Season's Greetings! New Animated Comic cover!

Strange Adventures #79, from 1957. Original art by Gil Kane.

All's well that ends well. Right?

Have you ever watched a time travel story where an event "never happens"? I personally think these type of tales should always be this short--

This story (and longer ones!) appear in Halo and Sprocket #3. On sale today on Comixology! 

There's a little George Lucas in all of us.

George Lucas often received grief from fans over the years for changing elements in his re-released Star Wars films. However, if you had the opportunity to go back and change some decisions you've made in the past, wouldn't you? It's a rare gift, really.

When I originally created Halo and Sprocket, I didn't realize parents would share them with their kids. I was merely writing stories that amused me. In hindsight, I understand why pages such as these would appeal to a wide range of ages.

One of the ideas that amused me was writing about Katie's crude and chauvinistic neighbor, Frank. To tell the story, I had to get crude and chauvinistic! No one batted an eye, except for this one scene below--

Long ago, a person told me that these pages was keeping the trade paperback out of a school library. I feel the scene is "PG", but it does have a slightly different vibe than most of my other situations.

So-- as I'm coloring pages for re-release on Comixology, I'm taking the opportunity to change things I feel could be better. This includes minor things. The biggest change, so far, is my rewriting of the above two pages. The joke wasn't great and baby/arrow shirts have disappeared from the public eye over the last decade. This was my chance to George-Lucas them into something different--

It now has a more timeless joke and is a bit more kid friendly. Probably. What do I know? I'm still merely amusing myself. :)

The "Being Frank" story appears in the second issue of H&S. On sale now on Comixology! A bargain at $1.99.

Superman and Batman. Who's better? Let's find out!

For decades, fans have argued who is the better superhero, Superman or Batman. It recently occurred to me that the best way to determine this is to see how they’d fare if one replaced the other on their comic covers. Will one fare better than the other? This should decide once and for all who's superior! I selected six covers and then created six alternative images.

First up, Superman #32. Superman is being hit by multiple lightning bolts--

--while Batman is screaming multiple obscenities. Winner, Superman.

Next, Action Comics #357, featuring kids with kryptonite. Looks like Superman is in loads of trouble--

--Batman, not so much. Punk kids. Winner, Batman.

Let's look at a fairly famous cover, Batman #497, where Bane broke Batman's back--

I always thought this Batman cover should have had a sound effect on it. Otherwise, it merely looks like a visit to the chiropractor. Regardless-- Winner, Superman.

Next, Detective Comics #583. Batman is cooler when he's surrounded by bats!

Superman is not cooler when surrounded by supers. Winner, Batman.

Two wins for Superman. Two wins for Batman. It's a close race! Let's take a look at a cover that has both heroes on it, World's Finest #54--

Now, let’s replace Batman with Superman and Superman with Batman.

It appears they are both equally as awesome! Suck it, Robin. Tie!

Lastly, Detective Comics Vol. 2 #37, the deciding image! Batman lives in a mansion and has a butler--

Winner, Batman!

My work now on Comixology!

I know many of you visit my blog to see my animated covers, my parodies, or possibly even Cross Panel Comics. If you enjoy any of these things, you should know that I've used exactly the same brain to create my Halo and Sprocket comics. Issue #1 is now on Comixology! Click here!

The original books were in black & white. I've taken this opportunity to not only color my pages but also fix a few things that have bothered since their original release. You can see a three page preview on Comixology. Not to be outdone, I've included three different pages here on my blog! Click to enlarge.

For a mere $1.99 you can buy my love. And, if you like what you see, please give the book a good rating. It will help others discover it too!

Web Comics!

I have several friends who are currently creating web comics. I wanted to take a break from my own work and share some of theirs!

Wicked Crispy, by Chris Grine
Whoa! In this on-going series, a parody of Skeletor has really let himself go! It's whimsy and offensiveness all wrapped up in one tasty package! Click here to visit the site!

Fowl Language, by Brian Gordon
Welcome to geek culture and the joys varied experiences of raising young children. All with cursing! It's one gag per strip and Brian never lets me down. Click here to visit the site!

Justin Zane, by Steve Lightle
Steve has been a well-known name in comics since the 80's. For my money, he's currently doing some of the best art of his career! In this on-going sci-fi series, he explores a very concept-rich, futuristic universe. Click here to visit the site!

The Blabbing Baboon, by Richard Marcej
It's Rich's daily cartoon diary! It's a strip about life, both the good and the bad, going strong after five consecutive years. I never miss reading it on Facebook. You can visit his official site by clicking here!

Hope you find something you enjoy. :)

Cross Panels Comics #9 (with GIF!)

For a longer explanation of Cross Panel Comics, click here.

I'm sometimes asked for more explanation of the process in creating these. Okay. We start with a grid and take turns drawing a strip which must intersect with an existing strip. It's like Words With Friends only with comic panels. Here's a GIF that demonstrates the order in which we created this latest comic. The strips I wrote & drew are in blue. Martin's work is in green. We spent less than 2 hours making this. (Not counting my later digital inking, since we draw in pencil.)

Try it! It's hard and fun! To see all our Cross Panel Comics, click here!

Cross Panel Comics #8

Wow, it's been a while since my son and I created one of these. It's a game we play that's a mix of improv, scrabble, and comic creation. We do it in pencil and then I ink it for better readability. For a longer explanation of Cross Panel Comics, click here.

Martin begin this one with the strip starting with, "I'm still not sure about this." Click to enlarge...

 

We do it to amuse ourselves, but they're always fun to share! To see all our Cross Panel Comics, click here!

Page 99

I've been slowly drawing a graphic novel. It contains the same type of humor that's seen in my parody strips. I've made it to page 100! Only fifty-some pages to go. Here's page 99!

I'll figure out my publishing plans when I'm closer to finished. I hate to junk up the creative process with business stuff. :)

Animated Comic Cover-- Batman Inc!

It's been awhile since I've created an animated comic cover. I recently came across Batman Incorporated #13, drawn by Chris Burnham, and HAD to animate it.

 I had to!

Bullet Bouncing

I drew this because it makes my wife laugh.