Avengers Arena #10

Wow, I'm having a hard time keeping up with Avengers Arena pages. We're putting out these issues at such a blistering rate that I can barely remember where I'm at. I think 13 is the current issue now? And I just finished coloring 15? Anyway, here are some pages from 10! ;)

This was apparently a pretty controversial issue (as far as this controversial series is concerned). Things got pretty graphic, and I was even asked to tone down the gore in some parts. Personally though, I think it's worth it. This was a great issue and set up the rest quite nicely. In fact, I have to say I really quite like this book-- and I'm not just saying that because I'm coloring it.

Anyway, this one featured art by Riccardo Burchielli. Different style, but talented nonetheless. Issues are coming out so fast that Kev can't possibly keep up-- heck, I don't even know how I'm doing it-- so every once and again there will be a "guest artist".

Well, enjoy!

Tank Girl

Here's a little Tank Girl doodle I colored recently. Obviously illustrated by the masterful Skottie Young, he asked me if I could put some color on there. Naturally, I agreed. Who am I to refuse? WHO, I ask?

Anyway, this one was just a blast, and I got to really reach out and try new things. Gotta say I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Avengers Arena #9

Wow, I know this is getting old, but I really AM getting sloppy with these updates. Might have something to do with being so busy. And part of the reason why I'm busy is Avengers Arena. So here's some pages from that!

I've decided to post a few choice pages from issue 9. This was a slower issue-- mostly dialogue and back-story-- so nothing too crazy going on with the colors. Also, it mostly takes place in one location, save for some flashbacks. I still wasn't really comfortable with the coloring style on this one (currently working on issue 13 and 14. and it's getting better), but I think it turned out alright.

Anyway, enjoy!

Road to Oz #6

Boy oh boy am I getting lazy with these updates. Here's a little something to remedy the situation!

This was the last issue of the Road to Oz, which wrapped up the series nicely. Sure, it wasn't a very action-packed issue. But, there were a lot of crazy characters popping up, wild stuff happening, and there's even a freakin' sweet Santa-Claus design by Skottie. In the end, it was still a lot of fun.

Anyway, enjoy these pages, and keep an eye out for the next Oz book!

Road to Oz #5

It occurred to me that I just stopped posting pages from Road to Oz. Let me correct that at once! Here's a few select pages for issue 5. It was hard picking just five pages, as this issue has lots happening with many different locations and plenty of reunions.

Anyway, enjoy!

Human Fighter

Seeing as I'm a big nerd, I also play Dungeons & Dragons (as well as numerous other RPGs). Naturally, I have to draw my character, because it's tradition. Right now I'm playing in a 4th edition D&D game as a human fighter, the most boring and ordinary of all race/class combinations. To be perfectly honest, I pretty much despise 4e. The only reason I'm playing is because one of the players in our usual group wanted to try his hand at running a game and it was the only system he felt comfortable enough with. Oh well; beggars can't be choosers, they say.

Anyway, since I'm an old school guy, Adler the human fighter is as old-school as they come in terms of visuals. I'd even say he's the antithesis to 4e art direction, and he really wouldn't belong in any of the books. But I think that's not such a bad thing. I also gave him a bardiche, even though the book says glaive, because bardiches are where it's at, baby!

Avengers Arena #8

Good gravy; and update! Well, I've been insanely busy lately, and here's part of the reason why! I was recently asked to do an issue of Avengers Arena (#8, incidentally), which I gladly accepted. Seems folks were pleased with the results, since I was then asked to be on the series full-time. Needless to say, I was thrilled at the news! It certainly is great to be working on a superhero title once more, and now that the issue has been released I can finally share a few choice pages.

Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about the results on this book. Most of it is due to the fact that I can't hold a candle to the previous colorist (who I inexplicably seem to have replaced), but a lot of it is also due to a lack of... insight? It's hard to explain, but I've been doing so much experimenting with my coloring lately that I sometimes don't know what I'm doing anymore. I seem to lack vision, and a clear understanding of how to make that vision come true. I really felt like I was stumbling through my work process and happened upon a result that I didn't really understand. Anyway, enough of my crazy jibber-jabber!

This was also my first time using a flatter, so mad props go to Kyle Hilton for helping me out (he's also an accomplished illustrator-- check out his stuffs, yo! www.flannelanimal.tumblr.com). Oh, and the artwork is by the masterful Kev Walker, with whom I worked on Marvel Zombies 3 and 4. Fun time reunion!