C.M.Butzer Comics & Illustration

Happy Holidays and New Year

2011-12-26T17:37:00.001-08:00

Another one down, another to go, unless that is the much hyped apocalypse finally happens- but I'll continue drawing in the meantime.

Cheers!

Pumagility Commercial I Storyboarded is out

2011-12-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

I storyboarded the shooting boards for this Puma commercial earlier this for First Ave. Machine. It was a blast to draw and it was a lot boards but it turned pretty awesome. Aside of that I had a great time at Brooklyn Comics and Graphic Arts Festival and am working on new stuff for Stumptown next! Below are some the frames I drew for this commercial. I'll be posting the rest in my storyboard section of my site later this month

I'm Back and I'm going to be at the BCGA this weekend!

2011-11-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

I didn't really go anywhere. I've just been busy- which is a lame excuse for not posting anything in over a month. But I have been! All sorts of writing and research and research and teaching "Creating Independent Comics" at SVA and some drawing of storyboards and more research- did I mention research? Yeah- My next big book project is about the 1964 Civil Rights Act and as with any with any non-fiction project that I do- I have to do my best attempt at covering all the bases- I've set a deadline of the January first for the first draft and I'm determined to hit it!

In other news I- with Rabid Rabbit will be a the Brooklyn Comics & Graphic Arts Festival this Saturday! it'd be awesome to see you there! It's FREE! no reason not to go now!

Pete's Mini Zinefest rescheduled

2011-09-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

I hope none you of you out there show up to the event last Sunday cause it was cancelled due to what was supposed be bad weather but turned out pretty nice. With that said it has been rescheduled for October 1st and Paul Hoppe & I will be there selling Rabid Rabbits and our own stuff.

Pete's Mini-Zine Fest

10/1/11- 2-7pm

Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 302-3770 ‎

The image is from my sketchbook comic "fight, Fight, FIGHT!" which will be debuting at the Brooklyn Comics & Graphic Arts Festival

September WEEKEND of DOOM!

2011-09-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

I'm going be running the gambit this September weekend so if you're around come by and say helloo!

•1st on Friday the 23rd there is an art show to benefit the Fowler Arts Collective celebrating an entire year in existence- Rabbit Co-Founders C.M.Butzer & Paul Hoppe share a studio there with regular contributor Aya Kakeda as well as Tory Sica. They belong to the collective and will be selling original works at the show. So drop by and help a good thing stay that way! There be drinks and a raffle and tons of cool work.

Fowler Year One

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23RD, 2011 FROM 6 TO 9PM

67 West Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11222. located between Greenpoint Ave. and Noble St., two blocks from the Greenpoint Ave G train stop on the waterfront.

(the original of the piece above will be sale at the show)

•SUNDAY the 25th of September. Paul Hoppe & C.M.Butzer will be at Pete's Candystore for the bi-annual ZineFest pushing their mini-comics and Rabbits. There will over 20 writers, artist, and ne'er putting everything on display! Come by and have a refreshing adult beverage with us and support the Rabbit!

Pete's Mini-Zine Fest

9/25/11- 2-7pm

Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 302-3770 ‎

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Festing

2011-08-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'll be at a couple of comic and zine fest's this fall in Brooklyn so get out the calendar and mark it all up with these events.

First, Paul Hoppe and I will be at Pete's Candy store for "Pete's Zine Fest" We'll be there hawking Rabid Rabbit's and our very own mini's and comics (Pete's is different kind of candy store in that they sell liquid candy that is ripe with hops and alcohol)

Sunday, September 25th. Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lormier St. in Brooklyn.

Second- We were very lucky in that we were again selected to participate in this years Brooklyn Comics and Graphic Arts Festival! If you were there last year then you know know it was spectacular and it's free admission!

Brooklyn Comics and Graphic Arts Festival!

December 3, 2011 12- 9 pm
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
275 North 8th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

So come and join us we'll be selling Rabid Rabbits and all sorts of good comic stuff

Open Studios!

2011-06-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

I'll be participating in the Northside Open Studios events from Friday June 17th through the weekend until the 19th. I'll be there with Paul Hoppe and Aya Kakeda, who I share a studio with at the Fowler Art Collective and we'll be at the reception celebrating the launch of Northside Open Studios on Friday, June 17 from 7-11pm. It'll be open on the weekend too, but sadly I will not be there but Paul or Aya will be- so if you want to check out our space it'll be there during the day Sat. + Sun., June 18 + 19 from 12-6pm. They’ll be there sharing and selling their and as many Rabid Rabbits as they can!

There’ll be a ton of other artists there as well doing everything from video art to silk screens- come check it out!

They’re located in the awesome Greenpoint Terminal Building!

Fowler Arts Collective, 67 West Street, #216, Brooklyn, NY 11222

on top is page from my upcoming "fight! fight! FIGHT!" book

HTC sensation commercial that I storyboarded is out!

2011-06-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

HTC Sensation - Reveal (directors cut) from Roman Ruetten on Vimeo.

I storyboarded this add for HTC not too long ago for First Ave Machine- I had a great time doing it with all the crazy morphing and liquid metal effects. Below are few samples of my boards from this commercial. both colors and pencils to give you an idea of the translation. here's the link to the credits of everyone who worked on it.

Dear Japan Donation

2011-05-25T13:02:00.001-07:00

I'm donating this piece to a show that will benefit Japan earthquake relief. I'll be one of 170 both renowned and emerging artists from New York and International countries who have agreed to participate in the “dear Japan” project.

The art works will be sold at the one night benefit party held at Art Connects New York (ACNY) in the SOHO gallery on June 4th, 2011. A website will be created after the exhibit which will post the messages from those artists directly to Japanese people.

check out the their site for more info: http://dearjapanny.wordpress.com/

cool beans

Whew, Just got back From Stumptown!

2011-04-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Quick note- I had a fantastic time at Stumptown Comics festival in PDX with Paul Hoppe, Tory Sica, Megan Cain, and of course my brother Scott and his girlfriend Sina. Now Back to work!

One last thing- Really tiny chainsaw or...

Awesome time at MoCCA 2011 and the Bergen Party

2011-04-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I had a great time last weekend starting at the exceptional pre-MoCCA party for Rabid Rabbit and C'est Bon at Bergen Street Comics. Tom and Amy have a great comic shop and were fun and generous hosts of the book release and original art show. Then came MoCCA fest- good times all around! talked to tons of amazing people sold a lot of books. Next weekend Paul Hoppe and Myself will be representing Rabid Rabbit at the Stumptown Comic Festival in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Can't wait!

That's myeslf and S.Y.Choi at the Rabbit Table

Rabid Rabbit at Bergen Street Comics!

2011-04-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

I did this illustration as a promotional piece for our upcoming show and release at Bergen Street Comics- Which if you can you should come. It'll be great pre-MoCCA Festival 2011 FUN! I wasn't quite done in time to get cards printed, but I liked the piece so much I took it to finish. The original line art will be on display at Bergen! Hope to see you there.

Rabid Rabbit#13 C'est Bon Kultur #14 Release Party!

2011-03-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

And so much more- almost too much to handle! There's the Rabid Rabbit/C'est Bon pre-MoCCA release and original art show at Bergen Street Comics. This is going to be an awesome international comic art show! We've got the pre-mocca release and shindig with comic artists from all over the world including, humbly, myself. We'll be signing books and having good fun presenting the latest issue of Rabid Rabbit its first collaboration in an awesome flip-book with C'est Bon Kultur.

It will be awesome, you should come.

Friday, April 8th 2011 8-11pm

Bergen Street Comics
470 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY

Facebook event link

I will also be attending the MoCCA Festival and the Stumptown Festival in PDX. Stay Tuned here!

RR13 is a go.

2011-02-27T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a panel from Rabid Rabbit 13 "SQUARE ONE" our collaboration issue with C'est Bon Kultur. We'll be debuting this issue at this years MOCCA Festival. It's going to be an amazing DOUBLE feature Flip book like you've never seen likes of before!

Scandinavians+rabbits=comic awesomeness

Tattoo designed and inked.

2011-02-11T14:31:00.000-08:00

I was contacted recently to turn my illustrated blog title bar into a tattoo. I was pretty excited at the prospect of creating a tattoo and also revisiting that image again. Well, I tried to go all out on this one improving upon the original image- but you can be the judge for yourself.

Zombies of all sorts

2011-02-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed both "The Walking Dead" show and comics, enough so to create this illustration. It was good fun.

In other news we've started Rabid Rabbit #13. It's going to be a collaboration with the swedish anthology- C'est Bon Kultur in which we'll create a flip book- i.e. flip it over and it's the cover of Rabid Rabbit, flip it over again and it's C'est Bon. I think this is going to be pretty sweet so stay tuned to Rabid Rabbit.

Also, I'll be starting a new graphic novel soon- another american history book. I fill in more details as I can.

Seasons Greeting

2010-12-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays everyone! Have great end of the year with whatever you celebrate or just enjoy a lone red fox on a snowy evening!

New Studio

2010-12-19T15:09:00.000-08:00

I've just started moving into a new studio space! Here's a few pic's I snapped as you can see it's just starting to come together. I'll be sharing the space with famed illustrator and Rabid Rabbit co-founder Paul Hoppe. He'll be filling the empty part space when he gets back from his holiday. The space is part of the Fowler Arts Collective which holds all sorts of happenings and whatnots which of course I'll post here. That desk in the photo is massive- bigger than any desk I've ever had before- on that note it is also insanely heavy and from New Jersey (Thanks Corey for the help!) and at some point might justify a comic story about how much I didn't know that I would hate the Lincoln Tunnel.

Comics & Graphic Novel Festival is Tomorrow

2010-12-03T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Comics & Graphic Arts fest is tomorrow and I and Team Rabbit are mucho excited- mucho. Last year, in spite of terrible weather was fantastic and expect nothing less of this year-even better cause Rabid Rabbit will be there debuting our latest anthology endeavor- "Rabid Rabbit goes to HELL"

This a page from my contribution to the new issue

Moby Dick

2010-11-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a illustration I've done depicting the great white whale and ol'ahab

Comics and Graphic Novel Fest

2010-11-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

I'll be at the Comics and Graphic Novel Festival at the Rabid Rabbit Table hawking our spankin' new Rabid Rabbit #12 "Rabid Rabbit goes to hell"! It's our biggest and best book to date- With an awesome cover by Nathan Fox. So if you happen to be in Williamsburg please stop on by and say hi to us.

Did I mention it's FREE!

here's the lowdown:

When- Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 12:00 – 9:00 pm

Where- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 275 North 8th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

The illustration is my depiction of the "Baba Yaga" for time kids

INK PLOTS comic art exhibition

2010-10-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

If you don't have plans tomorrow night you do now. I'm in the INK PLOTS comic art show at the Visual Arts Gallery.

"School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “Ink Plots: The Tradition of the Graphic Novel at SVA,” an exhibition of original drawings, books, prints and animation by over 100 artists. “Ink Plots” traces the development of sequential art over four decades with selections by SVA faculty members and showcases the work of SVA alumni who are pushing the boundaries of the graphic novel today. “Ink Plots” is curated by Marshall Arisman, chair of the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department, and Thomas Woodruff, chair of the BFA Illustration and Cartooning Department."

There a scores of Rabid Rabbit contributors along with me so it should be good fun for all.

These pages are from the very first Rabid Rabbit "The night of the Rabid Rabbit". If you actually have a copy of that issue you have a rare thing indeed

Rabid Rabbit will be attending the Comics & Graphic Arts Festival

2010-10-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hey a quick note- Rabid Rabbit will be attending the Comics & Graphic Arts Festival in Williamsburg! If it was half as good as last years event then it will be good fun with some amazing comics! So save the date! December 4, 2010

This comic is the color version of my contribution to RR #8 the white album

I'm Back!

2010-09-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

This last summer and early fall was a about busy as it could get, but that's no excuse for not posting here especially since I've drawn some pretty cool things during this time and I've started teaching a new class at the School of Visual Arts entitled "Creating Independent Comics". The class and students has been amazing! I'll be keep you updated on some of the extraordinary things happening in that class. These pages here are from a mini-comic I'm working on that will collect my non-fiction work.

On another note- A new Rabid Rabbit is at the printers! It's called "Rabid Rabbit Goes to Hell" stay tuned here for updates!

Out there- go get 'em Spaceman

2010-07-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's a space man- he's highly anticipating the next Rabid Rabbit which is in the works.

Time for Dessert!

2010-07-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

a tasty illustration for all to enjoy.

I'm Back

2010-07-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yes. It has been a while since I've posted last. Not for the lack of want but of time. I moved and if you have ever moved then you know that where yes- distance is a compounding factor (I didn't move far, still in NYC, still in Brooklyn, still in Greenpoint), overall, just moving itself can really suck. and it did. But now I live amongst recently packed boxes that need to be unpacked. My studio is all boxed and since it took the longest to pack I fear it will be a struggle to unpack. I vow to update more regular and all.

Covered!

2010-06-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Heres my submission to the excellent "Covered" blog. A great blog featuring new renditions/"covers" of comicbook covers that is lovingly administered by Robert Goodin. I had blast drawing GOOM and am tempted to follow up with the "Son of GOOM!"

Some Doughboys

2010-06-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some World War One British soldiers I illustrated.

MANTIS!

2010-05-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like a mantis drawing? that is rhetorical.

super heroed

2010-05-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Introducing the manically, maniacal, majestically manly- THE MANHANDLER. silliness ensues

and breath

2010-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Yow, I'm now slowly recovering from what was a really long run that started way back at the Rabid Rabbit release and original art show that was on the March 27th at Bergen Street comics (The show is still up but in it's final weeks so check it out! Info HERE) that was quickly followed by the MoCCA Festival which was followed by and unpronounceable volcano stranding my swedish friends in NYC which was then followed by the Stumptown Festival which was great- simply great- Now I'm back at work storyboarding and decompressing from a crazy schedule-

Here- enjoy some tiger drawings I did for Time for Kids awhile ago!

the Stumptown cometh

2010-04-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a tornado, actually in this case a volcano, not just any volcano. an unpronounceable icelandic volcano- it really is unpronounceable- "Eyjafjallajökull" which has stranded numerous scandanavian cartoonists in NYC and a few in my apartment. I happy to have them and this years MoCCA will easily be remembered for years to come. But as it is, the stumptown comicsfest has appeared on the horizon and I will be there as an agent of Rabid Rabbit- so I've got bags to pack and comics to ship. If you're in PDX you really must stop by! If you're not you should be 'cause Portland's a really lovely town.

Stumptown Comics Fest

•April 24-25th
•10am-6pm
•Doubletree Hotel
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, OR 97232

Here's a page from Pow #3 that I've been working on

Amazing time at MoCCA

2010-04-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

I had a great time this year at MoCCA, in fact I think this year might be my favorite. I met a ton of cool people and got to see some old friends and Rabid Rabbit contributors that I haven't seen a while. I want to give a shout out to the Swedes and the Swedish Anthology C'est Bon in which a collaboration is in the works! Next up for me in two weeks- STUMPTOWN!

MoCCA Comic festival

2010-04-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again.MoCCA comic festival- except it's about three months earlier than it should be and it's back in the Armory- two things that I'm none to thrilled about. But aside of those distressing facts, MoCCA is always a good time and chock full of amazing stuff. So as per usual, I'll be there representing at the Rabid Rabbit (D23). Stop on by and say Hi

This is my cover design for the sequel to Pow

April Fool?

2010-04-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

April 1st- MoCCA and Stumptown comic festivals are right around the corner!

What a Party...

2010-03-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Rabid Rabbit #11 release party and Original Art Show was amazing- Incredible! It was an good fun for all and I want to thank everyone who showed up and made it such a massive success. A very special thank you to Tom and Amy of Bergen Street Comics for making this possible! It was so crowded that if you barely see the show it will be up for the next month and if you didn't make it last night drop by and pick up the new issue and check out the amazing work on the walls

Show Tonight

2010-03-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

So last night we hung the Rabid Rabbit Show at Bergen Street comics and frankly it looks great- better than great GREATASTIC. The show is tonight at 8pm so if your on the eastern seaboard I expect to see you there because along too many other amazing pieces this one- the centerspread from Rabid Rabbit's Horror issue will be on display!

Red Fox and busy busy me

2010-03-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I've not been posting as much as I'd like partially because I don't like to post without an image to go along with it. I have been super busy with preparing for the Rabid Rabbit #11 Release Party and Original Art Show and the very quickly upcoming MoCCA and Stumptown Festivals, both of which I will be attending. I will also be in the stumptown comic art exhibtion in which I'll update here with the details. This red fox comic is the first page to the second Supertalk anthology which will be released at Mocca.

Rabid Rabbit Release Party and Original Art Show

2010-03-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hold the presses and drop everything- If you have plans on the 27th of this month cancel them 'cause this is so much better. On the 27th of March of 2010- Rabid Rabbit will release it's 11th issue and cap that with an Original Art show at Bergen Street Comics at 8pm. It will be awesome.

This is the poster for the Show illustrated by Paul Hoppe and typedesign done by yours truly.

I'll see you all at the show.

StoryBOARDin'

2010-03-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Yikes. I've been on the busy side as of late. I've been storyboarding like a mad man, in fact I did the storyboards for this Stride Commercial. Contractually I have to wait a year before I can show the my storyboards, But it's always a little cool and dumbfounding to see what you had drawn brought to life. I dug these drawing these boards and if you watch the commercial then it'd come as no surprise I never thought this would ever actually be made into a commercial.

I did these boards last October- so check back here next October and I'll do a back and forth comparison

Sqiddle

2010-02-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

squid. squid. go! another drawing reflecting my keen interest/obsession with skeletonless animalia. I also recently wrote a response review for the supertalk blog to a terrible review Asterios Polyp (which, if you haven't you really should read) you may check that out here.

Vulpe Vulpe

2010-02-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

who doesn't like a Red Fox drawing?

Zombie Cat Remix

2010-01-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

If you ever picked up the mini-comic I did for Zombie Cat then you'd recognize these panels that have been lovingly frankensteined into a one page comic. Aside of that I'm brushing up that script and doing new sample pages, but storyboarding keeps getting in the way!

RABID RABBIT's TALL TALES

2010-01-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

and Magnanimous Myths will soon be out there for all to enjoy and hopefully buy! Enjoy this excellent cover by Ben X. Trinh! This is our eleventh and most diverse magazine to date! Stay tuned for more details!

Blue Crab

2010-01-22T14:37:00.001-08:00

need there be an explanation for it?

No News is Good News but this is Good News

2010-01-20T12:26:00.001-08:00

First thing first- The American Library Association has posted it's best picks for 2010 and guess who tops the list for non-fiction? Okay okay, it's in alphabetical order but Gettysburg is amongst some amazing titles and I'm very fortunate. You can see it all right HERE! Aside of that a young Italian graphic designer- Lorenzo Fortunati of Piacenza wrote me kindly asking if he could use the drawing from this post for a the poster that you see here. Pretty damn cool though I haven't the faintest idea what italian ritard punk rock is.

Matthew Brady Sketch

2010-01-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

This is a sketch of the Civil war era Photographer Matthew Brady and the type daguerreotype Camera that they used during the period. Brady was one of the most famous photographers of his timed a was early pioneer into photographic journalism.

AHOY! AHOY! with your first mate Crabby O'Malley

2010-01-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Exquisite Corpse

2010-01-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

A very cool collaboration with Anuj Shrestha, Tory Sica, and Myself. Super fun time!

NEW YEAR SQUID

2010-01-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, Calamari. It is a NEW YEAR with all sorts of new things to do- I'll continue to make comic and drawings and I will be attending the MoCCA Festival here in NYC and Stumptown in PDX (A week apart this year). There will of course be New Rabid Rabbits and all the good fun that goes with that. So stay tuned and all the best in 2010- it can only be better than the last decade

New Years Eve!

2009-12-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I think I'm only too ready kiss the last decade goodbye and good riddance- Sure, personally a lot of amazing things happened to me for which I can only consider myself very fortunate and grateful. Beyond that and aside of a too few good points, the last decade demonstrated a rapidly shrinking world scares those who rely on fear and ignorance for power and drives them to anger and violence to maintain that power.

Let's hope the next ten years are a whole lot better- Here's a preview of my contribution to the next Rabid Rabbit. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-15T11:49:00.001-08:00

Okay it's been nearly a month since my last post of any sort- I've been busy to say the least. We're getting the new Rabbit almost together and out. I've been featured in the new comic anthology "Supertalk" and I'm working on the scripts and sample pages for Zombie Cat and Tubman. On top of that been busy-story boarding away. So, Hopefully, crossing my fingers- I'll be back with more regular posts.

Enjoy my very first Zombie Cat comic way back... in 2005

The Fog of Doom

2009-11-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a short two page comic I did for a new anthology which at the moment is so far nameless- but as soon as it does have a name I'll let you know all about it. This is a continuation of my attempt to create compelling non-fiction comics.

I had a great time at the Brooklyn King Con

2009-11-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

Considering we had no idea what to expect- the Brooklyn King Con was good fun all around for Ben X. Trinh and I as we represented for Rabid Rabbit. It was a bit cosy/wow, that's a tight fit, but once everyone settled in it created a friendly atmosphere.

I sold my last copy of "POW!" the collection of one-page experiments. I may get more printed- but until that point you can get a free- yes FREE pdf of it at the Literate Machine- Click here for the Link.

King Con

2009-11-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be at the Brooklyn King Con this weekend at the Rabid Rabbit Table! So cross the bridge and come to Brooklyn to check us out! Here's the cover of Rabid Rabbit #6 that I did.

Happy Halloween Part 3

2009-10-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hail Completion! Have to admit it was pretty cool see my work blown up to this size! Luckily Everyone but Anuj Shrestha was happy to pose with it! See the previous posts to see the whole process of this coming together!

Happy Halloween Part 2

2009-10-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

The colored version form the previous post-

Happy Halloween Part 1

2009-10-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

So, Halloween is this weekend and at the big'ol ad agency I do storyboards for asked me to something down right fun- They asked me to design a life size movie monster cardboard cutout in which people can stick there heads through and take photos- good fun all around. Here are the inks for that project. I'll update it as I finish things and they print it.

Society of Illustrators

2009-10-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

I had a great time last Thursday at the reception of the Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators. It was cool and rewarding to have a spread from Gettysburg up on the wall next to the work of some incredibly talented illustrators (it was the spread featured above). I didn't have to celebrate alone, Lauren Castillo and Tae Eun Yoo, both Rabid Rabbit illustration contributors and in 2005 grad class at SVA had pieces in the show. Paul Hoppe the co-founder of the Rabid Rabbit was there as arm-candy (no- not for me, but for Ms. Castillo). Not mention many other amazingly talented folks who I got a chance to chat with- including my two editors for Gettysburg- Brenda Bowen and Molly O'neill! It was a great show and is now open to the public so drop on by and check it out!

Crabby Sailors -

2009-10-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ahoy! it be the Sailor Crabby O'Malley. He might or might not be in something I'm brewing partly cause I'm brewing too many things and must pare back a bit so at least a couple of things get finished.

Zombie Cat

2009-10-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

Hey there- The witching hour is approaching and once again during this time of year I've returned to working on Zombie Cat. Here's the inks of the first page- it will eventually be in full living color. The script for the story is finished, now all I need to is wrap up some more sample pages and off it goes... knock on wood

Society of Illustrators- Original Art Show

2009-10-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that a spread from my graphic novel "Gettysburg" was chosen and will be on display at the Soceity of Illustrators Original Art 2009. So if your free and are willing to purchase the tickets I'll humbly be there amongst some of the greatest illustrators out there.

Click HERE for more info on the show

Giants at Sea

2009-10-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

I read an article about Giant Squid and got that irrepressable urge draw one- I hope you all enjoy it.

October 1st- this month will end well

2009-10-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Working up some new sample pages for Zombie Cat and here be a comic I did about brother sad little fat cat- CT. Cheers to having a good October!

End of September

2009-09-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

I like September, I'm sad to see it go. The lovely early fall days, the air becoming brisk and the hints of changes in the trees. I also like wearing light jackets and September is the beginning of light jacket weather. But alas, it is the end. October is nice and it does have Halloween, so there are things to look foward to.

SQUAREBACKED again

2009-09-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

I hope you realize the actual reason I've dedicated so much time to drawing a comic/endless sketches of my old Volkswagen Squareback is to remedy my inability to draw cars well. I, like many comic artists I suspect learned to draw cars from John Buscema's lessons in "How to Draw the Marvel Way". This convinced me that every car was basically a rectangle and I've suffered ever since (yes, there is basic truth to it, but just try it and see how swell your cars turn out). Don't get me wrong though- that book taught me more than a half a dozen public school art teacher combined. So, please extend your patience as I tumble through these drawings!

Growth pattern for the Creature from the Black Lagoon

2009-09-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Yay! hand-painted! watercolored! It's been along time since I've hand painted anything so it was a pleasure to break out the brushes and paint this concept piece for the project Adam Eye and I are collaborating on! What might that be? well, this is only a concept drawing- so I don't want to go into any specific details- cause they'd likely change. but I really enjoyed doing this so I can only hope the project pans out!

Zombie Bartenders!

2009-09-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

I did this image for the Bartender of my local watering hole here in Greenpoint who loved the centerspread that Choi and I did for Rabid Rabbit's Horror issue. Aside of that, it's all storyboard work... endless to the points I draw them in my dreams.

Lightning Roy preview

2009-09-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a preview of the next page of my "Lightning Roy Sullivan" series. The type is only temporary and the finish will being full color like the pages I posted before. I have a few more pages inked, but won't post them until I've colored and lettered them- until then enjoy this preview

presenting the creature from the black lagoon

2009-09-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Yikes, nearly half way through the month and not a new post. But it is September in New York and that means I actually enjoy being outside! So yes, it's sad that there aren't more posts but it it's good I'm outside!

Enjoy this guy. If things work out right there will be more of him.

New good review for Gettysburg!

2009-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Always happy to post a good review for my book Gettysburg! This time from the Reading tub blog! check it out here!

Another beautiful September day in NYC maybe I was just waiting for Fall to kick in!

Gettysburg is Selected by Society of Illustrators

2009-09-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

My book- "Gettysburg" was selected by the hallowed Society of Illustrators for their 2009 Original Art show- "The fine art of Children's book illustration. "The Original Art", an exhibit celebrating the fine art of children's book illustration, is on display at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators from October 22 through November 25, 2009. I am very much pleased and honored that I was selected to participate in this show!

The price for the reception is a bit hefty- so if you can't make that- please stop by later and check it out!

To purchase tickets for the Opening Reception please 212-838-2560
Tickets are $30 and are limited.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Feirtag kate@societyillustrators.org

Squareback part 2.

2009-08-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Another drawing of my old volkswagen squareback. Yes, this is leading to what I think will be a non-fiction comic about a car I once owned. It's already in the works so stay tuned.

nearing the end of a long wet New York Summer

2009-08-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Humph! I'm not sure what to complain about. Normally, at this time of year I would be wallowing in a pool of my own sweat- wondering when the terrible, horrific, unyeilding humidity (I really dislike humidity mixed with heat) would subside and I could just return to my normal cranky self sans-the perspiration. Aside of what was a week high temps, New York had a long wet summer- Which- I have to say is worse- especially when you're from Oregon and they had a spectacularly sunny summer. So- humph!

Oh- we've started put together the next Rabid Rabbit- Tune into this station for more on that later- here's the pencils I did for Issue#5 centerspread- based on a Layout by Paul Hoppe- then inked by S.Y.Choi, and finally colored by Ben X. Trinh-

The Horror!

2009-08-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

This was my contribution to Rabid Rabbit #9. The Horror of Rabid Rabbit. Yes, it's a lot of tiny little panels, which I hoped would draw the reader into the story. not sure if worked, but it was good fun to do!

If you don't know about Rabid Rabbit check out this link!

Drawing Squareback

2009-08-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am not the best when it comes to drawing cars so in a small bit of free time I decided to practice a bit by drawing the second car I owned.

For the birds- a pigeon drawing

2009-08-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

I don't usually "ink" my drawing digitally- in fact, other than retouching hand drawn images- this may be my first digitally inked image. It obviously has it's pros and cons- but I don't think it was any faster than had I just done it by hand- that may just be the need to practice- but nothing beats the lovely textures and touches of hand drawing!

sketchbook funtime

2009-08-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

I've been knee deep in historical research- whether it be for the Tubman book or the Lighting Roy Sullivan story I've been creating and sometimes that backs up the mind into a creative corner that explodes onto the sketchbook page as this silly gentleman.

Lightning Roy Cleveland Sullivan Preview

2009-07-31T13:53:00.000-07:00

As I've had to spend most of my time either a) drawing storyboards or b)writing manuscripts, so my itch to draw "new" comics is driving me bonkers. So I've decided since I haven't the time to write/draw three graphic novels at once(I'm writing two- well one manuscript is finished and at the publishers- made it to the final editor... pray for me!) I'm trying to put together a collection of short comics by next Stumptown. That collection will focused an all time favorite of mine- non-fiction comics. These are the first two pages of one of the longer stories in that collection, the truly strange and sad story of Roy Cleveland Sullivan.

John Brown revisited

2009-07-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I started a comic series based on the life of the pre-American Civil War Abolitionist John Brown. I finished the first chapter and put it together as a comic book so I could see if anyone was interested in publishing it. Well, I had a very good response from everyone I showed it to and the it literally was the source that lead me to writing and drawing "Gettysburg, the Graphic Novel". After Gettysburg I had intended in returning to it and completing another chapter-but- always a but, John Brown was a controversial figure, which some consider a hero and others a terrorist. In other words it is a hard sell, especially for an unknown artist to boot. So I wrote some other things- (which so far so good! keep your fingers crossed for me!) Currently I'm writing a graphic novel on Harriet Tubman- She and Brown were friends and fellow militiant abolitionists. John Brown was an important figure in Tubman's life and she equally in his- He referred to her as "General Tubman". In "Gettysburg" the townsfolk solemnly sing "John Brown's Body" outside of Lincoln's window the night before the address. Brown will be featured in my Tubamn book- eventually he'll appear in enough of my works to warrant his own graphic novel. Until then I'll just keep doing books that feature him. Since I've been writing so much it's been nice to revisit these old pages and massage the art work a bit and sharpen the script- and add some pages here and there. Presented here are the first three pages in which I've added grey tones to. Obviously these pages are not "action-packed" in fact they are a slow opening- I'll add more as I finish them.

American Bob in French Sci-fi

2009-07-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

This is my homage to great Moebius. I had drawn the original my sketchbook and it's gone through many subtle versions before it arrived at it's current state.

The work of David Mazzucchelli

2009-07-16T19:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight I attended a discussion/talk of with comic creator David Mazzucchelli at MoCCA conducted by by Dan Nadel of Picturebox. It's no secret to anyone that I'm a huge fan of Mazzucchelli's work from his early superhero stuff to his most recent book, the incredible- jaw-dropping Asterios Polyp (I cannot recommend strongly enough getting this book). So much was I an enthusiast of his work that I was exceptionally lucky when he agreed to be my graduate thesis advisor at SVA. I was pretty lost in grad school- I had been a professional illustrator for years but really wanted to draw comics but I wasn't sure exactly how to do that (it's the reason I was there). David patiently and expertly guided me as I terribly stumbled both in style and storytelling. I still have much to learn about creating comics- but the the foundations He taught me have made all the difference.

I love creating comics- David has been a direct and important influence on my work.

If you're in New York- or near check out his his show at MOCCA!

ASIAN AMERICAN COMICON

2009-07-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

I'll be attending- though not exhibiting this Saturday at the ASIAN AMERICAN COMICON. I'll be there with my pals and long time Rabid Rabbit collaborators Anuj Shrestha and S.Y.Choi. This is the first "asian" comic fest at least in NYC so I'm curious to say the least- I wonder if my Korean half is more so than my American half- I guess we'll see! There are very limited tickets so if you haven't purchased one yet better hop on it! The comics are from the "the Future of Rabid Rabbit" our sixth issue.

Teaching Nonfiction Graphic Novels- Gettysburg

2009-07-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Gettysburg the Graphic Novel was recently used by Dr. Katie Monnin of the University of North Florida in this article and will be featured in this book "Teaching Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom from Maupin House". Dr. Monnin has done some exceptional work on the methods and practical curriculum of reading and teaching Graphic Novels. So, don't take it from me- check out the article and buy the book when it comes out!

JUNE almost over- good riddance to crappy rainy June

2009-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was crappy June. it rained nearly every stinking day here in New York. It's sad that a month that normally is the best part of New York summer was so... soaked. Now it seems we're being thrown into a hot, humid, and stinky July without a nice June. Damn you Global warming.

Spaceman! drew this up a few days ago in those actual colors- no photoshop foolery there!

SketchBook Mania

2009-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

My sketchbook is a literal mess. I'm always envious when I see another person's sketchbook and it's a pristine collection of drawing fit to be housed at the Met. But then again, I'd miss the random styles and explorations that plague and sprout up in my sketchbooks. I guess if you were to dig up some of my old books, I was more precious with them, but today. The sketchbook is where ideas, frustrations and "gee, I wonder what happens when I draw..," happens. So, If you see my scribbling away in a cafe and ask to see my book- be prepared to see a mess with a few gems hidden inside. Here's some selected pages from my current book. You can almost see some consistency if you haven't seen any of my other work! So we have "kung-fu Money Cat" which, is a tribute to my growing obsession with Maneki Neko. Next we have "process page" that's literally how most of my comics start. Last, but not least- the Swiss-German Dr. Franky and his horrifyingly horrific creation of Franken Kat. oh- for anyone who cares (or doeasn't) I was born today 35 years ago. cheers

work work work

2009-06-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Been exceptionally busy as of late- but wanted to drop a quick post. I've been doing storyboards and comps at the JWT, an Advertising agency with mondo-clientele as Microsoft and Johnson and Johnson(not said too impress you, just to put in scope how fricking ridiculously huge these guys are). The work is light on thought and fun at times, but boy does it eat hours. At the end of the day I just want to crash into the couch as opposed to drawing my own stuff- Well, I'm only freelancing, so it isn't forever. In a rare down moment we drew up this exquiste corpse- to see more of them check out Adam Kidder's Blog.

Gettysburg "Top Ten U.S. History Graphic Novels"

2009-06-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Author Judy Drury has recently informed me that she has chosen "Gettysburg" to featured in her book on the top non-fiction graphic novels for publisher Neal-Schuman. She then told me that she thought it was in the top ten of "U.S. History" graphic novels- with the works by Jason Lutes and James Sturm out there, I consider that a huge compliment! Drury particularly favored this spread!

Long, Great. Often Sweaty sometimes Smelly weekend

2009-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

It all started with the Rabid Rabbit Release Party last Thursday, June 4th. It was a great party and it seemed everyone dug the Rabbit. There was much jubilant cavorting and it was nice to see many of the contributors show up (The photo is from that party- that's Ben X. Trinh).

The Friday I attend the release party for the latest issue of Syncopated in which Rabbit co-founder Paul Hoppe had contributed to at Rocketship comics in Carrol Gardens. That was good fun- but we skipped out early cause I still needed to prepare somethings for MoCCA the next day.

MoCCA 2009- last weekend. It was good and bad. No one in there right mind could argue that the heat was not a major a problem, but on the other hand I sold a ton of Gettysburgs and Rabbits. I also got to converse with a lot of really cool people. I have to say though I'm disappointed that MoCCA has decided to raise the table costs so severely. The reason why this particular festival works so well is small press, self-publishers, and mini-comics. The $400 price tag for a table next year is pushing it- and that's the discounted price! This price makes me wonder how the funds are distributed.

Finally- the Mazzucchelli show- for those who don't know David was my Thesis advisor in Grad School and it was a delight to see his dumbfoundingly amazing work be celebrated so well!

Yay June 1st!

2009-06-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

June is one of my favorite months. aside of being the end of relatively crappy weather (when I was in PDX) and just before even worse weather (steamy stinky humid NYC in August) But it's also the month the MoCCA Festival happens! I'll be there at the Rabid Rabbit Table promoting myself and the new issue of the Rabbit! It's always good fun so I hope to you there- This Thursday June 4th- is the Rabid rabbit Release Party which of course I'll see you there! (more info on that in the previous post)

Rabid Rabbit #10- "RR's Kitty Kitty" Release Party

2009-05-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

Oops we did it again, and for reasons I can't quite explain other than our tendency toward a slight self-loathing. YES! Rabid Rabbit #10 is hot off the PRESS! and we're going to celebrate it by drinking, and drinking and eventually stumbling and probably some singing, badly.

So, Join us- all you need to know is below!

Rabid Rabbit #10
"Rabid Rabbit's Kitty Kitty"
Release Party!
Come and help us kick off our latest issue of the Rabid Rabbit Comic Anthology.
where: Beauty Bar 213 East 14th street (Between 2nd and 3rd Ave.)
when: Thursday June 4th 7-10pm

Super Hero!

2009-05-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

I don't draw super heroes very often- it's not that I have anything against them, I wouldn't be drawing comics at all if it weren't for the super heroes genre! So this is "the Pigeon" a character I've sketched up for my ever expanding story "A Brooklyn Something" if you read that earlier page from the post before- well. the story was supposed to be short and concise- obviously two words I really don't comprehend at all. I won't tell you anything about the noble and triumphant Pigeon- you'll just have to wait for more!

Getting ready for MoCCA

2009-05-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

Drawing, Drawing, etc. I've started a project that I thought I might have finished before MoCCA. When I started it, I envisioned crisp short story, that had a definite ending. I still think it could be that but maybe not so short... here's the first page from it. I still wrestling with whether to color it or not. The story is called "a Brooklyn Something"

In other news- Dr. Katie Monnin, My interviewer from Graphic Novel reporter has a new blog discussing the application of Graphic Novels in education. Check it out here.

Night of the Revolution revisited

2009-05-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

As I'm preparing to attend MoCCA at the beginning of June I was playing around with making a new mini-comic- maybe a sequel to my collection of short comics- "POW!". So while I'm storming for ideas- whether to do something historical or funny or funny historical or not historical or funny at all- you know. different. While I was doing this I figured I might use this to reprint some of my old Rabid Rabbit contributions. I literally blew the dust off the files from the very my very first contribution to Rabid Rabbit- "the Night of the Rabid Rabbit" as you may know- Paul Hoppe and I created Rabid Rabbit way back in 2005. Literally to have something for MoCCA that year. So we conned and guilted a few of our talented friends- Fay Ryu, Sakura Maku, David Sandlin, Anuj Shrestha, and Sam Weber into contributing their time and talent into the creating the very 1st Rabbit- "the Night of the Rabid Rabbit"

The comic was pretty rough so over the last couple of days I went back in and reworked the script and cleaned up drawing and added some tones- back then we hand made the Rabbits so they could only be black and white- so long ago! It was fun comic and I still like it's satirical slant. If you had asked Paul and I that in 2009 that Rabid Rabbit 10- "Rabid Rabbit's Kitty Kitty" will be debuted at MOCCA we would have laugh you out the door, down the street and most likely out of the country. So, Come to the MoCCA festival and give us sympathetic pat on the back.

Stumptown Trade Review

2009-05-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

As I've said before I had a great time at the Stumptown Comics festival in Portland, Oregon. I met so many cool people and got some amazing comics. A couple of days before at the Kennedy School I met an individual named "Tiny". At 6+ feet and wearing a t-shirt that said "I beat anorexia". Tiny, liked the civil war. He had done some Re-enacting and loved history. I signed him a copy of Gettysburg and He said he'd bring his friends who write comic blog by to check it out.

That he did. Brian of the Stumptown Trade Review wrote up what I'd consider an accurate critique of Gettysburg. Cheers to that.

Ho Hum

2009-05-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Writing. Writing. Writing. Drawing. I wish it was the other way around. But my comics don't write themselves (it'd be both creepy and cool if they did and it would make an excellent b-horror movie). I'm currently researching Harriet Tubman and I've started an outline for a graphic novel about her. I'm also getting ready for MoCCA- I'd like to have a new mini ready for it- we'll see

Rabid Rabbit 10 soon to be off to press

2009-05-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

We keep doing it. Against our better judgment and the concerns of Adam Eye- We gone and put together another Rabid Rabbit. Rabid Rabbit's Kitty Kitty, our tenth issue will be debuted at the 2009 MoCCA Festival. At eighty pages it'll clock in as our heftiest book to date. It's a comic book dedicated to cats, so really you'll either love it or hate it- That's my 1st page there.

Graphic Novel Reporter interview and stumptown

2009-04-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ohh, man. I'm tired in too many ways to describe. I just got back from Portland, OR after attending a great Stumptown comicsfest. It was a truly good time and cheers to everyone I met there-

On another note my interview with Dr. Katie Monnin about Graphic Novels is now up at the Graphic Novel Reporter. It was good fun and she asked some great questions so Check that out! Dr. Katie Monnin is an assistant professor of literacy at the University of North Florida.

Graphic Novels in the Classroom

2009-04-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was asked by Dr. Katie Monnin, a professor of Literacy at the University of North Florida recently for my thoughts on comic/graphic novels and there growing presence in the world of education. Below is some of what I wrote her- It's an overview so I don't explore some of the historical aspects completely.

When considering Graphic Novels and comics and their place within classroom, one must first examine the initial prejudice that is often associated with them.

Since the 1950’s comics have been categorized as lowbrow children’s reading material. This was greatly propagated by Dr. Frederic Wertham who 1954 published the popular The Seduction of Innocence. This book argued that comics encourage juvenile delinquency and should be regulated by the government. It’s the same argument that haunts every generation whether it be video games or rap music, some form of media is corrupting our kids (so we’re not responsible for their bad behavior). The major comics publishers of the day were dragged to a public hearing before congress. Although no federal laws were passed the industry adopted a voluntary “comics code” to regulate themselves. This code strictly established restrictions that determined that comics were for children only. The code decimated the industry putting any publisher who did not adhere to its standards nearly out of business. What was once a broad and growing industry was now reduced to limited selection of genre’s and an audience below twelve.
This view is slowly changing with American audiences and can be partially attributed to the rise of graphic novels and manga. But for many this prejudice still exists and hinders the use of graphic novels and comics within the classroom. Comics must be considered equal to other forms of literature within the classroom. Only then can they start to be taught to the fullest potential.

The term Graphic Novel was adopted by comic creators to counter this very prejudice. The term was made popular in 1978 by Will Eisner when he used it on the paperback edition of his book “A Contract with God”. Eisner used the term to separate his book from comic books, which were regarded as cheap children’s reading material.

At this point many within the educational field only see comics as a “gateway” to literacy. Where it is true that comics can help struggling readers. We shouldn’t forget that they are not just a tool towards literacy, but its own form of literacy. As a unique form of literacy students must learn to read comics and in many cases adults need to relearn how to read comics. An excellent example of this is the introduction of Manga (Japanese comics) in the original format. Up until recently Manga has been translated and reformatted for western audiences. The current trend is to publish the comics translated but in its original Japanese format of being read right to left (this is harder than it sounds and must be learned). With the understanding that comics is a unique form literature I think teachers will find them as dynamic as any other form. But if teachers think of comics simply as a tool and not as literature then I think they may have trouble using comics successfully in the classroom.

Once we overcome this prejudice then comics, manga, and graphic novels can be used as any other form of media with the classroom.