D'oh! - USPS the Simpsons

2012.08.22 - Stuck with the Simpsons

The Star Ledger (NJ)

In a article by Angela Greiling Keane, it was mentioned that the USPS wasted $1.2 million in printing costs for the Simpsons stamps. The over-production resulted from the USPS projection that the stamp buying public would welcome the commemorative stamp.  1 billion stamps were produced, while 318 million were sold. The Simpsons stamp were available from 2009-2010 and feature individual stamps of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

Currently the top selling stamps are the 1993 Elvis Presley and the 1995 Marilyn Monroe issues. The 1997 Bugs Bunny series and the 2010 Animal shelter pets both sold out and had to be re-printed.

Personally as a collector I found the stamps very unattractive. I think if the designs were better, a family image or a scene from the series, the stamps may have been better received by the stamp buying public...

Neal Adams - Green Lantern

2012.08.04 The Great Allentown Comic Con! (Pa)

Neal Adams is known for helping to create images of several well-known DC Comics characters: Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Deadman...

Adams broke into the comics industry with Archie Comics providing some pages for The Fly, 1960. this led to work drawing backgrounds for the Bat Masterson newspaper comic strip with Howard Nostrand. After some freelance work in advertising, Adams was invited to draw samples for the newspaper comic strip Ben Casey in 1962...

At Warren Publishing, Adams' provided work with Archie Goodwin for "Curse of the Vampire", Creepy 1967. Adams' debut with DC came in 1967 on the anthology was series "Our Army at War". Adams would finally contribute to the Superhero comics with an Action Comics cover, featuring Superman, followed by Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane, Detective Comics, The Brave and the Bold, World's Finest Comics...

In 1969, while still freelancing for DC, Adams began working for Marvel Comics drawing for X-Men and horror anthologies...

The stamp commemorating DC Comics' Green Lantern, issued in 2006, comes from the Green Lantern-Green Arrow #76 cover, April 1970, featuring Adams' artwork. It was this issue that revamped the characters of the Green Lantern and Green Arrow. Adams and Dennis O'Neil brought together two very different heroes and took their story through social issues as well as the typical superhero adventure...

Adams would go on to illustrate - Tarzan, Megalith, Bucky O'Hare, Ms. Mystic, the Spectre, JLA, Teen Titans, Elongated Man, Avengers, Conan the Barbarian, Thor, Batman and Robin, Vampirella, and many others.

Adams was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame 1998 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame 1999, voted Favorite Comic Book artist 1977, 1978, Inkpot Award 1977...

It was a pleasure spending a few minutes with Neal Adams, a delightful man and excellent artist...we all know bow ties are cool, but Adam's was wearing a Joker tie, also cool...

Terry Naughton - King Triton

2012.08.04 The Great Allentown Comic Con! (Pa)
King Triton pencil sketch

Terry Naughton can handle many different styles in a variety of media. He worked for Walt Disney Feature Animation for 17 years as an animation assistant and storyboard artist. He worked on all the recent classics such as The Little Mermaid (King Triton), Beauty and the Beast (the Beast) and Aladdin (the Genie) to name only a few. Terry has also created the last ten U.S.C. football posters and various work for the N.F.L. Terry illustrates book covers and helps create and illustrate children's books. Terry is currently working on the "Abyss Walker Series" by Author Shane Moore...

I am still a kid at heart and I enjoy Disney movies, so it was a thrill to meet Terry, HE WORKED FOR DISNEY!

When I saw Terry's name on the guest list for the Allentown show getting a sketch was a must. Obviously my choices would be the Beast (from Beauty and the Beast) or King Triton. Matt made the decision as he said Triton was cooler. The  Little Mermaid was released in 1989, based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, utilizing the traditional hand drawn method of animation. Mermaid was the last feature film to use traditional hand-paintd cels for animation. Personally I think CGI is great for some animation, but good hand drawn is still the best... Terry's Triton is awesome, and I like the way Triton is looking at Nemo, as if wondering what type of trouble will this one get into!?

Finding Nemo was a Disney computer-animated film release in 2003, voted the 10th greatest animated film by the American Film Institute in 2008. The stamp was released by the USPS as part of their Mail a Smile campaign, released with other Disney-Pixar based stamps (A Bugs Life, Incredibles, Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.)

In 2003 we had taken a family vacation to Disney World, Orlando. part of the park featured a Disney-MGM studios, complete with tours that featured Disney animation. One part of the tour featured a Disney animator who explained the animation process while he was drawing. His drawing was projected overhead for all of the guests to see. It was an excellent demonstration and learning process. As the group moved on, Matt and I hung back. I had brought a small journal to document our trip to the park. I asked the artist if he could provide us with a drawing. The animator was most pleasant and did not hesitate. He discussed art with us, while encouraging Matt to continue his drawing. He even gave Matt some of his pencils, to encourage his drawing, he could not have been nicer. He provided the above sketch of Koda from Brother Bear. I had quickly written down his name as Issac, but I don't have his last name. He also did some work at the time on Treasure Planet...
Update: after a little more research I believe the artist to be Isacc V Cropp III (IVCIII)
2012.08.14

Terry and I had a great conversation on working at Disney and we shared our stories, his about hearing from some grateful fans, he still carries the letter which he let me read. It was very touching, and as he said "that is what it is all about"...reaching people and knowing they enjoy his work...

Sean Chen - Iron Man

2012.03.31 NY Comic Book Marketplace, NYC

Sean Chen, started his career after being discovered by Barry Windsor-Smith. His first job was for Valiant Comics, penciling X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, harbinger and Rai and the Future Force...

Moving to Marvel, Chen drew Ironman for over three years, along with Wolverine, Elektra, Nova and The X-Men: Then End. While working on Wolverine he was listed as one of Wizard: Guide to the Comics' Top Ten artists...

Chen is expanding his talents by working on designing furniture, kitchens and designer toys and figurines...

Henrik Jonsson - The Joker

2012.05.05 The Joker - Dewey's Comic City, Madison, NJ

Since I have started building my collection of sketched covers over the past few years, I have been making the effort to attend Free Comic Book Day at Dewey's.  Besides the free comics, there are usually guest artists providing sketches. Dewey's manages to get 3rd year students from the Kubert School in Dover, NJ. these up and coming young artist are a joy to watch as they work before a crowd of fans, probably for the first time...

This year Henrik Jonsson was on hand. Continuing with my Joker's theme, last year provided by Nick Justus and Gavin Smith, Henrik drew a very sinister looking Joker. Excellent...

Jesus Marquez - The Rocketeer

2012.06.23 Superheroes for Hospice, Livingston, NJ

After listening to a lecture on creative comics writing by writer Alex Simmons, where he asked the attendees to pick a hero and develop an out of character synopsis, I had picked the Rocketeer, I came upon Marquez. My first questions was "Can you draw the Rocketeer?" His response "I can give it a shot." Good enough for me...

Marquez draws a comic book called Live by the Sword (killin' zombies for God!). He has also worked along side Joe Endres on Megazeen #4, Megazeen #7 and Megaunity and the Megazeen Convention Special. 

Marquez's blog lists his profile as sequential assassin, wanna-be luchador and all around good guy...and features some excellent art... Marquez was interviewed on Positively Popular as artist of the week...

I like the drawing Marquez did on the Charles Lindbergh FDC. Lindbergh was the first man to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean solo in 1927. He was obviously a hero to Cliff Secord...

Alex Simmons signature -  2012.06.23 Superheroes for Hospice, Livingston, NJ

Simmons was one of the speakers for the Hospice Get into Comics lecture series, "From Batman to Scooby Doo: Imaging Your Idols". Besides hearing his lecture, Matt and I were able to spent a great deal of time speaking with Simmons and Paul Castiglia (Archie Comics), on topics of movies, comics, education. It was a pleasure to listen to his lecture as well as being able to spend a little time with this gracious individual...and we made it to the train on time!

Simmons has written comic books for Archie Comics - a four arc series featuring Chuck Clayton, DC Comics Scooby Do, Disney movie adaptations for Lion King, educational documentaries, biographies, stage plays including Sherlock Holmes & the Hands of Othello, which received critical praise and was published in black Thunder: Anthology of Contemporary African American Drama, Signet/Mentor Books. Simmons travels as a speaker, conducting workshops on creative writing.

Simmons serves as the Arts in Education Director for the Children's Art Carnival (NYC), sits on the board of the NY State Alliance for Arts and Education, is affiliated with the Museum of Comic & Cartoon art, is a member of the NY Writer's Workshop and is involved with Kids' Comic Con...

Joe Endres - Colossians

 2012.06.23 Superheroes for Hospice, Livingston, NJ

Joe Endres has been writing and drawing comics since he was 6. His first published work was Cross Press Comics #1, a collaboration with Joseph Crossett and served as webmaster, associate editor and recruiter for the Megazeen...

Endres' latest work involves the comic Colossians, which feature a trio of Foxx, a character he created  when he was 10, and has finally found a home with the Colossians. Jason "Savage" Foster, an unlikely hero who seems to hold powers he is not willing to reveal. Finally the Manx..as Endres tells it he was drawing a typical female charcter when the pencil took over creating fur and a long fluffy tail. His obsession with the character had started.

The Colossians book was released on June 23, 2012 at the Superheroes for Hospice event...

After attending the Kubert School to hone his skills (a gift from his wife), he became involved with Cross Press Comics. by 2002 he was involved with the anthology comic Megazeen, in which his characters would make appearances.

Now with the help of Kneon Transitt, pencils; Mark Melton, Hale Burkhin and Vlad Vergara, colors and cover art by Jeff Slemons, the Colossians have their own book, a space based action adventure comic...

I chose the dogs FDC, as a tie in to the anthropomorphic characters of Foxx and the Manx...

Pablo Marcos - Zombie

2012.06.09 Super Mega Show, Whippany, NJ

It is always a pleasure to meet someone of Pablo Marcos' skill in being able to provide finely detailed drawings that keep the viewer looking for minor details. Marcos, born in Peru, wher he started his career working with Julio Fairle at the newspaper La Prensa. Marcos would later contribute to magazines, Rochabus and Zamba Conuto. During the 1960s he would draw the comic strips Benito Puna and James Bond 007. By 1966 Marcos was freelancing for the Mexican publisher Editorial Novaro. Marcos would move to Mexico in 1967...

During the 1970s Marcos relocated to New Jersey, USA! Working for Warren Publishing Marcos would pencil stories for Creepy and Eerie. In 1972 Marcos would start working for Skywald Publications' Nightmare, where he would meet artist and future mentor Boris Vallejo. Bringing his talents to Marvel Comics, Marcos would work on Captain Britain, Planet of the Apes, Dracula, Monsters Unleashed, Tales of the Zombie and Vampire Tales...

Freelancing for DC Comics, Marcos would work on Man-Bat in Detective Comics, Freedom Fighters, Kamandi, Kobra, Secret Society of Super-Villians.  Marcos would also create the series Dragon for the Italian magazine Ejea.

Mina Sanwald - ThunderCats

2012.06.09 Super Mega Show, Whippany, NJ

During the Super Mega Show I stopped by Erica Schultz's table to say hello and pick up M3 #4. Erica said I had to get a sketch from her friend Mina, because she was an awesome talent. Mina was born on Ling Island, showing an interest in art at an early age, studying the great cartoons of the 80s and 90s... TMNT, Ducktales, Sailor Moon...Call Me Mina!

Her studies would lead her to the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. She is credited in two animated shorts from Plymtoons, the Weird Al music video TMZ and the restored version of Winsor McCay's The Flying House. In April of 2012 she published her first book The Big Fat Book of Luscious Chicken, released through Hound Comics...

I overheard someone at the show looking for a ThunderCats comic, to get signed by voice actor Larry Kenney, who was at the show. That's when I had the idea to get a ThunderCats sketch. Mina's rendition of Cheetara is delightful. You can see how much fun this must have been to draw from Cheetara's expression. The Show ThunderCats debuted in 1984 from Rankin-Bass Productions, based on characters created by Ted Wolf. The story follows the adventures of a band of cat-people who live on the planet Thundera, which is dying. Forced to flee Thundera the ThunderCats - Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit and Wilykat and Snarf - must find a way to survive on their new home Third Earth...

Larry Kenney is a radio personality and voice actor, voicing the lead character Lion-O, as well as Karate Kat from The Comic Strip, 1987 and Bluegrass from Silverhawks, 1986...in commercial work Kenney has voiced Count Chocula and Sonny the Cuckoo Bird...

The stamp on the envelope is from the Bright Eyes series of five stamps issued in 1998. The series features popular pets - cat, dog, goldfish, parakeet and hamster - designed by Bill Mayer...

Erica Schultz - Veronica Lake

Superheroes for Hospice, Livingston, NJ

The first time I met Erica Schutlz, writer of the comic book M-3, was at Hospice show. After briefly looking over her book M-3 I purchased a copy, and Erica told me I was one of the first, outside of forced family members, to officially purchase a copy. I truly enjoyed the book. Since I try not to use this space to critique books or drawings, I felt I needed Erica to draw a sketch on a first day cover so I could feature her work. I had heard Erica had done some work in animation and as a colorist, but she was here to promote M-3 as the writer. The art for the book was done by Vincente Alcazar, (you can see a Moon Knight sketch by Alcazar on Matt's page)...

M-3 is the story of Machiavella Maria Marcona, an assassin who discovers her FBI boss is using her. M-3 is a powerful and independent female hero, without super powers, relying on natural abilities and intelligence, involved in corruption, greed, espionage and intrigue ....

Supporters for this book include Bill Sienkiewicz who illustrated the cover of the second issue (copy signed by Erica and Bill Sienkiewicz below)...

Issue 2 also features an alternative cover (inside back cover) by Kevin Maher, 3rd issue features a cover by Andree Maitland...the fourth issue is now available from Hound Comics and the story continues

When I asked for a sketch from Erica of any subject of her choosing, she was reluctant at first, but eventually gave in. I told her I do not mind a simple sketch, so replied she can do actress Veronica Lake (1922-1973) with a distinctive hairstyle that covered her right eye) with just a few pen strokes. When she was finished, with a borrowed red pen from Mark Mariano, Veronica Lake adorned the cover.

If you should meet Erica at a show, ask her to show you the drawing Chris Giarusso did of Machiavella, she is very proud of it. Maybe it will make a future issue of M-3...

I had Sienkiewicz sign the cover at the 2013 NY Comic Con.
Updated 2013.10.14

Ed Coutts - Zatanna

2012.06.09 Super Mega Show, Whippany, NJ

Ed Coutts has garnered attention as a fan favorite artist on the long-running AC Comics series "Femforce", but has also been recognized in the fine art world where his paintings have been on display at the Asterdam-Whitney Gallery, in New York. A native New Yorker, Ed was born in Hells Kitchen and hasn't yet been able to escape! - Bio printed in VaVaVaVoom! #2

VaVaVaVoom!  - Palisade Press - features an anthology of 5 stories written by Paul Monsky. The cover and first feature starring the character Alina Aguilar features pencils by Rudy Nebres and inks by Ed Coutts. Coutts told me it was a difficult pleasure inking over the detailed pencils of Nebres. Nebres' style shows intricate detail in every panel of the story and Coutts inks brings out every beautiful detail.

VaVaVaVoom! #2 signed by Ed Coutts and Rudy Nebres

At Coutts table were numerous prints of gorgeous women. When we discussed a possible sketch, Coutts choose to do Zatanna. The obivious cover was Marilyn Monroe. Zatanna was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson in 1964, appearing Hawkman comics. Zatanna is a magician associated with the Justice League and was voted the 4th in Comic Buyer's Guide of the 100 sexiest women in comics. Imagine Monroe playing the role...

I was at the show helping at the Superheroes for Hospice table, right next to Ed's. Had a great time discussing comics, Femforce and was especially thrilled to be able to watch Ed and Rudy Nebres discuss anatomic technique, with Rudy quickly drawing sketches on a piece of scrap paper...Amazing!

I wasn't sure a scan of Coutts pencil sketch would reproduce the beautiful detailed shading...

David Quiles - Yoda

2012.03.31 NY Comic Book Marketplace, NYC

David Quiles was listed in the show directory as a underground artist. He has worked on projects for Mimi Rodgers - Zombie  Killer, Bare Knuckled Fighter, Fur By Night, 10,000 Miles Through Exile and Hauntmares for Infinite Line Comics. Quiles has also provided illustrations for Now Comics, harris Publications, Nova Star Studios, Argo Comics, Jam Packed Productions, GB Studios, Crazee Comics, Blazer Studios, FBMFM Books and others...

Quiles' art is utilizes a dark gritty macabre ink sketch technique, which when seen in person has more impact on the viewer than does any reproduction. At first I hesitated to ask for a sketch. I was drawn to the style, but I was not sure his technique would work on a small piece. I was wrong. We discussed the cover, and Quiles did not hesitate. The art is dark and effective. The shades of black force you to continually look at Yoda's features. The light effect from Yoda's hand is cool...

Check out David Quiles work on deviantART...

Jerome Walford - Nowhere Man

2012.03.31 NY Comic Book Marketplace, NYC

Jerome Walford founded the Brooklyn based Comixmag.com in 2010 as an independent comics and entertainment media venture. One of his first features is the comic Nowhere Man, the science fiction police action story of Jack Maguire, an ambitious police detective caught in the middle of the biggest conspiracy of all time...

The webcomic starts  with Maguire and his partner Rose Yancy on patrol, the Beatles' Nowhere Man playing on the radio. Maguire is possessed by an agent, codenamed Zade, with powers controlled by electromagnetic energy. Zade strikes on his own, ultimately leaving Maguire with more questions than answers...

The webcomic's first volume is online, drawn with a crisp line the cityscape are finely detailed. The action and story line keeps the reader interested. Excellent webcomic, keep up the good work and good luck Jerome, a pleasure to meet you...