More Ball-Peen

Some more pages, continuing the scene from yesterday's post. Welton and Underjohn continue their verbal sparring.

Preview pages from my current project

Take a gander, if you will, at some pages from my next book with First Second, a graphic novel written by Mr. Adam Rapp called Ball-Peen Hammer. It's a very dark, very adult, graphic novel set during what seems to be a complete societal collapse. The finish line is finally in sight for me, which is good, as a lot of sad personal stuff hit during this book. I like to think I was able to channel a bit of that to capture the depressed, decayed feeling the story required, but, man, I'll be glad when this is behind me. It's a great story, and I'm really proud of what I've done with it, but I'm looking forward to drawing something prettier next.

By the way, the two guys are Welton (skinny, scabby dude) and Underjohn (glasses). They have recently been partnered together in this grubby basement for reasons that will remain secret for now, and are discussing the state of the world outside.

New Yorkery

Trying to get back on the posting horse, so putting up this. I think I managed the not-quite-funny, more-kinda-droll feel that I get from the New Yorker these days. This was one of the Thanksgiving cartoons I submitted to the Leonard Lopate show that didn't win (the winner is elsewhere on the blog).

Thumbnail

Not much to say on this, other than it's a rough composition of that moment when Athena bursts forth, fully grown, armed and armored, from the skull of her father, Zeus. This would be the thumbnail version-- I'll eventually post up a rough draft and a finished piece for comparisons.

Well, at least I can draw good...

How's this for the least photogenic man alive? While doing a Google vanity search the other day I can across this monstrosity of a photo on the Publisher's Weekly site. On the right is Rivkah, the cartoonist behind Steady Beat from Tokyo Pop. Nice photo of her, right?

Now, on the left, we have me. One will instantly notice the glassy half-lidded eyes, slightly askance to the wall, and think, "my, what a terrible photo". Oh, but there's more. A closer look at my right paw reveals that I am unintentionally flipping the bird at the viewer. How do I let something like this happen? What was wrong with me that day? How have I not learned to not hold a piece of paper like that? I wonder how many people saw this photo and thought terrible, unkind things about me? "Well, I was going to do a cover story on Mr. O'Connor, but after seeing that photo..."

Lesson learned? Always use my index finger, and invest in sunglasses.

A Little Some-Thing about Missouri...

So I just got an e-mail from my buddy and fellow children's book guy Nick Bruel telling me that my book Sally and the Some-Thing (henceforth referred to as my baby) has made the list of nominees for the 2008 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award.




To explain what that means, please allow me to borrow liberally from their website. The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, administered by the Children's Services Round Table of MLA, is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri's public libraries. Designed to encourage reading aloud to children from birth through kindergarten age, the award was first given in 1996. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to read aloud to children from a list of ten titles selected annually by a group of Missouri children's librarians. Colorful posters, bookmarks, activity sheets, and a manual of great ideas add to the fun.



Apparently the voting goes on from September until the end of December, and the part that has me excited is that it's actually voted on by the kids. They always say that it's an honor to just be nominted, and that goes double in that case. Always nice to hear this sort of good news

...and that's when the C.H.U.D.s came at me

So, I don't know if this happens to anyone else out there, but from time to time I periodically get obsessed with a silly word or phrase, and start looking for excuses to use that word or phrase. Right now, I'm experiencing that feeling with the word C.H.U.D. WHy C.H.U.D.? I don't know. I'm pretty sure I've never seen even one tiny bit of either film (Betcha didn't know that there was a sequel, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Seriously). It's just a fun word. Say it a few times, roll it around your tongue. Very satisfying to pronounce. C.H.U.D.,C.H.U.D., C.H.U.D. C.H.U.D. C.H.U.D. Practice calling your cat or loved ones C.H.U.D. See how nice that is?

It's things like this that made me realize I need to get out during the day more...

Got to get back on the horse...

Or goat, I guess. This is Pallas, the goat-like leader of the mythological race called the Gigantes. I'm trying to make up for some lost time, posting-wise, but I haven't had a chance to scan in all that much recent stuff, so this is a somewhat older sketch done in preparation for Grey-Eyed Goddess. There's a nice solidity to the figure, I suppose, though I'm not sure if the head-on portrayal really adequately conveys his size (with a name like Gigante, you know they're big). In the sketches for the book he's always pictured with extreme foreshortening- this was kind of just a little doodle for my own reference. And now yours.

Wolf Cap of Hades

Another possibly familiar image to Facebook users. Here is a headshot of Hades, wearing his helmet of invisibility, that served as my Facebook avatar for awhile. Let's chalk it up to artistic license the fact that Hades is wearing his helmet and still visible.

Mamma Rose, rest in peace

I'm not sure how many folks out there check this blog with any sort of regularity, but any who do will note that I've been absent for a little while. My stepmother recently passed after a long illness and I've only just returned from Florida. Kind thoughts are appreciated for my father and three little sisters. This is a photo of Mamma Rose, my brother, little sister Kayla and me from happier times.

Cover sketches

For your viewing pleasure... Rough cover ideas for 3 of the first four books in The Olympians. The Glory of Hera was not available at press time...

Signing at Books of Wonder in NYC!

So, this Thursday, June 5th I believe, from 5 to 7 PM, I'll be signing at NYC's famed Books of Wonder in support of my newest picture book Uncle Bigfoot. I'll be joined at this event by Mr. Nick Bruel (seated to the right of me in the above photo) and our fellow BOW alums Jason Chin, Titus Thomas and honorary member Cricket Azima. There's going to be FREE refreshments courtesy of the Cupcake Cafe. Pretty much, it will be the coolest thing happening in New York this week. Yeah, you heard me.

Books of Wonder is at 18 West 18th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, and can be reached at 212-989-3270.

Special thanks to Ms. Miriam Parnes who took the above photo at a previous signing. And you thought it was a picture from the future...