This Guy Made an Awesome Surface Pro Lap Board

 

Jeff Ketter at Icono Blast took my Surface Pro lapboard design and made his own (beautiful) version. It looks extremely slick! He took the time to really polish it up and make refinements to my original design, and I dig his additions (camera hole, mouse-pad grip, jet black finish, etc...). If you're looking to build a lap board, you should definitely check out his detailed post.

Nothing like a little shared Nerd Joy to start the Monday. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!

Batman '66 #1 in Stores Now

It's out today! In print! I'm really happy with the way Batman '66 looks in its print incarnation. The colors reproduced beautifully, and while the bells and whistles of the digital edition are definitely fun, as a comics artist, this is still my preferred way to enjoy comics.

That said, if you want to grab part 3 of the digital run, it's probably our best use of the technology yet. Get the technology at Comixology. Bat-Rap.

And, to celebrate this release, how about some watercolor commissions? These are hot off my desk and headed out to their new owners today.

Good Wednesday to you.

Batman '66 is a Bestseller

 

Thanks to everyone who turned out in Ben-Day dotted droves this week to make Batman '66 the #1 selling comic on Comixology! I'm sitting here typing in my underwear, but in my mind, I'm on a giant float with Jeff Parker, going down some major city boulevard, surrounded by confetti, in my underwear.

Seriously, response has been fantastic. Here's a blurb-fest:

"Batman '66 is the best Batman comic in years." 10 out of 10 - Starburst Magazine

"Batman '66 is nothing short of brilliant." 9.8 out of 10 - IGN

"...Without question my favorite DC book of the year..." - ComicsAlliance

"It’s the most fun you’ll have with words and pictures today... It's stellar stuff." - iFanboy

"Batman ‘66 #1 is a wonderful comic." -Nerdspan

You best be geared up for the next part, out tomorrow. Because, Catwoman.

Something Eerie for July 10th

What a month! Along with Batman '66, I have a second, equally retro-cool comic coming to shops this Wednesday, July 10th, as part of Eerie #3.

Saturnian Infantroids!

This one's an homage to Wally Wood space-race comics. It has comedy, horror, and giant space babies run amok. After becoming a dad and spending so much time in earnest adoration, it was time to shed light on the dark side of cute babies. The dark side of the babymoon.

I drew this while I took loving looks at my giant EC Stories collection. What I discovered: In almost every respect, the gap between myself and Mr. Wood is much like infinite space itself. Still, it was a fun challenge, and I'm pleased with the results.

I promise you a very weird time.

For a preview of this, and the book's other stories, head over to Comicosity.

Batman '66 Makes its Comixology Debut - Today!

 

Batman '66 is out, in a digitally-enhanced edition. It's weekly. It's all-ages friendly. And it's 99 cents on Comixology. How about that?

"But wait," you say, "what's all this about digitally enhanced blah-bah-dee-blah? Are you trying to get me to read motion comics?"

No, in fact. Today's release is more like a guided-view comic (where the Comixology software escorts you around the page elements), but with some significant perks, driven by the creators. The entire print comic has been reworked, expanded, and retooled by me, personally, then handed over to the engineers (I like calling them that) at Comixology. So all the enhancements are largely based in what our small creative team wants readers to see, and (importantly) what we think will look cool. Here's a quick look at how we make the sausage.

I drew all the art as if for print, with the narrative connections from panel to panel that are essential to reading a print comic. I wanted to make a comic book, so when you pick it up in stores, it's going to look like a comic book should look.

After I completed print art, I set about expanding certain sections for the digital version based on a master plan created with Jeff (writer), Jim (editor), and John (Comixology guru). Man, that makes 4 'J's' on this book. Never thought of that before. ANYWAY.

One effect I'm proud of engineering is the Batmobile's big reveal, where we do a fast pan from one panel, through a field of clouds and speed lines, to the next panel, and a big impact shot. Initially, Comixology warned that the effect might require an image too large for their system, but they made it work, and I think it came out very well. Wired has a video of all this on their website (thanks, Wired!), plus some further discussion, so you can check it out for yourself.

So there's a taste of what your 99 cents buys you. I'm really looking forward to seeing this in print, but I'm also glad that people who buy digital get added value. Not to stop anyone from buying both, certainly.

Have a great comics Wednesday, everyone. The Twitterverse is all lit up with good Bat-vibes (eh?), so this wild experiment may have worked.

More to come!

Batman '66 Week Starts Now

It's BAT WEEK, boys and girls! Batman '66 #1 (part 1 of 3) goes on sale in a digital enhanced edition this Wednesday, and to make with the pomp and circumstance, the NY Post is running a series of articles and blog posts detailing the project. Today, there's an interview up with me, Jeff Parker (writer), and Mike Allred (cover artist), and another post with some general info. Coinciding with '66's release is an announcement from Comixology that comics like this will now be available on a subscription basis. Pretty cool option for a weekly series.

I'll try to put up some behind-the-scenes material as the week progresses. For now, head over the NY Post to catch some freshly revealed artwork!

Hope you dig it.

Surface Pro Pen Pressure for All

They did it! After three months of no pen-pressure support in programs like Adobe Photoshop, Painter, and Paint Tool SAI, Microsoft and Wacom have worked out a driver for the Surface Pro that fixes it all. Head over here to snag it:

www.wacom.com/feeldriver

This is a great thing for a couple reasons.

Number one, it makes the Surface Pro a useful device no matter what creative programs you run. You can now get one with the confidence that pressure support will work as you'd expect across all your major programs.

Number two, it works very well. Better, in fact, than previous Wacom pressure drivers I've used on tablet PC's. Remember that Fujitsu T902? It, and other systems like it suffer from less-than ideal palm rejection (meaning every once in a while your canvas goes "SEE YA, I'm going over here now because you touched me with your hand before that pen tip, and that hurts me"). There's also typically a weird bug where every fiftieth brush stroke or so, these systems randomly lose pressure support, leaving you with the burden of hitting 'undo' frequently. Granted, the driver's only been out for a day, but so far I've experienced none of that with the new Wacom driver on the Surface. It works more like what I expect from Microsoft's Ink API, where palm rejection and pen pressure are very consistent. This all makes me a happy nerd.

In other news, I've done another upgrade to my setup in the form of a different pen. This is the Wacom Bamboo Feel (I got the Carbon, because it's more durable and has a nice weight in my hand). I find it to be more accurate than the stock Surface pen, and more similar to the calibration of the pen on my old Cintiq. Explanation:

With the stock Surface Pro pen, the little doohickey that says "Here I am" to your on-screen cursor is placed slightly back in the barrel of the pen, instead of the pen's tip. This means that the cursor is usually hidden beneath the pen tip instead of being just in front of the pen tip, as you'd be used to if you use a Cintiq, or other tablet device.  This picture's taken from the side, so you can actually see the cursor, but when viewed normally, facing the screen, you totally can't see it. There are attempted calibration workarounds to this, and I tried them all and found them insufficient.

Switching to the Bamboo Feel, you can see the difference in registration: that cursor is right in front of the pen tip, where you expect it to be. This makes joining fine lines in a drawing and picking through tiny interface elements on the Surface's hi-res screen MUCH easier, at least for me. Your mileage may vary, but I'd say give it a shot if you aren't satisfied with the stock stylus's accuracy.

Tech blogging complete. Moving back to pretty drawr-rings.

Holy Retro Batman Announcement

 

Today I get to announce some really fun news. Really. Fun. Comics. News. My studio-mate and fellow lover of retro, Jeff Parker, is set to write a new series of Batman comics for DC, and I'll be performing art duties for the first three stories, from layouts to color.

This isn't just any Batman though. This is the Adam West Batman, the Batusi Batman, the Julie Newmarriffic Batman. DC licensed the rights to all the actors from the 60s TV show (!), and we're set to start reeling and rocking this summer. Really, if they let me develop with any superhero project, working with whoever I wanted, I honestly couldn't have come up with a better fit: lighthearted, kid-appropriate, retro, and written by one of my favorite comics writers. The script Jeff's writing for this series is gold. You can feel his love the material, the era, the Julie Newmar.

DC announced the project last night at an event in Los Angeles. Mr. West appeared for a signing with the original Batmobile, a replica of the Bat Cave... even Batman cupcakes. Here's the press release. You can see a glimpse of my art at like, 4:13.

BATMAN CUPCAKES.

I really don't need to say more than that.

If you want more info on all this, head over to DC's site (I think they have a bunch of 60s Bat-stuff they're announcing), or Jeff's blog. As for me, I'm going to start some layouts.

Holy happy circumstance.

Sloth Love

 

Every once in a while, you get to do a commission that satisfies all your geek requirements. This one may be hard to top. It has it all: Romance, awesome creatures, a Dracula cape... A land-squid.

I couldn't ask for more! It's projects like this where I'm keenly aware that it's not everyone who gets an all-expenses-paid trip to the Slothlands. I'm grateful.

Also, here's a link to a hi-res version, in case you want some sloth-love wallpaper.

This weekend, I'll be at Emerald City Comic Con, taking commissions (you can totally commission something like this, and I'll mail it to you) and peddling my wares. I may even see if I can get some prints made of this piece.

See you in Seattle!

Live Interview on the Karl Show! (starring Jason)

Tomorrow night: Me, the interview, live, on The Karl Show! (starring Jason), broadcast from The Portland Radio Authority. I get to play DJ for an hour or so, talking about my work and playing some tunes. What sort of tunes? Some that inspired Dear Creature, some that I just like, some that are tailored to give me street cred with people in their 70s.

If you can't catch it tomorrow, they'll post the whole shebang on their website, here. Now I'm off to drink lemon honey tea.

The Creep #2 and #3

Oh dear. Better late than never... I've been under a self-imposed writing rock since October, and a lot of things, like having another two issues of The Creep coming out, slipped by. They both have absolutely terrific covers from Ryan Sook and Tonci Zonjic, respectively. Check them out! There's also a hardcover collection of this series set for release next year (April, to be exact), using that lovely cover from Tonci. Looks like you can pre-order it through TFAW.

In addition to writing, I also completed my largest painting yet, for the Hawthorne Modern Man Barbershop here in PDX. I couldn't be more excited about this, as it's one of my favorite businesses in Portland. More on that, and other bits from under the rock, soon.

The Creep #1 Signing Tomorrow

Look at that! A Mike Mignola cover on one of my books. Like most everyone, I love his work, and feel pretty honored to have it gracing The Creep #1.

Tomorrow, you can pick this up, get it signed by moi, and have a beer and something to eat courtesy of Things From Another World on Broadway and 28th, here in Portland. The party starts at 7— head over here for the details.

Sarah's Painting Complete

It's done! I set Sarah's painting aside while I finished my work on The Creep, but I just got a chance to lay down the finishing touches. Since it's going up in the living room, it's going to be hard not to take it down and tweak the things that will inevitably start to bug me.

The final pass over the background was mostly about balancing colors, adding in a little more depth, and covering over the underdrawing. I pretty much decided to wrap things up when Jeff Parker's kid was over for a visit and said, "Why are you still working on that? It looks done."

What can you do? Kid says it's done, it must be done.

Fall Commission Preorders

Firestorm, 10x15 ink and watercolor wash, single figure, $120.

It's fall convention season, and I'm starting up my commission preorders! Contact me to preorder a commission for New York Comic Con (via paypal), or get on the early-bird list for this weekend's Rose City Comic Con in Portland.

Here's the scoop on my rates and options this season.

10x15 (preferred working size)

Pencils (single figure): $50 Inks (single figure): $70 Ink and watercolor wash (single figure): $120

8x10

Pencils (single figure): $40 Inks (single figure): $60 Ink and watercolor wash (single figure): $100

If you want more than one full figure or a pretty involved background, it's just a multiple of my single figure rate. Here are more examples:

Han and Chewie Maintenance, 10x15 ink, double figure, $140.

Rocketeer and Bettie, 8x10 ink, double bust (equals single figure), $60.

Yoda Cuisine, 10x15 ink and watercolor wash, single figure and full background, $240.

See you at the Con!

Jeff Jensen Nabs an Eisner

Photo credited to Bleeding Cool.

Just for fun— here's Jeff accepting our Eisner award for Green River Killer. That screen is huge!

Aaaaand, baby's crying. Must attend. Bloggin' is HARD!

Eisner Win + Unseen Artwork

Last night the powers that be honored Jeff Jensen and me with an Eisner award for Best Reality-Based Work on Green River Killer. Quite an honor. I'm especially happy for Jeff and his family— their story is heroic in a way you rarely find in comics. To commemorate the occasion, here's some (typically creepy) artwork I did for a part of the GRK promotional machine that just never saw the light of day.

Annnnnnnnd.... I'm sure Jeff did a great job of this already, but since I wasn't at San Diego or the Eisners this time, I'll make my acknowledgements here:

Thanks to our editor, Sierra Hahn, for bringing this project my way and for being tenacious. Terrific job, Sierra!

Jeff Jensen, for telling his father's story with grace, and for entrusting me with the drawing.

Brendan Wright, our assistant editor, for never missing a beat.

The rest of the Dark Horse crew, especially the ones that cleaned up those speckled page scans.

The Jensen family, for their story, their warmth, and the delicious cookies from Mrs. Jensen.

My crew at Periscope Studio, for helping me through everything and keeping me from taking myself too seriously.

My family, for their support and encouragement.

Thanks, everyone!

It's Refreshing to Look Better

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... The website overhaul. It's like cleaning your room after two years of gradual, serenity-scrambling disorder.

I owe a little thank you to Dylan Meconis, whose swanky website inspired jealousy, and hence, this refresh. It looked SO good, I couldn't help but take some cues (and her Wordpress theme). While we're at it, go get on Dylan's Kickstarter campaign if you haven't. You can get a high-quality print copy of Outfoxed, my favorite Eisner-nominated web comic of last year, and lots more. I'm serious. I'm not just guilty for stealing her theme. She makes beautiful stuff.

In other news... I'm just about to get started on my last issue of John Arcudi's The Creep. It's been a fun ride, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he finishes everything up (Dark Horse tells me the script is on its way this week). One very fun part of it is that after getting covers from a ton of great artists (Mike Mignola!), I get to finish up the run with my own cover. So be on the lookout for that in a few months!

And now, a man in a hat.

The Creep, and a Thank You

Dark Horse Presents #13 is out today, with the next installment of The Creep, by John Arcudi, art by me. The story gets particularly interesting at this point, as I get to venture from the established 80's Manhattan setting and go even further with the art technique shakeup. This finishes up our run in DHP, with complete issues coming soon (with covers from some comics' favorite creators— pretty fun!). This has been a good project during a hard season of life. Along with gaining a baby and losing a brother earlier in the year, I had to make up for a pretty good chunk of lost time on the schedule. Throw in a few side-projects and mix to equal one maxed-out me. Dark Horse and my comics community have been really supportive through it all, which is appreciated. It reminds me of why I felt drawn to a career in comics: more than the work itself, I appreciate the people behind the work. Some of the kindest people you'll find.

Alright, I'm done with the mush. It's Wednesday, and the sun is out in Portland. Go buy comics.

More Creep for You in Dark Horse Presents

Silly me. I wasn't even paying attention, and then this month's Dark Horse Presents comps arrived. Here's a panel from my work in there, the second installment of John Arcudi's The Creep. The issue also has a bunch of great stuff from the likes of Carla Speed Mcneil, Steve Rude, and others. Definitely one to pick up.

Stumptown 2012

It's been real, Spring Convention Season. You tried to take me away from my wife and child nearly every weekend for the last two months. You mostly succeeded. I leave you now, more machine than man. Twisted and evil. But in a good way!

Photo credit: Lindsey Ellis

Stumptown capped it all off, and it was a good ending note. Visits from wife and baby, a Dear Creature reading at Comics Underground with Dylan Meconis, meeting Michael Allred and listening to his family band, The Gear...I was even honored to pick up a couple Stumptown awards for Best New Talent (Dear Creature and Green River Killer), and Best Artist (Green River Killer). And they're the cutest awards. Just look!

Monsters are always the answer, and I'm glad the Stumptown committee knows that.

I put a ton of stuff out on my table, books-wise, and it hit me that it's all come out pretty much in the last six months. Dear Creature, Green River Killer, House of Night, Dark Horse Presents (The Creep).  It was kind of surprising to see it all in one place— and there's more to come this weekend, for Free Comic Book Day! If I tweeted more, people would know that they should be sick of me by now. As it is, my lack of consistent tweeting is all that keeps me in people's good graces.

Big thanks to everyone involved in this crazy Spring Convention Season. It was great, but I'm all out of words now.

Nite nite.