Posted this last Halloween in my other blog:
Happy Halloween! It’s time for my annual Lexy, Nance & Argus blog drawings. This year, they’re cosplaying as fan-favorite heavenly bodies and as firebending Avatar characters. Oh, and Jim and the kids are masquerading as cosmic Marvel entities.
Cybertron Lexy, Mogo Nance, Death Starg
Firelord Lexy, Avatar Arg, Nancezula
Beyonder Jim, Romalecsa, Gylactus
I had a great time at the 2009 Komikon, held last month at Megamall’s Megatrade Hall. The weather was fine, thankfully, and the venue was more accessible than the previous one. There were still hordes of people in the afternoon and in the evening; it felt good to see many happy geeks in one place.
The horror anthology Underpass was finally released. My fellow creators and I were there for the press con and the signing. Signing autographs was nice; it’s been a while since I did that. We signed quite a number of copies, and said “Thank you!” about as many times to those who lined up.
My contribution to the Underpass project is art for the 12-page “Judas Kiss” story, by David Hontiveros and Budjette Tan. Dave and I worked together twice before, on Dhampyr and a backup Avatar story, both Alamat releases. I have to admit, and I did say this at the panel discussion during the ‘Kon, that I had some difficulty starting it because it’s quite dark. To elaborate on that, it was hard to do some implied violent scenes, and their immediate aftermath. Anyway, doing the rest of the pages was a breeze because the script was very specific and I felt comfortable translating it using a mostly monochromatic style.
Underpass is currently in bookstores and magazine stands everywhere.
Here’s a rundown of some comic books that I worked on, because I haven’t really talked about them except, well, you know.
Dhampyr (1997)
I began drawing David Hontiveros’ story back in the mid-‘90s. I was in my early 20s; I was still learning anatomy, perspective, and facial structure… and it sometimes showed. David’s script was challenging; he allowed me free rein on the character designs, but he also had very specific narrative techniques that I had to adhere to. Initially, it was supposed to be released as three separate issues, but I convinced him that it would be better to have it published as a one-shot, 3-chapter book. I inked some pages penciled by John Toledo, who also helped out with some page layouts. Ultimately, interpreting David’s story was very educational; I sometimes regret cramming some panels with unnecessary details. The 80-page Alamat book was a finalist in the 1998 National Book Awards.
Avatar # 1: The Legend of Baal (2000)
I illustrated eight pages (a cover/credit page and seven sequential pages) for this spinoff of David’s Pantheon title. This time, he asked me to go wild and Kirby-esque with the designs, and gave me more than enough room to cut loose. I enjoyed drawing this backup story, which had monsters, aliens, and super-scuffles. Oh, the pages doubled as tryout submissions that I sent to Whilce Portacio in late ’99.
Babe Force # 3: Cancer Killer (2002)
The 2-page backup story was written by the late Doug Miers, then-publisher/creator of Comics Conspiracy’s Generic Comics. It was fully penciled; I just spotted blacks on the clear photocopies I scanned. The book was released in late 2002 in the
Ab Ovo # 2: Ellen and Gina (2003)
This one was written by Vinnie Simbulan, who wanted me to draw the story in my cartoony “Lexy” style. The four-pager focused on a group of gossiping gal pals.
Lexy, Nance & Argus: Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll (2004)
Five years ago, I finally compiled my old comic strip, which appeared in music mag Pulp from 2001 to 2002. It’s the first thing that I both wrote and illustrated, and I’m glad that it was able to reach an audience through the magazine. After it ended, some people actually waited for the characters’ new adventures, so I told the rest of the story and self-published. I wanted to prove to myself, most of all, that I could do it. It’s gotten mostly positive reactions and reviews.
Lexy, Nance & Argus: Family Album (2005)
I did this as a Komikon “exclusive,” an ashcan-sized collection of spot cartoons, a supplement or addendum to the LNA comic book. Samples of the 24-page minicomic can be viewed somewhere in this art blog.
Siglo: Passion (2005)
My contribution to project was a colored pinup. Dean Alfar asked me and other local creators to contribute some drawings for the book’s gallery.
Underpass # 1 (2009)
I was contacted some months ago to draw another of David’s stories. I guess he and co-scripter Budj thought of me when they discussed its sexual content (I did make a sex-themed comic book, after all). I opted to use a mostly monochromatic style using mixed media. I did away with clutter and heavy blacks. Initially, I did a page using another style, but I was really unhappy with it that I tore it after finishing. Anyway, I do hope
Other comic book contributions include a page for Exodus # 2, a pinup for the Wasted compilation, three drawings for Pantheon, and a cover for Psigns of the Season. Whew.
I did a set of Avengers drawings last month, “Earth’s Mightiest.” Here’s my interpretation of the Justice League. I chose four lineups: the Big Guns JLA (Morrison era), the Super Buddies (the Bwa-Ha-Ha League), the Relaunched Justice League (or Post-52 JLA), and Justice League Elite (or the proactive underground team). I used markers, gel pens, colored pencils, and water color.
“We’re the Justice League. We’ve beaten up real gods and made them cry. You are nothing to us.”
--Martian Manhunter, Ellis-ed up, to Z (JLA Classified # 15)
Relaunched JLA
Super Buddies
Justice League Elite
Big Guns JLA
League Lambaste!
Or, “Pals, Pens, Portraits 2.” A few new drawings of contacts. I used gel pens and a B pencil (for the Cams sketch).
WIL. Gummy bear.
MARGE. Rock star by night.
JAYCEE. Gossip girl.
CAMS. Dreamscaper.
CRIS. Old New Waver.
Three new drawings. The first two are the “real” Avengers, and the third shows part of the classic Busiek roster. And in the “Assembled!” image, I included the Avengers Resistance team, which I drew and posted a few weeks ago.
New Avengers
Mighty Avengers
Classic Avengers
Assembled!
The X-Men, Feb. 2000, fully penciled on 11” X 17” vellum.
Wow, I drew Marrow. I wasn’t fond of the character before, but Joe Kelly eventually handled one of the X-books and made her interesting enough.
Avengers: The Initiative is one of my favorite comic books, thanks to former writer Dan Slott and current writer Christos Gage. The new Avengers Resistance team is composed of former New Warriors, Avengers, and Initiative instructors, who banded together to oppose Norman Osborn and his minions. I drew this last week.
