommends this new crossover title, and it is very bold, dynamic, and muscular.

Muscular may seem an unusual description for an art style, so a definition may be handy. Everything from muscles to machines to planets is drawn massive. Heavy lines and exaggeration are the keys to this style, and don’t think for a minute that violence is shunned. But this violence is so exaggerated that it isn’t easily confused with real world mayhem.

All superhero worlds are self-contained realities with rules that parallel ours enough to suspend disbelief for readers. This world is one fun romp, and Cyber Force/X-Men recommended for fans of the subgenre. MV

Check out Dreams and Visions #35 for a new Vance short story: www.bconnex.net/~skysong/dream.htm

Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to fourcolorcommentary.blogspot.com & www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCARtM5BvvU.

Andy reviews Boom Studios’ Mr. Stuffins and Dead Girl.

Brian and Andy discuss a little of this, and a little of that. Exactly what the internet has been waiting for.

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This morning I decided it was the perfect day to head downtown and do some sketching and take some reference pictures of the buildings. As you can see, nature cooperated nicely.

I spent the first few hours in The Green Bean (The coffee shop downtown) and found the perfect table for stealthily drawing the people sitting on the sidewalk outside.

The man on the right was very animated…his hands flailing back and forth helping him make his points. Normally I have my ipod on, but today just seemed like an ipod free day so I got to listen to the woman behind me say “yeah” emphatically throughout the course of her business meeting. I swear she said it over 500 times in an hour. Yeah. Yeah Yeah Yeah.

Yeah.

Lots of people were walking up and down the sidewalk, I’m just sorry I didn’t capture the man (who I assume was homeless but I could be wrong) wandering around dressed in what looked like a FedEx jumpsuit wrapped up in orange string.

We have a new park where I discovered it was perfect during lunch to sketch people from a distance. This lets me focus on poses rather than getting caught up in details.

There’s also some major construction going on on a building right next to the park. (hence the sketches of the construction workers.) I found myself wondering which direction I could run if the crane suddenly started to fall. I decided it would be best to run towards the base of the crane rather than taking my chances of getting hit with the top. It’s just how my mind works…it’s best not to question it.

The only downside to the whole day? The art store downtown is going out of business. It’s the only one I know of that always had exactly what I needed. But, on the upside, everything in the store was at least 50% off. So I stocked up. I may have to go back. Looks like everything will have to be DickBlick.com from now on. (Which, may be why they’re going out of business.)