Happy 30th

It's my buddy Ant Ward's 30th birthday (that's 210 in dog years, man). He's running the new Ninja Turtles show, and he would hate it if you went to his blog, here, and left a comment bugging him to update about the progress of the show, and wishing him a happy 30th. So whatever you do, don't go to this blog, sign up to follow him, and demand regular updates.

26 days...

Welcome to Camp Grizzly

Days at camp without accident: 364

My friend Jason and I have been working on a slasher-themed board game. We're still about a year from release but we'll be beta testing the  in-progress version this weekend at Kubla Con. If you're there, swing by the Zombiesmith booth and give the game a kick in the tires.

That is, if you're not scared...

29 days...

La Luna

 

Last night was the wrap party for La Luna, the latest Pixar short from the imagination of Enrico Casarosa. I was excited to meet Phil Sheridan, whose voice I knew all too well from animating his character, Nono. Phil let me in on the secret of great voice acting: take out your dentures for a signature sound.

The story is still top-secret, but what I can say is the folks at Annecy International Film Festival will be getting the first look. Lucky frogs.

29 days...

Madison's Monday Mesozoic Musing

Imagine how fun a prehistoric MMORPG would be. Get on it, Double Fine!

31 days...

CHADES CHALLENGE L: CLAUSTROPHOBIC ELMO IN AN ELEVATOR FULL OF TROLLS

This week's theme was inspired by the documentary Being Elmo. If you haven't seen it, please do! It's an enlightening look into life as an aspiring artist.

As always, if you have your own designs, please let me know and I'll post them below. Or you can just join in June 3rd for the Game of Thrones-themed CHADES CHALLENGE LI: JON SNOW.

Charles "Tickle Me" Santoso

34 days...

School's Out

Paul Mendoza and I teach an animation class at the Academy of Art University in SF, and Tuesday was the last night of class. It's hard teaching animation for just one semester, because you just start getting a sense of everyone's style and you have to kick them out the door.

I'm not worried for our students, though. They were all MASTERS OF ANIMATION by the time we were done with them. I think Dong-Jin (pictured below) was getting a little tired of her nickname, Dong-Jin & Dragons, anyway.

If you're a student and you're looking to get your work out there, submit your film(s) to TR!CKSTER's Student Animation Film Festival. That's right, the creator-centric convention welcomes comic artists and filmmakers alike! So dust off those DVDs and send em in!

While I'm sharing photos, here's my friend Sean Feeley's entry for this year's Redbull Soapbox Derby. If you're in the LA area this weekend, swing by and root for the JP Jeep. They're bound to get major style pts; this baby has some serious rex appeal.

Redbull Soapbox Derby....maybe that's why dinosaurs evolved into birds. Redbull gives you wings, right?

36 days...

Storm of Steel: The Ute'wehi

The ute'WHAT? Ute'wehi. Apparently it's alien for badass. This illustration was commissioned by my pals over at Zombiesmith. Based on a design from  Aaron Brown's line of miniatures, "Storm of Steel".

Also by the fine folks of Zombiesmith, this rad Quar short:




If you're in the bay area Memorial Day weekend, check out Zombiesmith's booth at Kubla Con.

37 days...

TR!CKSTER

The official TR!CKSTER website is up. TR!CKSTER is an alternative venue for creators and fans to interact one-on-one, and for new independent art to get its chance in the sun. Up and coming artists will be able to learn from industry vets how to get their work published and fans will get a chance to talk to their favorite creators. If you're in San Diego July 19-23rd (I hear it's a popular time to visit), swing by and join the mischief.

Above is Mike Mignola's cover for our limited edition book, 1000 copies of which will be exclusively available at TR!CKSTER. The book also features art by:

Jason Shawn Alexander
Mike Allred
Laura Allred
Marc Andreyko
Jamie Baker
Scott Campbell
Enrico Casarosa
Emma Coats
Josh Cochran
Jennifer Chang
Chhuy-Ing
Dave Crosland
Jim Demonakos
Francesco Francavilla
Jose Garibaldi
Robert Goodin
John Hoffman
Mike Huddleston
Joelle Jones
Matt Jones
J.P. Kalonji
Kazu Kibuishi
Andy Kuhn
Brian Larsen
David Mack
Austin Madison
Jim Mahfood
Ted Mathot
Mike Mignola
Fabio Moon
Scott Morse
Sho Murase
Steve Niles
Jeff Pidgeon
Paul Pope
Bill Presing
Steve Purcell
Jamie S. Rich
Justin Ridge
Bobby Rubio
Greg Rucka
Greg Ruth
Yuko Shimizu
Bill Sienkiewicz
Eric Skillman
Dave Stewart
Doug Tennapel
Craig Thompson
Derek Thompson
Jill Thompson
Nate Wragg
Bernie Wrightson
Craig Yoe
Skottie Young

You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

38 days...

AM vs PM

This will be the last time Paul Mendoza challenges my animation prowess...



...mostly because I won't be around for the next time.

39 days...

TERRORDACTYL, page 7 of 11

Featured in this week's page: Tyrannosaurus Rex

I don't want to give away the rest of the story, so for the rest of our little friend's adventure, you'll have to check out Afterworks III, which will be available in paperback and digitally through the Whamix app. If you want to meet me and all the other Afterworks contributors in person, follow the TR!CKSTER, he knows the way

42 days...

Happy Mother's Day!

My friend, and fellow Munchanka, James Riggins came up with this idea for a Mother's Day card.

I thought it was so bloody good, I decided to give a copy to my mom as well.

47 days...

CHADES CHALLENGE XLIX: THE MIGHTY THOR

My favorite moment in any story is when the hero, though utterly defeated with no hope of victory, decides to stand up and fight on. This is usually the moment when the John Williams theme kicks in and villain gets his ass handed to him. This is what makes a hero exceptional; not their abilities or super powers, but their willingness to endure.

One of my favorite comic covers growing up depicted Spider-Man completely thrashed, crawling out of rubble. What sold me on this issue (drawn by the incomparable Todd McFarlane) was the look on Spidey's face that said, "This is far from over."

If you have any thunder gods to contribute, let me know and I'll post them below. If not, join in next time, on May 20th, for:

CHADES CHALLENGE L (THAT'S #50!): 

CLAUSTROPHOBIC ELMO IN AN ELEVATOR FULL OF TROLLS

Barry "Norse Code" Crain

 

Kevin "Hokey Loki" Danison

0 days! Happy Thorsday!

May the 4th Be With You

Happy Star Wars Day! You're my kind of scum.

2 days...

TERRORDACTYL, page 6 of 11

Featured in this week's page: Pteranodon, Tyrannosaurus Rex

Terrordactyl premiers this summer in Afterworks III, which will be available in paperback and digitally through the Whamix app.  Next, page 7: "Hall of the Tyrant Lizard King"

4 days...